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GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATION & POPULATION
 Ukraine
is situated in Eastern Europe and lies in the Dnipro River basin. Neighboring
Ukraine are the countries of Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Poland, Hungary,
Slovakia and Romania. In the South, Ukraine is washed by the Black and
Azov Seas. The area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq.km, the population is 51,728,400.
Kiev (Kyiv,
in Ukrainian), Capital of Ukraine, occupies a territory over 790 sq. Km
and is situated on the banks of the Dnipro River which divides it in two
parts – the left and right ones. The central part of the City lies on the
right riverbank, the left bank is occupied by new housing areas. About
3 million people live in Kiev.
Approximately
85% of the Ukrainian population are Orthodox Christians; 10% are Catholics
of the Byzantine rite; 3% are Protestant (mainly Baptists); 1.3% are of
the Jewish faith.
Kyiv has much
to offer in the cultural and architectural arenas with its wide tree-lined
boulevards and historical buildings reflecting various styles and
periods of the ancient Kyivan-Rus Empire. Kyiv is a major industrial
center that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering,
aviation, food and chemical production, etc. Kyiv'seconomic development
has been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River,
which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.
CLIMAT
Climate in
Ukraine is basically sparingly-continental, in the Crimea - a
subtropical climate of mediterrainian type. Winters are long,
snowy and cool, average temperature in January is - 6 C (21 F). The coolest month is February. Summer is short not very hot, average temperature in July
month is + 19 C (67 F). In July, August
there can be + 32 C more often + 25-30 C.
Change of seasons is very distinct in Ukraine, snowy winter,
flowering warm springtime, hot summer and gilded autumn.
INTERNATIONAL
TIME
Time count
in Ukraine is 2 hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time. For
the aim of saving electric power supply in Ukraine, on last
Sunday of March each year - the clock hands are shifted 1 hour
onward, and on last Sunday of September -
1 hour back.
STREET NAMES
Many streets
in Kiev were lately re-named. Instead of names of socialist leaders we
may see now old names of streets or names from the Ukrainian
history. It makes some confusions among Kievites and visitors. Don't
be ashamed of asking Kievites how to find that or another street. Very
friendly people live in Kiev, they respect
strangers and render you any assistance.
ELECTRICITY
Standard voltage
in electric networks all through Ukraine is 220 volts.
Faults in electricity supply occur very seldom and, as a rule,
are immediately eliminated.
TIPS
Restaurant bills normally include
a 5% service charge, however, you'll often find that a few extra hryvnias
(10% suggested) can make your dining experience a lot more pleasurable.
LANGUAGE
Official
state language in Ukraine since 1990 is Ukrainian, but alongside
with it Russian is broadly used. In big cities, they speak mostly
in Russian,and in villages - in Ukrainian. All official documents
are exercised in Ukrainian, mass media uses two languages.
More and more people in Kiev speak English. Hotels, restaurants,
bars, private companies hire people who know English. But do
not hope to hear English in shops, kiosks, town transport.
WATER
For
drinking water, Kievites use water filters, or boil tap water. We
do not advise you to drink tap water without filtering. Better buy at the
shop Ukrainian drinking water or mineral
water of import production. Big popularity with Kievites
enjoys water taken from artesian bore holes, from the depth of 300
m underground. The springs of artesian water
are scattered all over the city. Usually, they are fenced,
sheltered and have a panel with iwater
characteristics. This water is cleaner
than the tap water, but it also should be boiled
before drinking. In each house, there is cold and hot water.
But do not wonder if at the end
of spring or in midsummer they suddenly cut off
hot water for a month for cleaning the pipes. Many Kievites are rather
stoical reacting to these things and
even try to train themselves under cold water at this
time :-))
CRIME SITUATION
In
spite of the common in western newspapers view
that the streets of Kiev are dangerous for foreign tourists, this
is not true. In fact, streets of Kiev are
much more safe than the streets of NEW YORK, Los-Angeles or Chicago.
You can freely move along the streets at night
time, if you keep your usual behaviour.
Try not to call to yourself attention, not to carry with yourself
big sums of money, not to change money with street money changers,
keep a check on baggage and your own
pocket when using public transport. Do not carry in your
pockets money amounts greater than needed, do not
get into the taxi if there are already several passengers in it. Follow
a principle of good sense and Your stay in Kiev will be pleasing
and safe.
UKRAINIAN
ETIQUETTE
When visiting
Ukraine, there are a few simple rules of etiquette that may be useful:
If invited into
a family home, it is traditional to bring a gift. A bottle of wine,
a cake or a bouquet of flowers is custo-mary. If there is a child in the
house, it is appropriate to provide him/her with a small gift as
well.
Do not shake hands
across the thres-hold of a door. It is considered bad luck.
When shaking hands,
take off your gloves. Be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering
a home. To keep apart-ments clean, most hosts will
provide you with a pair of slippers.
On public transportation,
give up your seat to mothers with children, the elder-ly, or
the infirm.
