Gagauz

Most of the area is covered by mountain ranges running from south-west to north-east. The main ranges are the Dinaric Alps in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, the Šar massif which spreads from Albania to Republic of Macedonia and the Pindus range, spanning from southern Albania into central Greece. In Bulgaria there are ranges running from east to west: the Balkan mountains and the Rhodope mountains at the border with Greece. The highest mountain of the region is Musala in Bulgaria at 2925 m, with Mount Olympus in Greece being second at 2919 m ...

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Balkans, Balkans - Definitions and boundaries, Balkans - Balkan Peninsula, Balkans - The Balkans, Balkans - Etymology and evolving meaning, Balkans - Southeastern Europe, Balkans - Ambiguities and controversies, Balkans - Current common definition, Balkans - Related countries, Balkans - Nature and natural resources, Balkans - History and geopolitical significance, Balkans - Population composition by nationality and religion

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Bessarabia was in the Russian Empire administrative system a region of Central Europe comprising most of current-day Moldova and additional districts that are now in Ukraine. It was bounded by the Dniester river to the north and east, the Prut to the west and the lower Danube river and the Black Sea to the south. It had approximately 17,600 sq mi (45,600 km²). The area has mostly hilly plains with flat steppes, it is very fertile for agriculture, and it also has some lignite deposits and stone quarries. People living in the area grow sugar ...

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Bessarabia, Bessarabia - Geography, Bessarabia - History, Bessarabia - Ancient times, Bessarabia - The Age of the migrations, Bessarabia - Principality of Moldavia, Bessarabia - Part of Russia, Bessarabia - Part of Romania, Bessarabia - World War II, Bessarabia - Part of the Soviet Union, Bessarabia - Rise of the Independent Moldova, Bessarabia - Population, Bessarabia - Economy

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As of 2002, Russia had approximately 145 million inhabitants, roughly 103 million in the European part, and 42 million in the Asian part. Most Russians derive from the Eastern Slavic family of peoples, with Turkic (8.4%), Caucasian (3.3%), Uralic (1.9%) and other minorities. Birth rate: 10.2 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) Death rate: 16.5 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) Net migration ...

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Demographics of Russia, Demographics of Russia - Population, Demographics of Russia - Ethnic groups, Demographics of Russia - Gradient, Demographics of Russia - Languages, Demographics of Russia - Religion, Demographics of Russia - Education, Demographics of Russia - Labor force, Demographics of Russia - Health, Demographics of Russia - Main cities

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As of 2004, average life expectancy in Russia was 59 years for males and 72 years for females. The biggest factor that contributes to low life expectancy is high mortality among working-age males due to preventable causes ( violent crimes, traffic accidents, alcohol ). Some infectious diseases are also implicated, such as AIDS/HIV and, what is very rare outside former USSR, tuberculosis. Both diseases became widespread in Russia in the 1990s. However, the underlying problems with healthcare in Russia pre-date post-Soviet period. Soviet Union ...

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Demographics of Russia, Demographics of Russia - Population, Demographics of Russia - Ethnic groups, Demographics of Russia - Gradient, Demographics of Russia - Languages, Demographics of Russia - Religion, Demographics of Russia - Education, Demographics of Russia - Labor force, Demographics of Russia - Health, Demographics of Russia - Main cities

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Main article: Education in Russia Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 100% female: 97% (1989 est.) Russia's free, widespread and in-depth educational system, inherited with almost no changes from Soviet Union, has produced nearly 100% literacy. Private schools are rare (although getting more popular) and can be mainly found in the capital region. 97% of children receive their compulsory 8-year basic or complete 10-year education in Russian. Other languages are also used in their respective r ...

