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to its geographical location, Ukraine has always
been at the crossroads of trade routes connecting
East and West. Travelers, merchants and conquerors
influenced its development, and as a result, the
country moved a long way from one of the most
powerful states in the IX century A.D. – Kyivska
Rus – through the 300 year long tartar-Mongol
yoke, Polish domination, unification with Russia, 70
years of being included into the Soviet Union to
forming an independent state in 1991.
The
total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. Km. The
population of Ukraine is 52 million.
Climate
Climate in Ukraine is temperate and continental and
only in the southern Crimea there are signs of being
subtropical. The average temperature, depending on
the place, varies from –7C to +4C in January and
from +19C to +30C in July. The average water
temperature in the Black Sea +18C to +20C (in the
summertime).
Language
Ukrainian became the official language only in 1990,
replacing Russian. Most of the population in eastern
Ukraine and in Kiev speaks Russian as their first
language, while Ukrainian is the first language in
western Ukraine. Although in the political world and
the local media both languages are used, official
documents are now in Ukrainian.
Unfortunately,
not much English is spoken in Ukraine.
Transportation
Public
transportation in Ukraine is efficient and inexpensive,
but crowded. The network of buses, trolleybuses,
streetcars covers almost the entire city.
There are taxi stands at some
busy corners in the central parts of the cities.
Many taxis often refuse fares, the main reason being
the destination desired by the traveler being
different from the route the taxi driver is taking.
After a taxi stops, the required destination should
be stated; if the driver agrees, a price should be
negotiated before entering the vehicle.
Extra
precaution should be taken in the evenings, when it
is advisable to use only a clearly marked taxi
rather than a private vehicle.
Population
Among
the total population of Ukraine, 80% are Ukrainians;
others include Russians, Belorussians, Jews, Crimean
Tatars, Moldavians, Hungarians, Romanians, Germans, and
Bulgarians.
The
main religion is Christianity Orthodox, Greek
Catholic, and Roman Catholic), but Judaism and Islam
are also practiced.
Credit
Cards
Ukraine is a cash economy. Travelers’ checks and
credit cards are gaining wider acceptance in larger
cities. Use of credit cards is limited to the better
hotels, Western-style restaurants, international
airlines and selected stores. American Express,
MasterCard, and Visa are commonly accepted.
Currency
Exchange
You can easily
change your dollars or other hard currency for hryvnias in
major banks and special exchange points. Changing US Dollars
for Ukrainian hryvnias or other currency is legal only in
banks, currency exchange desks at hotels and at licensed exchange
booths. There are a lot of exchange points throughout every
city. Beware of changing money on the streets or with private
individuals; it is illegal and it can be dangerous.
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