View source for Geography of Moldova

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Country geography
|name            = Moldova
|map             = Moldova_map.gif
|map size        = 236px
|continent       = [[Europe]]
|region          = [[Eastern Europe]]
|coordinates     = {{Coord|47|N|29|E|type:country}}
|area ranking    = 135th
|km area         = 33,843.5
|percent land    = 98.6
|percent water   = 1.4
|km coastline    = 0.407
|borders         = [[Land borders|Total land borders]]: [[Moldova–Ukraine border]], [[Moldova–Romania border]]
|highest point   = [[Bălănești Hill]]<br />428.9&nbsp;m|
|lowest point    = 2 m ([[Dniester River]])
|longest river   = 
|largest lake    = 
|exclusive economic zone= 
}}
[[Image: Satellite image of Moldova in September 2003.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Moldova in September 2003]]
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_MDA_1991–2020.svg|thumb|Köppen–Geiger climate classification map for Moldova]]

Located in [[Eastern Europe]], [[Moldova]] is bordered on the west and southwest by [[Romania]] and on the north, south, and east by [[Ukraine]]. Most of its territory lies in the [[Bessarabia]] region, between the area's two main rivers, the [[Nistru]] and the [[Prut]]. The Nistru forms a small part of Moldova's border with Ukraine in the northeast and southeast, but it mainly flows through the eastern part of the country, separating Bessarabia and [[Transnistria]]. The [[Prut River]] forms Moldova's entire western boundary with Romania. The [[Danube]] touches the Moldovan border at its southernmost tip, and forms the border for {{convert|200|m|ft|0}}.

== Basic data ==
{| class="toccolours"
! style="text-align:left" |Location:
|[[Eastern Europe]], northeast of Romania
|-
! style="text-align:left" |[[Geographic coordinates]]:
|{{Coord|47|00|N|29|00|E|type:country}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Map references:
|Commonwealth of Independent States
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Area:
|
* ''total:'' {{convert|33,851|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.)
* ''land:'' {{convert|32,891|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.)
* ''water:'' {{convert|960|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.)
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Area – comparative:
|
*slightly larger than [[Maryland]], [[United States]]
*slightly larger than [[Vancouver Island]], [[Canada]]
*slightly less than {{sfrac|1|2}} the size of [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]]
*slightly smaller than [[Taiwan]]
*slightly larger than [[Belgium]], [[European Union|EU]]
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Land boundaries:
|
* ''total:'' {{convert|1,390|km|mi|abbr=on}}
* ''border countries:'' Romania {{convert|450|km|mi|abbr=on}}, Ukraine {{convert|940|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Coastline:
| {{convert|0|km|mi|abbr=on}} (landlocked)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Maritime claims:
|none (landlocked)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Natural resources:
|lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Land use:
|
* ''arable land:'' 53.47%
* ''permanent crops:'' 8.77%
* ''other:'' 37.75% (2011)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Irrigated land:
|{{convert|2,283|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (2011)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Total renewable water resources:
|11.65&nbsp;km <sup>3</sup> (2.8 cu. mi.)
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Natural hazards:
|landslides (57 cases in 1998)
|}

== Climate ==
Moldova's proximity to the [[Black Sea]] gives it a mild and sunny climate.

Moldova's [[climate]] is moderately continental: the summers are warm and long, with temperatures averaging about {{convert|20|°C}}, and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging {{convert|&minus;2|°C}}. Annual rainfall, which ranges from around {{convert|600|mm|in|0|sp=us}} in the north to {{convert|400|mm|in|0|sp=us}} in the south, can vary greatly; long dry spells are not unusual. The heaviest rainfall occurs in early summer and again in October; heavy showers and thunderstorms are common. Because of the irregular terrain, heavy summer rains often cause erosion and river silting.

