Moldova is a small, rural country that sits between Ukraine and Romania. Before World War II, it was part of Romania. After World War II, it belonged to the Soviet Union until 1991, when it gained its independence. Many Ukrainians and Russians live here. They want to be independent from Moldova. Sometimes the people fight over the land still.
Moldova Facts For Kids
- Moldova is in Eastern Europe.
- The capital city is Chișinău.
- They speak Romanian there.
- Moldova has a flag with blue, yellow, and red.
- It’s famous for its wine production.
- Moldova was once part of the Soviet Union.
- The Dniester River runs through it.
- It’s one of Europe’s least visited countries.
- They celebrate “Martisor” in spring.
- Moldova has rolling hills and vineyards.
Chisinau
As Moldova’s capital and largest city, Chisinau, famously known as the ‘White City’ due to its white limestone buildings, offers a rich and diverse historical and cultural experience. The city is a treasure trove of museums, parks, and historical sites, making it an ideal destination for children to gain insights into history and culture. Among the city’s highlights are the expansive botanical garden, and ‘Dendrarium’ park, teeming with a wide array of plant species.
Chisinau also boasts a zoo, a circus, and a puppet theatre, engaging attractions that appeal to both local and visiting children. With a calendar packed with various cultural and art events throughout the year, Chisinau remains a vibrant and stimulating destination for young explorers.
Transnistria
Transnistria, an intriguing region found in the eastern part of Moldova, possesses a distinctive status due to its self-declared independence in 1990, a claim not recognized by the United Nations. This results in an interesting scenario for children learning about it, as it has its own government, currency, flag, and national anthem, despite technically being a part of Moldova.
The region is a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups, such as Moldovans, Russians, and Ukrainians, with the predominant languages being Russian, Moldovan, and Ukrainian. Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria, is a testament to the region’s rich history, boasting an array of historical monuments and buildings.
Romania
Moldova, nestled between Romania and Ukraine, is a small nation with a deep-rooted cultural and historical connection to Romania. As a testament to this bond, Romanian is Moldova’s official language, and many Romanian traditions, customs, and cuisines permeate Moldovan society. This connection is steeped in history, as Moldova was part of Romania before World War II, with a notable proportion of its population still identifying as Romanian today.
The shared national holiday of the Great Union Day further strengthens this connection, commemorating the 1918 unification of Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina with the Romanian Kingdom. Such an enduring link between the two countries offers a captivating subject for children studying European history and culture.
Dniester River
The Dniester River, the second largest in Moldova, significantly contributes to the country’s natural landscape, economic vitality, and freshwater supply. Stretching along most of Moldova’s eastern border, it presents a picturesque scene, but its importance extends beyond its beauty.
Serving as a crucial freshwater source, it sustains the local population and a diverse range of plant and animal life, providing an enriching environment for children from nearby towns and villages to learn about nature and ecology, as well as engage in recreational activities such as fishing and swimming during the summer.
Furthermore, the Dniester River underpins Moldova’s economy, playing a pivotal role in supporting agriculture and various other industries.
Moldovan leu
The Moldovan leu, the national currency of Moldova, a quaint Eastern European country, holds a significant place in its economic structure and bears the unique characteristic of being exclusive to this nation. The term ‘Leu’, translating to ‘lion’ in Romanian, is reflective of the currency’s design which incorporates imagery of fauna, eminent personalities, and historical landmarks of Moldova.
The leu’s structure is akin to the dollar, broken down into smaller denominations known as ‘bani’, paralleling cents. Should you find yourself in Moldova, you will employ leus for purchases ranging from trinkets and local cuisine to admission into the myriad of historical attractions the country boasts.
Moldovan wine
Moldova, a petite Eastern European nation boasting a rich winemaking history, ranks among the world’s top 20 wine producers, a fact that might intrigue children. This nation’s devotion to viticulture is so profound that it annually dedicates the first weekend of October to National Wine Day, a celebration of its finest wines.
