Moldova is divided into 32 districts (Romanian: "raioane", raions), 3 municipalities (Chişinău, Bălţi, and Bender), one "autonomous territorial unit" (Gagauzia), and the territorial unit of Transnistria, the final status of which is yet unclear.
Republic of Moldova is a parliamentary republic. The Parliament is unicameral and has 101 seats and its members are elected by popular vote.
The Republic of Moldova is one of the most densely populated European countries. Its population grew from 3 million in 1961 to nearly 4.3 million in 1995. Population density increased, respectively, from 88 to 129 persons per square kilometre.