At the entrance
of upscale restaurants, expect that your coat, briefcase or bag-gage
will be checked Be sure to have business cards printed in
Ukrainian on one side and English on the other.
When eating dinner
at someone's home, casual dress is accepted.
If you bring flowers,
make sure it is an uneven number of flowers.
be ready to give
toasts at dinner, for guests are often asked to do so.
Offer to share your
snacks and cigarettes with those around you.
Be prepared to accept
all food and drink offered you when visiting friends.
Ukrainians are known
for their generosity when it comes to feeding others. Turning down food
may be considered rude.
For business, dress
should be conservative. Men should not take off their jackets unless
asked.
In Orthodox churches
women wear scarves or hats, and men take off their hats.
Don't put your
thumb between your first two fingers - this is a very rude gesture.
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CREDIT
CARDS
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Ukraine is still most a cash economy.
Traveler's checks and credit cards are gaining wider acceptance in larger
cities. Use of credit cards is limited to the better hotels, Western-style
restaurants, international airlines and select stores. American Express,
MasterCard, and Visa are commonly accepted. A passport or diplomatic card
may be required whenever a credit card is used. Customs regulations prohibit
sending cash, traveler's checks, personal checks, credit cards or passports
through the international mail system to Ukraine. These items are regularly
confiscated as contraband by customs authorities.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES
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Medical care
in Ukraine is limited. The availability of basic medical supplies, including
disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics has improved. Elderly
travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to
inadequate medical facilities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment for health services. Foreighn medical insurance is not always
valid for Ukraine. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental
medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including air evacuation
coverage, has proved to be useful.
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ALCOHOL
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Alcoholic drinks
in the Kiev are cheap and easy to buy. Alcohol is available
on sale l in gastronomes, kioskses, bars, restaurants, at the market,
and in specialized shops. Don't
be tempted to buy alcoholic drinks at cheap prices in
kiosks. In the bottle with the lable "French champaign" there may not
be exactly French champaign. In gastronomes, you can buy Ukrainian
alcoholic drinks, and this will not be a forgery. In bars and;
restaurants the drinks cost much above
retail price. And, please, do not forget that you must
not drive a car in a state of intoxication. If you are
stopped by a traffic
militia, you will be subjected to a substantial
fine or your driver's licence will be withdrawn.
Militia (Police) in Ukraine is rather intolerant towards drunk drivers, so it would
be better for you if you take
a taxi.
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PABLICK REST
ROOMS
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Free of charge
toilets in the Kiev are practically not available. But id there are
some, they are not at all pleasant site to see. Due to lack
of detergents and servicing personnel,
they look very unclean. It is better to use pay toilets, in
which for 30 - 50 cop .it possibrej possible bring itself in
the order. Under all restaurants, bars,
clubs there are free toilets, in which is supported shining purity and
freshness.
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OPERATION
HOURS
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Workday in state-opened
and private companies usually begins at 9.00 and ends at 18.00, with
dinner break at 14.00-15.00 or 15.00-14.00, the days off are
Saturday and Sunday. Most of the banks are open for visitors
from 9.00 till 13.00, days off - Saturday, Sunday. Don't
be surprised, butrestaurants and grocery stores can be locked for dinner
at the lunchtime exactly. There also exists at a
booking office box such a notion as "technical
break" for 15 min., which can happen each 2-3 hours. What
they need it for nobody knows. And if your queue has
come exactly to the time the "technical
break" begins, you will not be served. You will have either
to wait till the break ends or occupy a queue in other pay-desk,
but there is probability that
your new queue will come to exactly the same
technical break there.
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RADIATION
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Many people
remember the accident at Chernobyl atomic stations happened
in 1986. You need not be afraid of radiation. In Kiev at present,
the level of radiation does not exceed
the permissible rate. Kiev products, coming on sale
undergo a strict radiation control.
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UKRAINIAN
CURRENCY
Official state
currency since 1996 is hrivna. We have money bills by nominal values
1,2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 hrivnas and small change coins by nominal values
1,2,5,10,25,50 kopecks. Payments on the territory of Ukraine are
realized only in national currency (hrivnas). You may change hard
currency for hrivnas at exchange posts scatterred
all over the city and at the banks. In order to avoid fraud
and troubles, do not use services of street changers. You can
get cash for your travellers checks in hotels and some banks. Credit
cards are taken for payment in large hotels, restaurants, shops.
See
more information about Hryvnia here..>>
CONVERT
YOUR CURRENCY ......>>>
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INFLATION
AND THE ECONOMY
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Transition to
market economy has appeared highly painful for the average Ukrainian and
the country as a whole. Average Ukrainian gets today $50-60 a month. State-owned
enterprises quite often delay paying salary. Those retired on pension
get $30. So, the Ukrainians have to do somethign
to live on such small salary. In many places you may see people, selling
newspapers, cigarettes, various trifles in order to earn some money. There
are a lot of beggars on the streets. But this is sooner their work
and not real necessity.Alongside with this, a lot of private,
joint companies are being opened,giving additional working places.
Salary in such companies is two times above, but they disintegrate
much oftener.
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