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Fast Facts About Ukraine
> one of the largest countries in Europe @ 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq mi) (slightly smaller than the province of Alberta, approximately the size of the state of Texas)
> Shares a border with 7 different countries
> Population of approximately 48 million
> The capital city Kyiv (Kiev) (present population 3 million +) was the ruling city of Kyiv-Russ, the beginnings of the Russian empire until the 13th century when it was almost destroyed by Ghengis Khan's Tatar-Mongol invaders.
> Known as the "bread basket" of Eurasia because of its rich soil and abundant harvests.
> one of the largest countries in Europe @ 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq mi) (slightly smaller than the province of Alberta, approximately the size of the state of Texas)
> Shares a border with 7 different countries
> Population of approximately 48 million
> The capital city Kyiv (Kiev) (present population 3 million +) was the ruling city of Kyiv-Russ, the beginnings of the Russian empire until the 13th century when it was almost destroyed by Ghengis Khan's Tatar-Mongol invaders.
> Known as the "bread basket" of Eurasia because of its rich soil and abundant harvests.
Ukraine Overview
Ukraine, country in eastern Europe, south and west of Russia and north of the Black Sea. Its area is 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq mi). Kiev is the capital and largest city.
Land and Resources
Ukraine has a temperate continental climate, with a subtropical Mediterranean climate on the Crimean Peninsula in the south. Precipitation generally decreases from north to south; it is greatest in the Carpathians. Ukraine has extremely fertile soils in the central and southern portions. Wildlife includes deer, beaver, marten, vulture, and the steppe eagle.
People
The population of Ukraine was estimated in 2003 at 48,055,439, giving the country a population density of 80 persons per sq km (206 per sq mi). Some 68 percent of the population lives in cities and towns. The largest cities in Ukraine are Kyiv, the country's capital and economic, cultural, and educational center; Kharkiv, noted for its engineering expertise, machinery plants, and educational institutions; Dnipropetrovs'k, a center of metallurgical and aerospace industries; and Donets'k, known for mining and metallurgy. Odesa (Odessa), on the Black Sea coast, is the country's largest seaport. The official language of the country is Ukrainian, which forms with Russian and Belarusian the eastern branch of the Slavic language subfamily of Indo-European languages. Russian also is widely used, especially in the cities.
Economy
Ukraine was the second-ranking Soviet republic in industrial and agricultural production, after Russia. Long known as the "breadbasket of Europe," Ukraine traditionally had a highly developed agricultural sector because of its vast, fertile lands. It generated more than one-fourth of the total agricultural output of the Soviet Union. Industrial development was a high priority of the Soviet government. In the 1930s Ukraine experienced a rapid and extensive industrial upsurge, mainly in the mineral-rich Donets'k and Kryvyy Rih regions. Because of Soviet development, which emphasized heavy industry, Ukraine possesses one of the most industrialized economies of Europe. However, its industries are highly inefficient and in pressing need of modernization.The collapse of the Soviet Union brought a dramatic rise in energy costs and a reduction in demand for Ukraine's products, causing a catastrophic decline in production. The problems were compounded by high rates of inflation and sluggish reforms to increase private ownership of enterprise. In 1995 and 1996, however, inflation was significantly reduced and reforms toward a system based on free enterprise were accelerated. In addition, the United States as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations provided large grants and loans.
The value of Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2001 was $37.6 billion. Agriculture, which includes forestry and fishing, accounted for 17 percent; industry, which includes mining, manufacturing, and construction, accounted for 39 percent; and trade and other services accounted for 44 percent.
Government
Executive authority in Ukraine lies in a president who is elected by direct, popular vote. The president appoints the prime minister and the cabinet with the approval of the legislature. The 450-member Supreme Council is Ukraine's legislative authority.
