Modern Ukraine is a rather young democracy, but with strong historical and cultural traditions. Previously the second most important economic component of the former Soviet Union and in transition to market economy since 1990, Ukraine is now an intensively developing country rebuilding its capacities.
Geographical location of Ukraine allows the country to be a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe.
Focus on European Economic Integration
On 27 June 2014, the European Union and the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the economic part of the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement.
Now Ukraine is on the way of implementation of the economic, judicial, and financial reforms to converge its policies and legislation to those of the European Union.
Meanwhile, the EU is committed to provide Ukraine with political and financial support, access to research and knowledge, and preferential access to EU markets.
Key Facts
- Location: Eastern Europe
- Population: 46 million
- Territory: 603,700 square km
- Capital: Kiev
- Currency: Hryvnia (UAH), Exchange rate here
- Independent since 1991
Geographical
- The largest country entirely within Europe and 44th in the world
- 67% urban population
- 457 cities, 7 of them with population over 1 million people
International Relations
- Borders to: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Russia, and Belarus
- A member of United Nations (1945), International Monetary Fund (1992), several organizations of the World Bank Group, Partnership for Peace (1994), Council of Europe (1995), World Trade Organization (2008)
Economic Development
- 38th in the world by GDP of $302.5 billion (CIA, 2010)
- 82nd out of 142 countries in The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012 (+7 points comparing to 2010)
- The 2010’s inflation is 7-years minimum — 9.1%
- Main industries: electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing and IT
Education
- Literacy rate is an estimated 99.4%
- Over 800 universities, colleges and technical schools
- 70% of adults have secondary or higher education
Culture
- 8th century -Ukrainian nationhood begins with the Kyivan Rus, the first state to arise among the Eastern Slavs
- Democratic traditions since 17th century
- Languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian widely spoken
Religion
- 84% Orthodox Christian
- 10% Catholic Christian
- 2% protestants
Tourism
- The host of UEFA European Football Championship 2012 (together with Poland)
- Picked to be top 2012 destination by the reputable tourist guide ‘Lonely Planet’
- 8th most popular tourist destination in Europe (UNTWO, 2010)
More information about Ukraine you can find on Wikipedia here.
