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|  | UKRAINE COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Ukraine is bordered by the Russian Federation, Belarus, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. It is a varied country with mountains in the west, plains in the centre and breathtaking Black Sea views in the south. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and the third-largest city in the CIS. It is also the cradle of Russian civilisation, the origin of the Kyiv Rus State founded in the eighth and ninth centuries. The Caves Monastery in the city centre is the focal point of the early Orthodox church. The Golden Gate of Kyiv is the last remnant of the tenth-century walls built to defend the city. The Crimea was once a summer playground for Kremlin leaders. Hotels and services are relatively cheap for Westerners. It is Yalta, the 'Pearl of the Crimea', which draws visitors. The region's vineyards produce good-quality wine. Specialities include borshch (beetroot soup) and holubtsi (cabbage rolls). Opera is performed in the ornate theatres of Kyiv, Lvov and Odessa. Ukrainians have a deep-rooted musical tradition and singing is very popular. Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. The new government presents its citizens with hope that the country may at last attain true freedom and prosperity. 24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Crimea or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Dnipropetrovs'k, Donets'k, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmel'nyts'kyy, Kirovohrad, Kiev (Kyyiv)**, Kyyiv, Luhans'k, L'viv, Mykolayiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol'**, Sumy, Ternopil', Vinnytsya, Volyn' (Luts'k), Zakarpattya (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhya, Zhytomyr
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses). After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukrainian government officials have taken some steps to reform the country's Byzantine tax code, such as the implementation of lower tax rates aimed at bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including closing tax loopholes and eliminating tax privileges and exemptions. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP in 2000 showed strong export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence - and industrial production grew 12.9%. The economy continued to expand in 2001 as real GDP rose 9% and industrial output grew by over 14%. Growth of 4.6% in 2002 was more moderate, in part a reflection of faltering growth in the developed world. In general, growth has been undergirded by strong domestic demand, low inflation, and solid consumer and investor confidence. Growth was a sturdy 9.3% in 2003 and a remarkable 12% in 2004, despite a loss of momentum in needed economic reforms. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Kyiv
The capital of Ukraine is the third-largest city in the CIS. It is also the cradle of Russian civilisation, the origin of the Kyiv Rus State founded in the eighth and ninth centuries and the city from which the Orthodox faith spread throughout Eastern Europe.
Even though many of its buildings were destroyed in World War II, Kyiv still has much to offer. The Caves Monastery in the city centre is the focal point of the early Orthodox church. Visitors have to carry candles to see the church relics which are set in a maze of catacombs. It is the headquarters of the pro-Russian Orthodox church. The 11th-century St Sofia Cathedral contains splendid icons and frescoes and is situated in beautiful grounds. The Golden Gate of Kyiv is the last remnant of the tenth-century walls built to defend the city. Other attractions include the Cathedral of St Vladimir (the headquarters of the rival pro-Ukrainian church), the Opera House, the Museum of Ukrainian Art (with its collection of the work of regional artists from the 16th century to the present) and the Historical Museum of Ukraine. Andreyev Hill is a restored cobbled street in central Kyiv now used by artists to sell their wares. There are a lot of cafés and restaurants in this area. Khreshchatik Street and Independence Square are Kyiv's main thoroughfares. The square is particularly elegant with its chestnut trees and fountains. Martinsky Palace and Parliament is the official residence of Ukraine's President. The nearby Park of Glory is a war memorial, with a vast and controversial monument of a woman with a sword and shield overlooking the river. Locals go swimming in summer in the Dnieper River and climb onto its ice in winter to fish. It is possible to take boat trips on the river. There is a park and a beach on Trukhaniv Island.
Lviv
A city of striking Baroque and Renaissance architecture, Lviv is the focal point of Ukrainian national culture. It was the centre of Ukrainian nationalist ambition at the beginning of the Soviet era. The City Castle was the first building to fly Ukraine's blue-and-yellow national flag. Lviv is also the headquarters of Ukraine's Greek Orthodox church.
Located by the foothills of the picturesque Carpathians, it is one of the oldest and most unusual cities in Europe. Lviv is 'the city of lions' - the heart and soul of Western Ukraine with a population of over 900,000. Lviv was mentioned in the Volyn chronicle in 1256 when Galycian King Danylo Galytsky founded the city and named it after his son Leo. Thanks to its advantageous location, many important trades and cultures meet in Lviv. Busy trade led to a dramatic increase in prosperity. Secular and religous gentry, rich merchants, artisans and craftspeople lived within the narrow ring of the city walls. As early as the 15th century the city had its own mint, water supply system and regular international post. The streets were paved with cobbled stones and many new houses were built.
As the centuries passed, the varied heritage led to a wide variety of museum artefacts. The National Museum, Museum of History, Art Gallery, Antique Armoury (City Arsenal) and Museum of Ethnography and Crafts are famous for their collections. Development of the pharmaceutical trade in Ukraine is represented by the collection of the Pharmaceutical Museum - the oldest functioning pharmacy of Lviv (established in 1735). The interiors of these fabulous buildings evoke the atmosphere of times past.
The city itself is often called 'the open-air museum'. The highlight of its architecture is doubtlessly Market Square, connected for more than 600 years with local history. The Market Square of the old city performed the function of an economic, political and administrative centre up to the end of the 19th century. The area housed members of the urban nobility and wealthy merchant class, building many mansions and commercial properties. Today, Market Square is the core of the historical and architectural preservation area, consisting of 45 buildings. They reflect elements of many architectural traditions, such as Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Rococo.
Several theatre companies perform in Lviv. The Opera House of Ivan Franko is a source of great pride to locals. Extravagantly built, with richly decorated façade and interior, its architecture leads Lviv Opera to be classed among the best theatres in Europe.
Odessa
Odessa is the site of the famous 192 steps of the Potemkin stairway from Sergei Eisenstein's film Battleship Potemkin. In addition Odessa is also a centre of renewal of Jewish culture, with a community of 45,000. There is a vast Opera House - one of the world's largest. The ceiling is decorated with scenes from the plays of Shakespeare. Also worth visiting is the Statue of the Duke of Richelieu, the Vorontsov Palace on the waterfront and the Archaeological Museum with exhibits from the Black Sea area and Egypt.
The Crimea
This was once a summer playground for Kremlin leaders. Hotels and services are relatively cheap for Westerners, and the place is a favourite with German tourists. The region's dusty capital of Simferopol has few tourist sights. It is Yalta, the 'Pearl of the Crimea', which draws visitors. Former Communist Party spas have now been turned into resort centres. The region's vineyards produce good-quality wine which can be tasted locally quite cheaply. The Wine Tasting Hall in Yalta is as good a place as any. The Vorontsov Palace was designed by Edward Blore, one of the architects of Buckingham Palace. Nikitsky Gardens, just outside of Yalta, is a good afternoon's excursion. Industry is centred on Massandra, above Yalta. Livada is where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met in the Livada Palace in 1945. Foros is where Gorbachev was held for three days during the 1991 coup. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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