Moldavian Plateau
Encyclopedia
The Moldavian Plateau is a geographic area spanning northeast Romania
, most of Moldova
(except the south), and most of the Chernivtsi Oblast
of Ukraine
.
The Moldavian Plateau is bounded (in clockwise order):
The Moldavian Plateau composes over two-thirds of the territory of the medieval Principality of Moldavia, with the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and the Bugeac Plain representing the remaining part. This fact is the origin of the name of the plateau. This geographic area (including Eastern Carpathians and the Bugeac) is also called (especially by historians) the Carpathian-Dniester-Pontic region, or the Carpathian-Dniester region, since it is bounded by the Carpathians to the west, by the river Dniester
to the north and east, and by the Black Sea
(Pontus Euxinus) and the Danube
to the south-east and south.
through sediment
s, over an old continental platform, the East European Platform. Afterwards, the settled sediments, which were brought in by rivers from the Carpathian Mountains
, were modeled by the elements giving the plateau its current aspect. The materials that formed the sediments are gravel
and sand
. Hardened, they formed gritstone
s. All over the plateau, the latter are interspersed with clay
s, or badlands, which produce landslide
s.
The slope of the terrain follows the direction of the rivers: from northwest to southeast. Along them, the altitude
decreases from 700 metres (2,297 ft) to under 200 metres (656 ft). The strata are disposed in North-South and northwest-southeast aligned layers, producing asymmetric valleys and ridges. Among the latter are the steep edge of the Bârlad Plateau
, known as the Iaşi Ridge , the edge of the Central Moldavian Plateau
, known as the Corneşti Hills, and the edge of the Dniester Hills
, known as the Dniester Ridge.
The relief in the valleys of the rivers and creeks is quite conspicuous, so that the valleys have large terraces and holm
s. The Siret Passage
, ramified in the north with the Moldova Valley
, and Suceava Valley
cuts the main part of the plateau from the Moldavian Subcarpathians. The Prut Passage cuts the Plateau in half in the north-south direction. The Dniester Passage
bounds it from the Podolian Plateau and the Pontic Plain. Its ramification Răut Passage separates the main part of the Moldavian Plateau from the Dniester Hills
. Overall, the altitude affects the climate, with annual mean temperatures in the Suceava Plateau ranging between 6 °C (42.8 °F) and 8 °C (46.4 °F) and precipitation of 500 millimetres (19.7 in) to 800 millimetres (31.5 in) per year and, with annual mean temperatures of 8 °C (46.4 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F) and precipitation of 400 millimetres (15.7 in) to 500 millimetres (19.7 in) in the Moldavian Plain or Bârlad Plateau.
The main influence on the climate is Dry Continental with frequent cold north winds in winter. In the Suceava Plateau and the Dniester Hills, there is an influence of Scandinavo
-Baltic
climate with the circulation of masses of polar air in the winter.
The Prut has the Jijia as its principal tributary.
The Siret traverses and—with the exception of the Subcarpathians—limits the Moldavian Plateau
The lack of precipitaion has required water management in the Jijia Plain and in the Bălţi steppe which serves as a reservoir and for fish farming
; Lake Dracşani is the most largest of these.
Other bodies of water are the rivers Siret and Prut (Lake Stânca-Costeşti, Lake Dubăsari), in the Siret Passage.
resources (petroleum
and the associated gases), which are extracted in the southwest portion. In the northwest are found Romania's most important reserves of kaolin (china clay), extracted and used to produce porcelain
.
Hemp
is cultivated in the Suceava plateau, cereals and wine grapes (Vitis vinifera
) in the Jijia Plain, Bălţi steppe, Bârlad Plateau and Central Moldavian Plateau. In the Siret Passage they cultivate potato
es and sugar beet
s.
s, wolves, fox
es, European wildcat
s, lynx
es, badger
s, and hare
s. Birds include black grouse
, woodpecker
s, cuckoo
s, pheasant
s, quail
s, hawk
s, owls
, and fish include perch
and the carp
-like barbel.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, most of Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
(except the south), and most of the Chernivtsi Oblast
Chernivtsi Oblast
Chernivtsi Oblast is an oblast in western Ukraine, bordering on Romania and Moldova. It has a large variety of landforms: the Carpathian Mountains and picturesque hills at the foot of the mountains gradually change to a broad partly forested plain situated between the Dniester and Prut rivers....
of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
.
Limits
- to the west by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains ,
- to north and north-east by the Podolian Plateau ,
- to the east by the Pontic Plain , part of the Eurasian steppeEurasian SteppeThe Eurasian Steppe is the vast steppe ecoregion of Eurasia in the Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands Biome. It stretches from Hungary to Mongolia...
, - to the southeast by the Bugeac Plain , (3,210 km2 in Moldova)
- to the south by the Romanian PlainRomanian PlainThe Romanian Plain is located in southern Romania and the easternmost tip of Serbia. Part of the historical region of Wallachia, it is bordered by the Danube River in the east, south and west, and by the Getic Plateau in the north. Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is located in the central part...
