Moldova Country Profile - Business & Tourist Travel Information Moldova population religion history economy road travel & other national information for Moldovan news: the euromost.info news matrix
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The euromost.info's Moldova Travel Guide with general info on: the national tourist board & local city tourist boards, EU status, currency & weather, low cost airlines offering bargain or cheap European flights and International Airlines flying to Chisinau airport. Also details of the Moldova Rail Network and main coach services, sources of Consular advice and Travel Warnings where given. The Moldova Country Profile includes details of its economy, history, population & religion. The Chisinau City Break Guide includes info on the main sightseeing places attractions, clubs, accommodation and hotels. The City of Chisinau is one of 28 Euromost cities. More
welcome to euromost.info's travel guide for business travellers & tourists visiting Moldova with links to the national tourist board & local tourist boards for the capital city Chisinau, airport information, low cost & international airline routes, rail & coach services, weather and consulate advice. Additional info on history, economy, population, religion in the Moldova Country Profile - with info on sightseeing attractions, restaurants & hotels in the Chisinau City Guide
Moldova History
Prior to World War 2 most of Moldova was a Romanian province. In 1947 Stalin gave the region autonomous status, whilst adding part a stretch of Soviet terrority and renaming the new state the Moldovian Soviet Socialist Republic. It remained under the control of the Kremlin until its declaration of independence in 1991.
Since then there have been periods of unrest, mainly in the region of Transnistria where the population is 40% Moldovan, 28% Ukrainian and 23% Russian. In recent years the prescence of Russian troops and large reserves of ammunition has been controversial.
A Web Of Vineyards
For centuries Moldova has harvested the grapes and since the fall of communism in western uropean terms the secret is out. Chisinau is not only Moldova's capital it is also the centre of a host of wine routes which capture the capital in the same as a spider rests in his web.
The wine routes lead toMa places like Purcari, Cricova, Ciumai, Romanesti, Cojusna, Milestii Mici -to name just a few - which are home to national wines including Rara Neagra, Feteasca, Plavai etc. Incidentally Moldovan wines are traditionally either named after the grape they come from or the villages where the wineries are housed.
In Cricova travellers can discover the biggest wine cellar in the world. Its underground cellars, some of which are open to visitors stretch for over 100 km. Visitors can view a wine collection of over 30,000,000 litres, before being welcomed into the spacious tasting halls.
The harvest from Milestii Mici is renowned for its contribution to full bodied wines and the local cellars which cover 50 km are awash with these wines appreciated by those with discerning tastes. Cojusna has a bouquet of wines though seemingly gentle can be very relaxing. Purcari and Ciumai offer generous tasting ceremonies of wines that many descibe as simply divine - and the word divine in Moldova means strength!
Travel In Moldava
Road Travel In Moldova
European Union and International driving licences are accepted in Moldova - though technically you can only use them for up to thirty days after your entry into the country. Drivers ashould carry their licence and vehicle registration documents with them at all times.
In Chisinau roads are generally well maintained. Elsewhere Moldova’s roads are in poor condition. Main roads beween cities are usually two lane and often badly marked, poorly sign posted and are rarely lit at night. In some areas maintenance of these roads is also poor. Rural roads fair even worse with livestock, horse drawn carriages and agricultral vehicles being particular hazards. Chisinaus excepted, it is advisable to avoid travelling on roads in Moldova after nightfall. Many accidents, especially at night are apparently attributed to drunken driving.
Though driving standards vary many foreign motorists have described the Moldovan attiutude to driving as some what aggresive. Moldovan driving licences are not recognised by the European Union.
Speed limits in Moldova vary especially in built up areas where they do not exceed 60 KPH but are often lower. On main roads between cities the limit is 90 KPH. It is illegal to drive in Moldova with any alchohol in the blood.
Road Travel In The Ukraine In The Winter.
During the winter Moldova can suffer from severe weather conditions heavy snow and extremely cold temperatures - see the Chisinau City Guide These conditions can occur between November and March. Motorists travelling in Estonia during the winter are advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting out. They are also advised to carry mobile phones for use in an emergency along with emergency supplies of food and warm drinks especially if they are going on a long journey. Winter tyres / snow chains should be fitted to vehicles.
Moldova Population
The Capital of Moldova, Chisinau, is home to 656,000 people out of a total national population of 4.3m. The indigenious people are 65%Moldovan/Romanian, 14% Russian, 13% Gagauz (Turkish Christians) 3.5% Jewish and 1.5% Bulgarian.
Religion In Moldova
The official currency is the Moldovan lei. The Eastern Orthodox Church is followed by 98% of the population with the Jewish and Baptists the most noteable leading minority faiths
Languages In Moldova
The main languages are Moldovan, Russian, Gagauz and Ukrainian.
Moldova Currency
The unit of currency is the Moldovan Lei
Currency Exchange Moldova
American Dollars and Euros are easy to exchange in Moldova. Some establishments may accept these units as currency. The British pound is more difficult to exchange especially outside Chisinau.
ATM Machines In Chisinau & Moldova
Local currency can be obtained at ATM machines in Chisinau but not all machines accept chip and pin cards. Outside Chisinau ATM's are scarce and non accept chip and pin cards.
Credit Cards In Moldova
Credit cards are not widely acceptedn Moldova even in Chisinau.
