Generation Gap.
Most people say that а family is very important for them. They like to repeat that families give them а sense of tradition, strength and purpose in their lives. ''Our families show what we are", they say. Most parents teach their children to respect elder people and observe holidays. But the most important thing for а family is to give an emotional support and security. The right family values help boys and girls to gain confidence and resist the influence of bad friends. Teenagers often consider their parents old-fashioned, unaware of the latest style. As for their parents they do their best to give their children а better chance than they had themselves. After finishing school children often try to get complete independence, they leave their homes and sometimes even their native towns. Staying with parents has its negative and positive aspects but children must understand that parents don' t want to do them any harm. That's why sometimes young people have to listen to criticism from their parents. Some people often speak about the so-called "generation gap" that is а gap in views between parents and teenagers, but the majority of people think that this generation gap is sometimes exaggerated. Very often children feel neglected in their families. When they find cruelty, indifference and misunderstanding in their families they become divide and heartless themselves. As а result children feel hurt and some of them try to escape from the reality by tuning to alcohol and drugs. So all of us should pay more attention to family problems, we must avoid quarrels and look for consent. We must remember about spiritual values and all people should live in peace and harmony.
As for generation gap.
Relations between parents and their children have always remained a very important problem in our society. Parents love their children; they try to do their best to make their children happy. Parents buy all things their children need, but sometimes it is very difficult, because they don't have enough money. So, parents do all their duties to bring up their loved "babies" and to give them a good education. Strange us it might seem but sometime there appears some misunderstanding between parents and children. The problem may be that:
Parents always try to plan their children's lives. They choose clothes, school and even friends for their children. But children want to be independent; especially when they become older. But their parents still think they are children and continue to treat them if they were small and slavish (несамостоятельный). It makes "children" cross and there can be quarrels in the family, because of overcaring.
On the other-hand there are a lot of families where parents don't attend (уделять внимание) to their children. Children need love and care, and if they are not looked after and have too much freedom they want to do something exciting and sometimes it can end badly.
Parents shouldn't punish their children, because it isn't a way of solving problems. They have to explain what is good and what is bad. Children must have good childhood, and parents should try to make friends with their own children. Parents must understand that their children are not copies of themselves. Their children are new people, different from their parents. Yes, I agree that children try to repeat parents' actions and try to be similar to them, but they have their own opinion, and their characters differ from their parents. Parents have to remember that they were children too and must bear accountability/onus for (нести ответственность за) their children. Everything has to be balanced.

The theatre
Art plays a great part in the life of our society. No matter what it is: painting, architecture, cinema or theatre. To my mind the last one plays the largest part. "Life is a game" and that's why I suppose it is so. Visiting theatres plays an important part of our cultural everyday life. The word THEATRE comes from the Greek verb meaning "to see" or "to view", whence (откуда) comes "theatron", or "seeing place". Theatre is a performing art and it includes acting, theatrical costume and make-up, directing, stage lighting, decorations, theatre architecture, machinery and special effects.
A few words about the modern theatre in Britain. London is very famous for its theatres. In fact there are several dozen theatres in London and most of them are not far from Trafalgar Square. The most famous one is the Royal National Theatre. The modern building of the theatre is situated on the south bank of the river Thames and opened its doors in March 1976. Since then it has been an undoubted success with the public. The National Theatre contains three theatres: the Olivier, a large open stage with 1100 seats, the Lyttelton, a proscenium (авансцена) theatre accommodating 900 and the Cottesloe, a small space with a sitting capacity about 400. The NT is a showcase (витрина) for the best theatre in Britain, offering a program of classical revivals (возрождение), new plays and experimental work.
There are a lot of people for whom theatre is like a drug. They visit theatres very often, always look forward to new performances and try to take part in theatrical life. People who live in this world are called theatregoers. These people simply can't imagine their lives without theatre.

