Moldova Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a Landlocked country, landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of and population of 2.42 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. ...

is divided administratively into two levels:Administrative-territorial organization of Moldova
/ref> * First level: ** 32 districts or

raion A raion (also spelt rayon) is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet states. The term is used for both a type of subnational entity and a division of a city. The word is from the French (meaning 'honeycomb, department'), and is c ...

s () ** 3 municipalities ( municipii)—specifically Chișinău, Bălți, and Bender ** 2 autonomous territorial units:

Gagauzia Gagauzia () or Gagauz-Yeri, officially the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (ATUG), is an Administrative divisions of Moldova, autonomous territorial unit of Moldova. Its autonomy is intended for the local Gagauz people, a Turkic languages ...

and Left Bank of the Dniester (''de facto''

Transnistria Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and locally as Pridnestrovie, is a Landlocked country, landlocked Transnistria conflict#International recognition of Transnistria, breakaway state internationally recogn ...

, which is not under control of the government of Moldova) * Second level: ** Villages (); two or more villages can form together a commune () ** Sectors ** 10 municipalities ( municipii) ** Cities and towns Moldova harta administrativa

Localities

Moldova has a total of 1,682 localities; from these 982 are incorporated (''de jure'' with 982 mayors and 982 local councils), including 53 cities/towns, other 13 cities with municipality status (see

municipiu A municipiu (from Latin ''municipium''; English: municipality) is a level of administrative subdivision in Romania and Moldova, roughly equivalent to city in some English-speaking world, English-speaking countries. In Romania, this status is gi ...

), and 916 rural localities. They cover the entire area of the country. A number of villages are self-governed, while others 700 villages are too small to have a separate administration, and are part of either cities/towns/municipalities (41 of them) or

communes A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

(659). Few localities are inhabited.

Current divisions

In the administrative-territorial structure of Moldova are 898 second-level administrative territorial units (cities/towns, sectors and villages/communes). The status of Chișinău, Bălți, and Tighina as municipalities and first-level territorial units of the country allows their suburb villages to have, when large enough, their own mayor and local council. By contrast, the villages that are administratively part of (some of) the other cities do not retain self-rule. * Districts (32): * District-level municipalities (3): * Autonomous territorial units (2): ¹ Tighina and the Administrative-Territorial Units of the Left Bank of the Dniester are under the control of the unrecognized separatist

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and locally as Pridnestrovie, is a landlocked breakaway state internationally recognized as part of Moldova. It controls most of the narrow strip of land between the Dni ...

(PMR, also known as Transnistria). There, Tighina is known as ''Bender''.

Areas not under central government control

, which with the exception of six

(comprising a total of ten localities) corresponds to the geographic part of Moldova situated to the east of the

Dniestr The Dniester ( ) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and then through Moldova (from which it more or less separates the breakaway territory of Transnistria), finally discharging into the Black Sea on Ukr ...

(Romanian: ''Nistru'') river, is ''de jure'' a part of Moldova, but in fact is governed by breakaway authorities (''see also:

War of Transnistria The Transnistria War (; ) was an armed conflict that broke out on 2 November 1990 in Dubăsari between pro-Transnistria (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, PMR) forces, including the Transnistrian Republican Guard, militia and neo- Cossack un ...

''). The city of

Dubăsari Dubăsari (; mo-Cyrl, Дубэсарь) or Dubossary (; ; ) is a city in Transnistria, with a population of 23,650. Claimed by both the Republic of Moldova and the Transnistria, Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, the city is under the latter's ad ...

(geographically and administratively in Transnistria, and not in the

Dubăsari District The Dubăsari District () is a Administrative divisions of Moldova, district in the east of Moldova, with the administrative center at Cocieri. As of January 1, 2011, its population was 35,200. This does not include the 715 people that live in th ...

