The Republic of Moldova is situated in the SouthEast of Europe.

The country’s capital, Chisinau, is situated on 47° North latitude and 27° 30’ East longitude. The land surface covers 33,7 thousands square kilometers. The distance between the most northern and the southern points is 350 km, from west to East - 150 km. In the West the state adjoins Romania and in the North, East and South - Ukraine. Moldovan is a hilly plane, including three physical geographic zones: Forest, forest-steppe and steppe. The maximal altitude is of 429,4 meters. The main Rivers in Moldova are the

Nistru and Prut. The largest cities are Chisinau, Tiraspol, Balti and Bender (Tighina).

The climate is temperate. The average annual temperature is +8, +10°C (in January - 3, -5, in July +20, +25). The soil is black soil rich in humus.

Flora is plentiful. Extremely favorable combination of climate and soil conditions create high yields of cereals, grapes, tobacco, fruits and vegetables.

According to the last census of 1990, the population numbers 4,4 millions people. The majority is Romanians (Moldovans) with a 64 percent out of the total, Ukrainians - 14 percent, Russians - 13 percent, and others, including Jewish, Bulgarians, Gagauzs.

The Republic of Moldova was a part of the former Soviet Union, and proclaimed independence on the 27th of August, 1991.