Geography of Moldova
Dniester River ) |
Located in
Basic data
Location: | Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania |
---|---|
Geographic coordinates :
|
47°00′N 29°00′E / 47.000°N 29.000°E |
Map references: | Commonwealth of Independent States |
Area: |
|
Area – comparative: |
|
Land boundaries: |
|
Coastline: | 0 km (0 miles) (landlocked) |
Maritime claims: | none (landlocked) |
Natural resources: | lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone |
Land use: |
|
Irrigated land: | 2,283 km2 (881 sq. mi.) (2011) |
Total renewable water resources: | 11.65 km 3 (2.8 cu. mi.) |
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 20 °C (68 °F), and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging −4 °C (25 °F). Annual rainfall, which ranges from around 6 centimeters (2.4 in) in the north to 4 centimeters (1.6 in) 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 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) at Fălești on 7 August 2012.[1] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −35.5 °C (−31.9 °F) on January 20, 1963 at Brătușeni.[1]
Chișinău's climate. (Central Moldova)
Climate data for Chișinău (1991–2020, extremes 1886–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 15.5 (59.9) |
20.7 (69.3) |
25.7 (78.3) |
31.6 (88.9) |
35.9 (96.6) |
37.5 (99.5) |
39.4 (102.9) |
39.2 (102.6) |
37.3 (99.1) |
32.6 (90.7) |
23.6 (74.5) |
18.3 (64.9) |
39.4 (102.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.1 (34.0) |
3.4 (38.1) |
9.2 (48.6) |
16.4 (61.5) |
22.3 (72.1) |
26.1 (79.0) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
22.3 (72.1) |
15.5 (59.9) |
8.1 (46.6) |
2.7 (36.9) |
15.3 (59.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −1.8 (28.8) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
4.5 (40.1) |
11.0 (51.8) |
16.8 (62.2) |
20.7 (69.3) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.6 (72.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
10.8 (51.4) |
4.8 (40.6) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
10.7 (51.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −4.2 (24.4) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
0.7 (33.3) |
6.3 (43.3) |
11.8 (53.2) |
15.9 (60.6) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
12.5 (54.5) |
7.1 (44.8) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
6.8 (44.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −28.4 (−19.1) |
−28.9 (−20.0) |
−21.1 (−6.0) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.6 (38.5) |
7.8 (46.0) |
5.5 (41.9) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−10.8 (12.6) |
−21.6 (−6.9) |
−22.4 (−8.3) |
−28.9 (−20.0) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 36 (1.4) |
31 (1.2) |
35 (1.4) |
39 (1.5) |
54 (2.1) |
65 (2.6) |
67 (2.6) |
49 (1.9) |
48 (1.9) |
47 (1.9) |
43 (1.7) |
41 (1.6) |
555 (21.9) |
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) | 7 (2.8) |
6 (2.4) |
3 (1.2) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (0.4) |
3 (1.2) |
20 (7.9) |
Average rainy days | 8 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 132 |
Average snowy days | 13 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.4 | 5 | 11 | 51 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
82 | 78 | 71 | 63 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 60 | 66 | 73 | 81 | 83 | 70 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 75 | 80 | 125 | 187 | 254 | 283 | 299 | 295 | 226 | 169 | 75 | 58 | 2,126 |
Average ultraviolet index | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Source 1: Pogoda.ru.net, NOAA (sun, 1961–1990)[3]
| |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)[4] |
Bălți's climate. (Northern Moldova)
Climate data for Bălți | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.5 (31.1) |
1.3 (34.3) |
7.0 (44.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
22.0 (71.6) |
24.9 (76.8) |
26.2 (79.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
21.8 (71.2) |
15.2 (59.4) |
7.6 (45.7) |
2.1 (35.8) |
14.1 (57.4) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.5 (18.5) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
13.1 (55.6) |
14.5 (58.1) |
13.5 (56.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
4.3 (39.7) |
0.3 (32.5) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
4.2 (39.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 31 (1.2) |
28 (1.1) |
28 (1.1) |
44 (1.7) |
55 (2.2) |
86 (3.4) |
79 (3.1) |
49 (1.9) |
43 (1.7) |
22 (0.9) |
34 (1.3) |
30 (1.2) |
529 (20.8) |
Average precipitation days | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 120 |
Source: World Weather Information Service[5] |
Tiraspol's climate. (Central Moldova)
Climate data for Tiraspol | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 0.7 (33.3) |
2.3 (36.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
16.5 (61.7) |
22.5 (72.5) |
25.8 (78.4) |
27.4 (81.3) |
27.3 (81.1) |
23.0 (73.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
8.6 (47.5) |
3.3 (37.9) |
15.1 (59.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.1 (21.0) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
5.1 (41.2) |
10.3 (50.5) |
13.8 (56.8) |
15.5 (59.9) |
14.7 (58.5) |
10.3 (50.5) |