THE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF UKRAINE
Ukraine's area is 233,088 square miles (603,700 sq. km). It's slightly larger than France. Ukraine is mainly a vast plain with no natural boundaries except the Carpathian Mountains in the south-west and the Black Sea in the south. The Dnipro River with its many tributaries unifies central Ukraine economically, connecting the Baltic coast countries with the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The mouth of the Danube River provides an outlet for Ukrainian trade with the Balkans, Austria and Germany.
Central and southern Ukraine is primarily steppe (prairie), with fertile black soil exceptionally well suited for grain farming. In the east there is the industrial heartland containing large reserves of mineral deposits known as the Greater Donbas or Donetsk Basin.
Northern and western Ukraine are hilly, forested areas with many picturesque mountain resorts. There are two mountain ranges, the Carpathian on its western border where winter sports are very popular; and the Crimean range, which divides the Crimean peninsular. The Crimea is a favorite destination not only for Ukrainian tourists, but also for citizens of other states of the former Soviet Union, as well as eastern and Western Europe.
UKRAINIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
The Ukrainian political system has a popularly-elected President, a 450-person single chamber national parliament (Verkhovna Rada), and a Prime Minister, nominated by the President and subject to approval by the Rada. The new post-Soviet Constitution was adopted by Verkhovna Rada on June 28, 1996.
Politically, Ukraine has made tremendous strides toward establishing a stable, tolerant and open democratic society in its years of independence. Ukraine achieved independent statehood when its citizens approved the December 1,1991 independence referendum and the Soviet Union ceased to exist on December 31, 1991.After centuries of Soviet and Tsarist repression, Ukraine today has a largely free press, freedom of religion, and elections that led to the first peaceful, democratic change of leaders in Ukrainian history.
Ukraine held its first presidential elections as an independent country in June and July 1994. In those elections, former Prime Minister Leonid Kuchma defeated Ukraine's first president, Leonid Kravchuk.
Among the key issues, facing President Kuchma, are the rapid implementation of crucial economic reforms, the resolution of disputes over the status of Crimea and the Russian naval bases there, language and cultural issues related to Ukraine's large (approx. 25 percent) ethnic Russian minority, relations with Moscow in general, and relations with the West.
Elections to Ukraine's one-chamber, 450-seat Parliament (the Supreme Council, or Verkhovna Rada) were held in March 1994.
Socialist Party leader Oleksandr Moroz was elected Chairman of the Parliament. The Socialists, Communists, and Agrarians collectively received about a third of the seats in the Rada.
KIEV - THE CAPITAL OF UKRAINE
Kiev (Kyiv, in Ukrainian), the capital of Ukraine, has the population of nearly 3 million inhabitants and covers over 43 km from east to west and 42 km from north to southAccording to historical literature, Kyiv was founded by three brothers Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument erected in their honor, stands on the bank of the River Dnipro.
In the late 6th and early 7th century the first fortification appeared in the northern section of Old Kyiv Hill. While the court of the princes was located on the hills of Kyiv, the lower part of the city, known as Podil, developed into a busy trading district.
With the establishment of Kyivan Rus (the 9th century), Kyiv became its capital.
Prince Volodymyr the Great (980-1015) expanded the city. Kyivan Rus was at its zenith under the rule of Prince laroslav the Wise (1036-54). Monasteries were established and developed into centers of education. Close to 400 churches were built, the most famous of which, St. Sofia Cathedral (1037) has survived to this day. The first library was founded on the grounds of the cathedral.
Today, Kyiv is one of the great, ancient European cities, rich with historic monuments of art and architecture. It is a political, scientific, cultural, sports and industrial center of modern Ukraine.
Kyiv is a major industrial center that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering, aviation, food and chemical production, etc. Kyiv's economic development has been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.
It has many hotels, cafes and restaurants with Ukrainian, European, American and Eastern cuisine to accommodate tourists and business persons. Modern stadiums, tennis courts swimming pools and gyms are available. If you visit Kyiv in late May, you will witness a beautiful festival - "The Days of Kyiv".
PLACES TO SEE IN UKRAINE
There are many places worth sightseeing on the territory of Ukraine because of its ancient history.
A wide range of interesting things awaits the tourists, beginning with Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where there exist magnificent historic sights, St. Sophia Cathedral (1017-1031), the Kyiv Cave Monastery (1051) and numerous museums.
A cruise on the Dnipro River offers visitors a fascinating introduction to Ukraine's history and culture.
One of historic places is Zaporizhzhia where Cossack movement began in the 15th century. Nearby is the famous 700-year-old oak tree - 36 meters high.
