The Geographical Position of Ukraine
The Geographical Position of Ukraine
Plan
UKRAINE
1.
The
Geographical Position of Ukraine
2.
The
Climate of Ukraine
3.
The
Capital of Ukraine
4.
Ukraine
Traditions
5.
Ukrainian
Cuisine
6.
Ukrainian
Places of Interest
7.
The
education System in Ukraine
8.
Ukrainian
Youth Nowadays
9.
The
problem of Environmental Protection in Ukraine
10.
Ukraine
and English-speaking Countries
11.
List
of Books
Ukraine
1. The
Geographical Position of Ukraine
Ukraine is a
sovereign state with its own territory and its bodies of state power and
governments. It also has national emblem: state flag and anthem. Ukraine
proclaimed its independence in August 24, 1991 and confirmed this status on
December 1-st of the same year.
The country is
situated in the south-eastern part of Central Europe. It covers the area of
604,000 square kilometres. The territory of Ukraine consists of the Autonomy
Republic of Crimea and 24 regions. Ukraine is inhabited by people belonging to
more than 110 ethnic groups. The population of Ukraine is nearly 50 million
people. It borders on Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west and on Romania
and Moldova in the southwest. It's northern neighbour is Byelarus and the
eastern one is Russia.
The territory
of Ukraine is mostly flat and mountains make up only 5% of its territory (there
are the Carpathian mountains in the west and the Crimean mountains in the
south). The climate of Ukraine is moderate.
The
geographical position of Ukraine
The main
rivers of Ukraine are the Dnipro, the Dnister, the Buh and Donets and others!
The Dnipro is the main river in the country. It's one of the longest rivers in
the world. Ukraine is washed by the Black Sea and the sea of Azov and has such
important ports as Odesa, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Kherson.
The
geographical position of Ukraine is favourable, because the country lies, on
the crossroad of the ways from Asia to Europe. Like any other country in the
world Ukraine has big cities; among them are Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine;
Kharkiv, which used to be the capital of Ukraine and now it's an important
industrial and cultural centre; Donetsk is a coal-mining and chemical centre;
Odesa is a big sea-port; Lviv is a large scientific and cultural centre and a
lot of others. Due to favourable climatic conditions, Ukraine is traditionally
an agricultural country. Wheat and corns, all kinds of fruit are grown here.
The country is
rich in national resources, such as iron ore, coal, gas. It produces planes and
ships, lorries and buses, TV and radio-sets and other goods.
2. The Climate
of Ukraine
The climate of
Ukraine is moderate. Summer is hot and dry with occasional rains and
thunderstorms. Winter is rather mild without severe frosts but with snowfalls
everywhere. The rivers and lakes freeze in winter. Ukraine is rather a big
country, that's why its climate is different in various regions of it. Of
course, the hottest region is in the South. In the central part of the country
the climate is moderate and continental. The climate on the territory along the
Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is warmer. The Crimean and the Carpathian
mountains protect the country from winds. The coldest part is that in the North
and in the North-east.
And now let's
characterize every season of the year in our country in general. Autumn is warm
at the beginning but later it gets colder, it often rains. Winter sets in
December with its cold and heavy snowfalls and winds. The average temperature
is about 15 – 20 degrees below zero. But it often happens that winters are mild
and rainy and this is the most unpleasant time.
In spring the
weather is changeable. It may be cold and windy, sunny and rainy on one and the
same day. In summer the weather is usually warm, sometimes hot and dry. The
temperature is about 20 – 30 degrees above zero. The warmest months are July
and August.
They say the
climate in Ukraine like anywhere else, is getting milder with every coming
year. In the last few years all the scientists agree that something very
serious is happening to the climate and weather of Ukraine and the whole world.
It depends on many reasons.
3. The Capital
of Ukraine
Kyiv is the
capital of Ukraine. It has a long history. And this makes Kyiv stand out among
other cities. In 1982 it's 1.500th anniversary was celebrated in the country.
