Book excerpt: Written by one of the country' s most renowned rulers, A Description of Moldavia provides unique insight into the geography, history, economy, ethnography, culture, and traditions of the principality. Born to a noble family, the author, Dimitrie Cantemir, ruled as Prince of Moldavia on two occasions (March-April 1693 and 1710-1711). He was a famed statesman, philosopher, and scholar.Cantemir wrote his Description of Moldavia (Descriptio Moldaviae) in 1716 at the request of the Royal Academy in Berlin, of which he was a member. Cantemir' s manuscript included a map (reproduced in the present edition), the first real map of the country, containing geographical detail. The book provides a wealth of information about the country' s natural resources, political organization, customs and traditions, history, religion, and language.