Odessa, a regional center and seaport, has seven theatres, a philharmonic orchestra, choir, the Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The old town of Kaniv is situated on the high right bank of the Dnipro River. This town is world-known for its Tarasova Hora. Taras Shevchenko, the great Ukrainian poet, artist and philosopher is buried here.
Chernihiv is one of the oldest towns in our country. There are five out of twenty-five architectural landmarks of the 11th- 12th centuries preserved in Chernihiv. It was one of the most important centers of Kyivan Rus.
Another place in Ukraine, which attracts a lot of visitors, is Uman. It is famous for its dendrology park-reserve "Sophiyivka". This park was set up in the period of 1796-1801 by Count Pototsky for his wife, Sophia, and was called after her name. The park is one of the most outstanding monuments of garden architecture in Ukraine.
Prince Danylo Halytsky founded Lviv, a beautiful city in the west of Ukraine. Historically, it is first mentioned in 1256. Today Lviv has an area of 155 square km. Its core is the city of the 14th-18th centuries. It is densely built up with tall stone buildings, many of them in their original style. The Lychakiv Cemetery contains some famous monuments to well-known Ukrainian and Polish residents of Lviv. The oldest monument in Lviv is the foundation and walls of St. Nicholas's Church, built by Prince Danylo in the 13th century. The remnants of Vysoky Zamok date back to the 13th century. Lviv is the only city in Ukraine that still has some original Renaissance architecture.
In the south the Crimea lies, with its warm weather, seashore sanatoriums and rest homes, which has much to offer tourists.
Traveling across Ukraine one can have an excellent opportunity to learn its history and culture, to see its ancient monuments and picturesque views Ukraine has always been famous for.
HOLIDAYS IN UKRAINE
Each country has its own customs, traditions, holidays and important days in its history. Talking of holidays in Ukraine we can't but tell about everybody's favorite New Year Holiday. People think that at night on New Year's eve the old year with all its troubles leaves us forever and the New Year with all our hopes and expectations knocks at our doors. People decorate the Christmas tree, have New Year parties and prepare presents for their relatives and friends.
On the eve of January the 7th, Ukrainians start celebrating Christmas. It's the day of Jesus Christ's birthday and it is widely celebrated all over Ukraine. People sing Christmas carols; cook a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dish, named "kutya" and all the family gathers together to eat it. Then people go to church to listen to the Christmas sermon.
Not long ago Ukrainians began to celebrate a new holiday, St. Valentine's Day. It's the day of lovers, when we give special cards and presents to our sweethearts. This traditional holiday came into Ukraine from the English-speaking countries.
March the 8th is Women's Day. This date was introduced in 1910 by the 2-nd International Conference of women-socialists at the proposal of Clara Tsetkin as a day of the international solidarity of women in their struggle for economic, political and social equality. Nowadays this date has lost its political meaning and became just the day when we congratulate and thank our women for everything they do for us at home and at work, say our good wishes, give them flowers and presents.
Easter Day comes according to the lunar calendar. It's the Day of Jesus Christ's Resurrection. People celebrate this Holiday because He died on the Cross for our salvation. They go to churches to listen to sermons, gather at homes to pray and thank Jesus Christ for our salvation from eternal death into eternal life with Him in Heaven.
On May the 9th, we celebrate the anniversary of Victory over Nazi Germany. People go to the Tombs of the Unknown Soldier who died at war defending our country from fascists, put flowers to the monuments, and in the evening everybody goes to see the holiday salute.
On August the 24th, we celebrate the Day of Independence of Ukraine, which was proclaimed in 1991 on the decision of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine after the military coup in Moscow.
On November the 7th and the 8th, we commemorate the anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. History isn't something to be rewritten. Millions of people died in an attempt to realize their own ideas of the best state system. We aren't to judge anybody; we are just to pray for the peace of their souls.
On the 1st of May we celebrate the holiday of spring, nature awakening and beauty. We also like our holidays because we always have our family reunion on these days.
Ukrainian official holidays
In Ukraine there are many holidays. Here we listed only holidays which are official days-off in Ukraine.
January 1. New Year. This is everybody's favourite holiday. Decorating the Christmas tree, going to New Year's parties, getting presents, — we love all this and impatiently wait for New Year's eve to come. This is a nice chance to give your lady a present and prove her that she is really very important to you.
January 7. Orthodox Christmas. A great deal of old Ukrainian customs that go back to centuries ago are connected with Christmas. They are fortune telling, singing Christmas carols, cooking traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes, going to church.
March 8. International Women's Day. This day is hugely popular among women in Ukraine as they receive flowers and chocolates from the men they know. They should not do any housework on this day. It is recommended to send flowers and some gifts to all your Ukrainian ladies. It will be highly appreciated as it is considered to be a sign of your attention (or lack of attention).

