Our Motherland

Ukraine

Official language: Ukrainian
Capital: Kyiv
Proclamation of Independence: On August 24, 1991
Geographical Location: Central Eastern Europe, Southern-Eastern part of the Eastern-European plain, between 44”20’ and 52”20’ of northern longitude and 22”5’ and 41”15’ of western latitude.
Area: 603 700 square kilometers.
Climate: moderately continental, on the southern bank of the Crimea it is subtropical, Mediterranean type. In Transcarpathian region climate is soft, with warm and dry winter and rainy summer.
Average winter temperature: from -8 to -12 C (from +17.6 F to +3 F). In southern regions of Ukraine winter temperature fluctuates around 0 C (+32 F).
Average summer temperature: from +18 to +25 C (from +64,4 F to +77 F) although in day-time it can rise above +35 C (+95 F)
The best time to visit Ukraine: summer, late spring and early autumn.
Population: 45 million 560 thousands (density of population 80 persons per one square kilometer)
Currency: hryvnia (literal code UAH, cipher code – 980, short title –hrv.)
Time belt: GMT+2(UTC+2)
Internet domain of the highest level: ua
Telephone international code: 380




Name of one of the most ancient cities of Ukraine is connected with the name of legendary founder of the city - Kyi. In the chronicles the city is first mentioned in 860, from the 9th century up to 30ies of the 13th century it mentioned as the capital of Kyiv state.

Present day Kyiv is the capital of independent Ukraine, great economical and scientific-cultural centre of the state. The city is known for its machine-building, radio electronics, machine-tools construction, aviation, light and food industry that successfully develop here. The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Taras Shevchenko National University, the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University, the “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” National University and many other higher educational institutions and scientific-research institutes operate in Kyiv.

Unique historically-cultural monuments have been preserved in Kyiv. The most ancient of them are the St. Sophia Cathedral (the 11th century), fragments of the Golden Gates (1097), Mykhailyvska church of Vydubychy monastery (1070-1088) and others. Population of the capital of Ukraine is 2 million 567 thousand (according to census of 2001).



Slobozhanhchyna is the province that was created on the territory of Dyke pole, the area between the borders of three states – Russia, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Crimean khanate – during the 17th-18th century.

Its name originates from the most widespread names of settlements called “Sloboda” created mainly by Ukrainian migrants and free position of local population – Svoboda (freedom). It occupied the territory of modern Kharkiv, Sumy and adjoining with them parts of Voronezh, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kursk regions.

In the middle of the 17th century five Cossack Sloboda regiments – Sumy, Okhtyr, Kharkiv, Izyumsk, Ostroh were created. In 1765 on the territory of Slobozhanhchyna Slobydsko-Ukrainian province was created and instead of Cossack regiments five hussar regiments were created. In 1780 instead of the province Kharkiv vicegerency was created. In 1796 the province was renewed and from 1835 it started to be named Kharkiv (existed up to 1925). At all stages of its historical development Slobozhanhchyna was the integral part of Ukraine.



Hutsulhchyna (Verkhovyna) is a historically-ethnographical region of Ukraine, a territory where Huzuls settled that is connected with utmost southern-eastern, middle and highland parts of Ukrainian Carpathians.

Huzuls live in the regions that are situated in the south-east from the rivers of Lymnytsya and Tortsya up to state boundary with Romania. it includes part of Ivano-Frankivsk (south of Kosyv and Verkhovynsky districts) and Chernivtsy (Putyvlskyi district) regions. The entire area of Hutsulhchyna is 6, 5 thousand square kilometers, population is about 200 thousand people.

More than 90 per cent of Hutsulhchcyna population is Ukrainians-Huzuls. The name of Huzuls originates, possibly, from Moldavian word “Hots”, “Huts” that means “avenger”. According to other version, this word comes from “Kochul” – herdsman.

Huzuls are known for unique culture, original traditions. Hutsulhchyna is famous for its top-quality wood carving and chasing articles, carpets, ceramics articles; its inhabitants are unsurpassed wood cutters. The biggest settlements are Delyatyn, Kosyv, Kuty, Vyzhnytsya, Vorokhta, Yablunyv, Rakhyv, Yaremcha.



The first written mentioning of Tavria – southern part of Ukraine refers to the 5th century before Christ. This name originates from the name of people who lived in the mountainous and foothills part of the Crimea – Tavr ( translated from Greek – it means mountain goat, bull).