Credit Card Fraud Moldova
This is an increasing problem and it is advisable to pay in cash wherever possible. Where you have to use a credit card to pay for a service card do not let it out of your sight.
Moldova Economy Business
The economy in Moldova has a annual growth rate of over 7% with an inflation rate in double figures. Its major industry is manufacturing - farm machinery, food processing, white goods, sugar, vegatable oils, textiles and shoes. Its prosperity has been adversly affected by the unofficial independence of the Transnistra region in eastern Moldava which once was a major contributer to the country's industrial wealth.
Major trading partners are Russia, Romanian, Ukraine, Germany and Italy. America and Spain have made large investments in the state. The Moldovan Government hope in the long term to become European Union members.
Visa Requirements Moldova
UK & other EU passports holders and American citizens do not require a visa to visit Moldova if the visit is less than 90 days. Visitors travelling on other documentation issued by these countries must have a visa. For further information see the Moldovan links on the euromost consulate page.
Crime In Moldova
Serious crime in Moldova rarely involves tourists. Petty crime, namely pick-pocketing and bag snatching targetted at tourists can be a problem, especially in Chisinau, in tourist areas and near ATM machines. Some of these incidents occur at night in poorly lit streets and it is advisable to carry a torch with you.
Healthcare In Moldova
There is no agreement between Moldova and EU Countries for free medical treatment. All medical treatment has to be payed for. Not many medical staff in hospitals in Moldova speak English. English speaking doctors cn usually be found by contacting the British Embassy in Chisinau website / tele +373 22 225902.
Drinking Water In Moldova
Visitors should drink bottled water only
where ever you are - where ever you are going - euromost.info will help
Official Tourist Board Site (Unconfirmed) Alternative Tourist Department Site European Ski Guide
Moldova Consulate OfficeHistory Economy Language Religions
Chisinau overview sightseeing, attractions, night clubs, restaurants, public transport in Chisinau apartment and hotel accommodation in Chisinau
Listing of low cost airlines flying to and from Chisinau & offering cheap flights to Chisnau plus information on travelling from Chisnau Airport to Central Chisinau
Moldova (shown in cream) Transnistria (shown in red) picture from Wikipedia more Wikipedia info on Transnistria
Travelling Via Transnistria
Transnistria in north-eastern Moldova though officially part of Moldovais not under the control or the Moldovan government. It is effectively under the control of separatists. The provivincial capital of Transnistria is Tiraspol which in the last two years has experienced several bomb explosions in public areas. These incidents have not been attributed in any group organisation or terrorist cell.
Visitors to Moldova from the Ukraine who enter via Transnistria by road or rail will not have their passports stamped by Transnistrian border guards. When leaving the Transnistria area and entering the Moldova area under the control of the Moldovan Government visitors are again not stamped. These circumstances mean that the passport holder has not officially entered Moldova.
The consequences of this are that when the passport holder leaves Moldova by plane from Chisinau or by land into Romania they may be detained by Moldova Immigration Authorities for having entered Molldova illegally. To avoid this visitors to Moldova, travelling from the Ukraine should avoid entering the Transnistria region which is situated 'centrally' on the Moldovan - Ukraine border. They should use the border crossing points between the two countries to the north and south of the Transnistria region.
Visiting Transnistria
Transnistria politicaly is a pro-soviet region with a population dominated by former Russians who where encourgaged to to the area migrate ib the post-war Stalinist era. That said 40% of the population have the Moldovan language as their mother tongue. Many nationalists in Transnistria have expressed concern that Moldova might eventually become part of Romania as the neighbouring region of Bessarabia was between 1918 -1940. Ultlimately the nationalist goal is for the area to become part of the Soviet Union, even though they are seperated from Russia by the Ukraine who's own relations with Moscow blow hot and cold. Russian troops are stationed in Transnistria.
The political situation within Transnistria means that visitors to the region are sometmes viewed with suspicion. For example taking photographs of buidings and other tourist attractions risks been seen by authorities as spying. UK Visitors intending to go to Transnistria, are advised to contact the British Embassy in Chisinau : website email or telephone +373 22 225902. See also UK goverment Moldova advice. >>>. Advice for Americans can be found via the Chisinau American Embassy.
Personal ID In Moldova
Wherever posible you should leave valuables including your passports in a hotel safe etc. However on the spot police checks are a routine part of life in Moldova especially if your are a tourists. You should therefore alwayshave with you a photocopy of your passport, visa and other relevant travel documents
Taking Photographs In Moldova
It is illegal to take photographs of military installations. Its also advisable not to take photographs in airports. Penalties can include imprisonment.
Use Of Drugs In Moldova
There is zero tolerance of the use or sale of any illegal drugs including cannabis. Anyone arrested and convicted of drug offences can expect to serve a term of imprisonment. Sentences given commonly run into years.
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Unusual web site offering more essential information than you would need on a visit to Chisinau.
The offer of an 'orientation tour' on you arrival is not only entrepeneurial but obviously a good idea as it provided by well informed guides.
Marisha .net offers visitors to Chisinau a wealth of information rural travel and travel hits and tips . as well as tourist and business support work, eg. visa applications information searches logistics, running errands, buying tickets etc.
You can contact them about accommodation in Kishinev. Backpackers can can rent a spare room in their flats in Kishinev / Chisinau or Tiraspol or even rent out the whole place when they are away. For others they will recommend a suitable hotel
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