Easter Day comes according to the lunar calendar. It could fall on any Sunday in April or May and is full of lovely traditions. Eggs are boiled and then painted brightly in different colours. Very special sweet Easter bread is baked, full of raisins. Often people will take food like the eggs and bread to the church to be blessed by a priest on Easter night. This is the day to stop and think about Jesus Christ's death for our salvation, about what we have to do to improve ourselves and the life around us.

May 1-2.Originally the Day of International Solidarity of Workers, it became just a holiday of spring though communists make their traditional demonstrations on that day.
May 9. The Victory Day. There is hardly a Russian family which would not suffer from Nazis in the Great Patriotic war 1941-1945. There is always a military parade involving all the people who took part in World War II. All the old uniforms are worn with the original medals. Their family and friends give these old soldiers flowers and congratulations.
August 24. Independence Day. In 1991 independence was proclaimed and Ukraine became a Sovereign state. A very important holiday.
According to Ukrainian law, in case an official holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be day-off.

UKRAINE
General Information
Location and boundaries
Ukraine is located in the central Europe at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Ukraine borders on Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus and Russia. Having the total area of 603,700 sq.km, Ukraine is one of the biggest countries of Europe.
The country is subdivided into 24 regions (oblasts) and the Crimea - autonomous republic.
The capital is Kyiv (Kiev in Russian transliterations).
Weather
The climate is moderately continental and comparatively dry with more than 290 sunny days in the year in the South Ukraine (Black Sea coast, Crimea).
Average winter temperature:
from -8° to -15° C (between +17.6° F and +5° F)
In Southern regions the winter temperature hovers around freezing.
Falling snow and -10° C (+14° F) is a really rare occurrence, which is usually replaced by a thaw.
Average summer temperature:
from +18° to +25° C (between +64,4° and +77° F), though in daytime can get up over +35° C (+95° F).
For converting Fahrenheit into Celsius and back the following formula is used:
F = (1,8 x C) + 32 C = 0,55 x (F - 32)