It was the name of the whole Crimean peninsula in the middle ages. In the 15th -17th century it was the Crimean khanate. Since the 19th century not only the Crimea but also the Black Sea adjoining territories that were part of Tavria started to be called Tavria province with its centre in Simferopol. Since the second half of the 17th to the beginning of the 20th century the territory of Tavria in fact coincided with the territory of so-called Novorosiysk land (Novorosiya). In the Soviet time the Crimea belonged to the Soviet Russian Federative Socialist Republic and since 1954 – it became part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Today the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea is an integral part of independent Ukraine that occupies 4, 5 per cent of the territory of Ukraine; 4, 8 per cent of the Ukrainian population live here. The Crimea accounts for 5 per cent of agricultural and industrial production of the country. The Crimea possesses huge sanatorium-resort potential , it is world known for its unique historical monuments.



The name “Galicia” originates from the capital of Galicia-Volyn principality – old Galich (from Greek word “Galc” - salt). Galicia is divided into Eastern, populated mainly with Ukrainians and Western populated mainly by Poles.
In 1387 Eastern Galicia became part of Poland where in the 15th century Ruske province with the centre in Lviv was created. It happened after the first division of Poland (1772).

Galicia became part of Austria in 1867, part of Austro-Hungary. After collapse of Austro-Hungary in 1918 in the Eastern Galicia West Ukrainian People’s Republic was created. On November 23 1920 Poland occupied the territory of Eastern Galicia. In 1939 by the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Eastern Galicia was annexed to the Ukrainian Russian Soviet Republic.
Present Galicia (Eastern Galicia) is part of independent Ukraine and as a historically-geographical territory includes the whole Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions (except small far northern part that is part of historically-geographical region of Volyn). Their area in Ukraine makes 49, 5 thousand square kilometers.



Within the boundaries of Ukraine Bukovina whose name originates from huge Bukovina forests, includes territory of present Chernivtsi region – Northern Bukovina. Southern Bukovina belongs to Romania.

In the 12th – the first half of the 14th century Bukovina was part of Galician-Volyn principality and was populated mainly by Slav people. In the middle of the 14th century this territory became part of Moldavian principality, in the 16th century –of Turkey, in 1774 – of Austria. In November 1918 the whole Bukovina became a province of Romania. In 1940 Northern Bukovina was annexed to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and became Chernivsti region. Northern Bukovina as part of independent Ukraine occupies 1, 3 per cent of the country’s territory, 1, 8 per cent of its population live here. Bukovina is called a land of singers. Many talented singers and musicians were born there: leading performer of Ukrainian song, professor, People’s artist of Ukraine D. Hnatyuk, People’s artists of Ukraine, S. Rotaru, N. Yaremchuk, V. Zinkevych, P. Dvorskiy, H. Sandulesa, I. Bobul, Ya. Tabachnyk and others. Name of talented Bukovina composer V. Ivasyuk became world -known.

Boikyvhchyna

Boiky – representatives of original ethnographical group of Ukrainians live in northern and southern slopes of the Carpathians on the territory sweeping extending from the Lymnytsya and Teresva rivers on the east to the Uzh and Syan rivers.

Boiky’s genealogy starts from ancient eastern Slav tribe of white Croats whowere annexed by Volodymyr the Great to Kyiv state.

Origin of “Boiky” name till this time remains unclear. Most scientifically –grounded are two hypotheses. According to the first one this name stems from the particle “boiye” which means “yes” frequently used by local population in in spoken language. According to the second one it originates from a person’s name “Boiko”. Boiky have preserved many ancient customs and traditions. Since old times they have been doing cattle breeding, in recent time they are mainly engaged in farming, fruit growing.

Modern historically-ethnographical territory of Boiky’s residence - Boikovhchyna occupies highlands of Lviv and Transcarpathian regions and occupies about 8 thousand square kilometers.

Many well-known figures were born in Boikovhchyna, in particular, hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi, judge general from Khmelnitsk region I. Krekhovetskyi.



Name of this historical part of Ukraine originates from Lemky – ethnographical group of Ukrainians who ages ago settled and reside till now in the Carpathians on the slopes of Nyzki Beskydy (between the Uzh, Syan rivers on the east and the Poprad and Danayets rivers on the west).

They live also in Poland and Slovakia. It is considered that lemky got their name from neighbouring nations because of frequent use in spoken language dialectical particle “lem” in the meaning “only”. Traditionally their main occupation were cattle breeding and farming. Domestic craft industry was also developed: weaving, pottery, carving.

Lemky were first of Ukrainian people who moved to foreign countries. The oldest of Ukrainian periodicals in America are periodicals of Lemky. In 1922 the Lemky committee started to issue in New-York fortnightly the “Lemkovyna” newspaper, from 1928 - the “Lemko” magazine and other periodicals.

Well-known church figures Iosyph and Sylvestr the Sembratovychy, Ukrainian printing pioneer Svyatopolk Fiol, writers Yeronym Anonym (V. Khylyak), D. Bedzyk, I. Phylypchak, composer M. Verbytskiy come from lemky.



