Located in the south-east of Europe, Moldova is bordered on the west by Romania and on the north, south and east by Ukraine. The total area is 33 843 square km, the distance between the northern and southern extreme limit is 350 km and from east to west it is 150 km. It is the second-smallest of the former Soviet republics.
The centre zone of the country lies between the two rivers Dnister and Prut. The Prut joins the Danube before flowing into the Black Sea and forms Moldova’s entire western boundary with Romania. The Dniester forms a small part of Moldova’s border with Ukraine in the north-east, but it mainly flows through the eastern part of the country, seperating Bessarabia and Transnistria.
Moldova’s closeness to the Black Sea gives it a mild and sunny climate: the summers are warm and long, with temperatures averaging about 20°C, and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with temperatures averaging -4°C.The country’s highest point is the Dealul Bălăneşti with 430 metres, located in the West of the country.