It was called «The Mother of All Russian Cities». Kyiv bears the name of prince
Kyi.
Kyiv is the
seat of the Supreme Court and Cabinet of Ministers. It's population is about 3
million. Kyiv occupies an area of 790 square kilometres. The city lies on both
banks of the Dnipro.
Kyiv is the
largest centre of national culture. A lot of concert-halls, fifteen museums,
palaces of culture, film studios, the circus make Kyiv a large cultural centre
in Ukraine. The Kyiv Shevchenko opera and Ballet house, the Kyiv Franko Drama
Theatre are well-known all over the world. Museum of Books and Book Printing,
museums devoted to dramatic and film art, memorial museums devoted to
outstanding personalities are situated in Kyiv.
Kyiv is also
one of the biggest scientific centres. The Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and
many research institutes are famous for its discoveries. More than 10000
students study at the Shevchenko National University. There are over 20 higher
educational establishments in Kyiv.
Kyiv is famous
for its beauty, for its wonderful broad avenues, lots of chestnut trees and
flowers all over the city. A remarkable feature of our time is that people
travel a lot. Those who are fond of visiting historical and cultural places
usually dwell their choice on ancient cities. The older the city is the more
places of interest it has. That's why Kyiv is quite an interesting place from
this view point. Tourists are attracted by numerous places of interest in Kyiv.
They are Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra, St. Sophia's Cathedral, the Golden Gate, the
monuments to T.G. Shevchenko, the great poet of Ukraine, to Bohdan Khmelnytsky
and Prince Volodymyr.
Kyiv has a
well-develops industry. Its factories and plants produce sea and river
transport vessels, air liners, computers, motorcycles, consumer goods.
4. Ukraine
Traditions
As each
country in the world Ukraine is rich in its national traditions. Some of them
are common in the world and some of them are uncommon.
Firs of all we
celebrate our Independence Day on the 24-th of August. To my mind, this holiday
is young because my country as an independent one is very young too. It's only
eleven years old. But in future, I think, it will be a big holiday.
I'd like to
tell you about some old traditions in my country. They are Easter and
Christmas. My people began to celebrate these holidays since the baptizing of
Kyivska Rus in 988 by Prince Volodymyr.
We celebrate
Easter in spring, according to the Julian calendar that's why it doesn't
coinside with the western world. This holiday is always in April or at the
beginning of May. Eastern symbolizes the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every
body makes cakes so called pasha and dye eggs.
Eastern eggs
Easter cakes
are sold at every bakery, but home-made ones are always much tastier. All the
provision must be baptized in the church early in the morning.
Another
holiday is Christmas. We mark it on the 7-th of January. In Europe and in the
USA it's celebrated in December. On Christmas people celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ.
There are some
dates and events in the life of our country that are memorable to every
Ukrainian citizen. The most memorable date is the Victory Day which is kept on
the 9th of May. On this day the anniversary of the victory over fascist in
Second World War is celebrated. There is one more holiday which is loved by
children and adults. This is New Year's Eve. People decorate New year trees
with toys and lights and all the people are given presents. On the New Year
night people don't sleep, they visit their friends or just stay at home and
watch TV.
These are
national holidays, people don't work on these days. As for me, I like to
celebrate these days!
5. Ukrainian
Cuisine
The national
cuisine reflects the richness of traditions and folkways of Ukrainian people.
The most popular
and well-known Ukrainian dish is surely borshch, an aromatic and appetizing
cabbage-soup of some 20 ingredients. It may be cooked with beef, chicken or
pork, baked beets, beans and mushrooms.
Ukrainian
borshch
Borshch is served as the main course
with pampushki, soft rolls soaked in garlic.
Traditional in
the Ukrainian menu are varenyky, a type of boiled dumplings with various
fillings (cherries, strawberries, fried mushrooms, curd, chopped liver, etc.) and
golubtsy - cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat.
