25 Interesting Facts About Ukraine You Didn’t Know Before
1. Ukraine was the second-largest republic of the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union was a country that was divided into several republics.
The largest republic was Russia, and the second largest was Ukraine. In 1991, Ukraine declared itself to be an independent country.
2. The official language is Ukrainian, but Russian is also widely spoken.
The Ukrainian language is the heart of Ukraine’s cultural identity and its official tongue.
Alongside Ukrainian, Russian echoes through the streets, a testament to the deep historical ties with Russia.
Understanding both languages offers a richer perspective on Ukraine’s diverse linguistic landscape.
3. Ukraine is home to some of the oldest churches in Eastern Europe.
A Journey Through Time.
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and Pochayiv Lavra monastery.
The Saint Sophia Church, for example, dates back to the 11th century. These ancient churches testify to the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.
4. Ukraine is the world’s third-largest grain producer and a leading sunflower oil and poultry product exporter.
The country is also a major producer of millet, oats, and barley.
Ukrainians have been farming since the Neolithic era, and the country’s fertile soils are ideal for growing various crops.
5. Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991.
On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, following a failed coup in Moscow.
This historic decision, ratified by a national referendum on December 1, 1991, with over 90% support, led to Ukraine’s sovereignty and contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the end of 1991.
6. Ukraine produces some of Europe’s largest deposits of natural resources
Ukraine is one of Europe’s leading iron ore, uranium, and coal producers.
In fact, its deposits of these natural resources are among the largest in the continent.
7. Ukraine is the birthplace of some of Russia’s most famous writers and poets.
Ukraine has a rich literary heritage, and it’s fascinating to note that some of Russia’s most renowned writers and poets, such as Novalis, Alexander Pushkin, and Mikhail Lermontov, were born in Ukraine.
Notable works by these authors include Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, The Bronze Horseman, and Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time and The Demon.
8. Ukraine has the 8th largest population in Europe.
Ukraine is the eighth-most populous country in Europe, with a population of around 41 million people.
But much of the population has migrated after the Ukraine-Russian War.
9. The Hryvnia is Ukraine’s national currency.
The Ukrainian currency is the hryvnia. It is often abbreviated as “UAH” or “₴”.
The hryvnia has been in use since 1996 and currently has a value of about 26 per US dollar.
10. Ukraine is home to many National Parks.
Ukraine offers excellent options if you’re considering visiting a beautiful national park.
This country is home to stunning national parks like the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, Carpathian National Nature Park, and Shatsky National Nature Park, each offering unique natural beauty.
This reserve is known for its stunning steppe landscape and rich diversity of plants and animals life.
11. Ukraine girls are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Ukraine is home to some of the most beautiful women in the world. In fact, many consider Ukrainian women to be the standard of beauty.
Ukrainian women have long been coveted for their looks, from supermodels like Olha Khuchyna and Anna Sedokova to actresses like Oleksandra Bokova and Alina Baikova.
12. Ukraine has a rich and ancient history, with evidence of human habitation going back to Paleolithic times.
Ukraine has a rich and ancient history, going back thousands of years.
Evidence of human habitation has been found in archaeological sites throughout the country.
The first recorded inhabitants of Ukraine were the Scythians, a nomadic people who lived in the steppes of Central Asia. The Scythians were replaced by the Sarmatians, another nomadic people, in the 3rd century BC.
13. Ukrainians are traditionally Orthodox Christians.
The Ukrainian people have traditionally been Orthodox Christians, although there is also a significant population of Catholics.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the largest in the country, followed by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. There are also small percentages of Protestants, Muslims, and Jews.
14. The deepest metro station in the world, Arsenalna, is in Kyiv.
Arsenalna, located in Kyiv, holds the distinction of being the world’s deepest metro station.
It plunges to a remarkable depth of approximately 105.5 meters (346 feet) below the ground’s surface. This depth is equivalent to the height of a 35-story building.
Arsenalna station’s vastness in distance below the earth’s surface is a testament to the engineering marvels that make up Kyiv’s metro system, allowing commuters to travel to impressive depths beneath the city.