History
Ukraine has been the site of much conflict over the centuries. In the late 9th century Kiev was captured by Varangians and made the capital of the state known as Kievan Rus. In the 13th century the area was invaded by Tatar-Mongols. Galicia, in western Ukraine, was annexed by Poland in the 14th century. At the same time, Lithuania conquered Kiev, but both then fell under Polish rule. In 1667 eastern Ukraine was ceded to Russia, and in 1793 the remainder of Ukraine-except Galicia-became part of the Russian Empire. Galicia remained part of the Austrian Empire, which it had joined in 1772. During World War I (1914-1918), following Russia's Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Ukraine proclaimed independence. The Bolsheviks, however, assumed control in 1920, and in 1922 Ukraine joined the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
Between 1922 and 1939 the USSR suppressed Ukrainian nationalists, who hoped for the independence of a Greater Ukraine, including Polish Galicia and Czechoslovakian Ruthenia. Forced collectivization of farms caused a famine in the 1930s, and more than 7 million people died in Ukraine. In 1939 Galicia was incorporated into Ukraine, and during World War II (1939-1945) Germany invaded, dividing the country into Russian Ukraine and West Ukraine. The USSR regained control in 1944, and in 1954 added Crimea to Ukraine.
In 1991 the USSR collapsed, and Ukraine became an independent republic.
*Information for Ukraine from Encarta Encyclopedia
Land and Resources
Ukraine has a temperate continental climate, with a subtropical Mediterranean climate on the Crimean Peninsula in the south. Precipitation generally decreases from north to south; it is greatest in the Carpathians. Ukraine has extremely fertile soils in the central and southern portions. Wildlife includes deer, beaver, marten, vulture, and the steppe eagle.
People
The population of Ukraine was estimated in 2003 at 48,055,439, giving the country a population density of 80 persons per sq km (206 per sq mi). Some 68 percent of the population lives in cities and towns. The largest cities in Ukraine are Kyiv, the country's capital and economic, cultural, and educational center; Kharkiv, noted for its engineering expertise, machinery plants, and educational institutions; Dnipropetrovs'k, a center of metallurgical and aerospace industries; and Donets'k, known for mining and metallurgy. Odesa (Odessa), on the Black Sea coast, is the country's largest seaport. The official language of the country is Ukrainian, which forms with Russian and Belarusian the eastern branch of the Slavic language subfamily of Indo-European languages. Russian also is widely used, especially in the cities.
Economy
Ukraine was the second-ranking Soviet republic in industrial and agricultural production, after Russia. Long known as the "breadbasket of Europe," Ukraine traditionally had a highly developed agricultural sector because of its vast, fertile lands. It generated more than one-fourth of the total agricultural output of the Soviet Union. Industrial development was a high priority of the Soviet government. In the 1930s Ukraine experienced a rapid and extensive industrial upsurge, mainly in the mineral-rich Donets'k and Kryvyy Rih regions. Because of Soviet development, which emphasized heavy industry, Ukraine possesses one of the most industrialized economies of Europe. However, its industries are highly inefficient and in pressing need of modernization.The collapse of the Soviet Union brought a dramatic rise in energy costs and a reduction in demand for Ukraine's products, causing a catastrophic decline in production. The problems were compounded by high rates of inflation and sluggish reforms to increase private ownership of enterprise. In 1995 and 1996, however, inflation was significantly reduced and reforms toward a system based on free enterprise were accelerated. In addition, the United States as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations provided large grants and loans.
The value of Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2001 was $37.6 billion. Agriculture, which includes forestry and fishing, accounted for 17 percent; industry, which includes mining, manufacturing, and construction, accounted for 39 percent; and trade and other services accounted for 44 percent.
Government
Executive authority in Ukraine lies in a president who is elected by direct, popular vote. The president appoints the prime minister and the cabinet with the approval of the legislature. The 450-member Supreme Council is Ukraine's legislative authority.