'''Weather records''':
The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|42.4|°C|°F|abbr=on}} at [[Fălești]] on 7 August 2012.<ref name=Moldovarecords>{{cite web |title=Recorduri meteorologice în Republica Moldova |url=http://www.meteo.md/newsait/historu/record.htm |publisher=Serviciul Hidrometeorologic de Stat |language=ro |access-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320091515/http://www.meteo.md/newsait/historu/record.htm |archive-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-35.5|°C|°F|abbr=on}} on January 20, 1963, at [[Brătușeni]].<ref name=Moldovarecords />

Chișinău's climate. (Central Moldova)

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Chișinău (1991–2020, extremes 1886–present)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = 
| Jan record high C = 15.5
| Feb record high C = 20.7
| Mar record high C = 25.7
| Apr record high C = 31.6
| May record high C = 35.9
| Jun record high C = 37.5
| Jul record high C = 40.1
| Aug record high C = 39.2
| Sep record high C = 37.3
| Oct record high C = 32.6
| Nov record high C = 23.6
| Dec record high C = 18.3
| year record high C = 40.1
| Jan high C = 1.1
| Feb high C = 3.4
| Mar high C = 9.2
| Apr high C = 16.4
| May high C = 22.3
| Jun high C = 26.1
| Jul high C = 28.4
| Aug high C = 28.3
| Sep high C = 22.3
| Oct high C = 15.5
| Nov high C = 8.1
| Dec high C = 2.7
| year high C = 15.3
| Jan mean C = -1.8
| Feb mean C = -0.2
| Mar mean C = 4.5
| Apr mean C = 11.0
| May mean C = 16.8
| Jun mean C = 20.7
| Jul mean C = 22.9
| Aug mean C = 22.6
| Sep mean C = 17.0
| Oct mean C = 10.8
| Nov mean C = 4.8
| Dec mean C = -0.2
| year mean C = 10.7
| Jan low C = -4.2
| Feb low C = -3.0
| Mar low C = 0.7
| Apr low C = 6.3
| May low C = 11.8
| Jun low C = 15.9
| Jul low C = 17.9
| Aug low C = 17.5
| Sep low C = 12.5
| Oct low C = 7.1
| Nov low C = 2.1
| Dec low C = -2.5
| year low C = 6.8
| Jan record low C = -28.4
| Feb record low C = -28.9
| Mar record low C = -21.1
| Apr record low C = -6.6
| May record low C = -1.1
| Jun record low C = 3.6
| Jul record low C = 7.8
| Aug record low C = 5.5
| Sep record low C = -2.4
| Oct record low C = -10.8
| Nov record low C = -21.6
| Dec record low C = -22.4
| year record low C = -28.9
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 36
| Feb precipitation mm = 31
| Mar precipitation mm = 35
| Apr precipitation mm = 39
| May precipitation mm = 54
| Jun precipitation mm = 65
| Jul precipitation mm = 67
| Aug precipitation mm = 49
| Sep precipitation mm = 48
| Oct precipitation mm = 47
| Nov precipitation mm = 43
| Dec precipitation mm = 41
| year precipitation mm = 555
| Jan snow depth cm = 7
| Feb snow depth cm = 6
| Mar snow depth cm = 3
| Apr snow depth cm = 0
| May snow depth cm = 0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0
| Nov snow depth cm = 1
| Dec snow depth cm = 3
| year snow depth cm = 20
| Jan humidity = 82
| Feb humidity = 78
| Mar humidity = 71
| Apr humidity = 63
| May humidity = 60
| Jun humidity = 63
| Jul humidity = 62
| Aug humidity = 60
| Sep humidity = 66
| Oct humidity = 73
| Nov humidity = 81
| Dec humidity = 83
| year humidity = 70
| Jan rain days = 8
| Feb rain days = 7
| Mar rain days = 11
| Apr rain days = 13
| May rain days = 14
| Jun rain days = 14
| Jul rain days = 12
| Aug rain days = 10
| Sep rain days = 10
| Oct rain days = 11
| Nov rain days = 12
| Dec rain days = 10
| year rain days = 132
| Jan snow days = 13
| Feb snow days = 13
| Mar snow days = 8
| Apr snow days = 1
| May snow days = 0.03
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0.4
| Nov snow days = 5
| Dec snow days = 11
| year snow days = 51
| Jan sun = 75
| Feb sun = 80
| Mar sun = 125
| Apr sun = 187
| May sun = 254
| Jun sun = 283
| Jul sun = 299
| Aug sun = 295
| Sep sun = 226
| Oct sun = 169
| Nov sun = 75
| Dec sun = 58
| year sun = 2126
| Jan uv = 1
| Feb uv = 2
| Mar uv = 3
| Apr uv = 4
| May uv = 6
| Jun uv = 7
| Jul uv = 7
| Aug uv = 7
| Sep uv = 5
| Oct uv = 3
| Nov uv = 1
| Dec uv = 1
| source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net,<ref name=pogodaChisinau>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191213144209/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/33815.htm
| archive-date = 13 December 2019
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/33815.htm
| title = Климат Кишинева (Climate of Chișinău)
| access-date = 8 November 2021
| publisher = Погода и климат
| language = ru|date=May 2011}}</ref> [[NOAA]] (sun, 1961–1990)<ref name = NOAAChisinau>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_VI/MD/33815.TXT
| title = Kisinev Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 1 April 2016
| archive-date = 7 April 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220407025241/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_VI/MD/33815.TXT
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
| source 2 = Weather Atlas (UV)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/moldova/chisinau-climate|title=Chisinau, Moldova - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast|publisher=Yu Media Group|website=Weather Atlas|language=en|access-date=2019-07-03|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703204236/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/moldova/chisinau-climate|url-status=live}}</ref>
| date = August 2010
| source = 
}}

