Travel Guide Ukraine with travel tips for Ukraine
Ukraine is located in southeast Europe on the north shore of the Black Sea. It is bordered by Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, and Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary on the west. The capital city of Ukraine is Kiev. The language is Ukrainian, and the government is known as a unitary semi-presidential republic, meaning governance is shared between a president and a prime minister, and that all rules emanates from the central, federal level.
History
The history of Ukraine is old, diverse, and colorful. Its origins date back to the 5th century BC and the Neolithic period. In later centuries, it has been ruled by Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empires. Despite constant and frequent changes in ownership and domination, the city of Kiev has survived as a central, major city in this region for twelve centuries. From World War I on through modern times, the turmoil of the region continued with Ukraine at various times being an independent state, part of Poland, and one of the original members of the USSR. One of the most infamous occurrences in all of Ukrainian history is the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. The country reached its present state of independence in 1990.
Culture and Sightseeing
Despite the long rein of Soviet rule, Christianity has old and deep roots in the Ukraine and influences much of its culture. Historically, football, or soccer is hugely popular in Ukraine, it has won many international football championships. However, it was the hosting of the 1994 Winter Olympics that put sports in the Ukraine in the international eye and brought tourism there in large numbers. It is also in the running to repeat this honor by bidding on the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Eat & Drink
Traditional Ukrainian dishes are heavy on potatoes, mushrooms, beets, and cabbage, in addition to chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Of course, the most famous of all Ukrainian dishes is Chicken Kiev, although the traditional Russian borscht is still wildly popular in the country.