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Ukraine - Profile of Ukraine

By , About.com Guide

St. Michael's Monastery Kiev

St. Michael's Monastery Kiev

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Ukraine, 'The Ukraine' - What's the Difference?:

When traveling to Ukraine, under no circumstances should you refer to this country as "the Ukraine." Why? Ukraine, once thought of as "Little Russia" by its bigger and more powerful neighbor, is not just a region of Russia. It is its own country with its own culture, language, history, and independence. Ukrainians take offense at visitors calling their country "the Ukraine"!

Where is Ukraine Located?:

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe. It's eastern neighbor is Russia. Ukraine is also bordered by Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. Ukraine's southern region meets the Black Sea.

What Cities in Ukraine Should Travelers Visit?:

Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Ukraine. Lviv and Odessa are also popular destinations for travelers. However, Ukraine has many diverse travel destinations, and each one may display a different side of Ukraine life.

Weather in Ukraine:

While southern Ukraine is warm with its Black Sea coast, inland Ukraine experiences the temperatures characteristic of landlocked Eastern European countries. Harsh winters that last from October-November until April are a stark contrast to short, hot summers.

St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev:

Kiev's St. Sophia cathedral is an important artifact of Ukraine culture, religion, and history. Inspired by the Hagia Sophia, the building of the cathedral marked a turning point from the pagan beliefs of Kievan Rus to interest in the Christian faith. In addition, this phase in Ukraine's history exhibited new strides in learning and law.

Orange Revolution in Ukraine:

The 2004 Orange Revolution resulted from Ukrainian's demands for fair elections. Corruption and election fraud had tainted Ukraine's presidential elections twice that same year, and the third time saw an institution of careful checks and balances to ensure that the election was conducted democratically.

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