Gap Year Destinations

Where to go

Eastern Europe: Moldova

Said to have the cleanest air in the world, Moldova is a newly independent nation with much to offer the intrepid traveller.

Environment

Moldova’s landscape is one of hilly farming country; gently rolling uplands interwoven with rivers and streams are dotted with small towns which reach up to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.

Climate

Moldova has a good climate due to being close to the Black Sea; the summers are long and warm (average temperature being 20°C) and the winters are mild and dry (January temperatures being around -4°C).

Demographics and Language

Moldovans make up about 75% of the population of the country, the rest being populated by Ukrainians, Russians and other ethnicities. Total population stands at just under 3.4 million people.

Moldova’s official languages are Moldovan and Romanian although both languages have much in common, and some linguists say Moldovan is a dialect of Romanian. Just over 10% of Moldovans also speak Russian, due to Moldova’s history as part of the USSR.

Cuisine

Moldovan cuisine is varied, both in influences from different cultures and from the wide range of food crops grown. Vegetables like tomatoes, green peppers, aubergine, white cabbage, beans, onions and garlic are baked, pickled, salted, and canned using traditional recipes. Maize is also common, for example in ‘mamaliga’ or maize porridge. This is served with diced and fried meat or cheese. Meat normally makes up the first few courses of a meal, followed by a dessert such as cake dipped in syrup.

Religion

Most Moldovans are Christians, and belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is connected to Russian Orthodox Christianity. The other main religion practiced in Moldova is Judaism, with approximately 1.5% of the Moldovan population Jews.

Economy and money

Moldova’s economy is based on agriculture – food crops, wine production and tobacco. Since independence from Soviet Russia, it has attempted to privatize land and since 2000 the economy has grown, although the current Communist government wants to try and put restrictions on private business and return land for communal use. Despite this growth, however, Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. Its currency is the Moldovan leu.

Culture and politics

Moldovan culture is similar to that of Romania’s, as they share common ancestry, however it was suppressed for decades under Russian occupation. Moldovans therefore expressed themselves through a rich folk culture; dance, theatre, art, crafts and folklore, with ballad singing especially important. This diversity can still be experienced in modern Moldova, where traditional arts are very popular.

Currently, the Communist Party of Moldova is in power and due to various issues relations with Russia have deteriorated since independence. The government is pro-Western, and has often affirmed its desire to join the European Union.