Chisinau
Chişinău (In Russian: Кишинёв, Kishinyov, Moldovan Cyrillic: Кишинэу), estimated population 920,000 (2002), is the capital of Moldova.
Geography
The city is located on the River Bâc, a tributary of the Nistru (Dniestr). The city is divided into 5 administrative districts. Total city area is aproximatelly
of 565 sq.kilometers (338 sq.mil.) It is major industrial and servicing center. The main industries include consumer and electrical goods, and the manufacture of building materials, machinery, plastics, rubber, and textiles. The main service fields are: banking and credits,shopping/commerce; transport: 2 Bus terminals, next one under construction and an international airport Kishinev International Airport, 1 international train terminal and hotels.
History
Founded in the early 15th century as a monastery town, the city was captured in the 16th century by Turkey and in 1812 by Russia, who made it the center of Bessarabia. Romania held the city from 1918 to 1940, when it was seized by the USSR. The year of city foundation is considered 1436.
Education
The city is home to 36 universities and the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city has become a relatively lively and well appointed capital, with a much higher standard of living than most rural areas.
