Vatican City

Vatican City - Is officially known as the State of the Vatican City. Vatican City is a European Country and is completely surrounded by Italy, territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. The territory of Vatican City is part of the Mons Vaticanus, and of the adjacent former Vatican Fields where St. Peter's Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Chapel, and museums were built, along with various other buildings. The area was part of the Roman rione of Borgo until 1929. Being separated from the city, on the west bank of the Tiber river, the area was an outcrop of the city that was protected by being included within the walls of Leo IV, and later expanded by the current fortification walls of Paul III/Pius IV/Urban VIII. Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. Vatican City's noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, US, UK, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe; by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom - Is commonly known as the United Kingdom, UK or Britain, it is however officially The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom is a European Country and is an island country spanning Great Britain, the northeast part of Ireland, and many small islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land border, sharing it with the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea. The largest island, Great Britain, is linked to France by the Channel Tunnel. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The UK is one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, a founding member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and of the Commonwealth. UK is the fifth (nominal Gross Domestic Product) largest economy in the world. The United Kingdom has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of Gross Domestic Product, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of Gross Domestic Product while industry continues to decline in importance. UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm. The UK also has strong relations with the US.

Ukraine

Ukraine - Is a republic officially known as the Ukraine. Ukraine is a European Country and shares borders with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. After a chaotic period of incessant warfare and several attempts at independence (1917–21) following World War I and the Russian Civil War, Ukraine emerged in 1922 as one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic's territory was enlarged westward shortly before and after World War II, (in which German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths) and again in 1954 with the Crimea transfer. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the co-founding members of the United Nations. Ukraine became independent again after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Real Gross Domestic Product growth reached about 7% in 2006-07, fueled by high global prices for steel - Ukraine's top export - and by strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising pensions and wages. Although the economy is likely to expand in 2008, long-term growth could be threatened by the government's plans to reinstate tax, trade, and customs privileges and to maintain restrictive grain export quotas.
Human settlement in the territory of Ukraine dates back to at least 4500 BC, when the Neolithic Cucuteni culture flourished in a wide area that covered parts of modern Ukraine including Trypillia and the entire Dnieper-Dniester region.

Turkey

Turkey - Is officially known as the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is a European Country and is connected with both Europe and Asia the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and Thrace in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey shares borders with Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea is to the north. Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa Kemal, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. Turkey joined the United Nations in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; over the past decade, it has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy enabling it to begin accession membership talks with the European Union.
The earliest Neolithic settlements are considered to be among the earliest human settlements in the world. The settlement of Troy starts in the Neolithic and continues into the Iron Age. Through recorded history, Anatolians have spoken Indo-European, Semitic and Kartvelian languages, as well as many languages of uncertain affiliation. In fact, given the antiquity of the Indo-European Hittite and Luwian languages, some scholars have proposed Anatolia as the hypothetical center from which the Indo-European languages have radiated.

Switzerland

Switzerland - Is officially known as the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland is a European Country and is completely surrounded by other countries, which means it has no ports of sea. Switzerland shares borders with Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. Switzerland it is not a member of the European Union and was not officially in the United Nations until 2002. The earliest known tribes of the area were members of the Hallstatt and La Tène cultures. The La Tène culture developed and flourished during the late Iron Age from around 450 BC, possibly under some influence from the Greek and Etruscan civilizations.

Sweden

Sweden - Is officially known as the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden shares borders with Norway, Finland, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea and is connected to Denmark by the Öresund Bridge. Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in 2003. Timber, hydro power, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports.
Sweden's prehistory begins in the Allerød warm period 12,000 BC with Late Palaeolithic reindeer-hunting camps of the Bromme culture at the edge of the ice in what is now the country's southernmost province. This period was characterized by small bands of hunter-gatherer-fishers using flint technology.

Spain

Spain - Is officially known as the Kingdom of Spain. Spain is a European Country and shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea, except for a small land boundary with (Gibraltar which is part of the United Kingdom), France, Andorra, Portugal, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the European Union in 1986) have given Spain one of the most dynamic economies in Europe and made it a global champion of freedom. As of 2007, Spain is eighth largest economy in the world based on nominal Gross Domestic Product. Despite the economy's relative solid footing significant downside risks remain including Spain's continued loss of competitiveness, the potential for a housing market collapse, the country's changing demographic profile, and a decline in European Union structural funds.
Archeological research at Atapuerca indicates the Iberian Peninsula was peopled 1.2 million years ago. Modern humans in the form of Cro-Magnons began arriving in the Iberian Peninsula through the Pyrenees some 35,000 years ago.

