Moldavia
Moldavia (Moldova in Romanian) was a principality of Romania, originally created in the Middle Ages. It was situated between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River. At times its authority extended farther eastward to the Dniester River. The more easterly extension now forming the ethnically Romanian independent state of Moldova, itself historically known as Bessarabia (after a certain Romanian noble family).
A union between Moldavia and Romania was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris (1920), but this was not recognised by the Soviet Union. After World War II, parts of Moldavia were made into the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldavia, and the most eastern parts were handed over to Ukraine. In 1991, the Moldavian SSR declared independence under the name "Moldova." The names "Moldavia" and "Moldova" descend from the old German "Molde", meaning "open-pit mine", reflective of a strong early presence of imported German miners and a once-vital mining industry.
Population
The partition of Moldavia within Romania's borders has a population of 4,681,555 (2002), while the partition making up the country of Moldova has a population of 4,431,570 (2002). Data for the population of the partitions within the Ukraine is unreliable, however it is estimated to be between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 persons. The estimated total for all partitions is over 10,500,000 persons.
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