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 is rich in fertile soil and in hardworking and caring people. Nature is very generous in Moldova, offering plentiful grapes, fruits, vegetables, meat and milk products and cereals, all of which have found their uses in our national food.
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.