Geography
Ukraine is located in East-Europe plain. The most part of the country is in low-lying lands, fertile plains (steppes) with two highland areas: in the South -Crimean Mountains (the highest point: mt. Ramantkosh, 1,545 meters) and in the West - Carpathian Mountains (the highest point: mt. Hoverla, 2,061 meters).
Southern coast of Ukraine is washed by the Black and Azov Sea, coast line is 2,782 km. The majority of Ukrainian rivers flow into the Black Sea, among the biggest are Dnipro, Dnister, Danube, Desna, Pivdenyj (Southern) Booh.
Minural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber and arable land.
Language
State language is Ukrainian. The majority of Ukrainians are bilingual and speak Russian as well. Russian is used widely in the Crimea, Odessa, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk. Among foreign languages the most popular is English.
Food
You would be impressed with quantity and quality of restaurants here - national Ukrainian cuisine, European entrees, Italian Pizzerias or just fast food.
Ukrainian cuisine restaurants become more and more popular with traditional Borsch – red and green, several kinds of Ukrainian Vareniki (dumplings) stuffed with potatoes, mushrooms, all kinds of meat or cheese, Golubtsy (cabbage rolls) - cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, meat, carrot and fried onion, usually served with sour-cream, jellied meat with horse-radish, suckling pig, stuffed fish and plenty of other Ukrainian specialties. Ukrainian cuisine is rich of natural components grown in the fertile Ukrainian Tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onion, lettuce, peaches, watermelons, apples, grapes - all vegetable and fruits produced in Ukraine taste marvelous.
tricity
The standard electric supply in Ukraine is 220V/ 50 Hz. Ukrainian plugs are of the same kind as in the most European countries – two round pins. If electric appliances you bring have different specs make sure to take a converter and/or plug adapter. To save electric power, in the last week of March all watches in Ukraine are set an hour forward and one hour backward in the last week of October.
Public Transportation
Most Ukrainian cities have extensive public transport system which operates from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Buses, trams and trolleys are rather slow, but it is a cheap way to travel within cities. Prices range from 30 kopecks to 2 hryvnas.
Taxi is comparatively cheap for Ukrainian/Russian speaking passengers. Probably everywhere situation with taxi is like this – if one speaks a foreign language price for a taxi goes up. There are numerous taxi services, orders are taken via phone. A taxi or a gypsy cab can be hired right on the street simply by putting out your hand. Services of gypsy cabs are less expensive but are not recommended from the safety point of viever, if you wish to use a gypsy cab make sure there is nobody else inside but the driver and negotiate the price before you get in the car.
Shopping
Ukraine is famous for its high-quality textile, as well as food products and drinks: delicatessen, caviar, confectionery, chocolate, juices, beer, vodka, Crimea wines and plenty of others. Shops and markets trade via Hryvna only. However, some of shops accept Visa, MasterCard/EuroCard. You can identify such places by credit cards signs on the entrance door.
Buying a souvenir, a painting, a sculpture or other handcrafts it is a good idea to get a certificate identifying hal value (its absence) of the purchased good. This document might be useful when going through the customs upon departure from Ukraine.
Working hours
State and public offices are opened from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a lunch hour from 1p.m. as a rule.
The majority of stores are opened from 10a.m. to 7p.m. and closed only on Sunday. A lunch hour is usually either from 1 to 2p.m. or from 2 to 3p.m.
As for food stores, many of them work 24 hours 7 days a week, a few – from 8a.m. to 8p.m.Usual work time for cafes and restaurants is from 10-12 a.m. until a last customer leaves.
Most banks are open to public from 9a.m. to 3p.m with a lunch hour from 1 to 2 p.m. and are closed on Saturday, Sunday.