Ukrainian
varenyky
In Ukrainian
cuisine has a variety of dairy meal as well as sweet pastry, including
doughnuts, cakes and other cookies. The proud of Ukrainian people is wheat
bread, sweet-smelling and light.
If you have an occasion to be at
the Ukrainian home, you will be charmed by the sincere warmth of hosts and
homemade food.
6. Ukrainian
Places of Interest
Ukraine is a
country with the rich past. It is rich for historical monuments and different
places of interest. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is one of the oldest cities
in the Eastern Europe. That's why it is not surprising that a lot of
interesting monuments are situated there. For example, the well-known to all
Slavonic world St. Sophia's Cathedral and Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra.
Kyivo-Pecherska
Lavra
But Ukraine is
not only Kyiv. There is also Western Ukraine with the Carpathians with their
legends and with their unique nature and culture. One may visit the famous
symbol of the Crimea – the castle “Swallow's nest” or the residence of Russian
tsars in Livadia.
It is also
possible to visit the last house of Chekhov, now the museum in Jalta. There
Chekhov lived and wrote his last works. It is possible to go through Gogol
places in Poltava region, see Dickanka, Sorochintsy.
One may also
go to Zaporizhzhia, to the island of Кhortytsya. There the Ukrainian cossack's organization was born. One can
go to Odesa and walk along the boulevards, where Pushkin walked a long time ago
and touch the trees, which Pushkin touched. Near the small town of the Kaniv
the monument to the Ukrainian national genius Taras Shevchenko is situated. The
museum, where the books, drawing and manuscripts of Shevchenko are kept, is
situated in the village not far from Kaniv. Even the house, where he was born,
is preserved. It is very interesting to look at it.
One may come
to Poltava, visit the museum of the famous Poltava battle, the field where
Petro the Great defeated the Swedes.
There is a lot
to see in Ukraine
and to be proud of. And I am glad to live in such a country, with all these beautiful
monuments.
7. The
education System in Ukraine
Ukraine has
got father developed system of education. General secondary education is free
and compulsory. There are many gymnasiums, lycees and private schools in
Ukraine. The secondary school must secure a uniform level of knowledge
necessary for each student. Post-secondary education is provided by technical
schools, colleges and institution of higher learning: universities, academies
and institutes. At each institute or university there are is a post-graduate
course with postgraduates working for their scientific degrees.
There are many
scientific educational and academic centres in Ukraine. Kyiv with its famous
National University named after T. Shevchenko, Polytechnic University,
Kyivo-Mohylyanska Academy which resumed its work in 1991. There are three faculties
in the Academy now: the humanities, social and national sciences. Lviv is the
leading scientific and cultural centre of Western Ukraine. It has a number of
research institutes of high level.
Kharkiv
University has 10 faculties: mechanics-mathematics, physics,
physics-technology, radio-physics, chemistry, biology, economics, history,
philology and foreign languages. Ukraine numbers a total of 1.5 million college
and university students. Graduates from the Ukrainian institution of higher
learning become famous writers, prominent diplomats, economists, chemists,
mathematicians and others.
8. Ukrainian
Youth Nowadays
Nowadays much
attention is paid to our youth. The desire of our young people to become
qualified specialists in future motivates them to enter higher educational
establishments. Higher education for young people nowadays is the method of
developing their talents and abilities, their creative potential. That's why
beside their studies they are also engaged in different clubs and organizations.
A lot of young people go in for sports.
That is why schools and institutes have sport clubs and teams. Our young people
are especially interested in football, basketball, hockey etc. There also
exists a great variety of different clubs in this country. Future belongs to
the youth. Many young people are engaged in political parties and organizations
such as «the greens», the Union of Ukrainian Youth and others.
