Location:
Ukraine occupies a central position in Europe,
bordered by Belarus in the north, the Russian Federation in
the east and northeast, Poland in the northwest, Slovakia
on the west, and Hungary, Romania and Moldavia in the southwest.
Area:
The area of Ukraine is 60,300 sq. km.
The longest distances: north-south - 893km.; west-east - 1316km.
Land boundaries:
T otal 4,558 km, Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939
km, Poland 428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west)
362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km
Coastline:
2,782 km
Terrain:
The territory of Ukraine is mainly flat. The chief physico-geographical
zones are mixed deciduous leaf and conifer forests, forest-steppes
and steppe.
The Carpathian Mountains (highest point: Mt. Hoverlia, 2,061m)
extend to the westernmost part of the country, while the Crimean
Mountains (highest point: Mt. Roman-Kosh, 1,545m) rise in
the southernmost end.
Climate:
Ukraine's climate is temperate and subtropical in the extreme
south. Nature has showered Ukraine with unique places for
rest and recreation.
The Carpathian Mountains are great for hiking and climbing,
as are the Crimean Mountains. Health resorts are a popular
attraction in both mountain regions.
Natural resources:
iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur,
graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber
The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv.
The southern coast of Ukraine is bordered by the Black Sea
and the Sea of Azov.
Black Sea has a surface area of 423,000 sq. km. Its depth
is 2,000m. In the northwest, however, the sea is only 30-60m.
deep.
The important ports of Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Sevastopol
lie on the Black Sea.
Animal life is limited. Among the best-known fish are sturgeon,
goby, mullet, plaice and such typically Black Sea fish as
horse mackerel and scomber.
The Sea of Azov.
There are wonderful sandy beaches on its northern coast and
it is rich in fish life.
In the winter the Sea of Azov freezes over.
It is small, and the world's most shallow sea, its average
depth being 5-7m.