Governmental system
Ukraine is a republic with a constitutional democracy form of government, headed by the President. The power is divided among executive, legislative and judicial branches. The President designates a Prime Minister and regional governors, the Supreme Council can veto his decisions.
Executive branch: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the President and approved by the Supreme Council.
Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) of 450 seats.
The Ukrainian national emblem is a golden Trident (tryzoob), which dates back to Rjurik Dynasty, the governors of Kievan Rus.
Geography of Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It occupies an area of 603.7 sq. Ukraine extends from west to east 1300 km, and from borders of Belarus, Poland and Slovak Republic, in the south-west - in Hungary, Romania and Moldova. The total length of the state borders of Ukraine is 7698 km. The geographical point, usually referred to as the "geographical centre of " (equidistant from the west-it tip of Europe and the imaginary easternmost line separating Europe from Asia) is situated in Ukraine, not far from the town of Rakhiv, Zakarpatska Oblast. In the south Ukraine is washed by the waters of the Black Sea and a Sea of Azov.
The capital of Ukraine is Kiev (Kyiv). Natural scenery of Ukraine is picturesque. Recreational landscapes occupy an area of 9.4 mln hectares (one hectare is about 2.5 acres). Forests cover about 14% of Ukraine's territory. The longest mountain range in Ukraine is the Carpathians stretching for 270 km; the highest mountain is the Hoveria (2061 m). The Crimean Mountains are situated in the southern part of Crimea, the southernmost extention of Ukraine (the highest mountain is 1545 m). Over 70,000 rivers flow through Ukraine. The major rivers are the Dnipro (third longest in Europe), the Dniester, Sourhern Buch, Siverski Donets, Prut, the mouth of the Danube is situated in Ukraine.
There are over 3000 natural lakes and about 22,000 artificial reservoirs in Ukraine, as well as many sources of mineral water and mededicinal mud which are used to treat many diseases. Ukraine has 5 National Parks, 15 National Preserves and a lot of smaller areas (dendrological parks, ancient urban and rural parks) protected by the state. Among the bohhest and most important parks and preserves one could name Askania-Nova (Khersonska Oblast); Shatskiy National Park (Volynska Oblast), Sofiyvka (Cherkaska Oblast);Trostianetsk Hydropark (Chernihivska Oblast). Many places of natural beauty can be found in the Carpathians, the Crimea and Polissia.
Ukraine's climate, is moderately continental; at the southern coast of Crimea it can be described as subtropical of the Mediterranean type. Summers are mostly warm dry and winters are usually mild and west. The average temperature in January is -7 Centigrade and in July +19 Centigrade. Ukraine population is 50,5 million, with about 80% of them being ethic Ukrainians. Among ethic minorities are Russians, Belarussians, Jews, Poles, Moldavians, Hungarians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Tartars, Germans and others. Administratively Ukraine is divid-ed into 24 Oblasts and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. There are 447 town and 28,800 villages in Ukraine. Kyiv, the biggest city in Ukraine, has a population of 2.6 mln; Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk and Odesa all have a population of over one million.
People of Ukraine
The population of Ukraine is 48,396,470 (July 2002 est.) people, which represents about 18% of the population of the former Soviet Union. Ukrainians make up about 73% of the total; ethnic Russians number about 22%. The industrial regions in the east and southeast are the most heavily populated, and the urban population makes up about 70% of the population. Ukrainian and Russian are the principal languages, but about 88% of the population consider Ukrainian their native language.
During the Soviet period, Russian was the required language of government administration and public life. In 1991 Ukrainian once again became the official language, though in the Crimea, where there is a Russian-speaking majority, Russian is the official language. In addition, primary and secondary schools using Russian as the language of instruction still prevail in the Donets Basin and other areas with large Russian minorities. Ukrainian—belonging to the East Slavic language family that also includes Russian and Belarusian—uses a form of the Cyrillic alphabet. It is closely related to Russian, and the two languages are mutually intelligible. Significant minorities speak Romanian, Polish, Belarusian, Bulgarian, or Hungarian.
The dominant religions are the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, much of which retains its links to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patriarchate) is independent of Moscow.

The birth rate of Ukraine is diminishing. About 70% of adult Ukrainians have a secondary or higher education. Ukraine has about 150 colleges and universities, of which the most important are at Kiev, Lviv, and Kharkiv. About 70,000 scholars in 80 research institutes make Ukraine a leader in science and technology.
Some tabular data:
Population : 48,396,470 (July 2002 est.)
Age Structure : 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 4,147,344; female 3,970,343)
15-64 years: 68.7% (male 15,881,821; female 17,366,172)
65 years and over: 14.5% (male 2,341,885; female 4,688,905) (2002 est.)
Population Growth Rate : -0.72% (2002 est.)
Birth Rate / 1000 : 9.59 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death Rate / 1000 : 16.4 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net Migration Rate : -0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex Ratio : at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate / 1,000 Live Births : 21.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life Expectancy At Birth : total population: 66.33 years
male: 60.86 years
female: 72.06 years (2002 est.)
Fertility Rate - Children Born/Woman : 1.32 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - Adult Prevalence Rate : 0.96% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - Infected People Living : 240,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - Deaths : 4,000 (1999 est.)
Nationality : noun: Ukrainian(s)
adjective: Ukrainian
Ethnic Groups : Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4%
Religions : Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish
Languages : Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
Literacy : definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 100%
female: 97% (1989 est.)
Ukrainian Economy and Business
Basic growth indices

Since 1991, the Ukrainian economy has been exposed to the difficult processes of the transition into a market one.
Ukraine's decline in production was halted in 1999. In the first half of 2000, GDP was up 5% compared to the same period of 1999. Industrial production showed an increase of 10.8% versus the first half of 1999. The highest growth rates of over 30% have been reported for such socially oriented industries as light industry, wood-working and the pulp-and-paper industry. Rapid growth was shown by export-oriented industries with nonferrous metallurgy (20.9%) and ferrous metallurgy (18.6%) leading the pack. In the first half of 2000 indices for the machine-building and metal-working industries have risen almost 9.1 %. Over the last three years, annual inflation has declined to 10-20% owing to the macroeconomic stabilization, inflation having peaked at 10,155% in 1993. The stabilization has benefited much from a rigid budget policy While the budget deficit was 17.7% in 1992, it was only 1.5% in 1999. For the first time in its history Ukraine adopted a balanced budget for the year 2000.