), and six communes (administratively in the

of Moldova, and not in the administrative definition of Transnistria), all controlled by the central authorities (except the village of ''Roghi'' in commune Molovata Nouă, which is controlled by Tiraspol), form the northern part of the security zone set at the end of the war. *

Tighina Bender (, ) or Bendery (, ; ), also known as Tighina ( mo-Cyrl, Тигина, links=no), is a city within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova under ''de facto'' control of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transn ...

municipality (the city itself, plus the commune Proteagailovca), and three communes (five localities) of Căușeni District ( Gîsca, Chițcani, and Cremenciug) are ''de facto'' controlled by the breakaway regime of Transnistria. Together with the commune Varnița of

Anenii Noi District Anenii Noi District (, ) is a district (''Administrative divisions of Moldova, raion'') in the central part of Moldova. As of 1 January 2011, its population was 83,100. Its seat is the city of Anenii Noi. History Localities with the oldest docum ...

and the commune Copanca of Căușeni District under Moldovan control, these localities form the southern part of the security zone set at the end of the war. The city of Tighina has both a Moldovan police force (mostly symbolic) and a Transnistrian ''

militsiya ''Militsiya'' ( rus, милиция, 3=mʲɪˈlʲitsɨjə, 5=, ) were the police forces in the Soviet Union until 1991, in several Eastern Bloc countries (1945–1992), and in the Non-Aligned Movement, non-aligned Socialist Federal Republic ...

'' force (practically in charge in most instances). In Transnistria, Tighina is known as ''Bender''.

Population

* The smallest entity electing a mayor is the commune of Salcia, in Taraclia District (population 441). It consists of the village of ''Salcia'', population 382, and the village of ''Orehovca'', population 59. The largest entity is the municipality of

Chișinău Chișinău ( , , ; formerly known as Kishinev) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Moldova, largest city of Moldova. The city is Moldova's main industrial and commercial centre, and is located in the middle of the coun ...

, electing a mayor for 712,218 inhabitants. * The largest number of localities governed by a single commune or city government in Moldova is 6. This is the case for: ** city of

Anenii Noi Anenii Noi () is a city in east-central Moldova, the seat of Anenii Noi District. It is located SE of the capital, Chișinău. According to the 2004 census, the city administers an area inhabited by 11,463 people. This area consists of the city ...

, population 11,463, of which 3,105 in the 5 suburban villages ** commune Copăceni,

Sîngerei District Sîngerei () is a district () in the north of Moldova, with the administrative center at Sîngerei. The other major city is Biruința. As of 1 January 2011, its population was 93,400. Between 1944 and 1991, Sîngerei district was called ''Lazov ...

, population 3,315 ** commune Natalievca, Fălești District, population 2,231 ** commune

Tătărăuca Veche Tătărăuca Veche is a commune in Soroca District, Moldova. It is composed of six villages: Decebal, Niorcani, Slobozia Nouă, Tătărăuca Nouă, Tătărăuca Veche and Tolocănești.Soroca District Soroca is a district in north-east Moldova. Its administrative center is the town of Soroca. In 2018, the population of the region was 100,078. History Ancient beginnings Archeological evidence of prehistoric occupation dating to 35,000 to ...

, population 2,203 :On the opposite end, 42 of the 66 cities, and about half the communes of Moldova have local administration providing services for a single locality. * There are four or five localities in Moldova with a zero population: ** village ''Armanca'', commune Vasileuți, Rîșcani District ** village ''Chetrișul Nou'', commune Chetriș, Fălești District ** village ''Pelinia, loc. st. c. f.'', commune Pelinia, Drochia District ** village ''Stălinești'', commune Corestăuți,

Ocnița District Ocnița () is a district () in the north of Moldova, with the administrative center at Ocnița. The other major cities are Otaci and Frunză, Ocnița, Frunză. As of 1 January 2011, its population was 56,100. History The first evidence of a loc ...

:The village of ''Schinoasa'' was outlined within commune Țibirica,

Călărași District Călărași () is a district () in the centre of Moldova, with the administrative headquarters in Călărași, Moldova, Călărași. As of January 1, 2011, its population was 78,800. History The district territory is inhabited since Paleolithic ...

in 2007, and information is not available yet whether it has any population. * Village (hamlet) ''Ivanovca'', commune Natalievca, Fălești District, population 19, inhabited by 14 Russians and 5 Ukrainians, is the only inhabited locality in Moldova without any ethnic

Moldovans Moldovans, sometimes referred to as Moldavians (, , ), are an ethnic group native to Moldova, who mostly speak the Romanian language, also referred to locally as Moldovan language, Moldovan. Moldovans form significant communities in Romania, It ...

. On the opposite end, one commune, Cigîrleni, Ialoveni District, population 2,411, and 42 villages of sub-commune level (population varying from 1 to 673), have a 100% Moldovan population.

