Ukraine South Eastern Europe

 Ukraine is in South-Eastern Europe.  It borders Russia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, The Black Sea and The Sea of Azov.  Population – 52million – In Ukraine, two-thirds of the population lives in cities in the industrial area.  Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe.  Winters vary from cool to cold farther inland. Summers are warm across the greater part of the country, but generally hot in the south.  The historical city of Kiev is the country’s capital. General Information

Early History of Ukraine The southern and Eastern parts of Modern Ukraine were populated by Nomads, an Iranian tribe. In the third century, the Goths arrived, calling their country Oium. In the seventh century, the territory of modern Ukraine was the core of the state of the Bulgars (often referred to as Great Bulgaria) who had their capital in the city of Phanagoria. The majority of the Bulgar tribes migrated in several directions at the end of the seventh century and the remains of their state was swept by the Khazars, a semi-nomadic people from Central Asia.

Attractions  You can enjoy the natural charms of Ukraine: -  Countryside where villages are set amid silver berches  The night life in the sophisticated capital city, Kiev  The café culture with elegant bars  Cottages and villages Cathedrals  Skiing in the Carpathian Mountains in the west  The Carpathians are ideal for walking holidays  Parks and forests in and around Kiev which make excellent day trips  Cycling - hire bicycles  Figure skating, tennis and athletics

Culture  The culture of Ukraine has been formed by influences of its Eastern and Western neighbours, and the, architecture, music and dance of Ukraine all reflect this.  Communists rule had quite a strong effect on the art and writing of Ukraine. During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, the Soviets began enforcing the socialist realism art style in Ukraine. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukrainian artists and writers again became free to express themselves as they wanted.  Ukrainians also have food culture that dates back to old time. The Ukrainian diet includes meat, fish and mushrooms. They eat a lot of potatoes, grains, fresh and sour vegetables, and different kinds of bread. Ukrainian specialities also include Chicken Kiev and Kiev cake. They drink stewed fruit, juices, sour milk, mineral water, tea and coffee, beer, wine and vodka.

Government & Politics Ukraine’s President is Leonid Kuchma. The Communist Party held power in the Soviet Union until 1991, when the USSR was dissolved. The 15 republics of the Union then got their own governments. Ukraine has a large number of political parties, many of which have tiny memberships and are unknown to the general public. Small parties often join in multi-party coalitions participate in elections. The 2006 Parliamentary election: Leading party by electoral districts Ukraine. The President is elected by popular vote and formally is the head of state. Laws, acts of Parliament and the Cabinet, and the acts of the Crimean Parliament may be abrogated by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, if they are found to violate the Constitution of Ukraine.

Industry & Transport  The industrial, social and cultural make-up of Ukraine still bear the imprint of their communist past. Ukraine was a leading agricultural, industrial and energy producer. As a result of shifting borders, and Soviet policy actively encouraging Russian immigration into other Soviet state like Ukraine and Moldova, all three countries now contain large numbers of foreign nationals.  Heavy industry using local raw materials characterises much of this region. The industrial heartland of Ukraine, specialising in metal and machine - building industries, is based around its vast mineral reserves in the Donbass region. Increased industrialisation has necessitated the upgrading of road and rail networks. Modernisation has tended to focus only on major cities and industrial areas.

Nuclear Disaster In 1986, a nuclear reactor blew up in the Chernobyl power station north of Kiev in Ukraine. It was the world’s worst nuclear power accident. Radioactivity was released over a wide area - it reached Scandinavia and Great Britain - and 8000 sq. meters of farmland is still badly contaminated. Its hard to believe that the Chernobyl disaster was 20 years ago. Harder still to believe that the abandoned site is now one of Ukraine’s most popular tourist destinations. The rusting Ferris wheel.

Economy  Ukraine’s fast-growing economy is losing some of its zip as uncertainty about the investment environment and lower metal prices take their toll.  Growth in the first six months of this year was 4%, compared with almost 13% in the same period a year earlier.  The government has warned it may trim its 2005 growth forecast to 8%, down from one stellar 19.1% the year before.  Ukraine has gone through a difficult period since the ruling administration was overthrown last year.

Landscape & Using the land Ukraine’s landscape consists of vast flat lowlands known as steppes, and generally rolling hills cover most of south- eastern Europe. To the north and east, the hills of Moldova level out into low plains, running east to the vast areas of Ukraine. The fertile black soils of Ukraine, often called ‘the breadbasket of Europe’, have enabled the cultivation of a variety of cereals and vegetables, which are also noted for the quality of their wines. They have some of the richest mineral deposits in the world. They eat huge amounts of cereals.

Economics  Last year, the country experienced economic growth for the first time since Independence in  Strong growth in the fourth quarter is estimated to have brought annual real gross domestic product (GDP) to at least 5.4%.  Continued growth should be supported by the arrival of World Bank funds.  In early February, the IMF delayed the hand-over of a $2.6bn that was released in December after having been frozen since September 1999 for similar reasons.  Last year's improved business and investment environment - which resulted from improved political stability and great willingness to push on with economic reforms - boosted investment into Ukraine from $437m in 1999 to $583m, according to the Ukrainian economy ministry.