The second largest country on the European continent, behind only Russia, Ukraine, whose name in the Slavic language means “Frontier”, is limited to the south by Moldova, the southwest with Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, west with Poland, northwest with Belarus, northeast with Russia, besides being bathed in the south by the Sea Black.
Ukraine was one of the main countries of the extinct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In 1920, its territory came under the control of the communists who, taking advantage of the fertility of the Ukrainian soil (“black land”), developed large cereal plantations. National independence was proclaimed on July 16, 1990, being approved on August 24 of the same year. Since then, the nation has joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – a group formed by Russia and the former Soviet republics.
With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian economy suffered a great decline, as Russia, the main importer of its agricultural products (beets, wheat, potatoes, corn, soybeans, etc.) and responsible for the application of financial resources in the industrial sector, the economy was also extremely affected, directly reflecting on the commercial relations between the two nations. Since 1990, Ukraine, aiming to leverage the economic sector, has provided incentives for the entry of foreign capital, attracting branches of transnational companies. Another highlight are the large reserves of coal, iron and manganese.
The national population has great cultural diversity. In the eastern part of the country, close to Russia, the inhabitants are followers of Orthodox Christianity, linked to the Russian patriarchy. The population of western Ukraine, in turn, is mostly Greek Catholic, accepting the supremacy of the Pope. There are also separatist movements, especially on the Crimean peninsula, where the majority of the population is of Russian origin.
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The country became known worldwide after the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl plant (in April 1986), which is considered the biggest radioactive material catastrophe in history. This disaster caused the death of thousands of people, in addition to the development of cancer after decades of what happened. Around 135,000 inhabitants had to leave the region where the plant was installed.
Coat of Arms of Ukraine
Ukraine data:
Territorial extension: 603,700 km².
Location: Europe.
Capital: Kiev.
Climate: Temperate continental.
Government: Republic with mixed form of government.
Administrative division: 24 provinces, 1 autonomous republic (Crimea) and 2 metropolitan areas (Kiev and Sevastopol).
Languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian.
Religions: Christianity 80.1% (52.9% Orthodox, 17.1% independents, 10.1% others, 13.5% non-religious, 4.2% atheism, 2.2% others).
Population: 45,708,081 inhabitants. (Men: 21,076,311; Women: 24,631,770).
Composition: Ukrainians 73%, Russians 22%, other 5%.
Demographic density: 75.7 inhab/km².
Average annual population growth rate: -0.6%.
Population residing in urban areas: 68.02%.
Population residing in rural areas: 31.98%.
Undernourished population: less than 5%.
Life expectancy at birth: 67.7 years.
Households with access to drinking water: 97%.
Households with access to a health network: 93%.
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.710 (high).
Currency: Hyvnia.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 180.3 billion dollars.
GDP per capita: $3,055.
External relations: World Bank, CIS, IMF, WTO, UN.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
countries - geography - Brazil School
