Editing Geography of Moldova (section)

== Topography ==
{{Moldavian Plateau}}

Most of Moldova's territory is a moderate hilly plateau cut deeply by many streams and rivers. Geologically, Moldova lies primarily on the deep sedimentary rock that gives way to harder crystalline outcroppings only in the north. Moldova's hills are part of the larger [[Moldavian Plateau]].

The northern landscape of Moldova is characterized by gently rolling uplands (up to {{convert|300|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}, in [[elevation]]) interlaced with small flat plains in the valleys of the numerous [[Stream|creeks]] (at {{convert|150|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} elevation). These hills, which have an average altitude of {{convert|240|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and a maximum altitude of {{convert|320|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, are divided into the [[Northern Moldovan Plateau]] and the [[Dniester Plateau]], and continue further occupying the northern part of the [[Chernivtsi oblast]] in [[Ukraine]]. The eastern slopes of the Dniester Ridge (average {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|347|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}), form the high right bank of the Dniester River.

To the south are located the [[Bălți Steppe|Bălți Plain]] and the [[Middle Prut Plain]], with an average of {{convert|200|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and a maximum altitude of {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. Originally [[forest]]ed, it has been extensively de-forested for [[agriculture]] during the 19th and 20th centuries. In contrast to the region to the north and south, which is more slant, this area is referred to as ''plain'', although it has [[Terrain|relief]] very different from that of flatland, and vegetation different from that of the [[steppe]].

The hills of central Moldova are divided into the [[Ciulucuri Hills]] and the [[Codri|Codri Plateau]], at an average elevation of about {{convert|350|to|400|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, are ridges interlaced by deep, flat valleys, ravines, and landslide-scoured depressions. Steep forest-clad slopes account for much of the terrain, where the most common trees are hornbeam, oak, linden, maple, wild pear, and wild cherry. The term ''codri'' refers more generally to forests, yet since in Moldova most of them were preserved in the central part, Codri sometimes can colloquially refer to the remaining forests in the hills west and north of [[Chișinău]]. The Dniester Hills border the Ciulucuri Hills to the north along the river [[Răut]].

The country's highest point, [[Bălănești Hill]], which reaches {{convert|1407|or|1410|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}, depending on the source, is situated in the Corneşti Hills, the western part of the Codri Plateau. Northwest of it are the Ciulucului Hills (average {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|388|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}). In the south, the [[Tigheci|Tigheci Hills]] (average {{convert|200|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|301|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}) are a prolongation, and run to the south parallel to the Lower Prut Valley.

To the south-east, the southern part of the Codri Plateau, which averages {{convert|150|-|200|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, max {{convert|250|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, and has numerous ravines and gullies, gradually merges into the [[Southern Moldovan Plain]], continued by in Ukraine by the [[Budjak]] Plain. Most of [[Gagauzia]] resides on the [[Ialpug Plain]].

[[Transnistria]] (the left bank of the Dniester) has spurs of the [[Podolian Plateau]] ({{langx|ro|Podişul Podoliei}}, {{langx|uk|Volyno-Podil's'ka vysochyna}}), (average {{convert|180|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}, max {{convert|275|m|ft|0|sp=us|disp=or}}), which are cut into by tributaries of the Dniester River. The southern half of Transnistria, the ''Lower Dniester Plain'', can be regarded as the western end of the [[Eurasian steppe]]''',''' and has an average elevation of {{convert|100|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, with a maximum of {{convert|170|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. The high right bank and low left bank of the Dniester are in sharp contrast here, where visibility is not impeded by forests.

About 75 percent of Moldova is covered by a soil type called [[Chernozem|black earth]] or [[chernozem]]. In the northern hills, more clay textured soils are found; in the south, red-earth soil is predominant. The soil becomes less fertile toward the south but can still support grape and sunflower production. The hills have woodland soils, while a small portion in southern Moldova is in the [[steppe]] zone, although most steppe areas today are cultivated. The lower reaches of the Prut and Dniester rivers and the southern river valleys are saline marshes.

Drainage in Moldova is to the south, toward the Black Sea lowlands, and eventually into the Black Sea, but only eight rivers and creeks extend more than {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}}. Moldova's main river, the [[Dniester]], is navigable throughout almost the entire country, and in warmer winters it does not freeze over. The [[Prut]] river is a tributary of the [[Danube]], which it joins at the far southwestern tip of the country. Over 95% of the water circulation in Moldova flows into one of the two rivers – the Prut or Dniester. Of Moldova's well-developed network of about 3,000 creeks and streams, all draining south to the Black Sea, only 246 exceed {{convert|6|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} in length, and only 8 exceed {{convert|60|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}.

Underground water, extensively used for the country's water supply, includes about 2,200 natural springs. The terrain favors the construction of reservoirs of various sizes.

=== Extreme points ===
{{Main|Extreme points of Moldova}}
* The lowest point: An unnamed point on the bank of the [[Dniester River]] {{cvt|2|m|ft|2}}
* The highest point: [[Bălăneşti Hill|Dealul Bălănești]] {{cvt|430|m|ft|0}}
* North extreme: [[Naslavcea]]
* South extreme: [[Giurgiulești]]
* West extreme: [[Criva, Briceni|Criva]]
* East extreme: [[Palanca, Ştefan Vodă|Palanca]]