Location

Ukraine is a state in Eastern Europe, bounded on the north by Belarus, on the northeast by the Russian Federation, on the west by Poland and Slovakia, and on the south-west by Hungary, Romania, and
Moldova. Ukraine is the biggest country in Europe (after
Russia). It is divided into 24 regions (oblasts) and an Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The country has an access to the Black Sea and the
Azov
Sea and two mountainsides: Carpathians in the West and the
Crimean
Mountains in the South.

Total area: 603,700 sq.km Population: about 50 million people.

Political System

A nationally elected presidency was instituted on December 1, 1991. Ukrainian citizens elect the president for a five-year term. The head of the state appoints the prime minister and the cabinet, which Verkhovna Rada has to approve. People's deputies (members of Verkhovna Rada) are elected for a four-year term in multicandidate elections.

Capital

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine (also known as Kiev), was founded by the three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid more than 1500 years ago in 482 A.D. Kyiv is one of the biggest cities in Europe with the population of about 2.6 million. It is located on the banks of the Dnipro river that flows into the
Black Sea. Kyiv Coat of Arms depicts the statue of Archangel Mikhail who is considered the protector of the city.

Religion

Mostly Christians (Orthodox, Greco-Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant), Judaism, Muslims (2 millions).

Climate

Mainly moderate continental (subtropical climate prevails in the South of Ukraine -
Crimea).

Time

The time in Ukraine is set two hours ahead of the Universal time in
Greenwich (GMT +02:00). It is altered twice a year (the watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and one hour backward in the last week of October).

Telephone Calls

To make a call from
Ukraine abroad it is necessary to dial 8-10-code of the country - code of the city etc.

Money

National Currency - Hryvnia (UAH). There are bills for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Hryvnias. 1 Hryvnia = 100 kopiykas. There are coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kopiykas. Personal checks practically do not exist in
Ukraine, but many places in Kyiv accept major credit cards. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed in a number of banks. However, do nay rely solely on credit cards or travellers’ cheques. Cash is preferred.

Official
State Language

Ukrainian.

Flag

Composed of two equal horizontal bands of azure and golden yellow colours.

Independence Day August, 24.