Ukraine is situated in Eastern Europe and lies in the Dnipro river basin. The river divides Ukraine into two halves - appropriately referred to as the Right Bank and the Left Bank.

Neighboring Ukraine are the countries of Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. In the South, Ukraine is washed by the Black and Azov Seas.

The climate is generally temperate or continental. Only in the Crimea, does a subtropical, Mediterranean climate exist. The average low temperature in January is -7 C deg., the average high +19 C deg., in July.

The area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq.km, the population is 49,386,000.

Administrative and territorial system. Ukraine is comprised from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and 24 oblasts (provinces): Vinnytska, Volynska, Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, Zhitomyrska, Zakarpatska, Zaporizhska, Ivano-Frankivska, Kyivska, Kirovogradska, Luganska, Lvivska, Mykolaivska, Odeska, Poltavska, Rivnenska, Sumska, Ternopilska, Kharkivska, Khersonska, Khmelnitska, Cherkaska, Chernigivska, Chernivetska. The cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol have a special status set by the laws of Ukraine. Ukraine has 490 rayons (regions), 446 cities, 907 towns and 10,196 villages.

Ukraine is home to a variety of nationalities: Ukrainians (72% of all population), Russians, Belarussians, Jews, Moldovans, Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Tatars and Greeks, are the groups that are predominantly represented.

The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv. Kyiv occupes more than 790 sq.km and sits on both banks of the Dnipro river. Its population is 2,652,000.

Other major Ukrainian cities and their population are: Kharkiv (1,681,600), Donetsk (1,421,800), Dnipropetrovsk (1,214,900), Odessa (1,102,300), Zaporizhia (898,300), Lviv (811,500), Kryviy Rih (729,900), Mariupil (522,900) and Mykolayiv (515,400).

Ukraine has a lot of beautiful places for rest, trips, floating, skiing and other kinds of tourism. The most famouse and interesting are Kyiv and Odessa (historical, architectural, business, other thematical tourism, cruises), Lviv, Uzhgorod, Tchernivtsi, Kamyanets-Podilsky (historical, architectural, business, other thematical tourism, termal resorts), the Crimea (sea resorts, historical and architectural tourism).

Currency. The national currency of Ukraine is Hrivna (UAH) which consist of 100 kopijkas. Exchange rate: USD 1 = UAH 5.2-5.5. You can exchange your carrency including USD, EUR, SFr, GBP etc. to Hrivnas in a lot of exchange points in cities and towns of Ukraine - it makes fast and comfortable. In the main hotels, restaurants, stores, super-markets credit cards VISA, EURO CARD/MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS are accepted. Also you can get a cash money on Travel Cheques VISA, TC, AMEX, DC etc.

The Labor Code of Ukraine (Article 73) establishes the following holidays and nonworking days:

The following religious holidays are also nonworking days: