Ukraine

A Land of Culture, Rich History and Beautiful Sceneries

Ukraine is the country to the east of Europe with the ancient history, outstanding architecture, and different landscapes. With a mix of cultural sites and nature scenery, Ukraine is an incredible and fascinating land with a lot to explore along the Carpathian Mountains and the large and expansive Black Sea coast. Ukraine has something to offer everybody, be it strolling around the historic streets of Kyiv, enjoying the beauty of Crimean coastline or hiking in Lviv.

To obtain all information about Ukraine, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Ukraine

In case you want to find more information regarding Ukraine, such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in  Random Country Generator tool. 

Note: The tool provides rapid research access on relevant country facts that can be used both in school and personal application

Geographical Location

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe and shares borders with Russia to the east and North, Belarus to the Northwest, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the Southwest. It fronts the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and therefore the country enjoys trading routes.

Ukraine is the largest European country covering an area of approximately 603,500 square kilometres (not including Russia). With diverse topography, consisting of mountains, fertile land and forests and Rivers, it makes a magnificent setting of both the city and countryside escapades.

Topography and Geology

The topography of the country is characterized by the flat plains, called the steppe, and Carpathian Mountains in the west, promising the travelers a variety of routes. It is a big attraction in the Crimean Peninsula which has some beautiful cliffs, beaches and subtropical climate. One of the longest rivers in Europe, the Dnieper River flows through Ukraine in the middle of the country which also plays a very important role in the agriculture and transportation sectors in this country.

The west of the Carpathian mountains is in a scenic nature that has a number of hiking including the national parks and wildlife reserves. Lakes and forests in Ukraine are beautiful too, in particular, in the Polissya part in the north.

Climate

Ukraine possesses the continental climatic situation, the winters here are colder, and the summers are hot and dry. The north and the central areas of the country have more severe winters where temperature regularly goes below freezing point but the south and especially the Black Sea are warmer in winters and colder in summers. The Carpathian Mountains are also covered by snow during winter creating a favorite location of winter sports such as skiing.

Medieval History Ancient History

Ukraine has got a lot of history since it goes way back to ancient civilizations. Scythians, an ancient nomadic community, inhabited the region, and is where it would later became the seat of the Kievan Rus, a medieval state ancestor of both Ukraine and Russia. It was a great empire in the 9 th -13 th centuries and it contributed largely to the Eastern Slavic culture, language and religion.

Later the region entered the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, and later passed under Russian and Austrian reign. In the 17th century the Cossack Hetmanate, a semi-autonomous Cossack state, became separate, but then, most of Ukraine was included within the Russian Empire in the 18th century.

Soviet Ownership and Independence

Ukraine joined the Soviet Union in the 1920s following the Russian revolution. Soviet times were characterized by drastic changes, such as the famine Holodomor of the 30s that took away the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Nazi Germany occupied Ukraine during World War II, and it was devastated and became very unpopular.

After the fall of Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine proclaimed independence and became an independent nation. The nation has since steered through issues of political reforms, territorial conflicts and an experience with Russia.

Modern Ukraine

Ukraine has experienced political and economic transformation since the onset of independence; moving to a market based economy. Ukraine has also been going through a lot especially when Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 and later continued the conflict in Donbas region. In spite of these problems, Ukraine has sought to embrace democratic change and orientation towards European Union and NATO.

Religion and Ethnicity Diversity

Ukraine is a multiethnic state whose population is diverse. The people majorly speak ethnically Ukrainian, but they have sizeable foreign groups who include Russians, Belarusians, Poles, and the Jews. The native tongue is Ukrainian but the Russian language is also common in most parts of the country.

Most of the Ukrainians are of the Eastern Orthodox religion and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is at the core of religious activities in the country. We have as well communities of Roman Catholics, Protestants and Jews. The history of Islam and Judaism in Ukraine goes back to the past, and still to date, their impact is witnessed in diverse cultural activities and monuments.

Cultural procedures and customs

Ukrainian culture is closely related to their crop background and old folk music, parliamentary fiber and chart. UNESCO-listed The Petrykivka painting style is one of the variants of Ukrainian decorative painting which is characterised by its bright colours as well as flower patterns.

The Ukrainian cuisine is varied with the dishes being influenced by both Eastern European and Central Asian influences. Famous are some of the dishes borscht (beet soup), pierogi (dumplings) and holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls). Ukrainian bread and vodka are also in the haggard of the country.

Language

The majority of the citizens speak Ukrainian which is the national language of the country. Nonetheless, Russian is common, particularly, in the southern and eastern parts. There is a greater use of English, especially by the youth and the urban population though not in the rural regions.

