BACKGROUND:
- Republic of Moldova - presidential, parliamentary republic.
Area 33740 sq.km
Population, January 1, 1997 (millions) - 4.320
Average growth rate p.a., 1990-95 (%) - 0.2
Population density, 1997 (persons/sq.km.) - 128
Population distribution, % (1997):
Urban - 46.2 ; Rural - 53.8
GNP total, 1994 (US $ billions) - 1.43
GNP per capita, 1996 (US $) - 442
Capital sity Chisinau (1994)- 676,000 people.
Other major cities (1994): Tiraspol - 184,000 people;
Balti - 162,000;and Benderi - 132,000 .
Official language is Romanian.
Dominant Religion - Orthodox.