, also known as Bărăgan Plain , and - to the southwest by the Vrancea Hills , part of the Subcarpaţii de curbură (literally "Curvature SubcarpathiansCarpathian MountainsThe Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
"
The Moldavian Plateau composes over two-thirds of the territory of the medieval Principality of Moldavia, with the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and the Bugeac Plain representing the remaining part. This fact is the origin of the name of the plateau. This geographic area (including Eastern Carpathians and the Bugeac) is also called (especially by historians) the Carpathian-Dniester-Pontic region, or the Carpathian-Dniester region, since it is bounded by the Carpathians to the west, by the river Dniester
Dniester
The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe. It runs through Ukraine and Moldova and separates most of Moldova's territory from the breakaway de facto state of Transnistria.-Names:...
to the north and east, and by the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
(Pontus Euxinus) and the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
to the south-east and south.
Genesis
The Moldavian Plateau was formed at the end of the NeogeneNeogene
The Neogene is a geologic period and system in the International Commission on Stratigraphy Geologic Timescale starting 23.03 ± 0.05 million years ago and ending 2.588 million years ago...
through sediment
Sediment
Sediment is naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particle itself....
s, over an old continental platform, the East European Platform. Afterwards, the settled sediments, which were brought in by rivers from the Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
, were modeled by the elements giving the plateau its current aspect. The materials that formed the sediments are gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
and sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
. Hardened, they formed gritstone
Gritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
s. All over the plateau, the latter are interspersed with clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
s, or badlands, which produce landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
s.
The slope of the terrain follows the direction of the rivers: from northwest to southeast. Along them, the altitude
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
decreases from 700 metres (2,297 ft) to under 200 metres (656 ft). The strata are disposed in North-South and northwest-southeast aligned layers, producing asymmetric valleys and ridges. Among the latter are the steep edge of the Bârlad Plateau
Bârlad Plateau
Bârlad Plateau is a geographic area in E Romania. It is the south central part of the Moldavian Plateau. Although occasionally has heights over 500 m, it is generally sloped from north at 400 m to the south at 200 m....
, known as the Iaşi Ridge , the edge of the Central Moldavian Plateau
Central Moldavian Plateau
The Central Moldavian Plateau , or Codru Massif is a geographic area in Moldova. It is the central and SE part of the Moldavian Plateau. It has elevations that in the N-S direction decrease in altitude from 400 m to under 200 m....
, known as the Corneşti Hills, and the edge of the Dniester Hills
Dniester Hills
Dniester Hills , also known as Northern Moldavian Plateau is a geographic area that comprises most of the northern Moldova, and parts of the Chernivtsi Oblast of Ukraine...
, known as the Dniester Ridge.
The relief in the valleys of the rivers and creeks is quite conspicuous, so that the valleys have large terraces and holm
Holm (island)
This page is a set index; for other uses of the term, see Holm There are numerous islands containing the word Holm, especially in Scotland. In many cases the name is derived from the Old Norse holmr, meaning "a small and rounded islet"...
s. The Siret Passage
Siret River
The Siret or Sireth is a river that rises from the Carpathians in the Northern Bukovina region of Ukraine, and flows southward into Romania for 470 km before it joins the Danube...
, ramified in the north with the Moldova Valley
Moldova River
The Moldova River is a river in Romania, in the historical region of Moldavia. The river rises from the Obcina Feredeu Mountains of Bukovina in Suceava County and joins the Siret River near the city of Roman in Neamţ County....
, and Suceava Valley
Suceava River
The Suceava River is a river located in the north-east of Romania, in Suceava County. It rises from the Obcina Mestecăniş in Bukovina, near the border with Ukraine...
cuts the main part of the plateau from the Moldavian Subcarpathians. The Prut Passage cuts the Plateau in half in the north-south direction. The Dniester Passage
Dniester
The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe. It runs through Ukraine and Moldova and separates most of Moldova's territory from the breakaway de facto state of Transnistria.-Names:...
bounds it from the Podolian Plateau and the Pontic Plain. Its ramification Răut Passage separates the main part of the Moldavian Plateau from the Dniester Hills
Dniester Hills
Dniester Hills , also known as Northern Moldavian Plateau is a geographic area that comprises most of the northern Moldova, and parts of the Chernivtsi Oblast of Ukraine...
Composition
The Moldavian Plateau comprises several distinct regions:- The Bukovinian SubcarpathiansBukovinian SubcarpathiansBukovinian Subcarpathians is a geographic area in the NNE of Romania and SWW of Ukraine , situated to the east and north-east of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains....
in the northwest. - The Moldavian SubcarpathiansMoldavian SubcarpathiansMoldavian Subcarpatians is a geographic area spanning in the NE of Romania, situated to the east of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The subcarpathians are considered to be part of the Moldavian Plateau...
in the west and southwest, has altitudes of up to 1000 metres (3,281 ft), but also includes depressions. - The Suceava PlateauSuceava PlateauSuceava Plateau is a geographic area in the NE Romania , and SW Ukraine . Suceava Plateau is the NW part of the Moldavian Plateau...
, situated in the northwest, has altitudes that exceed 700 metres (2,297 ft) and long ridges. - The Dniester HillsDniester HillsDniester Hills , also known as Northern Moldavian Plateau is a geographic area that comprises most of the northern Moldova, and parts of the Chernivtsi Oblast of Ukraine...