Religious Festivals

The celebration of Easter is among the major religious holidays in Ukraine and it is associated with a church service, family meeting and painting Easter eggs. Christmas is also very popular and especially so in western Ukraine, as people conform to the Julian calendar.

Special Days and National Days

Some of the major holidays in Ukraine are Independence Day (August 24th ) that commemorates the declaration of independence in 1991. There is Constitution Day (June 28th) when the adoption of the current Ukrainian constitution is celebrated with a national ceremony.

Ukrainian New Year high holiday starts with the day of Vasily (January 14th) when folk songs, dances and traditional food are observed.

Economic Development

The economy of Ukraine is diverse in nature and the key industries are agriculture, services and industry. It is a high grain producing country and also has a robust system of agriculture particularly in the production of wheat and corn. Livestock, sugar, as well as sunflower oil are also created in Ukraine.

The industrial area is highly developed, and the main industries are steel works, chemicals, and machineries construction, and mining activities. Ukraine is endowed with natural resources and they include coal, iron ore, and natural gas.

Tourism

Tourism makes an extensive share of Ukrainian economy and millions of tourists per year are attracted by Ukrainian historical sites, urban life, and natural landscapes. Multiple historical places are available in Kyiv, the capital, such as St. Sophia Cathedral or Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Lviv, a UNESCO world heritage site, is symbolized by well preserved medieval architecture and rich culture scene. Those outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, and beach holidays) also draw tourist to the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea coast.

Top Things to see in Ukraine

These are six attractions in Ukraine that you are sure not to miss:

1. Kyiv

The capital of Ukraine is a historical city called Kyiv; the two monuments of importance are St. Sophia Cathedral and Lavra Kiev Pechersk. Some other historical sites are the Golden Gate and the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square).

2. Lviv

Lviv is a Ukrainian cultural capital city dotted with medieval buildings, art museums, and colourful festivals. The city has great luring attractions such as the Market Square and the Lviv Opera House.

3. Exclusion Zone in Chernobyl

Naer the place where in 1986 a terrible nuclear tragedy has taken place, there exist a zone called Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, where one can see not only the memories of the forgotten town called Pripyat, but also the whole district around, which has been turned into an interesting and frightening tourist destination.

4. Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains are beautiful, provide hiking routes and beautiful villages. Other cultures present in the region include the Hutsul culture whose music and crafts are traditional.

5. Odessa

Odessa is a town that is situated in the Black Sea known because of its historical buildings as well as its beaches and the Potemkin steps. It is also made up of lively theater and opera.

6. Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

The Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a famed attraction in Ukraine, and it is on a rocky island, which is enclosed by Smotrych River. The medieval castle is in good condition and lets you see the medieval history of Ukraine.

Healthcare System

The healthcare system of Ukraine is universal where all its citizens have access to medical services. Nevertheless, the quality of healthcare may differ in cities and rural regions. Ukraine is also trying to do better in regards to its healthcare system, especially infrastructural wise and with patient treatment.

Education System

Ukraine has advanced education system and all children get free education at primary level and secondary level. There are a number of good universities; important ones are the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Lviv University with the variety of academic programs.

Transport Network

The transport system of Ukraine is well developed; there is a well-built rudimentary network, railways and highway links between major cities. There are two Ukrainian airports, but Boryspil international airport located in Kyiv is the busiest with both international and domestic flights.

Urban Development

Such key cities as Kyiv, Lviv, and Odessa are experiencing a massive level of urban development, such as enhancing transportation services, infrastructure and housing. The cities have modern architecture and history preservation.

Ideal Seasons

Because weather conditions are more favorable, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit Ukraine: the landscapes are most colorful at those times.

Special events and Festivals

Such popular cultural events as Lviv Coffee Festival, Kyiv International Film Festival, and Odessa International Film Festival need to be visited.

Conclusion: 

Ukraine is a nation of rich historic value, amazing natural beauty and exciting cultural life. With constant development and modernization of the country, it is still an interesting and varied place to visit, and most people will find that they can enjoy history, adventure and beauty there.

Frequently asked questions

An overview of the questions most often asked by the public on the issue of religion and science.

When should we visit Ukraine?

The most appropriate time to visit is at the spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) as the weather is mild and the landscapes are ornate.

What are the greatest attractions in Ukraine?

It is noted that the most popular attractions are Kyiv, Lviv, the Carpathian Mountains, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and Odessa.

Which are the languages in Ukraine?

The national tongue is Ukrainian but Russian is used in most areas particular in the east and south sides.

Is it safe to visit Ukraine?

The country of Ukraine is usually safe to visitors which however should be aware of the regional conflicts in eastern Ukraine.

Which are the cultural festivals that I should attend in Ukraine?

One of the key cultural events to attend includes the Lviv Coffee festival, Kyiv International film festival, and the Odessa International film festival.