Duplicate names

There are 147 settlement names shared by multiple localities in Moldova. Most notable cases includes these: * A town

Mărculești Mărculești () is a city in Florești District, in northern Moldova, with a population of 2,081 at the 2004 census. The city was once the site of a Jewish agricultural and mercantile colony until its destruction in the Holocaust. In film and ...

, and a different commune

, both situated in the

Florești District Florești () is a district () in the north-east of Moldova, with the administrative center at Floreşti, Moldova, Florești. The other major cities are Ghindeşti and Mărculeşti. As of 1 January 2011, its population was 90,000. History Localitie ...

* A city Dondușeni, and a different commune Dondușeni, both situated in the Dondușeni District * A city Drochia, and a different commune Drochia, both situated in the Drochia District * A town Costești, in Rîșcani District, with a population of 2,247 (4,109 with 4 suburb villages), the 8th smallest city in Moldova, and a commune (village) Costești, in Ialoveni District, population 11,128, the 2nd largest village in Moldova * A town Cornești, in Ungheni District, and a different village Cornești in the same Ungheni District, and also a village Cornești in Hîncești District * etc.

Regions

The first-level units are grouped into three regions: Northern Development Region #

Bălți Bălți () is a city in Moldova. It is the second-largest city in terms of population, area and economic importance, after Chișinău. The city holds the status of municipiu. Sometimes called "the northern capital", it is a major industrial, cu ...

Municipality #

Briceni Briceni () is a city in northern Moldova. It is the seat of Briceni District. Demographics At the 2004 census, the city had a population of 8,765. At the 1930 census, there were two localities: ''Briceni Târg'' (literally ''Briceni Fair''), a ...

# Dondușeni # Drochia #

Edineț Edineț () is a municipality in northern Moldova. It is the administrative center of the Edineț District, eponymous district. The town is located 201 km north of the national capital, Chișinău. It is located at . The town administers two ...

# Fălești # Florești # Glodeni # Ocnița #

Rîșcani Rîșcani (, also spelled ''Râșcani'') is a city in Moldova. It is located in the north-western part of the country, in the old Bessarabia region. It is the largest city and administrative center of Riscani District. Spread across an area of ...

# Sîngerei #

Soroca Soroca is a city and municipality in northern Moldova, situated on the Dniester River about north of Chișinău. It is the administrative center of the Soroca District. History It is known for its well-preserved stronghold, established by t ...

Central Development Region #

Municipality #

Călărași Călărași (), the capital of Călărași County in the Muntenia region, is situated in south-east Romania, on the banks of the Danube's Borcea branch, at about from the Bulgarian border and from Bucharest. It is one of six Romanian county se ...

# Criuleni #

Hîncești Hîncești () is a city and municipality in Moldova. Hîncești is situated on the Cogâlnic River, southwest of the Moldovan capital, Chișinău. Since 2003 it has been the seat of Hîncești District. History Hîncești was established i ...

# Ialoveni # Nisporeni #

Orhei Orhei (), also formerly known as Orgeev (), is a city, municipality and the administrative centre of Orhei District in the Moldova, Republic of Moldova, with a population of 21,065. Orhei is approximately north of the capital, Chișinău. Hist ...

# Rezina # Șoldănești #

Strășeni Strășeni () is a city and municipality of about 20,000 inhabitants in central Moldova, the administrative center of Strășeni District. The city administers one village, Făgureni. There are several legends about its name. One tells that t ...

Municipality # Telenești #

Ungheni Ungheni () is a municipality in Moldova. With a population of 35,157, it is the seventh largest town in Moldova and the seat of Ungheni District. There is a bridge across the Prut and a List of Moldova–Romania border crossings, border chec ...

Southern Development Region #

Basarabeasca Basarabeasca () is a city in Moldova. It is the capital of Basarabeasca District. Geography The city, formerly an urban-type settlement, is located on the border with Ukraine. It is 94 km to the south of the national capital Chişinău, 2 ...

Cahul Cahul (; also known by alternative names) is a city and municipality in southern Moldova. The city is the administrative center of Cahul District; it also administers one village, Cotihana. As of 2014 census, the city has a population of 30,0 ...

# Cantemir # Căușeni # Cimișlia #

Leova Leova is a city in Moldova, located 92 km southwest of the national capital, Chișinău. It is the administrative center of Leova District. The city is situated on the east bank of the river Prut bordering Romania. History The city of Leova is ...

