In its eight-year battle with Russian-backed separatists in the east, Ukraine has suffered a high number of casualties, but it is also known for its beautiful and diversified scenery, well-preserved culture and history, gorgeous women, and a tragic nuclear tragedy. In this blog, we will learn many amazing facts about Ukraine.

 

Many people are unfamiliar with Ukraine, except for its flag and its wars with Russia. So, here are some fascinating facts about Ukraine that make the country special.

 

25 Interesting Facts About Ukraine

 

1. The European Union's largest country

 

Ukraine is the largest country in Europe in terms of the area if you exclude Russia, which is located in both Asia and Europe. Ukraine has a total size of 603.55 square kilometers. 

 

While Ukraine is Europe's largest country in terms of territory, it is not the most populous. It has a population of around 43 million people, which is less than Germany and France.

 

2. Ukraine is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

Seven sites in Ukraine are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and they are among the best locations to visit in Ukraine. These include the Saint-Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the historic center of Lviv, as well as the Carpathians' unique wooden churches and the beech forests that surround them. 

 

3. Vyshyvanka is Ukraine's national costume.

 

Ukraine's National Costume is known as Vyshyvanka. This one stands out because of the needlework work, which includes Ukrainian embroidery. Vyshyvanka is a basic white linen shirt decorated with hand-sewn floral or ornamental embroidery. The costume's unique feature is that it can be worn by both men and women.

 

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4. Deadliest nuclear disaster

 

The Chernobyl accident, the world's deadliest nuclear disaster, occurred in Ukraine. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, established by the Soviet Union soon after the catastrophe in 1986, includes the disaster site and its surroundings, which are located in northern Ukraine.

 

There are a number of abandoned villages within the zones, the most famous of which being Pripyat, which attract visitors from all over the world. Tours of the area, including the power plant, can be arranged at the traveler's risk.

 

Despite the high amounts of radiation, the location attracts a large number of tourists. The Chernobyl Trust Fund was established by the United Nations to assist the victims.

 

5. This is where the famous 'Tunnel Of Love' is located.

 

The Tunnel of Love is a semi-abandoned railway line in Klaven, North-Western Ukraine, often regarded as the world's most romantic location. On both sides of the single-track railway line, this magnificent natural train tunnel is encircled by green arches formed by trees. 

 

6. World's Deepest Metro Station

 

Arsenalna station on the Sviatoshynsko � Brovarska line in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city, is the world's deepest metro station. On November 6, 1960, this subway station opened as part of the first stage of the Kyiv Metro, which was built and designed by the Soviet Union. Arsenalna station, located at a depth of 105.5 meters, is the deepest metro station in Kyiv Metro (346 ft).

 

7. Invention Of Gas Lamp

 

One of these ground-breaking inventions was the gaslight, which was invented in 1853 by two pharmacists from Lviv, Jan Zeh, and Ignacy Ukasiewicz. Invented by a local pharmacist in a store called At the Golden Star, the victory is now honored by a cafe in the same building called Gasova L'ampa.

 

8. Biggest producer of sunflower seeds

 

Ukraine is the world's largest sunflower seed producer, closely followed by Russia. The whole size of Ukraine's sunflower farmlands is considered to be larger than Slovenia's entire region.

 

9. The 'Breadbasket Of Europe'

Ukraine's huge agricultural area and fertile black soil make it an ideal location for cultivating wheat and other agricultural crops. Hence it is called the "Breadbasket of Europe". Ukraine is still one of the major wheat producers in the world today.

 

10. The ten heaviest aircraft ever built

 

With a maximum takeoff weight of 710 tonnes, the An-225 is the largest aircraft ever built. With a total weight of 559,580 pounds and a single-item payload of 418,830 pounds, it holds the record for total airlifted payload. While Ukraine was still a part of the Soviet Union, the Antonov An-225 Mriya was produced in Kyiv. It also boasts the widest wingspan of any operational plane.

 

11. The Ukraine or Ukraine

 

The Ukrainian government and numerous English-language media outlets have publicly condemned the use of 'the Ukraine'.  Ukraine is the country's official full name, as specified in its declaration of independence and constitution.

