Country Guide • Ukraine

Flag of Ukraine

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 NameUkraine
Area603,700km² (233,100mile²)
Population48,055,439
ContinentEurope
Population per mile²206
Capital CityKiev
Religions85% Orthodox Christian, 10% Byzantine Catholic, 3% Protestant and 1% Jewish.
LanguageUkrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
GovernmentRepublic
CurrencyHryvna
GDP$218 billion
GDP per Head$4,500
Natural ResourcesIron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land
Land UseArable Land 57%
AgricultureVarious grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk
IndustryCoal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar)
TourismThe 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 HazardsNone
Health RisksCholera, diphtheria, tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease
ClimateUkraine 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°C in January to 29°C in July while in the south they range from -2°C in January to 32°C in July
TimeGMT/UTC+2 hours
National DaysAugust 24 - Ukrainian Independence Day
VisasBritish 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 EmbassyEmbassy Details

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