About Ukraine.

Geography

Geographical Location: Ukraine is located in southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea. It is situated between 44"20' and 52"20' north latitude, and 22"5' and 41"15' east longitude.

Area: Ukraine is the largest country in Europe among those with entire boundaries within the European continent. The total area of Ukraine is about 603,700 sq. km. It extends 1316 km from west to east, and 893 km north to south.

Neighboring Countries: Bordered by Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Poland, Belarus and Russia. Total Land Boundaries: 4,558 km. Coastline: 2,782 km.

Climate: The climate of Ukraine is mostly temperate continental. A subtropical Mediterranean climate is prevalent on the southern portions of the Crimean Peninsula. The average monthly temperature in winter ranges from -8° to 2° C (17. 6° to 35. 6° F), while summer temperatures average 17° to 25° C (62. 6° to 77° F). The Black Sea coast is subject to freezing.

Inland Waterways: Most major rivers flow south to the Black Sea; they include the Dnipro River in central Ukraine, the Southern Bug and Dnestr rivers in the west, the Donets River in the east, and the Danube in the far south. The Western Bug flows northward through the western part of the country and joins the Vistula, which empties into the Baltic Sea.

Natural resources: According to the experts, Ukraine contains approximately 5 per cent of the world's total mineral resources. Ukraine has deposits of more than 80 types of minerals. The Donetsk Basin contains huge reserves of high-quality coal and the nearby iron-ore deposits of Kryvy Rih are equally rich. Other Ukraine's mineral resources include manganese, mercury, titanium, chromium, nickel, bauxite, uranium, phosphate, sulfur and peat. People Population: 51,867,828 (July, 1995 est.) Literacy: Literacy of total population is 98% State language: Ukrainian.

Economy

Currently the private sector accounts for approximately 50percent of GDP. The economy of modern Ukraine is formed by both agriculture and industry.

Industry: Industry contributes more than 40 per cent of GDP and accounts for more than one-fourth of total employment. Ukraine is a major center for heavy machinery and industrial equipment production, machine tools, large electrical transformers, ships, locomotives, rail cars, passenger and cargo aircraft, agricultural machinery as well as textiles. It also has a well-developed chemical industry that produces various plastics, tires and fertilizers. The Ukrainian aerospace and defense industry, which includes more than 500 military enterprises and research institutes, is known for its state-of-the-art technology and production of reliable equipment.

Agriculture: Agriculture accounts for about 25 per cent of Ukraine's total GDP and approximately the same percentage of total employment. Mainly due to extremely fertile soil, Ukraine is a major producer and exporter of a wide variety of agricultural products, including sugar, sunflower oil, flax, different crops and dairy products.

GDP: 127,126 bln. Hrn. at currect price ($US 30,777 bln.) (1999)

Currency: Hryvnya

Annual inflation rate: 19,2% (1999)

General Principles and State Power

Ukraine is a Republic

Constitution: 1996 Constitution.

Head of State: President (Mr. Leonid Kuchma sinceJuly1994).

Head of Government: Prime Minister (Mr. Victor Yuschenko).

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) with 450 seats (Last elections held in March 1998). The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine elects from among its members the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Mr. Ivan Plusch).

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts.

Administrative divisions: 24 oblasts, 1 autonomous republic (There autonomous Republic of Crimea (Krym) ,2municipalities (Kyiv and Sevastopol)

Capital of Ukraine: Kyiv

Transportation

Railroads: total: 23,350 km (broad gauge - 1.524 m); 8,600 electrified

Highways: total:273,700km

Inland water ways: 1,672 km perennially navigable (Prypyat and Dnipro Rivers)

Seaports: Berdiansk, Illichevsk, Izmayl, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol, Nikolayev, Odessa, Yuzhny, Sevastopol.

See also Useful tips for foreigners about Ukraine!

and Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates Around the World