Chișinău

Chișinău is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Moldova. The city is Moldova's main industrial and commercial center and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bâc, a tributary of the Dniester. According to the results of the 2014 census, the city proper had a population of 532,513, while the Municipality of Chisinau (including the city itself and other nearby communities) was 700,000. Chisinau is the most economically prosperous locality in Moldova and its largest transportation hub. Nearly a third of Moldova's population lives in the metro area. Chisinau is governed by the City Council and the City Mayor, elected once every four years.

One of the symbols of Chisinau is the flag. The current version is based on the coat of arms of Chisinau municipality introduced by the royal decree of July 31, 1930, with the following official description: "On a blue shield, a golden eagle, with its wings down, looking to the right. Above all: the coat of arms of Moldova. The shield stamped by a mural column with 7 towers, symbolizing seven hills on which Chisinau is located". This coat of arms, prepared by a heraldic commission under the leadership of Paul Gore, has been canceled legally so far neither by Romania nor by the Republic of Moldova.