Map of Ukraine
Geography
Ukraine is located in southeastern Europe, bordering Russia, Byelorussia, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Poland on land, and Georgia, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey on sea. Its capital city is Kyiv, and it is divided into administrative regions called oblasts. The land of Ukraine mostly consists of level, treeless plains called the Steppes. Two mountain ranges can be found as well- the Crimean Mountains in the southern Crimean Peninsula and the Carpathians in the west of the country. One of the longest European rivers, the Dnieper, can be found in Ukraine and it is also the country’s major source of hydroelectric power. The overall climate is moderate, with mild winters with regular snowfalls and hot and dry summers (CIA World Factbook).
Ukraine is located in southeastern Europe, bordering Russia, Byelorussia, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Poland on land, and Georgia, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey on sea. Its capital city is Kyiv, and it is divided into administrative regions called oblasts. The land of Ukraine mostly consists of level, treeless plains called the Steppes. Two mountain ranges can be found as well- the Crimean Mountains in the southern Crimean Peninsula and the Carpathians in the west of the country. One of the longest European rivers, the Dnieper, can be found in Ukraine and it is also the country’s major source of hydroelectric power. The overall climate is moderate, with mild winters with regular snowfalls and hot and dry summers (CIA World Factbook).
The Orange Revolution
History and Politics
Ukraine was found in the centre of the first Slavic State, the Kyivan Rus, which was the most powerful state in Europe in the tenth and eleven centuries. The Kyivan Rus was merged into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then the Polish-Lithuanian Commonweath after years of Mongolian invasions and regional disputes. The Cossack Hetmanate was created as a new Ukrainian state after an uprising against the Poles and adopted the national spirit of the Kyivan Rus. It remained intact for over 100 years although it constantly faced pressure from its Russian neighbour. Most of the Ukrainian ethnographic regions were taken over by the Russian Empire in the second half of the 18th century and controlled under the czarist kingdom. The Soviet rule followed shortly afterwards, during which 8 millions Ukrainians died in the two man-made famines of 1921 and 1932. Although Ukrainian independence was finally achieved in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, democracy and success as a nation remained out of reach because of deep-rooted corruption in government executive branches. The Orange Revolution, a peaceful mass protest in December 2004, was the cause of the overturning of a rigged presidential election and the democratic election of Viktor Yushchenko. In February 2010, Viktor Yanukovich (rival of Yushchenko) was elected as president in an election process that experts concluded as “meeting most international standards” (CIA World Factbook).
Ukraine was found in the centre of the first Slavic State, the Kyivan Rus, which was the most powerful state in Europe in the tenth and eleven centuries. The Kyivan Rus was merged into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then the Polish-Lithuanian Commonweath after years of Mongolian invasions and regional disputes. The Cossack Hetmanate was created as a new Ukrainian state after an uprising against the Poles and adopted the national spirit of the Kyivan Rus. It remained intact for over 100 years although it constantly faced pressure from its Russian neighbour. Most of the Ukrainian ethnographic regions were taken over by the Russian Empire in the second half of the 18th century and controlled under the czarist kingdom. The Soviet rule followed shortly afterwards, during which 8 millions Ukrainians died in the two man-made famines of 1921 and 1932. Although Ukrainian independence was finally achieved in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, democracy and success as a nation remained out of reach because of deep-rooted corruption in government executive branches. The Orange Revolution, a peaceful mass protest in December 2004, was the cause of the overturning of a rigged presidential election and the democratic election of Viktor Yushchenko. In February 2010, Viktor Yanukovich (rival of Yushchenko) was elected as president in an election process that experts concluded as “meeting most international standards” (CIA World Factbook).
Economy
Because of favorable conditions and fertile black soil, Ukraine has historically been an agriculturally intensive nation. It grows wheat, maize, buckwheat and other corn, various vegetables and fruit. The country is also rich in natural resources such as iron ore, coal, color metal, oil, gas, mineral salts, clay and potential water power. The manufacturing industry has recently experienced a boom, with the production of planes, ships, lorries, buses, motorcars, computer and electronic equipment, agricultural machines, chemicals and textiles in large cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Kharkov, and Nickolayev. Ukraine’s major trading partner continues to be the Russian Federation, although extensive trade is also done with other neighboring European nations (CIA World Factbook).
Culture
As Ukraine is located between Europe and Asia, its culture shows both Eastern and Western influences. Today, the country is noticeably culturally divided with the western regions exhibiting a strong European influence and the eastern regions with a strong Russian influence. The official language is Ukrainian, although Russian is widely spoken (especially in the eastern regions). The culture remains heavily embedded in ancient traditions- Cossack songs and the playing of the kobza (a popular 16th century instrument) can be heard in modern music today. Traditional dance, initially originating in rural Cossack villages, is still widespread due to numerous dance troupes across the country. Christmas, Easter, Ivana Kupala (St. John’s Eve) are some of the many national holidays celebrated by all (CIA World Factbook).
As Ukraine is located between Europe and Asia, its culture shows both Eastern and Western influences. Today, the country is noticeably culturally divided with the western regions exhibiting a strong European influence and the eastern regions with a strong Russian influence. The official language is Ukrainian, although Russian is widely spoken (especially in the eastern regions). The culture remains heavily embedded in ancient traditions- Cossack songs and the playing of the kobza (a popular 16th century instrument) can be heard in modern music today. Traditional dance, initially originating in rural Cossack villages, is still widespread due to numerous dance troupes across the country. Christmas, Easter, Ivana Kupala (St. John’s Eve) are some of the many national holidays celebrated by all (CIA World Factbook).