Almost every
school or institute has its own team of joyful and smart (KVN). This game is
rather popular among our young people and it helps them to bring out their
brightest talents and to create team spirit. Young people learn to share the
moments of luck and failure, to work together. Beside studies young people are
also engaged in scientific and research work. Nowadays this sphere is not paid too
much attention. There also exists the Ukrainian branch of youth
organization Greenpeace in Ukraine. This organization protests against
environmental pollution, against murder of all animals. Young people learn to
love their land and the world that surrounds them.
9. The problem
of Environmental Protection in Ukraine
The protection
of nature has become one of the most burning problems of the 21st
century. The Earth provides people with mineral resources, rivers, forests,
fields — everything that makes the foundation of industrial and agricultural
production. Why does all this want protection? Because people often do things
which pollute land and waters greatly. It's very dangerous because it damages
health of the people.
There are a
lot of industrial enterprises in our country, that's why we can't ignore the
problem of the protection of our environment. Our plants and factories put
their waste materials into water and atmosphere and pollute the
environment. There are many kinds of transport in our big cities, that's why we
must pay attention to the protection of our nature and the health of people.
The accident
at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in April 1986 caused radioactive
contamination of a vast area around plant.
More than 100
000 Ukrainian citizens were evacuated from the city of Chornobyl and other
areas around the reactor site.
The other
problem is an earthquakes. We know some terrible earthquakes in Armenia. Our
scientists try to forecast earthquakes, then we can protect ourselves from
them.
Not only
people but the nature is ill too. Millions of years ago animals lived on land,
there were lots of trees on the Earth. But now trees as well as the animal
world are in danger. They are killed by polluted air and acid rains. Tons of
smoke and gas are emitted into the air. But unfortunately very little is being
done to save them. If the trees die, we shall die too, because they supply us
with oxygen to breathe.
Environmental
protection is a great concern of the Ukrainian Government. The Ministry of
Environment Protection was founded in Ukraine. Their tasks are to control the
state of environment and sources of pollution, to protect the water resources
of Ukraine, to extend the network of mature reserves and to maintain with
international ecological organizations.
The Ukrainian
Green Party is very active today. «Zeleny Svit» is the Ukrainian ecological
newspaper. It calls on people to protect the nature and to use it in a more
careful and economical manner for the benefit of the present and future
generations.
Our Earth is
our home. I think people must take care of our Motherland.
10. Ukraine
and English-speaking Countries
Now Ukraine is
a sovereign state. Ukraine is one of the members of the United Nations
Organization and participates in the work of many international organizations.
We have wide relations with Canada, the USA and Great Britain. Foreign
Embassies of these countries work in Kyiv. Scientific cooperation is also very
important. Cooperations in culture, education and sport are very important too.
We exchange students and teachers with Canada and the USA. The Ukrainian
orchestras, pop and opera singers, ballet dancers are warmly received. A lot of
tourists from English-speaking countries visit Ukraine every year.
We have some
joint political projects with the United States of America and Canada. Such big
plants of ours as Cherkasy joint-stock company «Azot», «Gorlovka» chemical
plant «Stirol» sell their products at international market. I'd like to say
that many people who are Ukrainian by origin live in Canada. Many of the
Ukrainians living now in Canada and other English-speaking countries don't lose
connections with Ukraine. A lot of public organizations, educational
establishments, religious organizations make considerable contribution to the
development of our culture, literature and art. By the by, Canada was the first
among the western states that recognized the state independence of Ukraine.
11. List of
Books
1. Petrenkko L. B. “Kyiv: Ancient and always young”. – Kyiv: “Aspect – Poligraph”, 2006.
2. Godunov A. B. “Short history of Ukraine: From the most ancient times to our
days”. – Moscow, 1987.
3. Bogush "Manual on history of
Ukraine". – Lviv, 1997.
4. Meshkov V. M. “Kyiv everlasting ”. – Kyiv,
1998.
5. Golovatenko
"History of Ukraine: problems are debatable". – Kyiv, 2000.
6. Butromeev "Ukrainian history for all".