Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. Ukraine is bordered in the south to the Black Sea, in the east by Russia, Belarus to the north and the west to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Its total area is 233,090 square miles, the city of Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine. Ukraine is divided into 24 oblasts, one autonomous republic and two cities with special status. Kiev has that status as the capital of the country and Sebastopol, because it is an important Marine City.

Ukraine called its independence in 1991, when the Soviet Union was a failed coup by conservative forces.. Ukraine is a republic under a semi-mixed parliamentary, semi-presidential system with separate legislative, executive and judiciary, the country is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The President is elected by popular vote and is the formal head of state.

In Sebastopol you can find one of the few remaining panoramas museums in the world. The painting is the culmination of the siege of Sebastopol, during the Crimean War, seen from the viewpoint of the city. In Lvov is the Museum of Folk Architecture and Folklore, here are examples of original buildings from all over the country brought together. Very special and on beautiful location is Vlaštovčí nest, a pseudo-Gothic castle on a rocky outcropping of Cape AJ-Todor. In 1927 it was damaged by earthquakes, but the castle has been renovated and decorated with a beautiful cylindrical tower with four turrets.

The national dish is salo, salo is cooled pig lard. It arose from poverty, just meat was too expensive, now every household has its own recipe. The Ukrainians talking about salo, as French on wine. As salo is older, he becomes more and more expensive.

Desserts are loaded with honey, pickled plums and cherries and are very sweet. The varenky, sweet pastry, is a Ukrainian delicacy.

In Kiev is the Chernobyl museum, keeping the memory of the nuclear disaster alive. The most important historical building in Kiev, St. Sophia Cathedral, lies in the old town. In this building from the 11th century, are beautiful frescos and mosaics to admire. Pechersk Lavra arose also in the 11th century, in the Berestovheuvels. It’s a monastery that is famous, mainly for the underground passages and caves. There lived monks and prayer services were held. Hundreds of years the corridors was also used as a cemetery. These caves are partly to visit, the only lighting in the underground system are the candles, that each visitor gets along for the tour. The corridors are sometimes very closely. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing, because the corridors are particularly sacred.

Podol is an old district of Kiev, where craftsmen and fishermen originally lived. Today it is an attraction for tourists, who visit the area through the steep alley Andreyevsky Spusk. In this street are many souvenir shops, street performers and some interesting museums.

Citizens of the EU and U.S. do not need a visa, only a valid passport. Visitors from other countries can request a visa at the Embassy or Consulate.