Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, after Russia. And it can be just called the cradle of Russia. Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Indeed on the banks of the majestic Dnieper and its tributary Ross Russian and Ukranian nations were born.

A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, the state of the people who took their roots from runaway peasants was established during the mid-17th century and in spite of the pressure of Russia and Poland was autonomous for 100 years. But the days of freedom and greatness had gone and from that time Ukraine used to be a part of Russia.

The country rewards travelers with hospitable people, magnificent architecture and miles of gently rolling steppe.

Ukraine with its moderate climate when it’s snows in the winter and sunshines in the summer is traditionally an agricultural area. There are dozens of villages with picket fences, duck ponds and overloaded horse carts, where time seems to stand still.

Nearly every city and town has its centuries-old cathedral, and many have open-air museums of folk architecture, caves stuffed with mummified monks, and exquisite mosaics wherever you look. The food sticks to your ribs and the bandura tunes lodge themselves in your brain for weeks. Ukraine has its share of the thoroughly modern, but it's also replete with Gothic, Byzantine and Baroque architecture and art - reminders of its many foreign overlords.

Facts for the Traveler:
Full country name: Ukraine
Area: 603,700 sq km
Population: 48.05 million
Capital City: Kiev (pop 2.6 million)
People: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%
Language: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
Religion: Ukrainian Orthodox, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic, Protestant, Jewish