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Demographics of Russia, Demographics of Russia - Population, Demographics of Russia - Ethnic groups, Demographics of Russia - Gradient, Demographics of Russia - Languages, Demographics of Russia - Religion, Demographics of Russia - Education, Demographics of Russia - Labor force, Demographics of Russia - Health, Demographics of Russia - Main cities

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According to a 2002 survey by the All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM), more than two-thirds of respondents described themselves as adherents to a religious confession: 58% Russian Orthodox, 5% Muslim and less than 2% adhere to a non-Orthodox Christian denomination. 32% self-described as non-religious, agnostic or atheist. Overwhelming majority of those self-identified as religious are non-practicing. According to other polls, only 12% of all respondents believe in resurrection of the dead, 11% fast during Great Lent, a ...

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Demographics of Russia, Demographics of Russia - Population, Demographics of Russia - Ethnic groups, Demographics of Russia - Gradient, Demographics of Russia - Languages, Demographics of Russia - Religion, Demographics of Russia - Education, Demographics of Russia - Labor force, Demographics of Russia - Health, Demographics of Russia - Main cities

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Main article: Administrative divisions of Moldova Moldova is divided into 32 districts (raion, pl. raioane), 3 municipalities (Chişinău, Bălţi and Tighina), two semi-autonomous regions (Găgăuzia and the breakaway region of Transnistria, whose status is still disputed). The districts are: Anenii Noi Basarabeasca Briceni Cahul Cantemir Călăraşi Căuşeni Cimişlia Criuleni
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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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Main article: Geography of Moldova The largest part of the country lies between two rivers, the Nistru and the Prut. Moldova's rich soil and temperate continental climate have made the country one of the most productive agricultural regions and a major supplier of agricultural products in the region. The western border of Moldova is formed by the Prut river, which joins the Danube before flowing into the Black Sea. In the north-east, the Dniester is the main river, ...

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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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Oghuz Turkish literature includes the famous Book of Dede Korkut which was UNESCO's 2000 literacy work of the year, as well as the Oguznama and "Koroglu" epics which are part of the literacy history of Azerbaijanis, Turks of Turkey and Turkmens. The modern and classical literature of Azerbaijan, Turkey and central Asia are also considered the Oghuz literature, since it has been produced by their descendants. The Book of Dede Korkut is an invaluable collection of epics and stories, bearing witness to the language, the way of life, religions, traditions and social norms of the Oghuz Tur ...

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Oghuz Turks, Oghuz Turks - Name, Oghuz Turks - Origins, Oghuz Turks - Anthropology, Oghuz Turks - Social Unit, Oghuz Turks - Homeland in Transoxiana, Oghuz Turks - Dynasties, Oghuz Turks - Turcoman & Turkmen, Oghuz Turks - Literature

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The terms "Turkmen" and "Turcoman" were often used as a designation for the Muslim-Oghhuz Turks (Azerbaijanis, Turks of Turkey, central Asian Turks) in periods of history, and the ethnic name that the modern Turkmens of central Asia use to designate their nationality was formed later. Although a term most commonly used for the Oghuz of central Asia, the name "Turkmen" or "Turcoman" once applied to Azerbaijanis and the Turks of Turkey as well, distinguishing between other Turks and non-Muslim Turks. Some western books which were writte ...

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Oghuz Turks, Oghuz Turks - Name, Oghuz Turks - Origins, Oghuz Turks - Anthropology, Oghuz Turks - Social Unit, Oghuz Turks - Homeland in Transoxiana, Oghuz Turks - Dynasties, Oghuz Turks - Turcoman & Turkmen, Oghuz Turks - Literature

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In the 8th century, the Oghuz Turks made a new home and domain for themselves in the area between the Caspian and Aral seas, a region that is often referred to as Transoxiana, the western portion of Turkistan. They had moved westward from the Altay mountains through the Siberian steppes and settled in this region, and also penetrated into southern Russia and the Volga. In his accredited work titled Divani Lugati’t-Turk, Mahmud of Kashgar, a Turkic scholar of the 11th century, described the Karachuk Mountains which are located ...

