Geography, government, population, climate, and key facts about Ukraine — the Land of the Cossacks, Europe’s largest country by territory, home to 41 million hectares of chernozem, 49 national parks, and the Carpathian Mountains. EU accession negotiations opened June 2024. Ukraine.com — independent guide since 1995.
km² — Europe’s largest country by territory
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
National Parks
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
Reconstruction capital requirement over 10 years — World Bank RDNA4, February 2025
Ukraine.com — online since
Ukraine.com has been the authoritative independent English-language home of Ukraine since 1995 — one of the oldest continuously operating English-language digital platforms covering Eastern Europe and the former Soviet space. What began as a Ukraine Travel Guide, with its Selected Resources spanning Visitors and Travelers and Culture and Society, its Regional Guide across Ukraine’s oblasts, and its Things To Do and See directory, has evolved over thirty years into a multi-sector commercial and investment platform covering reconstruction, agriculture, critical minerals, information technology, energy transition, and financial services — while retaining the editorial heritage that only three decades of continuous, original operation can produce. The inbound link profile, domain authority, and organic search positioning accumulated since 1995 cannot be replicated at any price by a new entrant — it was built before most of Ukraine.com’s natural competitors existed in any form. The country profile on this page draws on that accumulated knowledge to provide a comprehensive introduction to Ukraine at one of the most consequential inflection points in its modern history.
Located in Central Eastern Europe, Ukraine (“Україна”) represents the largest European country by territory in that part of the world. It gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Because of its fertile and rich farmlands and agriculture breadbaskets, the country is one of the largest exporters of grain internationally. The geography spans over fertile terrains, plateaus, 2 mountain ranges, and rivers that flow into the Black sea (including the Dnieper and Seversky Donets rivers).
The 14 million visitors to Ukraine attracts yearly journey to the country to visit undiscovered regions and historical sites, including castles and palaces. Tourists can see a diversity of sites, including places-of-interest, such as the Leonid Utesov Monument and the Potemkin Steps.
Ukraine also boasts some of the worlds’ most magnificent religious buildings, including churches, monasteries, cathedrals and similar architectural masterpieces. For anyone who likes the great outdoors, the Carpathian Mountains offer adventure seekers an array of watersports and hiking and skiing activities.
Other sites to add on a Ukraine travel itinerary include 8 bio-reserves, 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 39 national museums, 24 nature reserves, and 49 national parks.
Because of Ukraine’s geographical location, the country’s culture features influences of Russia and western Europe. Because these influences predominate the western and eastern halves of the country, you really will not find a geographical division. For instance, Russian is spoken throughout the country, as well on radio broadcasts. Ethnic minorities also add to the country’s cultural diversity.
The social transformation resulting from the country’s independence can be seen in the country’s capital, Kyiv, which features upscale stores and a fashionable area of modern art galleries and cafes, all which line the historical street of Andriyivskyi Uzviz. The capital’s airport has been updated as well, and provides a striking contrast with the way it once looked during the Soviet period.
If you are seeking a bite to eat, you can find plenty of restaurants in Kyiv and other locations in the Ukraine. For example, eateries feature Greek, Chinese, Continental, or other foreign specialties. Fast food restaurants and pizzerias are also becoming common throughout the country.
Traditional Ukrainian food includes dishes, such as cabbage rolls, varenyky (dumplings), borscht, shashlyky (kebabs), and studynets (a type of headcheese). Vodka and champagne complement Ukrainian fare on special occasions or during festivals. While chicken Kyiv is regularly served in the Ukraine, it most likely originated elsewhere.
If you venture out to the countryside, you will still see horse-drawn carts and khatas (whitewashed homes made of thatch and mud). The country khata often holds traditional weavings, hand-sewn duvets, and overstuffed feather pillows – a cozy place to call home in Ukraine’s rural areas.
The wildlife in Ukraine is one that is as diverse as it is interesting. The country provides a home to 350 species of birds, over 200 species of fish, and more than 100 mammal species. The most common predators include martens, wildcats, wolves, and foxes. Hoofed animals include roe deer, elk, wild pigs and wild sheep known as moufions.
If you like to fish, you will find plenty of fish to catch in the form of carp, perch, sturgeons, and pike. Raccoons, muskrats, nutrias, silver foxes, and beavers also inhabit the protected natural areas.