Structural changes

The goods producing sectors (production industry, agriculture, and construction) have declined in their share of total output from 73.7% in 1991 to 52.4% in 1999, while those which render services (transport, communications. trade, etc.) have grown from 28.2% to 48.7%. This tendency is explained by two factors.
First, it is the result of the collapse of the USSR's economy wherein Ukraine's powerful industry served primarily the military-industrial complex. When the cooperative ties that had reached 80% were severed, industrial production dropped at hundreds of enterprises. The lower purchasing power of the population entailed a cutback in production output of the food, light, and construction industries as well as in agriculture.
Second, demand grew for communications, transport, trade, and financial services along with a whole complex of sectors in information, advertising, and marketing spheres. This demand resulted from the liberalized economy and foreign economic relationships and from the need to design new market mechanisms to ensure Ukraine's viability.
The structural changes in Ukraine's economy are similar to tendencies observed in the world economy. Combined with the liberalization of economic activities and the development of small business, these changes complete the first stage in the formation Ukraine's market model.

Investment development

Notwithstanding the adverse impact of the 1998 global economic crisis, business activity is reviving in all spheres of the Ukrainian economy. Since 1991, investment volume has grown. For example, in January-June 2000, investments in fixed capital increased by 21.2% versus the same period of 1999. By August 2000, total foreign investment in the Ukrainian economy exceeded $3.4 billion, that is, 6.8 times higher than in 1995. The number of enterprises with foreign investment has grown to 7,300 (in 1995 it was two times fewer).

National resources potential

Ukraine has only 0.45% of the world's dry land. Yet the bowels of its earth contain 5% of the world's mineral resources. Over 80 types of minerals have been explored and about 7.000 fields are in operation. Ukraine's deposits of iron and manganese ores are the world's largest, while there are also significant deposits of titanium, nickel, chromium, mercury, and non-ore combustibles: sulfur, phosphates, apatites, potassium salts, graphite, and chalk. Among fuel resources are coal, oil, gas, but they are not sufficient to meet domestic fuel needs.
Two unique natural areas, the Crimean peninsula and the Carpathians, offer a chance for convalescence, recreation, and tourism. The Crimea's Black Sea resorts can accommodate up to three million people per season. The Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains are a marvelous site for mountain-skiing and hiking.
The biological productive potential of Ukraine's soil is capable of providing food for 140 to 145 million people.
Ukraine is home over 48,000,,000 residents. Its working population is 22.7 million. Approximately 19 million people are employed in the nation's economy. Virtually everyone has a complete or incomplete secondary education. A major part of the population able to work has vocational or higher education. The highest level of professionally trained workers and employees is reported for urbanized regions.

Foreign trade

Ukrainian foreign trade grew almost continuously in the 1990s and the early 2000s, though considerable imports of power-generating resources burdened much the trade balance with certain countries. In 1995-1997, the total increase in foreign trade was 32.5%, exports and imports growing 38% and 27% respectively. Ukraine slowed its exports during the crisis of 1998 1999. In 2000, the goods and services exports again rose. In January-June 2000, Ukraine's total foreign trade balance came to almost $16 billion. Export volume over this period reached about $8.5 billion increasing by 19.3% versus the same period of the previous year. Imports increased by 24.7% because prices for fuel rose. Ukraine's foreign trade balance remains positive so far.

Privatization

As part of the USSR, Ukraine's economy was based on state-owned enterprises and collective farms in rural areas. Afterwards, the challenge for Ukraine was to decentralize its industrial enterprises and establish a private sector in its agriculture. In spring of 1992, Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada adopted a series of laws that laid a legal foundation for privatization. Since then 70,100 enterprises have been privatized in all the industries, over 80% of which were privatized during the last three years. Among the leaders in privatization are the construction sector with 82% of enterprises privatized and the industrial sector with 69%, with 98% of light industry, 96% of woodworking, and 93% of the food industry privatized.
The privatization of large enterprises and monopolistic enterprises is the most vital challenge today. What Ukraine has to do is to ensure transparent privatization processes and develop adequate legislation. Now competitive cash-based privatization prevails and has become a significant source to replenish the nation's budget. In spring of 2000, Verkhovna Rada adopted a new privatization programme for the period 2000-2003.