Moldova also takes pride in housing the world’s largest wine cellar, Milestii Mici, recognized by the Guinness World Records for its remarkable collection of nearly two million wine bottles. While underage individuals are prohibited from consuming wine, children can enrich their knowledge by learning about traditional winemaking methods, the vital role of grapes in Moldova’s agriculture, and the significant contribution of the wine industry to the Moldovan culture and economy.
Gagauzia
Gagauzia, an intriguing region nestled within Moldova, offers an unparalleled cultural journey especially for children. The region’s autonomy signifies the unique identity of its inhabitants, the Gagauz people, who converse in a distinct variant of the Turkish language.
This linguistic diversity is particularly captivating for children as they discover that Gagauz, Russian, and Bulgarian are the dominant languages in this region, rather than the Romanian language that is widely spoken in the rest of Moldova. Adding to the unique cultural experience, Gagauzia showcases its identity through its own flag and coat of arms, differing from the national symbols of Moldova, sparking curiosity among young minds.
The region’s cultural richness is further reflected in its traditional food, music, and festivals, providing an insightful understanding of the amalgamation of cultures that have shaped Gagauzia over numerous centuries.
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
Moldova, a prominent member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an alliance of ex-Soviet nations, plays an active role in collaboration and coordination across various sectors including security, economic development, and cultural exchange. Since securing its independence from the Soviet Union and subsequently joining the CIS in 1991, Moldova has maintained significant historical and political ties with its fellow CIS countries.
However, it uniquely stands as the only CIS member with aspirations to join the European Union, indicating its intention to balance these existing connections with a desire for closer integration with Western Europe.
Bessarabia
Moldova, a captivating Eastern European country, carries a rich history deeply linked to the region of Bessarabia. This historical region, interestingly, was once part of Moldova and even today, the majority of Bessarabia lies within the boundaries of modern-day Moldova, with a smaller portion in Ukraine.
The region of Bessarabia traces its namesake back to the Wallachian Basarab dynasty, who governed the area in the 14th century. Known for its fruitful lands, Bessarabia supports agriculture and vineyards, contributing significantly to Moldova’s status as one of the world’s leading wine exporters. Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, served as the capital of Bessarabia during its incorporation into the Russian Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Presently, the historical depth and cultural heritage of Bessarabia continue to define Moldova’s unique character.
Moldovan-Romanian relations
Moldova and Romania share a multifaceted bond, rooted in their shared history, culture, and language. Moldova, once a part of Romania, maintains many of its historical ties, including the widespread use of Romanian as its official language.
However, since gaining independence in 1991, Moldova’s relationship with Romania has been characterized by a blend of cooperation and conflict. The aspiration for reunification with Romania among some Moldovans is a source of contention, as others prioritize national sovereignty, sparking continuous dialogues and debates.
Regardless of these divergences, Romania remains a major trade partner to Moldova and offers substantial support to the country in various sectors like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Moldovans have a long history. They are proud of their culture and their traditions. They believe in having strong families. When a baby is born, the oldest woman in the father’s family helps bathe the baby. The woman puts flowers, money, honey and milk in the water to nourish the baby. After the baby is bathed, the woman gives the baby to its mother and offers her blessings. Moldovans have other traditions that keep their families close.
Fun Facts About Moldova for Kids
- The capital city of Moldova is Chisinau.
- 4,206,000 people live in Moldova.
- Moldova has 13,000 square miles of land.
- Moldovans speak Moldovan, Russian and Gagauz.
- The main religion in Moldova is Eastern Orthodox, a Christian faith.
Moldova Vocabulary
- Rural: mostly farms and fields with small towns or villages
- Independent: free; separate
- Nourish: feed, support growth
All About Moldova Video for Kids
Here’s a great video for kids on Moldova:
Moldova Q&A
Question: Do Moldovans celebrate Christmas?
Answer: Christmas and Easter are the two biggest holidays in Moldova because they are religious holidays.
Map of Moldova
Here’s a map of the country of Moldova and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Moldova! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Moldova, as though you are actually there!
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