Area comparison map:

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:
total: 1,885 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (2): Romania 683 km, Ukraine 1202 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
More Climate Details

Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation:
mean elevation: 139 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
elevation extremes: 2 m lowest point: Dniester (Nistru)
430 highest point: Dealul Balanesti

Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land

Land use:
agricultural land: 74.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 55.1% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 9.1% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 10.7% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 11.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 13.2% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
2,283 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population distribution:
pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti

Natural hazards:
landslides

Environment - current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion and declining soil fertility from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone