II. Прочитайте і перекладіть текст “Ukraine”

A new sovereign state, Ukraine, appeared on the world political map in 1991. It has its own territory, higher and local bodies of state power and government, national emblems - the coat of arms, the flag and thé anthem. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine.

Ukraine occupies an area of 603.700 square kilometres.

Ukraine borders on Belarus, Russia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, on Poland and Slovakia. In the south Ukraine is washed by thé Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. In the north of Ukraine there are the Carpathian mountains. The Crimean mountains stretch for about 150 km along the coast of the Black Sea.

The climate of Ukraine is temperately continental, being subtropical only on the southern coast of the Crimea.

The population of Ukraine is about 49 million people. Ukraine is inhabited by representatives of 128 nations, nationalities and ethnic groups.

Nowadays Ukraine is a democratic state. Its political system has a popularly elected President, a 450 - person single chamber national Parliament - the Verkhovna Rada.

The President is the highest official of the Ukrainian state, vested with supreme executive authority. He exercises it through the Government, the Cabinet of Ministers. A Prime Minister is nominated by the President and is a subject to approval by the Verkhovna Rada.

Ukraine is divided into 24 regions and the Autonomous Republic Crimea. The cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol are subordinated directly to the central government.

So we can say that the state power in Ukraine is based on the division of authority into legislative, executive and judicial.

Ukraine has extremely rich mineral resources, such as: iron ore reserves located near Kryviy Rih, Kremenchuk, Bilozerka, Mariupol and Kerch, manganese ores located near Nikopol, deposits of titanium, bauxite and mercury ores. Coal is mined in the Donets Coal Basin (commonly called Donbas).

Metallurgical, heavy, chemical, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, aerospace industries are developed in Ukraine.

The country is the world's largest producer of sugar beets. Besides wheat, Ukraine produces such grains as barley, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat and rice. Other crops include potatoes, vegetables, melons, berries, fruit, nut and grapes.

Ukraine is also one of the biggest scientific centres of the world. The Academy of Sciences of Ukraine includes many outstanding scientists and research workers famous for their discoveries.

Ukraine has an ancient history. It has its own original culture and art. Professional arts are represented by some 100 operas and drama companies, 25 philharmonic societies and 4 conservatories.

Ukraine is already a member of numerous international political and economic associations and a founding member of the United Nations. So the Ukrainian state entered the international community as an equal partner.

III. Дайте відповіді на запитання до тексту:

1. What are the attributes of a sovereign state?

2. What countries are the neighbours of Ukraine?

3. What mountains are there on the territory of Ukraine?

4. What is the state power in Ukraine based on?

5. What mineral resources is the country rich in?

6. Where are rich iron ore reserves located?

7. What industries are developed in Ukraine?

8. What are the main products of Ukrainian agriculture?

9. What Ukrainian outstanding scientists do you know?

10. Has Ukraine its own original culture and art? Back up your opinion.