The country’s many nature and game reserves have been established to support the country’s conservation efforts and biological heritage. For example, Ukraine’s first nature reserve, Askaniya-Nova, started as a wildlife refuge. Today it safeguards a portion of the virgin steppe. About 40 mammals have been introduced into the area, including Przewalski’s horse and the onager (an Asiatic wild ass).
You can’t mention Ukraine without talking about the Ukrainian Cossacks, who were instrumental in their roles in defending the country. The history of the Cossacks features 3 primary elements – their struggles against the Turks and Tartars in the steppe of the country and Black Sea area, their participation in Ukraine’s struggle against religious oppression, and their rebellion against the socio-economic injustices of influential Poles.
The Cossacks also played a role in building an autonomous state in Ukraine. Because of their impact on Ukrainian history, the Ukrainian Cossacks are considered unique and separate from Russia’s Cossacks.
The Cossacks of Ukraine started appearing as an formal ethnic group in the 1400s. These adventurers began to appear on the country’s southern steppe during that time. The men in the martial society enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gathering honey.
By the 1500s, the Cossacks in Ukraine had formed a military organization that was democratic in nature. The group convened by creating a rada, or general assembly, as its primary authority, and electing officers, which included a hetman or commander-in-chief. Their headquarters was an armed camp by the name of Sich, located in the area of the lower Dnieper. Therefore, from the Cossack’s influence in Ukraine, the country became known as the “Land of the Cossacks.”
As you can see, Ukraine has an interesting history. Its diversity and sense of commitment to nature make it the ideal place for anyone seeking a true adventure. For example, some of the country’s major national parks include the Carpathian National Park and the Shatskyy National Park. Also, forest parks close to major cities in Ukraine play host to hiking, cross-county skiing, swimming, and picnicking.
Some larger cities feature urban cultural and recreational parks where theaters, reading rooms, and playgrounds mingle with wooded sites and gardens. Close to the city of Yalta, you will find the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. At the garden, you can find just about any plant from any place in the world.
The country is also noted for its health spas. Mineral springs can be found in cities, such as Bila, Poltava, and Kharkiv, while mud bath treatments are offered near the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Whether you wish to rejuvenate your mind and body or visit a historical site, Ukraine offers you a variety of choices to pass the time.
Ukraine is officially known as Ukraine — Україна in Ukrainian, meaning “Borderland,” “Frontier,” or “Region.” The country is a Unitary, Semi-Presidential Constitutional Republic with a multi-party system. It has a President and Prime Minister together with three branches of government: Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature (Verkhovna Rada), which is a unicameral parliament. The country has both a President and Prime Minister.
Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and shares borders with the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and 7 countries: Belarus to the north; Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia to the west; Moldova to the south west; Romania to the south; and Russia to the north-east. The largest city in Ukraine is Kyiv which also serves as its capital. Citizens are known as Ukrainians.
Ukraine is a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), Commonwealth of Independent States, International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. EU accession negotiations formally opened in June 2024, establishing a target accession window of 2030 to 2035 — the most consequential structural event in Ukraine’s modern economic history and the framework that is driving the country’s most significant investment cycle.
Ukrainian national identity draws from centuries of Cossack tradition, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and a distinct Slavic linguistic and cultural heritage that has developed independently of Russia since independence in 1991. The national flag — two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and yellow — represents the blue sky over Ukraine’s golden wheat fields. Ukraine’s national motto is “Воля, злагода, добро” (Ukrainian) — Liberty, Concord, Goodness in English.
