The capital of Moldova, also known as Chisinau, has several synonyms that are often used interchangeably. Some of these synonyms include Kishinev, which is the Russian spelling of the city, and Chișinău, which is the official Moldovan spelling. Other synonyms include Bessarabia, which is the historical region where Chisinau is located, and White City, which refers to the buildings made of white limestone. Additionally, Chisinau is sometimes referred to as the "Gate of Moldova" due to its geographical location at the crossroads of major European and Asian trade routes. Regardless of the synonym used, Chisinau remains a significant cultural, economic, and political center of Moldova.