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Oghuz Turks, Oghuz Turks - Name, Oghuz Turks - Origins, Oghuz Turks - Anthropology, Oghuz Turks - Social Unit, Oghuz Turks - Homeland in Transoxiana, Oghuz Turks - Dynasties, Oghuz Turks - Turcoman & Turkmen, Oghuz Turks - Literature

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The Turkic peoples have many different branches, and their total population is around 150 million. Roughly half of these belong to Turks of Turkey, dwelling predominantly in Turkey proper and formerly Ottoman-dominated areas of Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; as well as in Western Europe, Australia and the Americas as immigrants. The other half of the Turkic peoples are concentrated in Central As ...

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Turkic peoples, Turkic peoples - Geographical Distribution, Turkic peoples - Turkic Roots, Turkic peoples - Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - Traditions About Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - History, Turkic peoples - Language, Turkic peoples - Religion, Turkic peoples - Geographical distribution and ethnic division, Turkic peoples - Physical appearance, Turkic peoples - Turkish world and Pan-Turkism, Turkic peoples - Translations for Turk

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The term "Turk" was first officially used as a political name in the 6th century. Turkic nationalists claim that the expansion of proto-Turkic peoples across Eurasia involved the Scythians (Ishkuz), Xiongnu, Huns, Sarmatians, Khazars, Pechenegs, Alans, Cimmerians, Massagetae and other steppe populations. While some of these peoples may have represented, to some extent, a proto-Turkic or Turkic tribe or confederation, the majority are considered largely non-Turkic. Certainly in later times the Khazars and the Pechenegs were Turkic, but the Cimmerians, Massagetae, Sarmatians and Scythians are thoug ...

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Turkic peoples, Turkic peoples - Geographical Distribution, Turkic peoples - Turkic Roots, Turkic peoples - Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - Traditions About Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - History, Turkic peoples - Language, Turkic peoples - Religion, Turkic peoples - Geographical distribution and ethnic division, Turkic peoples - Physical appearance, Turkic peoples - Turkish world and Pan-Turkism, Turkic peoples - Translations for Turk

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Main article: Turkic languages The Turkic language branch belong to Altaic language groups. The various Turkic languages are usually considered in geographical groupings, since high mobility and intermixing of Turkic peoples in history makes an exact classification extremely difficult: Oghuz (or Southwestern) languages, Kypchak (or Northwestern) languages, Eastern languages (like Uygur) and Northern languages (like Altay and Y ...

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Turkic peoples, Turkic peoples - Geographical Distribution, Turkic peoples - Turkic Roots, Turkic peoples - Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - Traditions About Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - History, Turkic peoples - Language, Turkic peoples - Religion, Turkic peoples - Geographical distribution and ethnic division, Turkic peoples - Physical appearance, Turkic peoples - Turkish world and Pan-Turkism, Turkic peoples - Translations for Turk

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It is generally believed that the first Turkic people were native to Central Asia. Some scholars consider the Huns as one of the earlier Turkic-Mongol tribes. The main migration of Turkic peoples occured between the first and tenth centuries AD, when they spread across most of Central Asia and into Europe. The precise date of the initial expansion from the early homeland remains unknown. The first state known as "Turk", giving its name to the many states and peoples afterwards, was that of the Gokturks (gog = "blue" or "celesti ...

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Turkic peoples, Turkic peoples - Geographical Distribution, Turkic peoples - Turkic Roots, Turkic peoples - Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - Traditions About Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - History, Turkic peoples - Language, Turkic peoples - Religion, Turkic peoples - Geographical distribution and ethnic division, Turkic peoples - Physical appearance, Turkic peoples - Turkish world and Pan-Turkism, Turkic peoples - Translations for Turk

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In the ancient Zoroastrian text, the Zend-Avesta, one of the grandsons of Yima (comparable to Noah as the sole survivor of a catastrophe that depopulated the Earth) is named "Tur" or "Tura" -- the supposed ancestor of so-called "Turanian" peoples, a term used in Ancient Iran for all the inhabitants of Central Asia. The term "Turanian" is derived from the Iranian word "tur" or "tar," meaning "dark," [citation needed] (in reference to how the West Iranians saw the lands to their north as a mysterious "land of darkness"), however claims that there is any etymological connection ...