| Official name | Ukraine (Україна or Ukrayina) — meaning “Borderland, Frontier, or Region” |
| Nickname | Land of the Cossacks |
| Country slogan | Най Вкраїна вся раді (“Let All Ukraine Rejoice”) |
| Country motto | Воля, злагода, добро (Ukrainian); Liberty, Concord, Goodness (English) |
| Formation | Declaration of State Sovereignty (1990); Independence from USSR (1991) |
| Location | Eastern Europe — Europe’s largest country by territory |
| Capital and largest city | Kyiv |
| Select cities | Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv |
| Government | Unitary, Semi-Presidential Constitutional Republic |
| National anthem | “Shche ne vmerla Ukrayiny ni slava, ni volya” (Ukrainian); “The Glory and the Will of Ukraine Have Not Yet Died” (English) |
| Flag | Two equal horizontal bands: blue (top) over yellow — sky over wheat fields; blue and yellow are the national colours |
| National colours | Yellow and Blue |
| National symbols | Nightingale (bird); Kalyna / Guelder-rose (plant) |
| National sport | Association Football |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| National language | Ukrainian |
| Languages | Ukrainian (72%), Russian (11%), Yiddish (9%), German and Polish (2%), Belorussian and Romanian (1%) |
| Largest ethnic groups | Ukrainians (77.3%) and Russian (17.55%) |
| Major religions | Eastern Orthodox (67%), Greek Catholic (9%), Protestant (2%) and others |
| Population | Approximately 37–40 million (wartime displacement has significantly affected figures from 2019 baseline of 42.5 million) |
| Life expectancy | 67 years (males) and 76 years (females); overall 72 years of age |
| Area | 603,700 km² (233,060 mi²) — with 7% water coverage |
| Average temperature | Daily: 6°–26°C (43°–79°F) in Kyiv |
| Climate | Continental European: warm, sunny summers (27/28°C, 81/82°F) and very cold winters (0°C or 32°F, with recorded lows of −30°C/−22°F) |
| Highest point | Mt. Hoverla, elevation 2,060 m (6,760 ft) — Carpathian Mountains |
| Lowest point | Kuyalnik Estuary, approximate elevation −5 m (−16 ft) |
| Longest river | Dnieper (Dnipro), length 981 km (3,218 mi) within Ukraine |
| Deepest lake | Svitiaz Lake, depth 58 m (190 ft) |
| Largest body of water | Kremenchuk Reservoir — 2,250 km²; 200 km in length (120 mi) and 29 km (17 mi) in width |
| Currency | Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH; ₴) |
| Alphabet | Cyrillic |
| Calling code | +380 |
| Internet TLD | .ua and .укр |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) / UTC+3 (EEST, summer) |
| Driving side | Right |
| Geographic coordinates | Latitudes 44°–53° N; Longitudes 22°–41° E |
| Bordering countries | Belarus (north), Russia (north and east), Poland, Slovakia, Hungary (west), Moldova, Romania (south-west and south) |
| Key international memberships | United Nations, WTO, Council of Europe, OSCE, IMF, Commonwealth of Independent States; EU accession candidate (June 2024) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 7 sites: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (1990); Historic Centre of Lviv (1998); Struve Geodetic Arc (2005, shared); Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, Chernivtsi (2011); Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora (2013, in temporarily occupied Crimea); Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (2007/2017, shared); Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region (2013, shared with Poland) |
| Points of interest | Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine: Askaniya-Nova Biosphere Reserve, Dnister Canyon, Granite Steppe Lands of Buh, Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, Khortytsya Island, Sofiyivka Park, Carpathian National Nature Park |
Ukraine’s geography spans from the Carpathian Mountains in the west to the broad steppe of the east and the Black Sea coast to the south. The city guide below draws on thirty years of Ukraine.com editorial coverage.
Editorial note: This city guide covers cities in government-controlled areas of Ukraine. Parts of eastern and southern Ukraine are subject to active conflict or Russian occupation. Before travel to any region of Ukraine, particularly eastern and southern areas, consult your country’s foreign affairs ministry for current safety advice and entry requirements.
Ukraine’s extraordinary geographic and cultural diversity — from Carpathian mountain ranges and Black Sea coastlines to ancient Cossack steppe and historic medieval cities — produces an equally diverse range of visitor experiences. The directory below reflects thirty years of Ukraine.com editorial coverage.
Ukraine.com has been the independent digital home of Ukraine since 1995. Use the links below to explore Ukraine’s regions, culture, travel information, and commercial sectors.
Most parts of Ukraine are safe for foreign visitors with no reported imminent or known dangers. In the east part of Ukraine, however, notably around the areas of Luhansk and Donetsk there are ongoing reports of fighting zones resulting from armed conflict between political factions from Ukraine and Russia. Visitors relying upon reputable tour operators should be okay provide that they do not venture into such areas. For those seeking to visit or travel into Eastern Ukraine the utmost care must be taken in your country of origin to check with authorities before heading into regions that are known to be dangerous.
