Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe covering 603,500 km², the second largest in Europe after Russia. Its capital is beautiful and welcoming Kyiv, the official language is Ukrainian and the currency the hryvnia. Although it is one of the largest countries in Europe, its population of about 43 million makes it less densely populated than smaller countries such as Germany and France.

Most of Ukraine is flat, with mountains mainly in the west (the Carpathians) and in the south of the Crimean peninsula (the Crimean Mountains). Its fertile plains, the steppes, are ideal for growing crops such as wheat, which is why Ukraine is sometimes called “the breadbasket of Europe”. The country is full of fertile meadows, high mountains and dense forests rich in plant species, rare and common. Grouse, partridges and wild geese fly overhead, while pike, carp and sturgeon swim in its lakes and rivers. The Dnieper, Ukraine’s longest river and the fourth longest in Europe, flows from Belarus south to the Black Sea, cutting through the country.

The climate is mainly continental, with cold winters and warm summers that become hotter, almost Mediterranean, as you head south. On the Black Sea coast winters are milder, with average January and February temperatures around zero. Temperatures across the country are fairly predictable, so everyone can choose how they want to experience their trip!