Ukraine is a state in eastern Europe, bordering with Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. In the south, it is washed by the Black Sea, in the south-east it is washed by the Azov See. Ukraine is at the intersection of many important international transport routes and corridors connecting Europe and Asia.

Climate. In most of Ukraine, the climate is temperate continental. Summer in Ukraine is warm and long, in the east and south it is hot and dry, in the west, it is warm and damp. Winter is heavily dependent on the region. Mild winter is observed in the south and west, the coldest winters are in the north-east of Ukraine.

The capital of Ukraine is the city of Kyiv.

The largest cities are Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odessa, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Krivoy Rog, Mykolaiv.

Economy. Ukraine is an industrial and agricultural country. The most advanced industries are metallurgy, power engineering, as well as chemical and mining industries. Member of the World Trade Organization (May 2008). The regions most developed in economic relations are Prydniprovia (Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions), as well as cities Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv. Western Ukraine is traditionally more agrarian and tourist region.

Transportation. Ukraine has well-developed ways of communication: bus and rail transport. In Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Kryvy Rih there is a subway. Trolleybus messages have 47 cities, and tramway – 23. The largest international airports in Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, Lviv.

People. 44,429,471 (according to 2015). Ukrainians – 77.8%, Russians – 17.3%, Belarusians – 0.6%, Moldavia – 0.5%, Crimean Tatars – 0.5%, Bulgarians – 0.4%, Hungarians – 0.3%, Romanians – 0,3%, Poles – 0,3%, Jews – 0,2%, others – 1,8% (according to 2001).

Languages: two – Ukrainian (state) and Russian. There are groups that live compactly, speak Crimean-Tatar, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian, and other languages. Bilingualism is a widespread phenomenon in the south-east of Ukraine – general knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian languages.

Religion: the majority of believers are Orthodox (Kyiv Patriarchate, Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Church), Catholics of the Eastern rite (Uniates), Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims.

Human Rights. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent, democratic, rule-based state. The Constitution and laws of Ukraine ensure that citizens cannot be denied rights or persecuted for their political convictions or on national grounds. Citizens are also guaranteed freedom of religion. The Constitution guarantees the integrity of housing and property of citizens. A citizen cannot be arrested or detained for more than 72 hours, except as a court decision. Legislation guarantees and in practice ensures freedom of speech and press.

The form of government in Ukraine is a republic. The head of state is the president (since 2019 – Volodymyr Zelenskyi). The Head of the government is the Prime Minister. Legislature – Supreme Council. In total, there are more than 260 political parties in Ukraine.

Currency: UAH (UAH). Currency exchange is carried out at the airport, banks, and numerous exchange offices.

Phone code of Ukraine: +380

The rules of entry and stay in Ukraine of citizens of foreign states are contained on the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (mfa.gov.ua).