Amazing Ukraine

Area: 603,7 km²

Population: 48 mln

Capital: Kyiv

Language: Ukrainian

Currency: hryvnya

Time: Kyiv

General information about Ukraine

Ukraine is an original country, which is famous for its traditions, amateur and and fol arts. There are two mountain chains on the territory of the country: the Crimean Mountains in the south and the Carpathians in the west.

Crimea is famous due to its beautiful nature and associated with rest at the seaside and health resorts: Yalta, Koktebel, Miskhor, Feodossia, Hurzuf and others. Tourists are received in the Carpathians the whole year round: in the winter the are offered mountain-skiing resorts in Slavske, Bukovel, Drahobrat and in summer they have “green” tourism season. Besides, due to the numerous mineral springs tourists can improve their health in health centres.

Climate of Ukraine

The climate of major part of Ukraine is temperate continental. Only the southern shore of Crimea is subtropical. The highest temperature in summer is 39°C, and in winter is - 20°С. Relative humidity in winter is higher than in summer. Annual precipitation is about 500 mm.

Money of Ukraine

National currency - hryvnya is equal to 100 copecks. Banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hryvnas and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 copecks are in circulation.

Traditions and customs in Ukraine

Ukraine is rich in customs and traditions. Ukrainian customs have a long history and go back not only to christianity but to heathenism as well. Ukrainian traditions reflect people’s character and have been passed on from generation to generation for thousands of years. Main features of the Ukrainians are good will, friendliness, hospitality, respect for women and elderlies, love children, animals and nature. The Ukrainians are also famous for their sense of humor and for different talents: embroidering, weaving, painting, carving and pottery.

Many feasts are held on the Easter’s and Christmas’s eve. In Lviv they have a musical “Festival of Virtuosos” in May, a Guzul Festival in Kosove in September, a pilgrimage to Pochayevsky monastery on August, 28

Ukrainian cuisine

Ukraine has always been famous for its cuisine and its dishes are well known for outside the country. It is caused by high nourishing characteristics of food, its variety and may of cooking. Thus Ukrainian borshch contains about 20 ingredients. The Ukrainians are hospitable and you can often see bread and salt on their tables. Modern cookery has inriched old good cooking traditions. Besides different regions of Ukraine have their own (typical) cookery.

Sights of Ukraine

Kyiv – the capital of Ukraine

Kyiv, the capital , is one of the oldest cities of Eastern Europe ( founded in the V century A.D) the “mother of Russian cities”. It is one of the most beautiful capitals of the world. Here you can see such historical places as the Golden Gates ( XI century), Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Andreyevsky Uzviz, Vladimirska Hill, Podol, Kreshchatik Street, Klovsky and Mariinsky Palaces.

The heart of the city is Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It is one of the world centers of orthodoxy and an invaluable monument of architecture protected by UNESCO. Visitors are also attracted by National Shevchenko Museum, the Museum of Folk Architecture, Historical Museum and others.

Lviv

If you have been to Lviv, you’ll always remember its green streets, theatres, small cozy cafes and friendly people. The city of Lviv attracts many tourists. Small and grand hotels with swimming-pools, tennis courts, and restaurants with delicious cuisine will give you excellent rest.

Truskavets

Truskavets is situated in the Western Ukraine at the foot of the Carpathians surrounded by thick forests. Truskavets is a spa city. Its mineral waters were discovered in the 16 th. century. Now it is the place for those who decided to improve their health. There are 14 sources of mineral water on its territory and the most famous among them is “Naftusya”. Truskavets is surrounded by hills, so in winter it is a real paradise for mountain-skiers

Odessa

Odessa is a port city on the Black Sea. The city is rich in historical places, it’s a resort city and the city of humor. The best place to begin excursion around the city is the port. Opposite the port you will see famous Potyomkin stairs. If you go upstairs you will find the most famous Primorsky Boulvard. Next to it there is a world famous Opera House and the most beautiful street-Deribasovskaya, which is in 10 minute’s walk. Nice streets, green parks, numerous monuments, market Privoz and other places are worth seeing.

Chernovtsy

Chernovtsy is the heart of Bukovina. It is situated on the picturesque banks of the Prut and is an administrative, economical and cultural centre. The excursion around the old town will help you find architecture of the XIX-XX centuries. The view of these buildings will transfer you to the past. Besides, the city is full of green colours.

The Carpathians

Ukrainian Carpathians are situated in the west of Ukraine and borders on Hungary, Romania,Poland and Slovakia. The Carpathians are divided into Prykarpaiye(Lviv, Ivano-Fronkovsk and Chernovtsy regions0 and Zakarpatiye. The mountains are not higher than 1200-1400 meters high. The Carpathians are not high, they are covered with nice forests.

The main rivers the Prut, Cheremosh and the Striy are clean and tront is found there. The banks of the rivers are picturesque. Numerous lakes, fresh air and beautiful nature are good for hiking, skiing or just for having a rest in a health centre.

Culture of Ukrainian Carpathians

This region is famous for its cultural and historical heritage. Here one can find such Ukrainian ethnic groups as the Boyks, the Lemks, the Guzuls who have kept their culture for hundreds of years. The people of Carpathians arrange many holidays in their own specific way. It’s very interesting to watch the celebration of Christmas, New Year and Easter because a lot of old customs which have disappeared in other parts of the country are still kept in Carpathians. The beauty of this land attracts many tourists every year.

Zakarpatiye

The area is considered to be the land of resorts. Picturesque mountains , medieval castles, forests, mountain rivers, lakes and mineral springs are inimitable in their beauty. Famous resorts of Truskavets, Morshin, Mirgorod, Kvasy, Shayan, Yasynya and others receive thousands of people every year. Zakarpatiye has many forest reserves and some national parks like Sinevir national park, the Valley of the Daffadils and others.

Crimea

The peninsula of the Crimea is one of the best places on the Earth. Sometimes it is called “the world in the miniature”, or “a museum in the open air” because its variety of climatic conditions, of its landscape, fauna and flora. The Crimea is also interesting from the other point of view: there are many historical and architectural places of interest. Many peoples and civilizations had lived before. The Crimea is also a big tourist centre. Thousands of people from Ukraine and other countries are eager to visit this part of Ukraine. It is especially beautiful in summer and there is a chance to sunbathe and swim in clean water of the Black Sea. Besides, it has many resorts. Visiting the Crimea, people can make many hikes into the mountains or visit such famous cities as Yalta, Alupka, Miskhor, Gurzuf, Alushta, Feodosia,Yevpatoria, Kerch, Sevastopol.