Bălți's climate. (Northern Moldova)
{{Weather box|width=100%
|location = Bălți
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = -0.5
|Feb high C = 1.3
|Mar high C = 7.0
|Apr high C = 15.9
|May high C = 22.0
|Jun high C = 24.9
|Jul high C = 26.2
|Aug high C = 26.0
|Sep high C = 21.8
|Oct high C = 15.2
|Nov high C = 7.6
|Dec high C = 2.1
|year high C = 14.1
|Jan low C = -7.5
|Feb low C = -5.4
|Mar low C = -1.6
|Apr low C = 4.5
|May low C = 9.9
|Jun low C = 13.1
|Jul low C = 14.5
|Aug low C = 13.5
|Sep low C = 9.5
|Oct low C = 4.3
|Nov low C = 0.3
|Dec low C = -4.0
|year low C = 4.2
|Jan precipitation mm = 31
|Feb precipitation mm = 28
|Mar precipitation mm = 28
|Apr precipitation mm = 44
|May precipitation mm = 55
|Jun precipitation mm = 86
|Jul precipitation mm = 79
|Aug precipitation mm = 49
|Sep precipitation mm = 43
|Oct precipitation mm = 22
|Nov precipitation mm = 34
|Dec precipitation mm = 30
|year precipitation mm = 529
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 11
|Mar precipitation days = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 11
|May precipitation days = 12
|Jun precipitation days = 13
|Jul precipitation days = 11
|Aug precipitation days = 8
|Sep precipitation days = 8
|Oct precipitation days = 6
|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Dec precipitation days = 11
|year precipitation days = 120
|source 1 = World Weather Information Service<ref name=weather1>{{cite web
|url = http://www.worldweather.org/108/c01423.htm|title =Weather Information for Bălți|access-date = 6 January 2008
|publisher =World Weather Information Service}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

