Ukraine — map and facts

Ukraine is the largest country in Europe by area that lies entirely within the continent, occupying a vast stretch of the Eastern European plain. Its capital is Kyiv, and the country covers roughly 604,000 square kilometres. Ukraine uses the Ukrainian hryvnia as its currency.

About Ukraine

Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since 2014 it has been in conflict with Russia, which annexed Crimea in that year. Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, leading to an ongoing war that has displaced millions and caused widespread destruction across the country. Ukraine has applied for membership in both the EU and NATO. Prior to the war, the population was approximately 43 million.

Geography and landscape

Ukraine is bordered by Russia to the north-east and east, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the south-west, and the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south. The landscape is predominantly flat steppe and agricultural plain — Ukraine possesses some of the world's most fertile soils, known as chernozem (black earth). The Carpathian Mountains in the west and the Crimean Mountains on the southern peninsula are the main highland areas. The Dnipro River divides the country into left- and right-bank Ukraine and is its defining natural waterway.

History

Kyiv was the centre of Kyivan Rus, a medieval East Slavic civilisation that flourished from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries. The region later came under Lithuanian, Polish and Russian rule. Eastern Ukraine became part of the Russian Empire in the seventeenth century; western Ukraine (Galicia) was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Ukrainian People's Republic briefly existed after the Russian Revolution before being absorbed into the Soviet Union. The Holodomor — a devastating man-made famine of 1932–33 under Stalin — killed millions of Ukrainians. Ukraine declared independence on 24 August 1991. The Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Euromaidan protests of 2013–14 were significant democratic turning points.

Economy and currency

Ukraine has a large agricultural sector, exporting wheat, sunflowers, maize and other crops at significant scale — it is one of the world's leading grain exporters. It also has steel, mining and chemical industries. The currency is the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH). The economy has been severely disrupted by the ongoing war since 2022.

Culture and language

Ukrainian is the sole official state language and has grown in public use following Russia's invasion. Ukraine has a rich folk and literary tradition. The country is known for its embroidery (vyshyvanka), Easter egg tradition (pysanka), folk music and the bandura instrument. The poet Taras Shevchenko is the central figure of Ukrainian literary and national identity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Ukraine? The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv, located on the Dnipro River. It is the country's largest city and its historical, political and cultural centre.

What currency is used in Ukraine? Ukraine uses the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH).

Is Ukraine the largest country in Europe? Ukraine is the largest country lying entirely within Europe, covering about 604,000 square kilometres.