Podillya is also called “Podil land”, “Low Rus” (since the 14th century) in a contrast to “Upper Rus” – the Carpathians. This historically-geographical area of Ukraine occupies the territory of three present regions – Khmelnitski, Vinnytsia, Ternopil.

It is first mentioned in the documents of the middle of the 16th century. In about 1362 Podillya that was under the power of Golden Horde was occupied by feudal lords, who made Vinnytsia, Bratslav, Kamianets-Podilskyi and other cities their strong points.
After the Lublin treaty of 1569 the eastern part of Podillya was taken by Poland. Podil and Bratslav provinces were created here. Kuchmanskyi road that ran through Podillya was used by Turks and Tatars in the 16th-18th centuries to raids to the right-bank Ukraine. After the second division of Poland Podillya together with the right-bank Ukraine was reunited with Ukrainian lands that were part of the Russian Empire (1793). On the territory of Podillya Podil and Bratslav vicegerency appeared that were united to make Podil province (1797). In the 19th century wave of uprisings under the leadership of Ustym Karmalyuk went through Podillya.



Volyn is an ancient Ukrainian historical province situated on the territory extending along southern tributaries of the Prypyat river and the Upper Buh. In the 7th-10th centuries east Slav tribes – dulyby, khorvats and volynyany lived here.

The name originates from the name of the ancient (it is first mentioned in 1018) city of Volyn (Velyn). From the 10th century it was part of Kyiv Rus, afterwards it became part of Volodymyr-Volyn principality, starting from the 16th century it was part of Volyn province of Poland.

In Volyn uprisings led by K. Kosynskyi (1591-1593), S. Nalyvaika (1595) and especially by Bohdan Khmelnytsly found a broad response. Numerous military groups led by M. Kryvonos, I. Donets and other leaders acted here. But Volyn did not join the Cossack state, remaining a province of Poland for a long time. It became part of the Russian Empire in 1795 and since the beginning of the 19th century became Volyn province with its centre in Zhytomyr. In 1919 Volyn was occupied by Poles. According to the Riga Treaty of Riga of 1921 it was divided: eastern part was annexed to the Ukrainian Russian Socialist Republic and its western part - to Poland.

There are many writers in Ukrainian literature who come from Volyn, among them Lesya Ukrainka, L. Mosendz, O. Lyaturynska, U. Samcuk, O. Stepanovych and others.



Ancient Greeks named this sea “Maiotys Estuary” (Meteonsk lake), Romans – “Palyus Metys” (Meotyiske bog); meots – “Temyrynda” which means “Mother of the sea”.

Meoty believed the Sea of Azov was the mother of the Black Sea that was in the south. In ancient Russian chronicles it was named Surozhske Sea – from the name of the Crimean city Surozh (presently known as Sudak). Arabs called it “Bakhrel Azov” which means the Blue Sea. It may be so that the present name of the city originates just from this name. In our time the Sea of Azov that is situated in the south of Ukraine is one of the smallest seas of the world – its area makes only 39 thousand square kilometers. It is one of the shallowest seas, its depth does not exceed 13 metres. Such huge rivers as the Don and the Kuban flow into the Sea of Azov. In summer water temperature in this sea is 25-30 degrees above zero, in winter about zero. It is iced from November-December to March-April. Of fishery significance are such Azov fish as pike perch, dab, khamsa, stellate sturgeon and others.

A peculiar natural storehouse of chemical raw material is Sivash Bay – bay of the Sea of Azov known for big saturation of its water with sodium chloride, iodine, soda, bromine, mirabilite. Main ports of the Sea of Azov are Mariupol, Berdiansk.



The Black Sea that washes the south of Ukraine was called “Pont Evksynskyi” (translated from Greek means “hospitable sea”) in ancient time and in Old Russian chronicles – the Russian Sea.

It is in-land sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides Ukraine it also washes the coasts of Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania. The Black Sea is connected with the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait and with the Sea of Marmara by the Bosporus Strait. The area of the Black Sea makes 423 thousand square kilometers, its maximum depth is 2245 metres. The Danube, the Dnieper, the Dnietster, the Southern Bug and other rivers flow into this sea. In cold winters north-west part of the sea is iced .

In the Black Sea there are dolphins of three kinds, seals and more than 180 kinds of the fish among which of fishery significance are beluga, sturgeon, grey mullet, horse mackerel, scomber, tunny fish. Climatic conditions of the sea and the Black Sea coast are characterized by subtropical features that assists the development of sanatorium-resort sphere. Main Ukrainian ports are Odesa, Illychyvsk, Mykolaiv, Sevastopol, Kerch, Feodosiya.