Tiraspol's climate. (Central Moldova)
{{Weather box|width=100%
|location = Tiraspol
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 0.7
|Feb high C = 2.3
|Mar high C = 7.8
|Apr high C = 16.5
|May high C = 22.5
|Jun high C = 25.8
|Jul high C = 27.4
|Aug high C = 27.3
|Sep high C = 23.0
|Oct high C = 16.1
|Nov high C = 8.6
|Dec high C = 3.3
|year high C = 15.1
|Jan low C = -6.1
|Feb low C = -4.3
|Mar low C = -0.7
|Apr low C = 5.1
|May low C = 10.3
|Jun low C = 13.8
|Jul low C = 15.5
|Aug low C = 14.7
|Sep low C = 10.3
|Oct low C = 5.3
|Nov low C = 1.3
|Dec low C = -2.8
|year low C = 5.2
|Jan precipitation mm = 33
|Feb precipitation mm = 35
|Mar precipitation mm = 28
|Apr precipitation mm = 35
|May precipitation mm = 52
|Jun precipitation mm = 72
|Jul precipitation mm = 63
|Aug precipitation mm = 49
|Sep precipitation mm = 38
|Oct precipitation mm = 26
|Nov precipitation mm = 36
|Dec precipitation mm = 38
|year precipitation mm = 495
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 11
|Mar precipitation days = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 10
|May precipitation days = 11
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 10
|Aug precipitation days = 7
|Sep precipitation days = 7
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 11
|Dec precipitation days = 11
|year precipitation days = 116
|source 1 = World Weather Information Service<ref name=weather2>{{cite web
| url =http://www.worldweather.org/108/c01425.htm| title =Weather Information for Tiraspol | access-date = 6 January 2008
| publisher =World Weather Information Service }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

Cahul's climate. (Southern Moldova)
{{Weather box|width=100%
|location = Cahul, Moldova
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 0.2
|Feb high C = 1.8
|Mar high C = 7.9
|Apr high C = 15.9
|May high C = 21.6
|Jun high C = 25.0
|Jul high C = 26.8
|Aug high C = 26.5
|Sep high C = 22.6
|Oct high C = 15.9
|Nov high C = 8.5
|Dec high C = 2.6
|year high C = 14.6
|Jan low C = -5.7
|Feb low C = -3.7
|Mar low C = -0.2
|Apr low C = 5.6
|May low C = 11.1
|Jun low C = 14.5
|Jul low C = 16.0
|Aug low C = 15.7
|Sep low C = 11.9
|Oct low C = 6.6
|Nov low C = 1.9
|Dec low C = -2.7
|year low C = 5.9
|Jan precipitation mm = 36
|Feb precipitation mm = 39
|Mar precipitation mm = 33
|Apr precipitation mm = 41
|May precipitation mm = 56
|Jun precipitation mm = 76
|Jul precipitation mm = 66
|Aug precipitation mm = 56
|Sep precipitation mm = 48
|Oct precipitation mm = 28
|Nov precipitation mm = 38
|Dec precipitation mm = 40
|year precipitation mm = 557
|Jan precipitation days = 12
|Feb precipitation days = 13
|Mar precipitation days = 10
|Apr precipitation days = 10
|May precipitation days = 11
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 10
|Aug precipitation days = 8
|Sep precipitation days = 7
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 11
|Dec precipitation days = 12
|year precipitation days = 122
|source 1 = World Weather Information Service<ref name=weather3>{{cite web
| url =http://www.worldweather.org/108/c01424.htm | title =Weather Information for Cahul | access-date = 6 January 2008
| publisher =World Weather Information Service }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

== Topography ==
{{Moldavian Plateau}}

Most of Moldova's territory is a moderate hilly plateau cut deeply by many streams and rivers. Geologically, Moldova lies primarily on the deep sedimentary rock that gives way to harder crystalline outcroppings only in the north. Moldova's hills are part of the larger [[Moldavian Plateau]].

The northern landscape of Moldova is characterized by gently rolling uplands (up to {{convert|300|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}, in [[elevation]]) interlaced with small flat plains in the valleys of the numerous [[Stream|creeks]] (at {{convert|150|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} elevation). These hills, which have an average altitude of {{convert|240|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and a maximum altitude of {{convert|320|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, are divided into the [[Northern Moldovan Plateau]] and the [[Dniester Plateau]], and continue further occupying the northern part of the [[Chernivtsi oblast]] in [[Ukraine]]. The eastern slopes of the Dniester Ridge (average {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|347|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}), form the high right bank of the Dniester River.

