Geography
Ukraine is a republic in Eastern Europe, bordered by Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

Kyiv (Kiev) is the capital city. Other major cities are Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa (one of the largest ports in the Black Sea). The Crimea is an Autonomous Republic within Ukraine.

The Ukrainian terrain consists mainly of steppes (plains) and plateaux; the Carpathian Mountains are in the west and there are mountains in the Crimean peninsula. The Dnieper is the main river in Ukraine.

Summers are warm and winters can be cold. The southern Crimean coast enjoys Mediterranean weather.

Environment
Plains dominate the landscape of Ukraine with mountainous areas occupying only five percent of the country (the Carpathian Mountains and the Crimean Mountains).

Over the years, steps have been taken to conserve the forests of the Carpathians and in 1992 the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve was established. Other Biosphere Reserves are Askania Nova Biosphere Reserve, the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve and the Dunaiski Biosphere Reserve. There are sixteen Natural Reserves and eleven National Parks.

Throughout the country there are thousands of rivers and lakes. The Shatsk Lakes form part of the Shatskyi National Nature Park (in Polissya, Volyn Oblast). The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are to the south of Ukraine.

Wildlife in Ukraine includes deer, brown bears, wild boars, wolves, vultures and steppe eagles.

Architecture
Most cities in Ukraine have some architectural legacy of their past. One of the best examples of Kyiv's early architecture is the eleventh century Cathedral of Saint-Sophia.

An excellent example of medieval architecture can be found in the city of Lviv that was an important religious and commercial center. Chernihiv is another city with its Old City and religious buildings of note.

As well as the old styles of architecture Ukrainian cities have modern high-rise residential buildings and office blocks. This is particularly so in the cities with high populations (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa).

Population
The population in Ukraine was estimated at 47,732,079 in July 2004.

Languages
Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine.

Religion
Most people in Ukraine belong to the Orthodox Christian religion. Other religions include Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths.

Food
Ukrainian cuisine includes soups, stews, sausages, smoked meats and rye bread. Meat (beef, lamb, pork and poultry) and fish dishes are eaten with vegetables and salads.

Borscht, a thick vegetable and meat soup, and stuffed cabbage are favourite recipes. Salo, salted pig's fat, is a traditional food which can be used in a variety of ways. Dumplings (varenyky) are a Ukrainian speciality and have many fillings such as potatoes, meat, cottage cheese and berries.

Favourite desserts are pancakes, cakes and fruit (blueberries, cherries, plums and strawberries). Honey is used as a sweetener and dairy products (cream, cottage cheese and eggs) are part of the Ukrainian diet.

Vodka is the traditional alcoholic drink. Beer, juices and mineral waters are produced locally. Tea is a favourite and coffee is also popular.

History
Since Paleolithic times (the Old Stone Age) Ukraine has been inhabited by many peoples. Among these were Slavs who by the ninth century were united under the state of Kyivan Rus. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, wars and Mongol-Tatar invasions led to the collapse of Kyivan Rus. Eventually Ukrainian territory was annexed by Lithuania and Poland.

In the mid seventeenth century much of Ukraine became part of the Tsarist Russian Empire and during the Partitions of Poland, at end of the eighteenth century, some Ukrainian territory passed to the Austrian Habsburg Empire.

In 1917 the end of Tsarist rule was followed by Ukrainian independence but Russia retook control in 1920 and at the end of December 1922 Ukraine became a member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (Members of the former USSR were Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Estonia (from WW2), Latvia (from WW2), Lithuania (from WW2) and Moldova (from WW2).

As a member of the USSR, Ukraine experienced famines in the early 1920s and 1930s. Further suffering was endured during the Second World War and Nazi occupation (1941-1944).

Following the War, the relationship between the USSR and the West was one of distrust. The "Cold War" continued until Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985 introducing extensive political and economic reforms (Perestroika) and calling for a greater openness (Glasnost) between nations.

At the end of 1991 the USSR was dissolved and Ukraine became independent.

Economy
The government of the Ukraine is committed to a program of privatisation. Economic reforms are in progress with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Ukraine is rich in mineral deposits that provide a base for much of its industrial sector. Around a third of Ukraine's labour force is employed in industry which includes mining, electric power, metallurgy, construction, chemicals, shipbuilding, turbines and aircraft engines, agriculture machinery, vehicles, military transport, space research equipment, machine-tools and food processing.

Over fifty-seven percent of the land in Ukraine is arable. Its soil is very fertile and during the Soviet era the country was known as the "bread basket" of the USSR. Today the agricultural sector employs about a quarter of the working population. Produce includes corn, oats, rye, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, sunflower seeds, dairy products and meat.

Over forty percent of the labour force works in services, such as financial services and tourism. The Ukraine tourist industry holds an annual international trade fair and is keen to promote the country's historic sites, protected areas and coastal resorts.

Arts
Ukraine has a long tradition of poetry dating back to the twelfth century Song of Igor’s Campaign". The country's most well known poet, Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861), was born a serf in a Ukrainian village. Shevchenko's early life, and his patriotism for Ukraine influenced his poetry.

Folk heritage is valued by Ukrainians and Folk Dance Ensembles can be found in Ukrainian communities throughout the world.

Among the cultural institutions of Ukraine are the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the Odessa State Academical Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine.

Sport
Ukrainian competitors have taken part in the Olympic Games since the 1950s. Among famous Ukrainian sportsmen and sportswomen are Larysa Latynina, the gymnast, awarded a record eighteen Olympic medals (nine gold), the pole-vaulter, Sergey Bubka (gold 1988) and the swimmer, Yana Klochkova (two gold medals Sydney 2000).

Football is a very popular team sport. One of Ukraine's leading clubs is Dynamo Kyiv. Footballers who play for clubs outside Ukraine include Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan), Oleg Luzhny (Arsenal) and Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham Hotspurs).

Holidays
The main religious holidays are the Orthodox Christmas Day and Easter. Other days which are celebrated include New Year's Day (1 January), International Women's Day (8 March), International Solidarity of Workers (1 and 2 May), Victory Day (9 May), Constitution Day (28 June) and Independence Day (24 August).

(Source: worldinfozone.com, google.com)