Ukraine

Country in Eastern Europe

   Coordinates:
   
       49°0 
       N°32
   

Ukraine (Ukrainian: _______, Ukrayina) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the northeast and east, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest. It has a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia, covering an area of 603,628 square kilometers.

History

Early history

The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. The Neolithic Trypillian culture flourished between 4500 BC and 3000 BC. During the Iron Age, the land was inhabited by Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians.

Kievan Rus'

In the 9th century, the Kievan Rus' emerged as a powerful state, with its capital in Kyiv. It was a federation of Slavic tribes under the rule of the Varangians. The state adopted Christianity in 988 under Vladimir the Great, marking the beginning of the Christianization of the region.

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Following the decline of Kievan Rus', the territory was divided among various powers, including the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Cossacks emerged as a distinct group in the 15th century, playing a significant role in the region's history.

Russian Empire and Soviet Union

In the late 18th century, Ukraine was absorbed into the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution, Ukraine declared independence in 1917 but was soon incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Independence

Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, following a failed coup in Moscow. The country has since undergone significant political and economic changes.

Geography

Ukraine is characterized by fertile plains, or steppes, and plateaus, crossed by rivers such as the Dnieper, Seversky Donets, Dniester, and Southern Bug. The Carpathian Mountains are located in the west, and the Crimean Mountains are in the south.

Politics

Ukraine is a unitary republic under a semi-presidential system. The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Verkhovna Rada is Ukraine's unicameral parliament.

Economy

Ukraine has a mixed economy, with agriculture, industry, and services sectors. It is known for its production of grain, particularly wheat and corn, and is a major exporter of steel and other metals.

Culture

Ukrainian culture is a blend of Eastern European traditions, with influences from neighboring countries. The country is known for its folk music, dance, and art, including the famous pysanky (decorated eggs).

Related pages

• History of Ukraine
• Geography of Ukraine
• Politics of Ukraine
• Economy of Ukraine
• Culture of Ukraine

Gallery

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  National anthem of Ukraine

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  Orthographic projection of Ukraine

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  Map of Ukraine in Europe

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  Topographic map of Ukraine

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  Indo-European migrations

• Principalities of Kievan Rus'

• Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

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  Bohdan Khmelnytsky

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  Polish troops in Kyiv

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  Ukrainian national costumes

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  Holodomor in Kharkiv

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  Les Kurbas

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  Ruined Kyiv in WWII

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  Khrushchev and Brezhnev

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  Signing the Agreement to eliminate the USSR

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  Euromaidan in Kyiv

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  2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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  Constitution of Ukraine

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  Volodymyr Zelensky

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  Klov Palace

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  Batumi International Conference

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  EU DCFTA EFTA map

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  Ukrainian military vehicle

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  Ukrainian HIMARS in Zaporizhya

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  Map of Ukraine with cities

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  Spasiv, Rivne Oblast

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  Electricity production sources

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  Native languages in Ukraine

• St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv

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  Ukrainian elections 2014

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  Pysanky

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  Christmas Vertep in Lviv

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  St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

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  Rushnyk

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  Kozak-banduryst

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  Borscht