To the south are located the [[Bălți Steppe|Bălți Plain]] and the [[Middle Prut Plain]], with an average of {{convert|200|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and a maximum altitude of {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. Originally [[forest]]ed, it has been extensively de-forested for [[agriculture]] during the 19th and 20th centuries. In contrast to the region to the north and south, which is more slant, this area is referred to as ''plain'', although it has [[Terrain|relief]] very different from that of flatland, and vegetation different from that of the [[steppe]].

The hills of central Moldova are divided into the [[Ciulucuri Hills]] and the [[Codri|Codri Plateau]], at an average elevation of about {{convert|350|to|400|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, are ridges interlaced by deep, flat valleys, ravines, and landslide-scoured depressions. Steep forest-clad slopes account for much of the terrain, where the most common trees are hornbeam, oak, linden, maple, wild pear, and wild cherry. The term ''codri'' refers more generally to forests, yet since in Moldova most of them were preserved in the central part, Codri sometimes can colloquially refer to the remaining forests in the hills west and north of [[Chișinău]]. The Dniester Hills border the Ciulucuri Hills to the north along the river [[Răut]].

The country's highest point, [[Bălănești Hill]], which reaches {{convert|1407|or|1410|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}, depending on the source, is situated in the Corneşti Hills, the western part of the Codri Plateau. Northwest of it are the Ciulucului Hills (average {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|388|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}). In the south, the [[Tigheci|Tigheci Hills]] (average {{convert|200|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|301|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}) are a prolongation, and run to the south parallel to the Lower Prut Valley.

To the south-east, the southern part of the Codri Plateau, which averages {{convert|150|-|200|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, max {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, and has numerous ravines and gullies, gradually merges into the [[Southern Moldovan Plain]], continued by in Ukraine by the [[Budjak]] Plain. Most of [[Gagauzia]] resides on the [[Ialpug Plain]].

[[Transnistria]] (the left bank of the Dniester) has spurs of the [[Podolian Plateau]] ({{langx|ro|Podişul Podoliei}}, {{langx|uk|Volyno-Podil's'ka vysochyna}}), (average {{convert|180|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|275|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}), which are cut into by tributaries of the Dniester River. The southern half of Transnistria, the ''Lower Dniester Plain'', can be regarded as the western end of the [[Eurasian steppe]]''',''' and has an average elevation of {{convert|100|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, with a maximum of {{convert|170|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. The high right bank and low left bank of the Dniester are in sharp contrast here, where visibility is not impeded by forests.

About 75 percent of Moldova is covered by a soil type called [[Chernozem|black earth]] or [[chernozem]]. In the northern hills, more clay textured soils are found; in the south, red-earth soil is predominant. The soil becomes less fertile toward the south but can still support grape and sunflower production. The hills have woodland soils, while a small portion in southern Moldova is in the [[steppe]] zone, although most steppe areas today are cultivated. The lower reaches of the Prut and Dniester rivers and the southern river valleys are saline marshes.

Drainage in Moldova is to the south, toward the Black Sea lowlands, and eventually into the Black Sea, but only eight rivers and creeks extend more than {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}}. Moldova's main river, the [[Dniester]], is navigable throughout almost the entire country, and in warmer winters it does not freeze over. The [[Prut]] river is a tributary of the [[Danube]], which it joins at the far southwestern tip of the country. Over 95% of the water circulation in Moldova flows into one of the two rivers – the Prut or Dniester. Of Moldova's well-developed network of about 3,000 creeks and streams, all draining south to the Black Sea, only 246 exceed {{convert|6|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} in length, and only 8 exceed {{convert|60|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}.

Underground water, extensively used for the country's water supply, includes about 2,200 natural springs. The terrain favors the construction of reservoirs of various sizes.

