Cities to visit in the Republic of Moldova
Chișinău
Chișinău is the capital of the Republic of Moldova and, with a population of over 550,000, also the country’s most populous city. It is the most important economic centre, university city and cultural hub. The city of Chișinău covers an area of approximately 120 km².
Tiraspol
Tiraspol is the capital of the Transnistria region. It is the second largest city in the Republic of Moldova, which more or less considers itself part of its own territory. Tiraspol is located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River and is a university city, cultural centre and economic hub. The city has a population of approximately 150,000 to 200,000. The cities of Bendery and Slobodseja are located nearby.
The city was founded in 1792 by Russian commander Alexander Suvorov as a fortress near the Romanian village of Sucleia. The name Tiraspol was derived from Tyras, the Greek name for the Dniester River.
Bălți
With just under 100,000 inhabitants, Bălți is the second largest city in the Republic of Moldova after Chișinău (excluding Tiraspol). The city is an important industrial, cultural and business centre, as well as the most important transport hub in the north of the Republic of Moldova. The city is located in the Bălți steppe, about 130 km north of Chișinău on the Răut River, a tributary of the Dniester. The city has a multicultural and multilingual population, with Russian and Romanian being the main languages spoken. Bălți was first mentioned in 1620.
Rîbnița
Rîbnița is a district capital in the north of the Transnistria region, located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River.