 

On August 24, 1991, Ukraine's communist Supreme Soviet (parliament) stated that Ukraine would no longer follow the laws of the Soviet Union and would instead follow the laws of the Ukrainian SSR, thereby declaring Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union.

 

12. Both Russian and Ukrainian languages are acceptable here.

 

It is clear that people in Ukraine are fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian. However, if you truly want to blend in, Ukrainian, which is also the national language, would be preferable. And, unfortunately for you, English is not frequently spoken here.

 

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13. Ukraine is Europe's cheapest travel destination.

 

Ukraine is the cheapest country in Europe, with everything available at rock-bottom pricing. All kinds of transportation, including buses and railways, are reasonably priced. When compared to other parts of Europe, even the food is inexpensive.

 

14. The tallest peak in Ukraine is Mount Hoverla.

 

Mount Hoverla is Ukraine's highest mountain, standing at 2061 meters. The Carpathian Mountains include Mount Hoverla. Mount Hoverla has been a popular tourist destination since the late 1800s. This mountain has grown in popularity as an extreme sports destination over time.

 

15. Constitution

 

Ukrainian Hetman Pylyp Orlyk drafted and introduced the world's first constitution in 1710. The purpose of the document was to establish the separation of powers. It outlined both citizens' and government's responsibilities and rights.

 

16. Independence

 

On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Its parliament declared that the country would no longer follow the USSR's laws and would instead follow its own. The referendum for independence was approved by a large majority of people in December of that year.

 

17. Dishes

 

Varenyky, boiled dumplings with potatoes, sauerkraut, mushrooms, cottage cheese, or berries, is one of Ukraine's most popular traditional dishes. Borscht, a beef, mushroom, cabbage, and beet soup is another choice.

 

18. Rivers

 

The Danube, Dnipro, Desna, Pripyat, Southern Buh, and Siverian Donets are Ukraine's seven largest rivers. Around 95 percent of the country's rivers flow into the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov's drainage basins.

 

19. Goldfish

 

Yana Klochkova is Ukraine's finest swimmer, having won four Olympic gold medals. At Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, she won the individual medleys in the 200m and 400m events, earning the nickname "Goldfish." In addition, she is a world champion in the 400m freestyle.

 

20. Prominent Sport

 

Chess is a prominent sport in Ukraine, with over 85 grandmasters. In 1998, Ruslan Ponomariov, just 14, became the world's youngest grandmaster for men. At the age of 18, he won the world title.

 

21. Education

 

Ukraine has the world's fourth-highest literacy rate. Ukraine has a 99.97 percent adult literacy rate, according to UNESCO.

 

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22. Weather 

 

The climate of Ukraine is generally moderate and continental. Precipitation is disproportionately distributed; the west and north receive the most, while the east and southeast receive the least. Winters range from mild around the Black Sea to bitterly frigid inland.

 

In the north, average yearly temperatures range from 5.5�C�7�C to 11�C�13�C in the south. Summers are moderate, with temperatures ranging from 17�C to 25�C (30�C). Winters, on the other hand, can be bitterly cold, attracting a lot of snow and producing a lovely winter wonderland, ideal for a genuine Christmas holiday!

 

23. Festivals

 

In Ukraine, there are numerous festivals and fairs to attend. Rock, pop, jazz, folk, electric, drum and bass, and electronic music are all thriving in Ukraine. As a result, Lviv-based festivals such as Dubno-fest and Leopolis Jazz Fest are immensely popular.

 

Furthermore, the Atlas Weekend event is one of Europe's largest, gathering over 500,000 visitors this year and showcasing contemporary popular music.

 

24. Ukrainian Flag

 

The current Ukrainian flag consists of two horizontal stripes of yellow and blue, with the blue representing the country's great blue skies and the yellow representing the country's wheat fields. In terms of psychology, blue denotes calmness, while yellow denotes joy.

 

25. Short Facts About Ukraine

 

• Capital City - Kiev
• Largest City - Kiev
• Area total: 603,550 sq km
• Nationality- Ukrainian
• Official Language - Ukrainian
• Land borders - Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Russia, and Belarus.
• Type of Government - semi-presidential republic
• President of Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelensky
• Prime Minister of Ukraine- Denys Anatoliyovych Shmyhal
• Currency - Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)

 

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