Around Transnistria

TIRASPOL, MOLDOVA - OCTOBER 19: The statue of Lenin enthroned October 19, 2008 above the Transnistrian Government building in Tiraspol in the Transnistrian region in Moldova. Tiraspol is the second largest city in Moldova and is the capital and administrative centre of the de facto independent Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). The city is located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River. Tiraspol is a regional hub of light industry, such as furniture and electrical goods production. The Trans-Dnistrian Moldavian Republic, locatet in the eastern region of the country, is internationally not acknowledged but does have ist own president, currency and army. Transnistria - an internationally unrecognized state is part of Moldavia. The region has been de facto idependent since 1991, after making a unilateral declaration of indepenence from Moldova and successfully defeated Moldavian forces in the war of Transnistria. Since than a ceasefire has held but Transnistria - where the most of the Moldavian Industry is located - is still a "frozen conflict" region.(Photo by Matthias Schumann/Getty Images)