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Meet Ukraine
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GENERAL INFORMATION: The word Ukraine means borderland and was so named because it was once the easternmost territory of the Polish Empire. In the 1700s, the Russians helped to free it from Poland and it became part of Russia. In 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, it became independent. Ukraine is the largest country in Europe whose boundaries are entirely within the European continent. In area it is 233.090 square miles, making it slightly larger then the State of Texas. Its landscape consists mainly of fertile plains and plateaus call steppes. The Carpathian Mountains are found in the West. Mountains are the Crimeans rise out of the Black Sea in the south. It is bordered by Romania, Moldova and Hungary on the southwest; Slovak Republic on the west; Poland on the northwest; Belarus on the north and Russia on the north and east. It has a coast line on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
English is taught in Ukraine schools and so will be understood by many Ukraine citizens. The official language is Ukrainian and Russian is also widely used. The Ethnic groups represented in the nation are about 73% Ukrainian and 22% Russian. The prevailing religion is Christian Orthodox known as the Kievan Patriarchy (76%). The Byzantine-rite Catholics account for 15% of the population. There has been some growth in Protestant faiths and about 1% are Jewish.
THE CLIMATE: Most of the country is in the temperate climate zone, but in the southern portion of the Crimean Peninsula a Mediterranean climate is prevalent. The average winter temperature ranges from 17 degrees to 36 degrees Fahrenheit while summer temperatures range from 63 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation decreases from North to South; it is greatest in the Carpathian Mountains at 58.5 inches per year to less than 12 inches in the lowlands of the Black Sea.
THE ECONOMY: The market based economy of Ukraine is formed both on agriculture and industry. Due to its extremely fertile soil and the fact that 56% of its land is arable, it is a major producer of agricultural products including sugar, sunflower oil, flax and grains of all kinds. Roughly 25% of the population are employed in agriculturally related work. Industry of the Ukraine produces heavy machinery, industrial equipment, locomotives, rail cars, aircraft, plastics, tires, fertilizers and it is known for its state of the art technology and production.
HRYVNA: The hryvna is the Ukrainian dollar. Its rate of exchange is subject to change. The country operates on a cash basis. Foreign citizens bringing more than $1000 in cash per person have to fill out a declaration form upon entry into the country. Travelers bringing more than $10,000 in cash or $50,000 in travellers checks per person must obtain a special license. Amounts of less than $10,000 in cash or $50,000 in travellers checks per person can be imported without this license. Upon entering the country, Ukrainian Customs officials will keep any amount over $10,000 and give you a receipt for this amount. Once you have obtained a license from the National Bank of Ukraine, Customs officials will release the balance of the funds to you. In most large cities, major credit cards are accepted.
HOLIDAYS: The major holidays are: New Years Day - January 1, Christmas - January 7, Orthodox New Year - January 14, Independence Day - January 22, International Womens Day - March 8, Easter, Victory In Europe Day - May 7, and Independence Day is celebrated again on August 24th.
CULTURAL LIFE: Ukrainians come from the Slavic tradition and have known more than their fair share of hard times precipitated by wars and dominance from other countries. To survive as a people, they became hard workers, fierce warriors, The Cossacks, and very family oriented. Family members live near one another and spend much of their free time together. Because of a housing shortage, three or four generations may live together in the same apartment.
Ukrainian festivals are great fun with men, women and children singing and dancing for hours. Many choirs and dance groups perform at these events dressed in their traditional blouses and skirts decorated with hard-done embroidery.
Ukrainians believe that bread is holy and a gift from God. Bread is often given as gifts to favorite guests.
Ukrainians love the circus. Every large city has its own circus and circus building as well as its own puppet theater.
Community bath houses are also common. Bath houses are used more for serving friends and relaxing than for washing up.
Ukrainians are very proud of the beauty and quality of their traditional crafts, some of which date back thousands of years. Artisans weave colorful patterned cloth, make pottery and hand painted Easter Eggs or pysanka. Weavers make carpets, tapestries and bed coverings that are often used as wall hangings due to their beauty. Colorful pottery in the form of bowls, plates and cups and even childrens toys are sold in markets and shops throughout the country.
KYIV OR KIEV: The capital is situated on the Dnipro River, the third longest in Europe. More than 2.6 million people live in this ancient and beautiful city. Rich with history, Kievs skyline is dotted with glittering golden domes of its many churches and cathedrals. Throughout Kiev, both wide boulevards and narrow streets are lined with shade trees. Outdoor markets, shops, monuments, museums and ancient churches are there to marvel at in this remarkable 1,500 year old city.
ODESSA: The main seaport of Ukraine situated on the Black Sea. It is also a resort city much loved by vacationers.
YALTA: This resort town situated on the Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea is very popular. Russian Czars and nobility often went there for beach vacations. During the end of WW II, Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met there to decide the fate of the soon to be defeated Germany. Yalta is also famous for the Swallows Nest, a medieval like castle built high on a bluff overlooking the Black Sea. Yalta is also famous for its fine wines and fruit.
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