| Capital | Kiev |
| Currency | Ukrainian Hryvna |
| Area | 603,628 km 2 |
| Population | 44,854,065 |
| GDP (PPP) | $344.727 billion |
| GDP Nominal | $180.174 billion |
| Time Zone | Eastern European Time |
Discover mysteries of Eastern Orthodoxy and descend into catacombs to see mummies of muchrevered saints on an excursion to the holy of holies for all eastern Slavs. Founded as a cave monastery in 1051, the lavra is filled with golden-domed churches, baroque buildings and orchards. Religious ceremonies take place in lavishly decorated, icon-filled interiors, accompanied by beautiful choir singing and attended by crowds of pilgrims and monks. There are great collections of Scythian gold, micro-miniatures and more in museums located on the premises.
By and large Ukraine is as flat as a topographically challenged blin (pancake), which makes its bumpy bits all the more special. Ukrainian slice of the Carpathian arc barely reaches over 2000m, but its soothing wooded slopes, rough stony trails, flower-filled upland pastures and wide, snaking valleys make this prime hiking, biking and skiing territory. Needless to say, the Carpathians are home to Ukrainian highest peak, Mt Hoverla, a fairly easy trek from nearby villages, as well as several ski resorts.
Lviv is the pulsating heart of Ukraine, and the main square, pl Rynok, is the bustling heart of Lviv. Plonked in the middle is the huge ratusha (town hall), around which mill clutches of camera-toting tourists and quick-footed locals. The aroma of freshly milled coffee beans wafts across the square from the Lviv legendary cafes, and summer tables tumble out across the Habsburg-era cobbles as old Soviet-era trams rumble past. Take a seat, order a coffee and watch it all roll by.
The apostle Andrew is said to have climbed this steep ascent to erect a cross and prophesise the rise of Kyiv. Today the haunt of artists, who install their canvases on this cobbled Montmartre-like street, which in true decadent style Kyivites call Andrew Descent. Packed with souvenir stands selling all sorts of junk, the uzviz has heaps of Bohemian charm and is great for people-watching. Here Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov wrote The White Guard, perhaps the best novel about Kyiv and its people; his house is now a museum.
Ringed by the dramatic gorge of the Smotrych River, there are few more eye-pleasing spots in Ukraine than this Podillyan town. A stroll from the new bridge takes you through the cobbled quarters of this once divided community, past beautifully renovated churches, crumbling palaces and forgotten pieces of the once beefy defences, to the town impossibly picturesque fortress, surely one of the highlights of any visit to Ukraine. And the best thing? Outside high season you may have the place entirely to yourself.
You can safely claim you have seen all of Ukraine after a visit to Pyrohovo, which is a large chunk of countryside just outside Kyiv filled with traditional wooden architecture representing all parts of the country. Whole churches, windmills, shops and houses were brought here from their original villages, providing a wonderful backdrop for folk festivals, which frequently take place on the grounds. Here Transcarpathia is walking distance from the Poltava region, although it might be a strenuous walk, as the area is huge indeed.