Country guide - Ukraine  

 
 

Introduction: Ukraine is located in East Europe and is a former republic of the USSR. It is bound by Belarus to the north, Russia to the north and east, the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and Romania to the southwest as well as Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to the west.

Official Name: Ukraine
Area: 603,700 Sq Km (233,100 Sq Miles)
Population: 48,055,439
Continent: Europe
Density per square mile: 206
Capital City: Kiev
Religions: 85% Orthodox Christian, 10% Byzantine Catholic, 3% Protestant and 1% Jewish.

Language: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
Government: Republic

Currency: Hryvna
GDP: $218 billion
GDP Per Head: $4,500

Natural Resources: Iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land
Land Use: Arable Land 57%
Agriculture: Various grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk.
Industry: Coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar)

Tourism: The best time to go to Ukraine is in spring (late April to early June), when everything is in bloom. The country has historic relics, old cathedrals, and beautiful scenery. The beaches at Odessa and Crimea are packed in summer (July and August).

Natural Hazards: None
Health Risks: Cholera, diphtheria, tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease

Climate: Ukraine has a continental climate with hot summers and long cold winters. Average annual rainfall varies from 12 inches in the south to 24 inches in the north west and increases to more than 750 mm 30 inches in the mountains. Average temperature ranges in the north east are from -8 degrees Celsius in January to 29 degrees Celsius in July while in the south they range from -2 degrees Celsius in January to 32 degrees Celsius in July.

Time: GMT/UTC + 2 hours
National Days: August 24 - Ukrainian Independence Day.

Visas: British nationals visiting Ukraine require visas in most instances. Tourists staying in Ukraine for 14 days or less and arriving at Odessa (seaport or airport) or Simferopol only may obtain a visa on arrival. Anyone arriving there without a visa must present documents that confirm the tourist nature of their travel. There is a fee for this service.

British Embassy Details

 

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