Hi Everyone! This is hopefully going to be an easy way for everyone to see what I will be up to during the next 2 years that I am in the Peace Corps. I have been assigned to Moldova (or as Mom calls it "Moldovia"....sorry, it's not that exotic!) and will be a Agriculture/Agribusiness Specialist. I don't really know much more than that at this point in time, but I will keep you posted!

As far as my living condtions, I have no idea what it will be like. The packet of information that I received said that I could be without either electricity or running water and showering could only be once a week (that will take some getting use to!). Either way, it is going to be a grand adventure. I will make sure to post my address as soon as I know!

Here are some basic facts about Moldova from the CIA Factbook:

Background: Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.

Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Area-Comparative: Slightly larger than Maryland

Population: 4,466,706

Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%

Languages: Moldovan (official, viturally the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Captial: Chisinau

GDP-per captia: $1,800 (80% live below the poverty line)

For more information from the CIA Factbook on Moldova, visit:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/md.html