Ukraine — Country and Tourist Information
Country Facts
- Location
- Central Eastern Europe.
- Language
- Ukrainian is the sole official state language. It is still widely spoken in western and central Ukraine, although Russian is spoken by virtually everyone. Russian is the main language spoken in Kyiv, eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
- Area
- 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq miles).
- Time Zone
- GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
- Electricity
- 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
- Population
- 46.4 million (2008 estimate).
- Population Density
- 79.2 per sq km.
- Capital City
- Kyiv. Population: 2.7 million (official estimate 2007).
- Government
- Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
- Head of Government
- Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, since 2007.
- Head of State
- President Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych, since 2010.
- Religion
- There are about 35 million Ukrainian Orthodox faithful, although the church is divided into a traditional pro-Moscow and a breakaway pro-Kyiv faction. Five million Eastern-rite (Uniate) Catholics, subservient to Rome, are concentrated in western Ukraine. There are also Protestant and Muslim minorities.
Recent History
Since being swept to power by the Orange Revolution in 2005, Viktor Yushchenko's presidency has been far from smooth thanks to economic woes and a fractious coalition, which has lead to frequent bouts of parliamentary and government paralysis. The linguistic split of Ukraine (Ukrainian is primarily spoken in the west, Russian in the east) has also complicated matters, with Yushchenko being forced to back his arch rival Viktor Yanukovych, popular in the eastern and southern parts of the country, for prime minister in 2006. However in 2007 Yulia Tymoshenko, a Yushchenko ally, became Ukraine's prime minister and is popularly tipped as a future president, favoring NATO membership over traditional ties to neighboring Russia.
Communications
Telephone
Country Code: +380. You can buy telephone cards of UAH20, 50 or 100 for public payphones in post offices and at kiosks. Many post offices have international phone booths where calls can be made after paying a deposit. International phone cards are also available in the larger cities, but by far the cheapest connections are those found at internet cafés.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Ukraine's mobile phone coverage is good and local SIM cards (Kyivstar or UMC) are available.
Internet
Internet cafés are available in all cities and towns. Connections are usually reasonable. Some hotels offer Wi-Fi connectivity.
Media
A free media is one of the very tangible benefits of the Orange Revolution. Until 2004 there was very limited press freedom, with independent journalists being intimidated, and, in one famous case, murdered, when not toeing the government line. Following the election of Viktor Yushchenko as president in 2005, a free press has flourished, although media watchdogs claim that attacks on journalists have increased since the 2010 election of Viktor Yanukovych.
The most widely read newspapers include the daily Fakty i Kommentarii, Segodnya, Ukryina Moloda and Den.English-language newspapers include the daily Kyiv Post and the weekly Zerkalo Nedeli. The state-run National TV Company of Ukraine operates UT1, UT2 and UT3 channels, and the state-run radio broadcaster National Radio Company of Ukraine operates three networks. A number of commercial television and radio stations are also available.
Post
Services are erratic. Letters to Western Europe can take two weeks or more. The main post office in Kiev is located at Khreshchatik 22 and is open 24 hours. You can make telephone calls and send faxes here.Generally 0800-1700.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day
8 Mar International Women’s Day
24 Apr Orthodox Easter
1 May - 2 May Labor Days
9 May Victory Day
8 Jun Orthodox Pentecost
28 Jun Constitution Day
24 Aug Ukrainian Independence Day
2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day
8 Mar International Women’s Day
15 Apr Orthodox Easter
1 May - 2 May Labor Days
9 May Victory Day
3 Jun Orthodox Pentecost
28 Jun Constitution Day
24 Aug Ukrainian Independence Day
If a holiday falls on a Thursday, the following Friday and Saturday may also be holidays. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is considered a holiday as well.
Contact Information
Embassy of Ukraine in the UK
60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7727 6312.
Website: www.ukremb.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1300, 1400-1800; Fri 0900-1300, 1400-1715.
Not open to personal callers.
Consular section: Ground Floor, 78 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2PL, UK
Tel: (020) 7243 8923.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 (last admission 1230).
Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
3350 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 333 0606. Consular matters: (202) 349 3379.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800.
Website: www.mfa.gov.ua/usa