Ukraine has many wonderful destinations to visit for those seeking urban or recreational adventures across the country. For those wishing to explore cities and towns, Ukraine has hundreds of historical landmarks, attractions, and national treasures. Some of popular visitor spots include museums such as the Kyiv Fortress or the National Museum of Chernobyl. Places like the one at Bakhchisaray Palace, monasteries and religious sites like Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, places of interest such as Duke Richelieu Monument or performing arts centers and galleries such as the Artist Union Gallery in Kyiv all offer unique and memorable insights into Ukraine’s rich culture and heritage.
For visitors preferring to plan a holiday around outdoor activities, you can choose to visit one of Ukraine’s 49 National Parks like Podil’ski Tovtry. There are also forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries such as the one at Yalta Mountain or the biosphere reserve at Askaniya-Nova. For skiers, Ukraine has unsurpassed skiing at Bukovel which is the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe. Outdoor adventurists and outdoors men can trekthrough the exotic forests of majestic mountain peaks. There are also many excursions for ecotourists to choose where visitors can explore protected plant zones where endangered wildlife such and protected species such as red deer, wild boarand wood grouse abound. For more information about destinations and travel ideas see our map and area guides.
With its mostly temperate climate, Ukraine weather and temperatures are mostly dependent on Atlantic Ocean weather patterns — except for Crimea which purports to have a climate resembling subtropical conditions. Most travelers agree that late the best time to visit is between the months of July through Mid-September, and in the late spring from April to mid-May. In the major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lviv the temperature can range in summer season from 16° to 26°C (61° to 78°F) to a winter low and high ranging between −12° to −6°C (10°–21°F). Due to its extensive mountain ranges and climatic patterns, annual rainfall can vary significantly between 1,250mm (49.4 in.) and 400 mm (17.5 in.).
Youth hostels and accommodations are plentiful with season prices ranging between USD$10 and USD$15 a night. In the larger cities and capital of Kyiv, two to three-star hotel prices can range from $25 to $60 a night. Luxury, four star rated hotels and resort accommodations can be priced in the USD$150 to $300 per night range. Depending on your country of origin cost flights from most North America can range between USD$600 (low season) to USD$1300 (high season). Travelers from United Kingdom and Europe (Paris) have many more pricing options especially with budget airlines. Some travelers have reported paying between USD $25 to USD $250 with weekly tour options and fixed fee itineraries plentiful and prices dependent upon hotel rating and cities visited.
Until recently, Ukraine allowed visitors to apply for a visa upon arrival, but that service changed in 2019. Generally, and depending upon your origin of travel and nationality, the visa requirements can be quite fluid. If arriving from one of six countries, no visa is required but for other countries a visa is required. In some cases, the traveler must also provide “proof of sufficient funds.” The length of stay can be very broad and range between 14 days to 90 days. Visitors from the United States and Canada do not need a visa for up to 90 days within a 180 day period. For all travelers, it is strongly recommended that you determine and secure the required documentation before attempting to enter Ukraine. For more information see the government’s official website.
Practical visitor and cultural resources accumulated over thirty years of editorial coverage on Ukraine.com.
Ukraine.com is not only Ukraine’s oldest independent travel and cultural guide — it is the country’s independent commercial intelligence platform. The World Bank’s Fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (February 2025) estimates Ukraine’s reconstruction requirement at $524 billion over the next decade — nearly three times the country’s 2024 nominal GDP of $191 billion per World Bank data. EU accession negotiations formally opened in June 2024, with a target window of 2030 to 2035, activating the largest pre-accession investment cycle in European economic history. Ukraine holds approximately 41 million hectares of chernozem — 25% of the world’s highly fertile black soil per FAO statistical data — and the largest titanium reserves in Europe per USGS Mineral Resources Programme data. The country’s IT sector employs over 300,000 professionals per the IT Ukraine Association, and Ukraine’s power grid has been synchronised with the European ENTSO-E network since March 2022. Ukraine.com covers all six commercial sectors in depth. Explore Ukraine’s Economy →
Kyiv — Capital Region
Ukraine’s capital and largest city, home to over three million residents and the country’s primary commercial, governmental, and cultural centre. Kyiv contains the UNESCO-listed Saint-Sophia Cathedral (founded 1037) and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, both inscribed in 1990. The historic street of Andriyivskyi Uzviz links the upper city to Podil, the old merchant district. Kyiv Boryspil International Airport is Ukraine’s principal international gateway. The city hosts UkraineInvest, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the primary offices of every major international financial institution operating in Ukraine including the EBRD and IFC.
