Southeastern Europe.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

33,800 sq km (13,050 sq miles).

4.3 million (UN estimate 2005).

127.2 per sq km.

Chisinau (Kishinev). Population: 662,200 (official estimate 2004).

Moldova is a small landlocked state in southeastern Europe – one of the most highly populated republics of the former USSR. To the north, east and south, Moldova is bound by Ukraine; to the west by Romania. The River Prut constitutes the border with Romania. The country has rich pastures and wooded slopes, ideal for wine-growing.

Republic since 1991. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

President Vladimir Voronin since 2001.

Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev since 2001.

The Communist Party came to power in 2001 and were winners again in the most recent parliamentary elections in March 2005. The Moldovan parliament then returned President Voronin for a second term in April 2005, at which point he said he would focus on European integration, resolving the ongoing conflict with Transnistria and raising the standard of living.

Moldovan (official), although considered to be virtually identical to Romanian. Russian is still the most widely-spoken language.

Mostly Eastern Orthodox Christian and other Christian denominations. A small amount of the population are Jewish.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are used.

Dress should be casual but conservative. For official engagements, men should wear a jacket and tie.