Slovenia

Slovenia - Is officially known as the Republic of Slovenia. Slovenia is a European Country and shares borders with Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and the Adriatic Sea. The lands lands Slovenia were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, the Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union in 2004. Slovenia has the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product in Central Europe, Slovenia also has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe. Despite its economic success, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia has lagged behind the region average, and taxes remain relatively high. Furthermore, the labor market is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere.
Slavic ancestors of the present-day Slovenes settled in the area in the 6th century. The Slavic principality Carantania was formed in the 7th century. In 745, Carantania was incorporated into the Carolingian Empire, while Carantanians and other Slavs living in present Slovenia converted to Christianity.

Slovakia

Slovakia - Is officially known as the Slovak Republic. Slovakia is a European Country and is completely surrounded by other countries, which means it has no ports of sea. Slovakia shares borders with Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria. With the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union in the spring of 2004. Unemployment, was at an unacceptable 18% in 2003-04, dropped to 8.6% in 2007 but remains a problem for the economy. Despite its 2006 pre-election promises to loosen fiscal policy and reverse the previous Dzurinda government's pro-market reforms, FICO's cabinet has thus far been careful to keep a lid on spending in order to meet euro adoption criteria.
The territory of Modern-day Slovakia was settled by Celts, around 500 BC, who built powerful oppida on the sites of modern-day Bratislava and Havrán.

Montenegro

Montenegro - Is officially known as Montenegro, once the The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro is a European Country and shares borders with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the disputed entity of Kosovo, Albania and the Adriatic Sea. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the European Union - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006.
Severe unemployment remains a key political and economic problem for this entire region. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
The first recorded settlers of present-day Montenegro were Illyrians, the Docleata. In 9 AD the Romans conquered the region of present-day Montenegro.

Serbia

Serbia - Is officially known as the Republic of Serbia. Serbia is a European Country and is completely surrounded by other countries, which means it has not ports of sea (since the independence of Montenegro in 2006). Serbia shares borders with Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro came to a new agreement regarding continued co-operation, which, among other changes, promised the end of the name Yugoslavia, since they were part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right to secede from the federation and - following a successful referendum - it declared itself an independent nation on 3 June 2006. Two days later, Serbia declared that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. A new Serbian constitution was approved in October 2006 and adopted the following month. After 15 months of inconclusive negotiations mediated by the United Nations and four months of further inconclusive negotiations mediated by the US, European Union, and Russia, on 17 February 2008, the UNMIK-administered province of Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia.

San Marino

San Marino - Is officially known as Most Serene Republic of San Marino. San Marino is a European Country and is completely surrounded by Italy which means it has no ports of sea. San Marino is the 3rd smallest state in Europe. San Marino claims it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in A.D. 301. By the mid-5th century, a community was formed; because of its relatively inaccessible location and its poverty, it has succeeded, with a few brief interruptions, in maintaining its independence. In 1631 its independence was recognized by the Papacy. The government of San Marino made United States President Abraham Lincoln an honorary citizen. He wrote in reply, saying that the republic proved that "government founded on republican principles is capable of being so administered as to be secure and enduring. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy, social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of Italy. Although San Marino is not a European Union member, it is allowed to use the euro as its currency by arrangement with the Council of the European Union; it is also granted the right to use its own designs on the national side of the euro coins. Tourism over 50% of Gross Domestic Product. In 2006 more than 2.1 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking, clothing and apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses.

Russia

Russia - Is officially known as the Russian Federation. Russia is a European Country and Asian Country and shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, North Korea, the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Caspian Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea and is also close to the United States and Japan. In December 1991 the USSR splintered into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state. Russian has one of the world's fastest growing major economies and has the world's eleventh largest Gross Domestic Product. Russia ended 2007 with its ninth straight year of growth, averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Oil export earnings have allowed Russia to increase its foreign reserves from $12 billion in 1999 to some $470 billion at year end 2007, the third largest reserves in the world.China and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with the 2004 Agreement, ending their centuries-long border disputes. Russia has an extremely rich history that dates back to prehistoric times, with steppe civilizations and nomads.