History
Ukraine has been the site of much conflict over the centuries. In the late 9th century Kiev was captured by Varangians and made the capital of the state known as Kievan Rus. In the 13th century the area was invaded by Tatar-Mongols. Galicia, in western Ukraine, was annexed by Poland in the 14th century. At the same time, Lithuania conquered Kiev, but both then fell under Polish rule. In 1667 eastern Ukraine was ceded to Russia, and in 1793 the remainder of Ukraine-except Galicia-became part of the Russian Empire. Galicia remained part of the Austrian Empire, which it had joined in 1772. During World War I (1914-1918), following Russia's Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Ukraine proclaimed independence. The Bolsheviks, however, assumed control in 1920, and in 1922 Ukraine joined the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
Between 1922 and 1939 the USSR suppressed Ukrainian nationalists, who hoped for the independence of a Greater Ukraine, including Polish Galicia and Czechoslovakian Ruthenia. Forced collectivization of farms caused a famine in the 1930s, and more than 7 million people died in Ukraine. In 1939 Galicia was incorporated into Ukraine, and during World War II (1939-1945) Germany invaded, dividing the country into Russian Ukraine and West Ukraine. The USSR regained control in 1944, and in 1954 added Crimea to Ukraine.
In 1991 the USSR collapsed, and Ukraine became an independent republic.
*Information for Ukraine from Encarta Encyclopedia
Sumy Region Overview
Region
The Sumy region is situated in the northeast of Ukraine. The total geographic area is 23,880 square kilometers. The population of Sumy region is approximately 1.4 million people. It borders on the Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod regions of Russia in the north and the northeast. It shares the longest common border with Russia of all of Ukraine's regions. The regional capital, Sumy, is home to approximately 300,000 people.
Industry
The major branches of industry in Sumy region are: engineering and metal working, fuel, food and chemical industries. These spheres account over 90 % of the total industrial output in the region.
More than 60,000 people work in engineering and metal working sectors. The engineering sector specializes in production of high technology items for chemical and petroleum-refining industries, gas transfer units, pumps, industrial pipelines valves, technological equipment for processing industry and other products.
The fuel and energy sector comprises more than 20 % of the regional industrial structure and includes companies for oil, gas and peat extraction, electric and heat power production. Sumy region produces more than 40% of the crude oil and about 10% of natural gas produced in Ukraine.
There is a large chemical industry in Sumy region. It produces mineral fertilizers, sulpheric acid, chemical reagents, varnishes and paints, magnetic tapes, films etc. In addition, dozens of companies involved in light industry, the food industry and others work successfully in the region.
History
The city of Sumy, founded in 1652, is the administrative center of the region. As an administrative unit Sumy Oblast was created in 1939. The city was founded by the Cossacks who had migrated here from the areas on the right bank of the Dnipro river. The city grew rapidly and in 1658 it acquired the status of a Cossack headquarters. In the very early years of its existence Sumy turned out to be a bulwark against the Tatar inroads. The city bravely withstood all the attempts to storm and destroy it. The siege by the enemies was almost a daily routine. The chronicles say that life was nothing but "wounds, blood, suffering, death and siege". But the city survived even the worst of times and grew in size.
Voskresenskaya (Resurrection) Church is the earliest surviving architectural monument in Sumy. It was built in 1702 and it served a double purpose of a place of worship and of a defensive structure in the north-western part of the fortress into which Sumy had gradually turned. The Church has two altars, a rarity in the Ukrainian churches. By the end of the 18th century the town became an important center of trade and handicrafts. Merchants from all over Ukraine, from Russia, from Western Europe, even from distant Asia, flocked to Sumy's annual fairs. The economic prosperity changed the city significantly; the central part of Sumy was cleared of old dilapidated buildings of the earlier times and new houses were built. Some of these houses have been preserved and they are excellent examples of the architectural style of classicism. There are three towns in Sumy Oblast' which are much older than Sumy itself - Putivl', Hlukhiv and Romny are at least a thousand years old.
Of the three Putivl' is probably the best known because of its association with the mediaeval Tale of Ihor's Host. The poem describes, in part, vividly and poignantly, the lament of Ihor's wife, who, standing on the high defensive wall of Putivl',is grieving the fate of her husband Prince Ihor who has gone off to fight with the invading hordes of the Polovtsy nomads; in a major battle the army of Ihor sustains a crushing defeat and he is taken prisoner. The monument to Yaroslavna graces one of the central places of the town. Putivl' has been lucky to preserve some of the ancient architectural monuments.
