Ukraine

Ukraine is situated in the south-eastern part of Central Europe and has its own territory, government, national emblem, flag and anthem.

Ukraine is the largest country in Europe (after European part of Russia). Its territory is equal to 603 700 sq km or 5,7% of the European territory. Ukraine borders on Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Poland. Its southern territories are washed by the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.

The population of Ukraine is about 46 mln people. Ukrainians are the largest nationality living in Ukraine, constituting 73% of the population. Russians make up another 21%, and they live primarily in cities and in Eastern Ukraine. The remaining 6% is divided between Jews, Belarusian, Moldavians, Bulgarians, and Poles.

The state language in Ukraine is Ukrainian although Russian is also widespread. Many people believe that the Ukrainian language is very melodious, the second most melodious in the world after Italian.

Natural scenery of Ukraine is picturesque. The territory of the country is mostly a level, treeless plain, called "steppe". Forests cover about 14% of Ukraine’s territory. There are the Crimean Mountains in the Crimean peninsula and the Carpathians in the west, but they are not very high. The highest mountain peak is Hoverla (2061 m) in the Carpathian Mountains.

There are almost 23,000 rivers within the borders of Ukraine. Its longest river is the Dnieper (Dnipro) which is some 966 kilometers long. Other notable rivers include the Dniester, Donets, Danube and Southern Buh. There are over 3000 natural lakes and about 22,000 artificial water reservoirs, as well as many sources of mineral water and therapeutical mud which are used to treat many diseases.

Ukraine has a developed economy with significant agricultural and industrial sectors. It possesses rich and conveniently located natural resources. About half of its territory, especially the central and southern regions, consists of the exceptionally fertile black soil that is ideal for agriculture. The Donets Basin in the southeast has large deposits of coal, while the east central Kryvyy Rih area is rich in iron ore. Ukraine has some of the world’s largest manganese deposits, located in south central Ukraine. There are also considerable deposits of oil and natural gas.

The largest cities in Ukraine are Kyiv, the country’s capital and economic, cultural and educational centre; Kharkiv, noted for its machinery plants and educational institutions; Dnipropetrovsk, a centre of metallurgical and aerospace industries; and Donetsk, known for mining and metallurgy. Odesa, on the Black Sea coast, is the country’s largest seaport.

The climate of the country is moderate. It is subtropical only on the southern Crimean coast. Winter is rather mild, with no severe frosts but with regular snowfalls everywhere except the south. The rivers and lakes freeze in winter. Summer is quite hot and dry, with occasional showers and thunderstorms.