Officially name: The Republic of Moldova
Capital: Chişinău
Largest city: Chişinău
Official language: Moldovan (Romanian)
Government: Parliamentary republic
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.
Moldova, a country in eastern Europe that was once part of the Soviet Union. Moldova lies near the Black Sea and is bordered by Romania and Ukraine. Moldova occupies rich prairie land and is drained by the Prut and Dniester rivers. The area is 13,012 square miles (33,700 km2).