During the Second World War, Putivl' was a center of the Ukrainian resistance movement and one of the best known leaders of this movement S. Kovpak managed to bring together an army of resistance fighters which fought its way through the Nazi-occupied territory of Ukraine from the forests around Putivl' to the distant Carpathian mountains in the west of Ukraine. A museum of local lore and history, burial mounds dating from the 7-8th centuries, a nineteenth - century china factory (chinaware produced at the factory was well known within and outside Ukraine for its high quality) are among the sights regularly visited by tourists.
Hlukhiv has a long and eventful history. In the 12-13th centuries it was the capital of a principality, and later, in the 18th century it was the capital of the Hetmans of the vast territories of Ukraine on the left bank of the Dnipro. In the same century and in the next, thanks to a number of schools, opened there, it turned into an educational center (the town boasts the first ever music school in Ukraine and Russia, training singers, the first teachers' training college in Ukraine). It is in Hlukhiv that quite a few of prominent figures in the Ukrainian arts, music and literature were born or lived: composers M. Berezovs'ky and D. Bortnyans'ky, painters M. Murashko and the brothers Narbut, just to name a few.
Romny is a very ancient place indeed. Not far from the town the archaeologists have discovered a settlement of an eastern Slavic tribe, dating from the 8th century, and the medieval chronicles mention Romny as a town of some prominence as early as 1096. In the national liberation war of the 18th century, with Bohdan Khmelnytsky as commander-in-chief, Romny played a role of headquartres of some of the Cossack regiments. Later, it was here, in Romny, that Ivan Mazepa (Hetman Mazepa was traditionally looked upon as a traitor for siding with the Swedish king against the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, but more recent historical studies suggest that he was rather an Ukrainian patriot who wanted to gain independence for Ukraine through alliance with the Swedes) and the Swedish King Charles XII established their headquarters in 1708. After the defeat of the Swedish army, the Russian troops stormed the town, massacred the inhabitants and burned the town down. But the town did not die - it was revived and in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a place of some cultural activity. It is also known for the fairs that were regularly held there.
The town of Lebedyn, founded in 1654, was a powerful stronghold, a fortress with stout defensive walls and 20 defensive towers. Taras Shevchenko, the poet, and Hryhoriy Skovoroda, the philosopher, visited in their time some of the villages in the vicinity of the town. One of the great attractions of the place is a remarkable lake, quite a short distance from the town, called Shelekhivs'ke. Geologists believe it is one of the oldest lakes on earth. It is estimated to be as old as such well known lakes as Baikal, Ladoga, Ontario, and Victoria.
The Sumy region is situated in the northeast of Ukraine. The total geographic area is 23,880 square kilometers. The population of Sumy region is approximately 1.4 million people. It borders on the Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod regions of Russia in the north and the northeast. It shares the longest common border with Russia of all of Ukraine's regions. The regional capital, Sumy, is home to approximately 300,000 people.
Industry
The major branches of industry in Sumy region are: engineering and metal working, fuel, food and chemical industries. These spheres account over 90 % of the total industrial output in the region.
More than 60,000 people work in engineering and metal working sectors. The engineering sector specializes in production of high technology items for chemical and petroleum-refining industries, gas transfer units, pumps, industrial pipelines valves, technological equipment for processing industry and other products.
The fuel and energy sector comprises more than 20 % of the regional industrial structure and includes companies for oil, gas and peat extraction, electric and heat power production. Sumy region produces more than 40% of the crude oil and about 10% of natural gas produced in Ukraine.
There is a large chemical industry in Sumy region. It produces mineral fertilizers, sulpheric acid, chemical reagents, varnishes and paints, magnetic tapes, films etc. In addition, dozens of companies involved in light industry, the food industry and others work successfully in the region.
History
The city of Sumy, founded in 1652, is the administrative center of the region. As an administrative unit Sumy Oblast was created in 1939. The city was founded by the Cossacks who had migrated here from the areas on the right bank of the Dnipro river. The city grew rapidly and in 1658 it acquired the status of a Cossack headquarters. In the very early years of its existence Sumy turned out to be a bulwark against the Tatar inroads. The city bravely withstood all the attempts to storm and destroy it. The siege by the enemies was almost a daily routine. The chronicles say that life was nothing but "wounds, blood, suffering, death and siege". But the city survived even the worst of times and grew in size.