Industry

Ukraine is amond the top ten nations in space rocket manufacturing, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding. The capacities of ferrous and non-dozens of countries with metal and metalwork. In national economy, most enterprises are involved in the production of heavy machines, chemicals, and petrochemical products. Industrial production makes up more than 33.2% of GNP and employs about 30% of the population.

Small medium enterprises

In 1987, the revolutionary law On Cooperation legalized entrepreneurial activity by citizens. Twelve years later, the Ukrainian small business boast 197, 000 small and cooperative enterprises, 5, 000 joint ventures with foreign capital, and 36,00 farms. They generate 10% of the total GDP and provide jobs for 14% of the employment-age population. These businesses are initiated on the personal volition of citizens and by privatizing small state-owned enterprises. It is most widespread in the trade, service, and construction sectors.
The development of small business can be further fostered by the improvement of legislation along with the liberation of fiscal and credit policies. Indeed, there have been positive changes in recent years. A state-supported initiative has been introduced to help small business development. A new tax bill is intended to improve the situation by abolishing a number of taxes and decreasing rates.

Agriculture

Ukraine has a favorable combination of climatic conditions, land and labor resources, well-developed transport infrastructure, and close foreign markets. This accounts for the high potential of its agricultural production. The agricultural sector produces 12.8% of GDP, employing a fifth of the working population. Ukraine's arable and farming areas comprise 42 million square kilometers, the largest in Europe after Russia.
Planted crops account for 54.5% of total agricultural output. Among the dominant crops are wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, legumes, tobacco, vegetables, and fruits. Ukraine ranks fifth in grain crops in the world.
Livestock farming includes cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, etc. Great progress has been made in poultry farming, fisheries, and apiculture.
In agriculture, restructuring began with the first years of independence. Following President Leonid Kuchma's 1999 reelection, the drastic reforms came to the village: the land owned by collective farms is being divided among the peasants, who can not freely manage their lots; conditions are being provided for farmers to expand their farms, and agricultural enterprises are being arranged on a voluntary basis in a fashion chosen by the peasants themselves. 13,300 new agricultural units have been formed, including farms (46%), cooperatives (25%), private and leased businesses (21%). The infrastructure of the agricultural market is introduced most resolutely and consistently on the basis of the wholesale and exchange trade of agricultural produce. An alternatively owned network of processing and procurement businesses is being established. Ukraine is currently determined to reestablish its age-old reputation as the breadbasket of Europe.

Transporation

As indicated by the transit factor, Ukraine ranks among the leaders in Europe. The European Transportation Conference in Crete (1994) identified ten trans-European corridors of which four cross Ukraine. Development of the Transcaucasian transport/communications project (TRACECA Project) to span Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia is underway.
Ukraine has the most powerful I and developed pipeline, railroad, and automotive transport networks.
Of these, railroad is the indisputable leader, claiming 50% to 70% of long-distance carriage. Its tracks rank fourth in length worldwide (after the USA, Russia, and Canada). Truck carriage comes second. The most important highways are under reconstruction.
Ukraine's gas pipelines exceed 35,000 kilometers and they are capable of pumping 290 billion cu. meters of gas annually. There are about 4,000 km of major oil-pipelines transporting 90% of Russia's oil to Europe. Construction of the Odesa-Brody oil pipeline is about to be completed in combination with an oil terminal in the port of Pivdenny.
The Black Sea and the Azov Sea play an important role in coastal and international traffic. The most important ports in Ukraine are Odesa, Tllichivsk, Mykolayiv, Kherson, Feodosiya, and Izmail. Aviation operations are expanding and many airports are under reconstruction.

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 Яким повинен бути, на ваш погляд, ідеальний вчитель?
 Система освіти в Україні.
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