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Turkic peoples, Turkic peoples - Geographical Distribution, Turkic peoples - Turkic Roots, Turkic peoples - Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - Traditions About Nomenclature, Turkic peoples - History, Turkic peoples - Language, Turkic peoples - Religion, Turkic peoples - Geographical distribution and ethnic division, Turkic peoples - Physical appearance, Turkic peoples - Turkish world and Pan-Turkism, Turkic peoples - Translations for Turk

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The militarism that their empires were very well known for was rooted in their centuries-long nomadic lifestyle. In general they were a herding society which possessed certain military advantages that other societies did not have, particularly mobility. Alliances by marriage and kinship, and systems of "social distance" based on family relationships were the connective tissues of their society. In Oghuz traditions, "society was simply the result of the growth of individual families". But such a society also grew by alliances and the e ...

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Oghuz Turks, Oghuz Turks - Name, Oghuz Turks - Origins, Oghuz Turks - Anthropology, Oghuz Turks - Social Unit, Oghuz Turks - Homeland in Transoxiana, Oghuz Turks - Dynasties, Oghuz Turks - Turcoman & Turkmen, Oghuz Turks - Literature

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The Oghuz Turks are considered by some historians as genetically, culturally and linguistically "the purest of Turks". According to Lev Gumilev in his accredited work entitled 1,000 Years Around the Caspian, the Oghuz in the anthropological ("racial") category were Caucasoid (Europoid). The majority of today's Oghuz Turks have light to dark skin tones and dark hair and eye colors, while lighter Europoid features including very light skin tones, blondish/brownish/reddish hair colors and light eye colors are evident in Azerbaijan ...

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Oghuz Turks, Oghuz Turks - Name, Oghuz Turks - Origins, Oghuz Turks - Anthropology, Oghuz Turks - Social Unit, Oghuz Turks - Homeland in Transoxiana, Oghuz Turks - Dynasties, Oghuz Turks - Turcoman & Turkmen, Oghuz Turks - Literature

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The official language is Moldovan; this is by all accounts a form of Daco-Romanian, and is essentially the same as Romanian. There is no particular linguistic break at the Prut River, which divides Moldova from Romania. In formal use, the languages are identical except for minor orthographical issues (the Moldovans write î in some contexts where Romanians would use â; this same form used to be normal in Romania). There is, however, some regional variation, as might be found within any linguistic territory, and the common spee ...

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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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(according to the 2004 census) Moldovans/Romanians: 78.2% Ukrainians: 8.4% Russians: 5.8% Gagauz: 4.4% Bulgarians: 1.9% Others: 1.3% According to a May 19 2005 article in "Moldova Azi" news agency (see [2]), a group of international census experts described the Moldovan census as "generally conducted in a professional manner", while remarking that that "a ...

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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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Main article: Economy of Moldova Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of petroleum, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines ...

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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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The sample below taken from the Constitutions of Moldova and Romania proves that a formal text in Romanian and Moldovan is identical. Statul Republica Moldova Statul român ...

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Republic of Moldova, Republic of Moldova - History, Republic of Moldova - National symbols, Republic of Moldova - Flag, Republic of Moldova - Currency, Republic of Moldova - Ştefan cel Mare, Republic of Moldova - Dimitrie Cantemir, Republic of Moldova - Politics, Republic of Moldova - Relations with Romania and the European Union, Republic of Moldova - Administrative divisions, Republic of Moldova - Geography, Republic of Moldova - Largest cities, Republic of Moldova - Economy, Republic of Moldova - Demographics, Republic of Moldova - Language, Republic of Moldova - Comparison with Romanian, Republic of Moldova - Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Republic of Moldova - Culture, Republic of Moldova - Tourism in Moldova, Republic of Moldova - Miscellaneous topics, Republic of Moldova - Maps, Republic of Moldova - Gallery, Republic of Moldova - International rankings

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