The Republic of Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe bordering Russia, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Romania. The earliest signs of human settlements stem from 4,000 BC. Between 700 BC and 200 BC the region was part of the Kingdom of Scythia, and later it was colonised by Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. In the 7th Century the area became part of the Old Bulgarian Empire, but that were replaced by Slavic Rus people a century later.

In the early Middle Ages parts of present day Ukraine around Kiev became one of the most influential Rus’ principalities. This lasted until the Mongol invasion in the 13th century when the principalities were devastated and Kiev destroyed. Later Ukraine became part of Lithuania and then Poland. In the 18th Century the country became divided between Austria and Russia. After World War I, Ukraine became briefly independent before again being divided between Poland and Russia. After World War II, Ukraine became a Soviet Republic which lasted until it declared itself an independent democratic republic in 1991.

Inhabitants: 46,000,000
Area: 600,000 km2
Capital: Kiev (2,700,000 inhabitants)
Languages: Ukrainian
Religion: Ukrainian Orthodox Church (76%), Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (8%), Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (7%), Roman Catholics (2%), Protestants (2%), others (5%)
GBD per capita: $8,600
Government: Semi-presidential unitary state
Climate: Temperate continental climate with cold winters and hot summers.