15. Ukraine hosted the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship with Poland.
In 2012, Ukraine had the honor of co-hosting the UEFA Euro football championship with its neighbor, Poland. This exciting event brought together some of the best European soccer teams and fans worldwide.
Matches were held in various cities across Ukraine, showcasing the country’s ability to organize a major sports tournament.
This partnership with Poland allowed both countries to share the spotlight and celebrate the spirit of soccer on a grand scale.
16. The Chernobyl disaster occurred in Ukraine in 1986.
In 1986, Ukraine faced the devastating Chernobyl disaster due to a nuclear reactor explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, leading to the release of harmful radiation and widespread environmental and health consequences.
This tragic event left a lasting impact on Ukraine and the world’s approach to nuclear safety.
17. Ukraine was a major center for Jewish culture and scholarship before World War II.
From the 10th to the 13th centuries, Kyiv was the capital of the first Ukrainian state, and it became a major center for Jewish culture and scholarship.
The Jewish population in Ukraine experienced a severe population decline due to the Holocaust and emigration.
18. The Dnieper River is one of the largest rivers in Europe.
The Dnieper River’s length is 2,201 miles, and its watershed area covers 181,000 square miles.
The Dnieper River flows through Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia before emptying into the Black Sea.
19. Ukrainians are well-known for their hospitality.
Hospitality is an important part of Ukrainian culture, and visitors are always made to feel welcome, which often includes offering food or drink even to strangers.
20. Ukraine President Zelensky is a former comedian and actor.
The Ukraine President, Zelensky, is a former comedian with no previous political experience.
He was elected in a landslide victory in May 2019.
21. Ukraine is the second-largest country on the continent.
It is the second largest country on the continent, behind Russia, and comprises 24 provinces known as oblasts.
22. Ukraine was a major battlefield during World War II.
During World War II, Ukraine became a major battlefield, making it one of the most interesting facts about Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people were killed or wounded in the fighting. When the war finally ended, the country was left in ruins.
23. The Ukrainian National Opera House in Kyiv has been open since 1867.
The Ukrainian National Opera House in Kyiv has been open since 1867. The Opera House is a beautiful historic landmark in the city of Kyiv.
Every year, the Opera House hosts numerous performances and events that bring joy to the people of Kyiv.
24. Ukraine has a humid continental climate in the north and a semiarid climate near the southern Black Sea coast.
The country experiences four distinct seasons, with average temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Celsius in the summer to -4 degrees Celsius in the winter.
25. Ukraine is not a member of the European Union.
Despite its efforts and aspirations, Ukraine is not a member of the European Union. The country was granted candidate status on 23 June 2022, following its application for EU membership on 28 February 2022.
The journey from candidate status to full EU membership involves a series of negotiations and reforms, a process in which Ukraine is actively engaged.
FAQS
Ukraine is poorer than most European countries. In 2021, Ukraine’s GDP was only 200.1 billion USD, with a GDP per capita of 4,835.57 USD. This ranks it as the 53rd richest country in the world in 2021.
It is not currently known whether it is nice to live in Ukraine. However, Ukraine does have some issues that may make living there difficult. These issues include the high levels of corruption and the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Yes, it is safe to travel to Ukraine. While some areas of the country are dangerous, the vast majority of the country is safe to visit. In addition, the Ukrainian government has taken steps to ensure that tourists are safe in the country.
Ukrainians are a mix of Slavic and East European peoples. The three largest ethnic groups in Ukraine are Ukrainians, Russians, and Jews. In addition, there is a large Roma population in Ukraine.
Traditional Ukrainian food is a mix of Eastern European and Slavic cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes include borscht, pierogi, holubtsi, and varenyky.
Ukraine’s biggest export in 2021 is agricultural products. In particular, Ukraine is a major wheat, corn, and barley supplier.
While there is no official religion in Ukraine, most of the population identifies as Orthodox Christians.
Ukraine is most well-known for its delicious food. The country is home to various dishes, ranging from savory to sweet. Many restaurants in Ukraine serve traditional cuisine, and visitors will not be disappointed with the available food options.
No, Ukraine does not have nuclear weapons. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in return for international security guarantees.