Voskresenskaya (Resurrection) Church is the earliest surviving architectural monument in Sumy. It was built in 1702 and it served a double purpose of a place of worship and of a defensive structure in the north-western part of the fortress into which Sumy had gradually turned. The Church has two altars, a rarity in the Ukrainian churches. By the end of the 18th century the town became an important center of trade and handicrafts. Merchants from all over Ukraine, from Russia, from Western Europe, even from distant Asia, flocked to Sumy's annual fairs. The economic prosperity changed the city significantly; the central part of Sumy was cleared of old dilapidated buildings of the earlier times and new houses were built. Some of these houses have been preserved and they are excellent examples of the architectural style of classicism. There are three towns in Sumy Oblast' which are much older than Sumy itself - Putivl', Hlukhiv and Romny are at least a thousand years old.
Of the three Putivl' is probably the best known because of its association with the mediaeval Tale of Ihor's Host. The poem describes, in part, vividly and poignantly, the lament of Ihor's wife, who, standing on the high defensive wall of Putivl',is grieving the fate of her husband Prince Ihor who has gone off to fight with the invading hordes of the Polovtsy nomads; in a major battle the army of Ihor sustains a crushing defeat and he is taken prisoner. The monument to Yaroslavna graces one of the central places of the town. Putivl' has been lucky to preserve some of the ancient architectural monuments.
During the Second World War, Putivl' was a center of the Ukrainian resistance movement and one of the best known leaders of this movement S. Kovpak managed to bring together an army of resistance fighters which fought its way through the Nazi-occupied territory of Ukraine from the forests around Putivl' to the distant Carpathian mountains in the west of Ukraine. A museum of local lore and history, burial mounds dating from the 7-8th centuries, a nineteenth - century china factory (chinaware produced at the factory was well known within and outside Ukraine for its high quality) are among the sights regularly visited by tourists.
Hlukhiv has a long and eventful history. In the 12-13th centuries it was the capital of a principality, and later, in the 18th century it was the capital of the Hetmans of the vast territories of Ukraine on the left bank of the Dnipro. In the same century and in the next, thanks to a number of schools, opened there, it turned into an educational center (the town boasts the first ever music school in Ukraine and Russia, training singers, the first teachers' training college in Ukraine). It is in Hlukhiv that quite a few of prominent figures in the Ukrainian arts, music and literature were born or lived: composers M. Berezovs'ky and D. Bortnyans'ky, painters M. Murashko and the brothers Narbut, just to name a few.
Romny is a very ancient place indeed. Not far from the town the archaeologists have discovered a settlement of an eastern Slavic tribe, dating from the 8th century, and the medieval chronicles mention Romny as a town of some prominence as early as 1096. In the national liberation war of the 18th century, with Bohdan Khmelnytsky as commander-in-chief, Romny played a role of headquartres of some of the Cossack regiments. Later, it was here, in Romny, that Ivan Mazepa (Hetman Mazepa was traditionally looked upon as a traitor for siding with the Swedish king against the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, but more recent historical studies suggest that he was rather an Ukrainian patriot who wanted to gain independence for Ukraine through alliance with the Swedes) and the Swedish King Charles XII established their headquarters in 1708. After the defeat of the Swedish army, the Russian troops stormed the town, massacred the inhabitants and burned the town down. But the town did not die - it was revived and in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a place of some cultural activity. It is also known for the fairs that were regularly held there.
The town of Lebedyn, founded in 1654, was a powerful stronghold, a fortress with stout defensive walls and 20 defensive towers. Taras Shevchenko, the poet, and Hryhoriy Skovoroda, the philosopher, visited in their time some of the villages in the vicinity of the town. One of the great attractions of the place is a remarkable lake, quite a short distance from the town, called Shelekhivs'ke. Geologists believe it is one of the oldest lakes on earth. It is estimated to be as old as such well known lakes as Baikal, Ladoga, Ontario, and Victoria.
