Information On Kiev, Ukraine

Shortly

The contemporary city of Kiev – is one of the biggest cities in Europe. It stands pre-eminent as the administrative, economic, research, cultural and educational centre of a new independent state of Ukraine which is one of the largest European countries, with the area of 603, 700 sq. km and a population of 50, 500, 000 (as per 1st January 2000). The area of Kiev is 836 sq. km. Only 350 sq. km or 42,3% have been built up within the city limits. All the rest is the area of reservoirs and forest tracts and green plantings in general use. The area of forest tracts and green plantings constitutes 214 sq. m per one citizen; this is one of the best indicators in the world. The population in Kiev was 2, 626, 500 in 2000.

History and Contemporary

The capital of Ukraine, the city of Kiev is the largest administrative centre of the country. Located in Kyiv and working there are President, the Parliament, the Government, practically all Ministries and governmental departments of Ukraine.

Religion

The development of Kiev as a financial and trade center resulted in a multinational city with diverse religious convictions. Under Soviet rule, many of Kiev's numerous chu rches were destroyed. The few that survived were used as warehouses. Today, there are a number of Christian Orthodox and some Catholic churches, two Synagogues, and a variety of other denominations and religions.

Science and Culture

One of the most characteristic features of the capital of Ukraine is that it is one of the greatest research centres in Europe. Located in Kiev is National Academy of Science of Ukraine with the most of its institutes many of which are famed for their scientific schools. Overall 269 research institutes and 42 design offices work in the city as well as 17 leading higher educational institutions of Ukraine. There functions in Kiev 439 general education schools, 98 health care institutions, and 274 outpatient – clinic facilities.

The capital of Ukraine has a great cultural potential: 32 museums, 33 theatres, 116 projecting machines, many standing art exhibitions. The most known museums are the National Museum of History of Ukraine, the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art. There are 2 093 units regarded as monuments of history, culture and architecture.

Economical system

A powerful economic potential is focused in Kiev, involving a multi-branch industry, building complex, developed system of branches of municipal economy, transport facilities, systems of modern communication, etc. As many as 350 huge self sufficiency type industrial enterprises are located in Kiev and function there together with thousands of small and joint venture companies, building organizations, organizations dealing with transportation, communication, etc.

There has been created a powerful building complex in Kiev, with 250 building and assembly organizations operating by contract, 99 planning and research undertakings, 1 420 small building companies and cooperatives. About 98,900 persons are now working in this industry.

Transportation

Economic development of Kiev is favoured by its situation at the intersection of numerous ways of communication, such as waterways, road-railway junctions, motor-trunk roads, air tracks which pass from the west to the east (from the countries of the Western and Central Europe to Russia, to the Caucasus) as well as from the north to the south (from Russia to the Baltic countries and Scandinavia to the Southern-Western Europe). Geographical situation of Kiev is advantageous for the development of external economic relations.

Major trunk highways of Trans-European importance pass through Kiev.

Railway

Kiev is a powerful railway junction. Passing here are railway lines of all railroads of Ukraine, such as Southern-Western lines, the Donetsk railway line, by the Dniper line, the Southern, the Odessa lines, as well as sections of the Moscowian, Bielorussian, Moldavian, Nothern-Western lines. This allows the railway connections to be secured in all directions with most cities and towns of Ukraine, countries of former USSR as well as with major European capitals.

Kiev is connected to European and Asian cities via an extensive network of railways. The capital's only station is located right next to the Vokzalna metro station (tel: (+380 44) 223 11 11).The ticket office for rail travel, located at 38/40 Tarasa Shevchenka blvd., can be reached by phone at 050. Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach just about anywhere. Trains run every day to Moscow, Budapest, Odesa, Lviv, and St.Petersburg.

River transport

Location of the city on one of the biggest navigable arteries in Europe permits the development of river transport. Kiev is one of the largest in Eastern Europe mechanized river ports supplied with modern loaders portal cranes and other machinery. Kiev has freight and passenger river ports; headquarters of Joint-Stock Company "Ukrrichflot". "RPEA" Company deals with river transportation in the city.The discharge of the Dnipro into the Black Sea permits carrying out river – sea freight traffic and passenger transportation which fact in its turn strengthens the external – economic relations potential.

Air transport

Kiev is nowadays becoming a major air communication junction with the rate of such change being lately speeded up. Within the bounds of the city there functions the airport "Kiev" (Zhuliany), a short distance off is the largest international airport of the country Borispil. Representatives of the world's leading airlines are accredited in Kiev.

Almost all international flights to Kiev arrive at Boryspil International airport, located 30 kilometers from the city center.

The city's other main airport is Zhuliany-Kiev, located seven kilometers from the center, handles domestic flights. Save all the documents you receive and fill out while going through customs - you will need these to leave the country. The most convenient way to get from Boryspil airport to downtown Kiev is by taxi. Taking into account the fact that that taxi drivers do not usually speak English, you should have your destination written in Russian or Ukrainian.

City transport

There are several types of public transport Kiev, such as shuttle buses, trolleybuses, trams, metro and taxi. Tickets are sold at stations or by controllers (in transport).

Communication

Throughout the city there are post offices and public telephones that operate with plastic cards. One can by plastic card in post offices. International communication is fulfilled by means of Utel system (Ukrainian telecommunications)