CHISINAU/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Moldovan authorities and opposition leaders agreed on Tuesday to a recount of votes cast in Sunday's parliamentary election, Russian news agencies reported, after demonstrators seized the president's offices.

Some 10,000 demonstrators massed for a second day in the capital of Europe's poorest country to denounce the victory by the Communist Party, led by veteran president Vladimir Voronin, as rigged and demand a new ballot.

Following are facts about the country.

* Moldova is a former Soviet republic that declared independence on August 27, 1991.

* It has a population of about 4.5 million sandwiched between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, with whom it shares linguistic and historic heritage.

* Moldova's ruling Communists won a parliamentary election on Sunday. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the poll met many international standards, but several thousand people, mainly students and youths, took to the streets to protest against what they said were Communist violations. Some broke into the parliament building on Tuesday.

* President Vladimir Voronin is the only Communist leader in Europe and the former Soviet Union. In office since 2001, he has said he wants to stay close to power. He cannot serve a third consecutive term.

* Transdniestria, a sliver of land in the east and populated by mainly Russian speakers, broke away in 1990 and the two sides fought a brief war in 1992 after Moldova gained independence. Transdniestria, home to much of the country's industry, demands independence. Moldova is willing only to give it autonomy.

* Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. Its economy is driven by agricultural production -- its wines are famous in the region.

* Moldova is part of the EU's Eastern Partnership and European Neighborhood Policy initiatives, but not a member of the NATO military alliance. It relies heavily on Russia for its energy resources.

(Compiled by Sabina Zawadzki)