=== Extreme points ===
{{Main|Extreme points of Moldova}}
* The lowest point: An unnamed point on the bank of the [[Dniester River]] {{cvt|2|m|ft|2}}
* The highest point: [[Bălăneşti Hill|Dealul Bălănești]] {{cvt|430|m|ft|0}}
* North extreme: [[Naslavcea]]
* South extreme: [[Giurgiulești]]
* West extreme: [[Criva, Briceni|Criva]]
* East extreme: [[Palanca, Ştefan Vodă|Palanca]]

== Natural habitat ==

[[Image:Malul abrupt al Nistrului Naslavcea-Verejeni Ocnita (3).jpg|thumb|A [[Nistru]] valley view.]]
Moldova's natural habitat is characterized by [[forest steppe]]s, a temperate-climate habitat type composed of [[grassland]] interspersed with areas of [[woodland]] or [[forest]]. A belt of forest steppes cross [[Eurasia]] from eastern Europe to Eastern Siberia, forming a transition between [[temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]] and [[temperate grasslands]]. In the 19th century, Moldova witnessed a sharp decrease in the forested areas, sacrificed for agriculture due to rich soil.

{| class="wikitable"
|+
! | land formation<ref>[http://www.biotica-moldova.org/ECO-NET/part6-2-2.htm Concept of National Ecological Network of the Republic of Moldova<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
! | area, km<sup>2</sup>
! | of which currently forests, km<sup>2</sup>
! | % forests
! | habitat type
|-
| [[Northern Moldavian Hills]] || 4,630 || 476 || 10.3% || [[forest steppe]]
|-
| [[Dniester Ridge|Dniester–Răut Ridge]] || 2,480 || 363 || 14.6% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Middle Prut Valley]] || 2,930 || 312 || 10.6% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Bălți Steppe]] || 1,920 || 51 || 2.7% || [[steppe]]
|-
| [[Ciuluc-Soloneț Hills]] || 1,690 || 169 || 10.0% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Cornești Hills|Cornești Hills (Codru)]] || 4,740 || 1,300 || 27.5% || [[forest]]
|-
| [[Lower Dniester Hills]] || 3,040 || 371 || 12.2% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Lower Prut Valley]] || 1,810 || 144 || 8.0% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Tigheci Hills]] || 3,550 || 533 || 15.0% || forest steppe
|-
| [[Bugeac Plain]] || 3,210 || 195 || 6.1% || steppe
|-
| part of [[Podolian Plateau]] || 1,920 || 175 || 9.1% || forest steppe
|-
| part of [[Eurasian Steppe]] || 1,920 || 140 || 7.3% || steppe
|-
| '''Total''' || '''33,840''' || '''4,228''' || '''12,5%''' || '''forest steppe'''
|}

== Environment ==
{{main|Protected areas in Moldova}}
[[File:National_parks_and_scientific_reserves_in_Moldova.png|thumb|300px|right|Scientific nature reserves and national parks of Moldova: {{color box|green}} [[Orhei National Park|National park]] {{color box|purple}} [[Protected areas of Moldova|Scientific reserves]]]]
[[File:Valea Rautului Butuceni Orhei toamna (2).jpg|300px|thumb|[[Orhei National Park]]]]