5.3 (41.5) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
5.2 (41.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33 (1.3) |
35 (1.4) |
28 (1.1) |
35 (1.4) |
52 (2.0) |
72 (2.8) |
63 (2.5) |
49 (1.9) |
38 (1.5) |
26 (1.0) |
36 (1.4) |
38 (1.5) |
495 (19.5) |
Average precipitation days | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 116 |
Source: World Weather Information Service[6] |
Cahul's climate. (Southern Moldova)
Climate data for Cahul, Moldova | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 0.2 (32.4) |
1.8 (35.2) |
7.9 (46.2) |
15.9 (60.6) |
21.6 (70.9) |
25.0 (77.0) |
26.8 (80.2) |
26.5 (79.7) |
22.6 (72.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
8.5 (47.3) |
2.6 (36.7) |
14.6 (58.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −5.7 (21.7) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
5.6 (42.1) |
11.1 (52.0) |
14.5 (58.1) |
16.0 (60.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
11.9 (53.4) |
6.6 (43.9) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
5.9 (42.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 36 (1.4) |
39 (1.5) |
33 (1.3) |
41 (1.6) |
56 (2.2) |
76 (3.0) |
66 (2.6) |
56 (2.2) |
48 (1.9) |
28 (1.1) |
38 (1.5) |
40 (1.6) |
557 (21.9) |
Average precipitation days | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 122 |
Source: World Weather Information Service[7] |
Topography
Moldavian Plateau | |
Topography | |
Bukovinian Subcarpathians Suceava Plateau | |
Hydrography | |
Suceava )Prut Dniester (Răut) Black Sea |
|
Climate | |
Flora & Fauna | |
Flora of Romania List of mammals in Romania List of mammals in Moldova Protected areas in Romania Protected areas in Moldova |
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 300 m or 984 ft, in
To the south are located the Bălți Plain and the Middle Prut Plain, with an average of 200 meters (656 ft) and a maximum altitude of 250 meters (820 ft). Originally forested, 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 relief very different from that of flatland, and vegetation different from that of the steppe.
The hills of central Moldova are divided into the
The country's highest point, Bălănești Hill, which reaches 1,407 or 1,410 ft (428.9 or 429.8 m), 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 250 meters or 820 feet, max 388 meters or 1,273 feet). In the south, the Tigheci Hills (average 200 meters or 656 feet, max 301 meters or 988 feet) 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 150–200 meters (492–656 ft), max 250 meters (820 ft), 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.
About 75 percent of Moldova is covered by a soil type called 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 100 kilometers (60 miles). 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 6 mi (9.7 km) in length, and only 8 exceed 60 mi (96.6 km).
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
- The lowest point: An unnamed point on the bank of the Dniester River2 m (6.56 ft)
- The highest point: Dealul Bălănești430 m (1,411 ft)
- North extreme: Naslavcea
- South extreme: Giurgiulești
- West extreme: Criva
- East extreme: Palanca
Natural habitat
Moldova's natural habitat is characterized by
land formation[8] | area, km2 | of which currently forests, km2 | % forests | habitat type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Moldavian Hills | 4,630 | 476 | 10.3% | forest steppe |
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 (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
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 Moldaviaas "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 Dnister and Prutshown, 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 Holy landthrough 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, 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]
- "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. Agricultural practices such as overuse of pesticides 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.[9] 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:
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
See also
- Moldova
- List of cities in Moldova
Notes
- ^ a b "Recorduri meteorologice în Republica Moldova" (in Romanian). Serviciul Hidrometeorologic de Stat. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ "Климат Кишинева (Climate of Chișinău)" (in Russian). Погода и климат. May 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "Kisinev Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "Chisinau, Moldova - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
- ^ "Weather Information for Bălți". World Weather Information Service. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ "Weather Information for Tiraspol". World Weather Information Service. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ "Weather Information for Cahul". World Weather Information Service. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ Concept of National Ecological Network of the Republic of Moldova
- ^ NATO. "Destroying dangerous pesticides in Moldova". NATO. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
External links
- Moldova.org
- "Pontic steppe". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- google maps