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Full name: Ukraine
Population: 46,299,874 (2007)
Capital: Kiev
Official languages: Ukrainian
Major religions: Christianity
Monetary unit: Hryvnia (UAH)
Internet domain: .ua
International diallingcode:+380

Understanding Ukraine

Ukraine is another upcoming tourist destination located in Eastern Europe. The country shares boundaries with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. The capital and largest city is Kiev and its official language is Ukrainian. The country has a rich history that dates back to the ninth century during the East Slavic Civilization. Apparently, Ukraine was the center of this civilization making it one of the few countries who have managed to create their own distinctive culture. Over the centuries, the country’s territory has been divided among the different powerful nations that surround it. At one point in history, some parts of the modern-day territory of this country belonged to the Russian Empire while the remaining ones are under the Austro-Hungarian rule. After years of revolutions and chaos, the country became part of the Soviet Union.

When the Soviet Union was dissolved, Ukraine acquired its independence once again but the journey towards the complete transition to a market economy was rough. The country went through various phases of economic decline and is currently working towards re-establishing its lost glory in Europe.

Culture

The country’s name was derived from an Old East Slavic term, ukraina which means “borderland.” The state language according to its constitution is Ukrainian but Russian is still widely spoken all over the country particularly in the southern part of Ukraine. This can possibly be attributed to the fact that the country was once part of the Soviet Union with Russia being one of the major states. Many natives have even combined the two languages to create a distinctive dialect known as Surhyk – wherein Russian vocabulary is mixed with Ukrainian grammar and pronunciation.

Majority of Ukraine’s population is made up of native Ukrainians but other ethnic groups also inhabit the country. Among the major ethnic races living there include Russians, Belarusians, Moldovans and Bulgarians. One of the country’s current concerns is the fast decline of its population. According to recent surveys, it is currently the fourth fastest country in terms of population decline.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity remains to be the most dominant religion in the country although there really is no declared state religion. There are also a lot of followers of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic faith –a religious affiliation that is quite similar to the Roman Catholicism in that both practice the same liturgical traditions and recognize the Holy See as their head. Other religious affiliations that are active in the country include Protestantism and Judaism.

Tourist destination

The capital city of Kyiv is one of the most popular travel destinations in Ukraine. The city is known as the “mother of all Russian cities” and was the center of culture in the region. According to many historians, this is where the cultures of Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians began. For art and history enthusiasts, a tour of Odessa is a must. The streets of this historic city feature various architectural works of art. The city also has a lot of art museums, theatres and even an opera house that receive thousands of guests each year. In fact, it is one of Ukraine’s most-visited cities.