Western Ukraine
Comprising Lviv, Volyn, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi oblasts, Western Ukraine is the country’s most historically European region and a primary logistics gateway for international trade with the EU. Lviv — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 for its ensemble of mediaeval architecture — is the region’s commercial and cultural capital. Chernivtsi holds the UNESCO-inscribed Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans (2011). The region hosts several active industrial parks and has attracted significant foreign investment in IT, manufacturing, and agri-processing, benefiting from proximity to the Polish, Slovak, and Hungarian borders.
Central Ukraine
The geographic and agricultural heart of Ukraine, encompassing Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Poltava oblasts. The region holds some of the most fertile chernozem in the world — black soil of exceptional agricultural productivity. Uman’s Sofiyivka Park, established in 1796, is one of the finest examples of English landscape garden design in Eastern Europe. The Cherkasy region is closely associated with the Cossack heritage — Kaniv is the site of the tomb of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s national poet. Agricultural processing, food manufacturing, and Cossack heritage tourism anchor the regional economy.
Northern Ukraine
Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts form Ukraine’s quiet north — heavily forested, sparsely populated, and carrying deep medieval history. Chernihiv city holds some of the best-preserved examples of Kyivan Rus architecture in Ukraine, including the Cathedral of the Transfiguration (1031) and the Borys and Hlib Cathedral (1120). The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in Kyiv Oblast, administered by the State Agency for Management of the Exclusion Zone, has become a significant destination for history and science tourism since 2011. The Shatskyy National Park in Volyn Oblast to the northwest contains over 30 lakes including Svitiaz, Ukraine’s deepest natural lake at 58 metres.
The Carpathian Region
Ukraine’s Carpathian region — centred on Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia oblasts — is the country’s primary mountain destination and a significant centre of Hutsul cultural heritage. Bukovel, located in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, is Eastern Europe’s largest ski resort, receiving over one million visitors annually. Mt. Hoverla, at 2,060 metres, is Ukraine’s highest point and a popular summer trekking destination. The Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2013, shared with Poland). Yaremche and Vorokhta are established Carpathian resort towns popular with both domestic and international visitors.
Dnipro-Poltava Region
Anchored by Dnipro city — Ukraine’s fourth largest urban centre and a major industrial hub — this region covers Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava oblasts. The Dnipropetrovsk region holds significant titanium deposits in ilmenite and rutile form, classified by the USGS as the largest titanium reserves in Europe. Dnipro is a major aerospace engineering centre — the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau has produced launch vehicles since the Soviet era. Kremenchuk city in Poltava Oblast is home to Ukraine’s largest freshwater reservoir, the Kremenchuk Reservoir at 2,250 km², and a significant automotive manufacturing base.
Eastern Ukraine — Government-Controlled Areas
Kharkiv Oblast, with Kharkiv city as its centre, is Ukraine’s second-largest urban region and a major centre of scientific, educational, and industrial capacity. Kharkiv city hosts over 30 universities and research institutions, producing a significant share of Ukraine’s 300,000+ IT professionals. The Kharkiv IT cluster is one of the largest technology workforce concentrations in Eastern Europe. Note: significant areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts are currently subject to active conflict or Russian occupation. Travel to eastern Ukraine requires consultation with your country’s foreign ministry before departure.
Southern Ukraine — Government-Controlled Areas
Odesa Oblast anchors Ukraine’s southern coast on the Black Sea. Odesa city — Ukraine’s primary seaport — has historically handled a significant share of the country’s grain exports, with the Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhne port complex among the largest on the Black Sea. Odesa’s Potemkin Steps, Duke Richelieu Monument, and National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre are among the most recognisable cultural landmarks in Eastern Europe. The Struve Geodetic Arc, a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Norway to the Black Sea, has its southernmost point in Odesa Oblast and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2005, shared with nine countries). Note: Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts include areas near the active frontline. Consult your foreign ministry before travel to this region.