Romania

Romania - Is officially known as Romania. Romania is a European Country and shares borders with Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and the Black Sea. Wallachia and Moldavia united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. Ceausescu was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007 for the first time in eight years, driven in part by the depreciation of the currency, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania hopes to adopt the euro by 2014.
The oldest modern human remains in Europe were discovered in the "Cave With Bones" in present day Romania. The remains are approximately 42,000 years old and as Europe’s oldest remains of Homo sapiens, they may represent the first such people to have entered the continent

Portugal

Portugal - Is officially known as the Portuguese Republic. Portugal is a European Country and shares borders with Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times. Some of the earliest civilizations include Lusitanians and Celtic societies. Incorporation into the Roman Republic dominions took place in the 2nd century BC. The region was ruled and colonized by Germanic peoples, such as the Suebi and the Visigoths, from the 5th to the 8th century. Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and entered the European Community (now the European Union) in 1986. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The Global Competitiveness Report for 2005, published by the World Economic Forum, placed Portugal's competitiveness in the 22nd position, ahead of countries and territories such as Spain, Ireland, France, Belgium and Hong Kong. This represented an increase of two places from the 2004 ranking. Portugal was ranked 20th on the Technology index and 15th on the Public Institutions index. However, the Global Competitiveness Index 2007-2008 placed Portugal in the 40th position out of 131 countries and territories.
Research about quality of life by the Economist Intelligence Unit's quality of life survey placed Portugal as the country with the 19th-best quality of life in the world for the year 2005, ahead of other economically and technologically advanced countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea, but 9 places behind its only neighbour, Spain.

Poland

Poland - Is officially known as the Republic of Poland. Poland is a European Country and shares borders with Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, the Baltic Sea and Russia the exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast. Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia (former kingdom and state of Germany) and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. Poland joined North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Gross Domestic Product per capita is still much below the European Union average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Unemployment is falling rapidly, though at roughly 12.8% in 2007, it remains well above the European Union average. Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalising the economy and today stands out as a successful example of the transition from a state-directed economy to a primarily privately owned market economy.
The most famous archaeological find from Poland's prehistory is the Biskupin fortified settlement dating from the Lusatian culture of the early Iron Age, around 700 BC.

Norway

Norway - Is officially known as the Kingdom of Norway. Norway is a European Country and shares borders with Sweden, Finland, Russia, the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydro power, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more oil than Norway. Other main industries include food processing, shipbuilding, metals, chemicals, mining, fishing and pulp and paper products. Norway has a Scandinavian welfare model and the largest capital reserve per capita of any nation.
Norway was ranked highest of all countries in human development from 2001 to 2006, and is ranked second as of 2008 behind Iceland.
Archaeological findings indicate that Norway was inhabited at least since early in the 10,000 BC. Most historians agree that the core of the populations colonizing Scandinavia came from the present-day Germany.

Netherlands

Netherlands - Is officially known as The Netherlands and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Netherlands is a European Country and shares borders with Belgium, Germany and the North Sea. The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Economic Community (now the European Union), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. The Netherlands continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the five largest investors in the US. The economy experienced a slowdown in 2005 but in 2006 recovered to the fastest pace in six years on the back of increased exports and strong investment.

The Netherlands is often called Holland, which is formally incorrect as North and South Holland are merely two of its twelve provinces.

Under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and king of Spain, the region was part of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands, which also included most of present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and some land of France and Germany.

Monaco

Monaco - Is officially known as the Principality of Monaco. Monaco is a European Country and shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea and is completely enclosed by France. Monaco's economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center for many Americans, Asians, and Europeans. Monaco is often regarded as a tax haven, and many of its inhabitants are wealthy and from foreign countries making up a majority of the population. Monaco retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.

According to an ancient myth, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result a temple was constructed there, the temple of Hercules Monoikos. Because the only temple of this area was the "House" of Hercules, the city was called Monoikos

Moldova

Moldova - Is officially known as the Republic of Moldova. Moldova is a European Country and is completely surrounded by other countries, which means it has not ports of sea. Moldova shares borders with Romania and Ukraine. Moldova was once part of Romania until incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Moldova regained its independents from the USSR in 1991. Moldova's economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova's Gross Domestic Product growth in 2007 growth returned to the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad. Moldova is also known for its reputation as Europe's poorest country due to the fact it has the lowest Gross Domestic Product. In the Middle Ages, most of the present territory of Moldova was part of the Principality of Moldavia. In 1812, it was annexed by the Russian Empire, and became known as Bessarabia.