Ukraine

The territory of Ukraine extends 900 km from north to south and 1,300 km from east to west. The total area is 603,700 sq.km. Ukraine borders Belarus, Hungary , Moldova , Poland , Romania, Russia , Slovakia.

There are 24 administrative regions and the Cremean autonomous republic in Ukraine, 2 municipalities: Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) and Sevastopol' (the main military port of Crimea).

Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south.

Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south.

Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land.

In the heart of Europe is situated the second largest European country named Ukraine, the second largest of the continent after Russia, and one of the most populous in Europe.

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.

Official language: Ukrainian

Capital: Kyiv

Independence: August, 24, 1991

Location:Central-Eastern Europe, part of the East-European plain, between 44''20' and 52''20' N and 22''5' and 41''15'E.

Area: 603 700 km2

Climate: moderately continental, except for Southern Crimea, where the climate is subtropical, of the Mediterranean type. The Carpathian climate is also mild, with warm winter and rainy summer.

Average winter temperature is from -8° to -12° C (from +17.6° F to +3° F). In the Southern regions average winter temperature is 0° C (+32° F).

Average summer temperature is from +18° to +25° C (from +64.4° F to +77° F), although maximum temperature can be more than +35° C (+95° F).

Best time to visit Ukraine: summer, late spring and early autumn.

Population 47 732 079 (25th in the world, population density – 80 p/km2)

Currency: hryvnia (letter code UAH, digital code 980)

Time zone:GMT+2 (UTC+2)

Internet top-level domain: ua

International phone code: 380

The territory of Ukraine extends 900 km from north to south and 1,300 km from east to west. The total area is 603,700 sq.km. Ukraine borders Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km. There are 24 administrative regions and the Cremean autonomous republic in Ukraine, 2 municipalities: Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) and Sevastopol' (the main military port of Crimea).

Ukraine has approximately 1% of the world's population, but 6% of the world's physicists, chemists, mathematicians, biologists, computer programmers and other highly trained professionals.

Although Ukraine became independent only in 1991 the history and culture of Ukrainian people extends on centuries. Ukraine is a young state, possessing both the material resources and the political will to enter into the world market as a valuable trading partner.