===Historical references===

* In the 5th century BC, [[Herodotus]] visited the countryside between the rivers Dnister and Prut and described the place as "a plain with deep black earth, rich in grass and well-irrigated".
* Lithuanian Prince [[Jogaila]] spoke of [[Moldavia]] as "a rich and fructiferous country".
* According to the testimony of [[Venetian Mateus de Murano]], "the country was very well located, reach with cattle and all kinds of fruits, pastures are perfect".
* Rich natural resources of Moldavia always attracted nomads. Fleeing their devastating incursions, inhabitants of Moldavia left the brooded places and hid in forests. French knight [[Guillebert de Lannoy]], who visited these places in 1421, has mentioned an insignificant population of the region: "We moved through large deserts".
* Counsellor of Hungarian King [[George Reihersdorf]] (middle of 16th century) was complaining of travel through "empty, uninhabited lands". In 1541, he produced the first geographical map (preserved to this day) of the [[Principality of Moldavia]], with rivers [[Dnister]] and [[Prut]] shown, as well as cities and other localities, but also highlighted large steppes.
* A map of Moldavia was drawn by the German diplomat [[Sigismund von Herberstein]]. On his map one can see woodless spaces – [[Bălți Steppe]] in the north, and [[Bugeac Steppe]] in the south.
* In the 17th century, pilgrims [[Pavel Aleppskii]] (a Syrian deacon) and [[Ioan Lukianov]] (a Russian priest) traveled on their way to the [[Holy Land]] through Moldavia. These two travelers were struck by the disastrous state of the land that used to blossom: "It better be not ravaged, as no other such can be found, it may yield any kind".
* English traveler [[John Bell (traveller)|John Bell]], who also visited Moldavia, and wrote about fecund soils and "small nice towns" situated next to [[Răut]].
* Russian geographer [[K. Laksman]] described Bălți steppe at the beginning of the 19th century: "To the north is located a steppe with almost no trees at all. To the north-west the steppe is not as woodless".
* Scientist [[K. Arseniev]] mentioned that the north of [[Bessarabia]] is "a genuine mix of arid steppes with most fertile pastures, rich meadows, and gardens".
* Travelers and scholars were amazed by the contrast between rich natural resources of Moldavia/Bălți steppe and its low population in the war-torn 18th century, the pitiful state of agriculture, as well as the poverty of the local population.
* "Desert, waste, naked steppe... The settling among limitless expanses of Bălți steppe happened not "in accordance" with logic, but "against" it. The life of remote ancestors of Bălțiers was full of difficulties and crosses, but they managed to resist."{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}
* "Moldavian fields, as described by both ancient and contemporary writers, are great in their fertility, by far surpassing the richness of the mountains" ([[Dimitrie Cantemir]], ''[[Descriptio Moldaviae]]'')
* "Will someone describes Bessarabian steppes, indeed, they do merit a description. However for this, one needs the talent of unforgettable [[Gogol]], who has so beautifully depicted us the steppes of his homeland. And Bessarabian steppes are not less beautiful." ([[Constantin Stamati-Ciurea]])

=== Current issues ===
Moldova's communist-era environmental legacy, like that of many other former Soviet republics, is one of [[environmental degradation]]. [[Agriculture|Agricultural]] practices such as overuse of [[pesticide]]s and artificial fertilizers were intended to increase agricultural output at all costs, without regard for the consequences. As a result, Moldova's soil and groundwater were contaminated by lingering chemicals, some of which (including [[DDT]]) have been banned in the West.

Such practices continue in Moldova to the present day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_98881.htm|title=Destroying dangerous pesticides in Moldova|last=NATO|website=NATO|access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref> In the early 1990s, use of pesticides in Moldova averaged approximately twenty times that of other former Soviet republics and Western nations. Also, poor farming methods, such as destroying forests to plant vineyards, have contributed to the extensive soil erosion to which the country's rugged topography is already prone.

== International environmental agreements ==
''party to:''
[[Air Pollution]], [[Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants]], [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Kyoto Protocol|Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], [[Ship Pollution]], [[Wetlands]]

''signed, but not ratified:'' none of the selected agreements

== See also ==
* [[Moldova]]
* [[List of cities in Moldova]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Geography of Moldova}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090116032504/http://www.moldova.org/page/the-geography-4-eng.html Moldova.org]
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Pontic steppe|id=pa0814}}
* [https://maps.google.com/?t=h&om=0&ll=49.382373,41.44043&spn=11.07443,29.311523 google maps]

{{Moldova topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Europe topic|Climate of}}
{{Danube}}

[[Category:Geography of Moldova| ]]

[[pt:Moldávia#Geografia]]