Ukraine

Country

Ukraine is an Eastern European nation, bordered by Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. Ukraine also borders the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The capital of Ukraine is Kiev. Ukraine is divided into twenty-four provinces known as oblasts and an autonomous republic. The autonomous republic in Ukraine is called Crimea, which is located on the southern peninsula. The capital city, Kiev, and Sevastopol are two cities with special administrative status in Ukraine.

Business Economy

Historically, Ukraine is well known for its agricultural production. Among its main agricultural products are sugar beets, wheat, meat, and dairy products. Other crops include barley, corn, rye, and tobacco.The economy of Ukraine can be classified as a developed economy, given its overall level of industrial and agricultural output.Ukraine has a lot of coal mining, especially around the eastern city of Donetsk, as well as ageing heavy industry including shipbuilding, steel and arms. However, because many industries are so energy-inefficient, they are highly dependent on imports of Russian gas, which have been heavily subsidised.

Natural Resources

Significant natural resources in Ukraine include: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, andarable land.

Higher Education

The structure of higher education system in Ukraine is based on the education systems of the developed nations of the world in accordance with recommendations from the UNESCO, UN and other international organizations. Higher education is an integral part of the Ukrainian education system as laid down in the Law of Ukraine “On Education”. The four-level system provides thorough academic, professional and practical training with the following degrees: Junior Specialist, Bachelor, Specialist, Master.

Higher education can be obtained in higher education establishments of a certain level of accreditation. The applicants must have either basic general secondary education, complete secondary education, or hold degrees of the Junior Specialist or Bachelor, as well as of the Specialist or Master if they apply for a postgraduate degree.

The students can take either the full-time courses (day), part-time courses (evening classes, distance learning), or take a combination of these. Sometimes they can do an external course.

Admission to higher educational establishments is selective and depends on the applicants' ability; it does not depend on the ownership type of the education establishment or the sources of money to pay tuition fees.

Tourism

Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe known for its Orthodox churches, Black Sea coastline and forested mountains. Its capital, Kiev, features the gold-domed St. Sophia's Cathedral, with 11th-century mosaics and frescoes. Overlooking the Dnieper River is the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, a Christian pilgrimage site housing Scythian tomb relics and catacombs containing mummified Orthodox monks.

Climate Weather

The climate of the Ukraine can be described as dry and continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around 0°C, but in some cases winter months can be quite colder with temperatures far below zero, about -20°C or lower and strong, cold northeasterly winds, called Bora. Heavy snowfall or even snowstorms are also possible on some days.

Required clothing

Light- to medium-weights are worn during the summer months. Medium- to heavyweights are needed during winter. Waterproof clothing is advisable for the Winter, but all year in the Odessa region.