, also known as Northern Moldavian Plateau (Podişul Moldovei de Nord), situated in the north and northeast, ridges along the Dniester River and has elevations of approximately 300 metres (984 ft). - The Moldavian Plain , in the center-north has elevations of approximately 200 metres (656 ft):
- The Jijia PlainJijia PlainJijia Plain is a geographic area in NE Romania . Despite the name, it is not a flatland, but a region dotted with hills, part of the Moldavian Plateau...
, west of the river Prut. - The Middle Prut Valley, east of the river Prut, creeks tributary to the Prut, 2930 square kilometres (1,131 sq mi).
- The Bălţi SteppeBalti SteppeBălţi Steppe , also Beltsy Steppe is a hilly area with few trees , dominated by agriculturally cultivated land, and occasionally by grasses and shrubs, in the northern part of Moldova...
, east of the river Prut, creeks tributary to the Dniester, 1920 square kilometres (741 sq mi).
- The Jijia Plain
- The Bârlad PlateauBârlad PlateauBârlad Plateau is a geographic area in E Romania. It is the south central part of the Moldavian Plateau. Although occasionally has heights over 500 m, it is generally sloped from north at 400 m to the south at 200 m....
, situated in the south-center occasionally has heights over 500 metres (1,640 ft), but is generally sloped from north at 400 metres (1,312 ft) to the south at 200 metres (656 ft). - The Central Moldavian PlateauCentral Moldavian PlateauThe Central Moldavian Plateau , or Codru Massif is a geographic area in Moldova. It is the central and SE part of the Moldavian Plateau. It has elevations that in the N-S direction decrease in altitude from 400 m to under 200 m....
, situated in the center and southeast, has elevations that in the north-south direction decrease in altitude from 400 metres (1,312 ft) to under 200 metres (656 ft). - The Bugeac Plain, the last continuation of the Pontic steppe.
Climate
The climate of this plateau is transitional Temperate ContinentalContinental climate
Continental climate is a climate characterized by important annual variation in temperature due to the lack of significant bodies of water nearby...
. Overall, the altitude affects the climate, with annual mean temperatures in the Suceava Plateau ranging between 6 °C (42.8 °F) and 8 °C (46.4 °F) and precipitation of 500 millimetres (19.7 in) to 800 millimetres (31.5 in) per year and, with annual mean temperatures of 8 °C (46.4 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F) and precipitation of 400 millimetres (15.7 in) to 500 millimetres (19.7 in) in the Moldavian Plain or Bârlad Plateau.
The main influence on the climate is Dry Continental with frequent cold north winds in winter. In the Suceava Plateau and the Dniester Hills, there is an influence of Scandinavo
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
-Baltic
Baltic region
The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
climate with the circulation of masses of polar air in the winter.
Waters
Streams on the plateau flow into the Siret, Prut, or Dneister rivers.The Prut has the Jijia as its principal tributary.
The Siret traverses and—with the exception of the Subcarpathians—limits the Moldavian Plateau
The lack of precipitaion has required water management in the Jijia Plain and in the Bălţi steppe which serves as a reservoir and for fish farming
Fish farming
Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. A facility that releases young fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species'...
; Lake Dracşani is the most largest of these.
Other bodies of water are the rivers Siret and Prut (Lake Stânca-Costeşti, Lake Dubăsari), in the Siret Passage.
Natural resources
The Moldavian Plateau holds hydrocarbonHydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
resources (petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and the associated gases), which are extracted in the southwest portion. In the northwest are found Romania's most important reserves of kaolin (china clay), extracted and used to produce porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
.
Hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
is cultivated in the Suceava plateau, cereals and wine grapes (Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran....
) in the Jijia Plain, Bălţi steppe, Bârlad Plateau and Central Moldavian Plateau. In the Siret Passage they cultivate potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es and sugar beet
Sugar beet
Sugar beet, a cultivated plant of Beta vulgaris, is a plant whose tuber contains a high concentration of sucrose. It is grown commercially for sugar production. Sugar beets and other B...
s.
Animals
Characteristic of the plateau are mammals such as goats, wild boarBoar
Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...
s, wolves, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
es, European wildcat
Wildcat
Wildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
s, lynx
Lynx
A lynx is any of the four Lynx genus species of medium-sized wildcats. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from Greek word "λύγξ", derived from the Indo-European root "*leuk-", meaning "light, brightness", in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes...
es, badger
Badger
Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...
s, and hare
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
s. Birds include black grouse
Tetrao
Tetrao is a genus of birds in the grouse subfamily. It has four species.-Species:* Eurasian Black Grouse, Tetrao tetrix* Caucasian Black Grouse, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi* Western Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus...
, woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s, cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
s, pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
s, quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
s, hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s, owls
OWLS
OWLS is a mnemonic used by general aviation airplane pilots to assess an unprepared surface for a precautionary landing.Like all mnemonics this check has become part of aviation culture and folklore.OWLS:* Obstacles* Wind direction...
, and fish include perch
Perch
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning spotted, and the...
and the carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
-like barbel.