Ukraine

About Ukraine

In the heart of Europe is situated the second largest European country named Ukraine. The geographical position of Ukraine is very favourable: outlets to Black and Azov Seas, Crimean and Carpathian Mountains, many rivers and lakes, plains rich on productive black earth, forests and rich in minerals regions. Due to the mild climate and geographical position Ukraine is agricultural country.

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe in terms of area (603,700 sq. km) and fifth in Europe in terms of population (46.2 million people), 77.8 percent of whom are ethnic Ukrainians, with sizable minorities of Russians, Belarusians and Romanians. The country is known as “The Breadbasket of Europe” due to its unique treasure – fertile black earth.

Located in southeast Europe, the country consists largely of fertile black soil steppes. Mountainous areas include the Carpathians in the southwest and the Crimean chain in the south. The country has an access to the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. Ukraine is bordered by Belarus on the north, by Russia on the north and east, by the Black Sea on the south, by Moldova and Romania on the southwest, and by Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland on the west.

History

Ukraine was known as “Kievan Rus” (from which Russia is a derivative) up until the 16th century. In the 9th century, Kiev was the major political and cultural center in eastern Europe. Kievan Rus reached the height of its power in the 10th century and adopted Byzantine Christianity.

The Mongol conquest in 1240 ended Kievan power. From the 13th to the 16th century, Kiev was under the influence of Poland and western Europe. The negotiation of the Union of Brest-Litovsk in 1596 divided the Ukrainians into Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic faithful. In 1654, Ukraine asked the czar of Moscovy for protection against Poland, and the Treaty of Pereyasav signed that year recognized the suzerainty of Moscow. The agreement was interpreted by Moscow as an invitation to take over Kiev, and the Ukrainian state was eventually absorbed into the Russian Empire.

After the Russian Revolution, Ukraine declared its independence from Russia on Jan. 28, 1918, and several years of warfare ensued with several groups. In 1920 Ukraine became a Soviet republic. Ukraine was one of the most devastated Soviet republics after World War II. Ukraine became independent again after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Political System

A nationally elected presidency was instituted on December 1, 1991. Ukrainian citizens elect the president for a five-year term. The head of the state appoints the prime minister and the cabinet, which Verkhovna Rada has to approve. People's deputies (members of Verkhovna Rada) are elected for a four-year term in multicandidate elections.

Capital

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine was founded by the three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid more than 1500 years ago in 482 A.D. Kyiv is one of the biggest cities in Europe with the population of about 2.6 million. It is located on the banks of the Dnipro river that flows into the Black Sea. Kyiv Coat of Arms depicts the statue of Archangel Michael who is considered the protector of the city.

Religion

The dominant religion in the country is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which has heavily influenced Ukrainian architecture, literature and music.

Time

The time in Ukraine is set two hours ahead of the Universal time in Greenwich (GMT +02:00). It is altered twice a year (the watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and one hour backward in the last week of October).

Money

National Currency - Hryvnia (UAH). There are bills for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Hryvnias. 1 Hryvnia = 100 kopiykas. There are coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kopiykas. Personal checks practically do not exist in Ukraine, but many places accept major credit cards. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed in a number of banks. Cash is preferred.

Tourism

Travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and some other countries do not need a visa to visit. The most visited cities are Kiev, Lviv and Odessa. The peninsula of Crimea is also popular as a summer destination because of its many beaches and resorts (such as Yalta) along the Black Sea coast. There is also skiing in the Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine.

Visitors to Ukraine usually visit Orthodox and Catholic churches, Jewish sites, and ancient monasteries and fortresses. Ukrainian souvenirs are also popular among tourists and include woodwork, painted eggs, and embroidery. Ukraine's crime rate is quite low — especially violent crime — and the country is safe for tourists. English is spoken well by many people in big cities.

Ukrainians are known for their hospitality and enjoyment of conversations, eating and drinking. It is quite easy to make friends in Ukraine.