Ștefan Vodă Ștefan Vodă () is a city and the administrative centre of Ștefan Vodă District, Moldova. History Ștefan Vodă appeared on a map of the region for the first time in 1884, and was then resettled in 1909 as a small German colony. The town was ...

# Taraclia #

Previous divisions

Counties (1998-2003)

Between 1998 and February 2003, Moldova was divided into 12 territorial units, including 1 municipality, 1 autonomous territorial unit, 1 territorial unit, and 9

counties A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...

(Romanian: ''județe''; seats in brackets): #

municipality, surrounded by Chișinău county, but different from it # Bălți County (

) #

Cahul County Cahul County was a county of Bessarabia. In the Middle Ages, its territory belonged to the Fălciu County, in Moldavia, but after the annexation of Bessarabia by the Russian Empire in 1812, it became a county by itself. History Two smaller jurisd ...

(

) # Chișinău County (

) # Edineț County (

) # Lăpușna County (

) # Orhei County (

) # Soroca County (

) #

Tighina County (Moldova) Tighina County was a county (Romanian: ''județ'') in Moldova from 1998 to 2003. It bordered Ukraine, Lăpușna County, Chișinău County, and Transnistria. Its ''de jure'' capital was the city of Tighina, but due to the Transnistria situation, ...

( Căușeni) # Ungheni County (

) #

Găgăuzia Gagauzia () or Gagauz-Yeri, officially the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (ATUG), is an autonomous territorial unit of Moldova. Its autonomy is intended for the local Gagauz people, a Turkic-speaking, primarily Orthodox Christian ethn ...

, autonomous territorial unit (

Comrat Comrat (, ; , ) is a city and municipality in Moldova and the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia. It is located in the south of the country, on the Ialpug River. In 2014, Comrat's population was 20,113, of which the vast majority are ...

) # Left Bank of the Dniester, territorial unit (

Tiraspol Tiraspol (, ; also /; , ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Transnistria, a breakaway state of Moldova, where it is the third-largest city. The city is located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River. Tiraspol is a regional hub of cul ...

) In October 1999, Taraclia County was split out from the

; it coincides with the current Taraclia District.

Cities and districts (1991-1998)

Between 1991 and 1998, Moldova was divided into 10 cities and 40 districts: ;Cities *

Rîbnița Rîbnița ( or , , ) or Rybnitsa (; ) is a town in the breakaway state, breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria. According to the 2004 Census in Transnistria, 2004 census, it has a population of 53,648. Rîbnița is situated in the northern half ...

;Districts * Anenii Noi * Basarabeasca * Brinceni * Cahul * Camenca * Cantemir * Căinari * Călărași * Căușeni * Ceadîr-Lunga * Cimișlia * Comrat * Criuleni * Dondușeni * Drochia * Dubăsari * Edineț * Fălești * Florești * Glodeni * Grigoriopol * Hîncești * Ialoveni * Leova * Nisporeni * Ocnița * Orhei * Rezina * Rîbnița * Rîșcani * Sîngerei * Slobozia * Soroca * Strășeni * Șoldănești * Ștefan Vodă * Taraclia * Telenești * Ungheni * Vulcănești

2017 expansion

Besides Chișinău, Bălți, Tighina, Comrat, and Tiraspol, on 13 April 2017 eight more became municipalities:

Ceadîr-Lunga Ceadîr-Lunga (, also spelled ''Ceadâr-Lunga''; Gagauz: ''Çadır-Lunga'') is a city and municipality in Gagauzia, Moldova. Demographics According to the 2014 census, the population of Ceadîr-Lunga amounted to 16,605 inhabitants, a decrease ...

, and

.LEGE Nr. 248 din 03.11.2016 pentru modificarea și completarea Legii nr. 764-XV din 27 decembrie 2001 privind organizarea administrativ-teritorială a Republicii Moldova

References

External links

Moldovan Ministry of Local Public Administration
* Law No. 764-XV/2001 on the administrative organization of the Republic of Moldova available on

Wikisource Wikisource is an online wiki-based digital library of free-content source text, textual sources operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikisource is the name of the project as a whole; it is also the name for each instance of that project, one f ...

. *
Modification 37-XV-14.02.2003
*
Modification 124-XV-18.03.2003
* Moldovan Law 431-XIII from April 19, 1995, , no. 31-32/340, June 9, 1995 {{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of European countries

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