| Ukraine
Here you can find some basic information about Ukraine which might help you when planning your trips or building your itinerary.
Location: Eastern Europe.
Neighbors are Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Russia, and Belarus
Ukraine is part of former Soviet Union, one of the NIS states ("Newly Independent States"), and member of CIS ("Commonwealth of Independent States", a subdivision of the NIS).
Population: 48 million.
Area: 603,000 km2.
Capital: Kyiv (or Kiev)*
*Kyiv is derived from Ukrainian and Kiev from Russian (Kiev is considered the birthplace of Russian and East Slavic culture and statehood).
Major cities and their population:
Kyiv: 2,635,300 (realistically approaching 4 million)
Kharkiv: 1,575,900
Dnipropetrovsk: 1,161,200
Donetsk: 1,101,800
Odesa: 1,059,500
Zaporizhya: 887,400
Lviv: 805,900
Kryvyy Rih: 703,000
Mykolayiv: 519,000
Mariupol: 490,000
Luhansk: 493,300
Languages: Ukrainian and Russian*
*Ukrainian is Ukraine's single official government language;
in everyday use the languages are about equally popular across Ukraine, though proportion of usage differs widely by region. However, the vast majority of the population is functionally bilingual.
Geography: 95% of Ukraine is flat or nearly flat, with small rolling hills.
In the west the Carpathians rise to 2061 m (Hoverla), and in the south the Crimean Mountains reach 1545 m.
Climate: temperate continental, except for a small strip of Crimea’s southern coast, which has a Mediterranean climate.
Date of independence: August 24, 1991
Currency: Hryvnia (or grivna, if transliterated from Russian), abbreviation = UAH (sometimes "hr"). Exchange rate hovers around 5 UAH to 1 USD. You can get it at the currency exchange or at a bank on your arrival. You can also use your international cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) in most big stores, restaurants and hotels. You can use bank machines to withdraw cash or go into the bank with your card and withdraw money there.
Government structure: Republic
Powerful executive branch with five-year presidential term and Cabinet of Ministers with a Prime Minister appointed by the President. Legislative branch consists of unicameral 450-seat Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council). People's deputies serve four-year terms. Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court. Ukraine's government structure is still in a developmental stage. Ukraine consists of 27 administrative regions: 24 regions, the Crimea Autonomous Republic, and the cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol.
Public holidays:
January 1: New Year's Day
January 7: Christmas (Orthodox calendar)
March 8: International Women's Day
May 1 and 2: May Day
May 9: Victory Day
June 28:Constitution Day
August 24: Independence Day
Economy:
Principal exports are metals, minerals, electronics, chemicals, and vegetables.
Visas: Ukraine introduced a VISA FREE regime for citizens of the countries of: The European Union (except new members), U.S.A, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, San Marino, Monaco, Iceland, Vatican, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, who may stay in Ukraine without visas up to 90 days.
A passport valid for six months beyond the planned date of travel is required.
Those nationalities who do need visa can apply for it at the Ukrainian Embassy in the capital of your country.
Hours of work:
Banks
Weekdays: 9.00/10.00 – 17/18.00
Saturdays: 09.00 – 14.00/varies
Sundays: Closed
Offices
Weekdays: 09.00 – 18.00
Lunchtime: 13.00 – 14.00/Varies
Saturdays and Sundays: Closed
Shops
Weekdays and Saturdays: 09.00 – 19.00-21.00
Sundays: Some shops are closed.
Most supermarkets and big shopping malls can work 24 hours daily seven days a week.
Emergency:
Telephone numbers for the local emergency services are:
Fire service: 01, Police: 02, Ambulance: 03.
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