About Kiev

The contemporary city of Kyiv - is one of the biggest cities in Europe.

It stands pre-eminent as the administrative, economic, research, cultural and educational centre of a new independent state of Ukraine which is one of the largest European countries, with the area of 603, 700 sq. km and a population of 50, 500, 000 (as per 1st January 2000).

The area of Kyiv is 836 sq. km. Only 350 sq. km or 42,3 % have been built up within the city limits.

All the rest is the area of reservoirs and forest tracts and green plantings in general use. The area of forest tracts and green plantings constitutes 214 sq. m per one citizen; this is one of the best indicators in the world. The population in Kyiv was 2, 626, 500 in 2000.

Language

Official state language in Ukraine since 1990 is Ukrainian, but alongside with it Russian is broadly used. In big eastern cities, they speak mostly in Russian,and in villages - in Ukrainian. All official documents are exercised in Ukrainian, mass media uses two languages. More and more people in Kiev speak English. Hotels, restaurants, bars, private companies hire people who know English. But do not hope to hear English in shops, kiosks, town transport.

Climat

Climate in Ukraine is basically sparingly-continental, in the Crimea - a subtropical climate of mediterrainian type. Winters are long, snowy and cool, average temperature in January is - 6.oC (21o F).

The coolest month is February. Summer is short, not very hot, average temperature in July month is +19oC (67o F). In July, August there can be + 32o C, more often + 25, 30oC. Change of seasons is very distinct in Ukraine, snowy winter, flowering warm springtime, hot summer and gilded autumn. A list of Web pages providing weather forecasts for Ukraine can be found at Global Ukraine.

Geographical location & population
Ukraine is situated in Eastern Europe and lies in the Dnipro River basin. Neighboring Ukraine are the countries of Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. In the South, Ukraine is washed by the Black and Azov Seas. The area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq.km, the population is 51,728,400. Kiev (Kyiv, in Ukrainian), Capital of Ukraine, occupies a territory over 790 sq. Km and is situated on the banks of the Dnipro River which divides it in two parts - the left and right ones.

The central part of the City lies on the right riverbank, the left bank is occupied by new housing areas. About 3 million people live in Kiev. Kyiv has much to offer in the cultural and architectural arenas with its wide tree-lined boulevards and historical buildings reflecting various styles and periods of the ancient Kyivan-Rus Empire. Kyiv is a major industrial center that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering, aviation, food and chemical production, etc. Kyiv'seconomic development has been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.

Religion
The development of Kiev as a financial and trade center resulted in a multinational city with diverse religious convictions. Under Soviet rule, many of Kiev's numerous chu rches were destroyed. The few that survived were used as warehouses. Today, there are a number of Christian Orthodox and some Catholic churches, two Synagogues, and a variety of other denominations and religions.

Kiev history
Archeological excavations show evidence of the first settlement on the territory of Kiev 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. Legend has it that at the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th centuries, three brothers, Kiy, Shchek and Khoriv, and their sister, Lybid, founded a town and names it after their elder brother Kiy, as "Kyiv"...

Cash
The Ukrainian national currency is the hryvna. You can exchange U.S. dollars and Euro at exchange points around the city. However, be careful about flashing large amounts of cash while exchanging.
NOTE! Changing any currency for Ukrainian currency or another currency is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks, at hotels and at licensed exchange booths. Changing money with black-market traders is illegal and can be dangerous.

Driving rules
Most international driving rules apply in Kyiv. However, beware that most locals fail to follow many driving laws. Officially, speed limits are 60 kph/37 mph in cities, 90 kph/56 mph in unpopulated areas, and 120 kph/72 mph on highways. You cannot turn right on red lights. Parking in Kyiv is as difficult as in any other major European city

Railway
Kyiv is a powerful railway junction. Kyiv is connected to European and Asian cities via an extensive network of railways. The capital's only station is located right next to the Vokzalna metro station (tel: 223-1111). The ticket office for rail travel, located at 38/40 Tarasa Shevchenka blvd., can be reached by phone at 050. Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach just about anywhere. Trains run every day to Moscow, Budapest, Odesa, Lviv, and St.Petersburg.

River transport
Location of the city on one of the biggest navigable arteries in Europe permits the development of river transport. Kyiv is one of the largest in Eastern Europe mechanized river ports supplied with modern loaders portal cranes and other machinery. Kyiv has freight and passenger river ports.

Air transport
Kyiv is now a days becoming a major air communication junction with the rate of such change being lately speeded up. Borispil. Representatives of the world's leading airlines are accredited in Kyiv.

Almost all international flights to Kyiv arrive at Boryspil International airport, located 30 kilometers from the city center. The most convenient way to get from Boryspil airport to downtown Kyiv is by taxi. Taking into account the fact that that taxi drivers do not usually speak English, you should have your destination written in Russian or Ukrainian The city's other main airport is Zhuliany-Kyiv, located seven kilometers from the center, handles domestic flights. Save all the documents you receive and fill out while going through customs - you will need these to leave the country.

WELCOME TO KIEV !