Papt I our motherland

Ukraine

For more than three centuries Ukrainian territories have been a part of different empires…

History shows that often Ukraine seemed totally defeated, irreparably destroyed but as time passed, Ukraine would rise from ruin and appear in the historical arena, alive and charged with fresh vigour.

The term Ukraine was first mentioned in the chronicles in the 12^th century as a geographical name for the southern lands of ancient Rus State.

The independence of Ukraine was proclaimed on the 24^th of August, 1991. Now it is sovereign state.

The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. km. Its population equals 46,7 million people. Ukraine borders on Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Belarus and Moldova.

Ukraine is the country of many rivers. The Dnieper (Dnipro) River divides Ukraine into two parts: Right-Bank and Left- Bank Ukraine. The Danube gives Ukraine access to European countries and the Siverskyi Donets – to the Don. In the south Ukraine is bounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Within the borders of Ukraine there are the Carpathian Mountains with the highest peak Hoverla (2061m.) and the Crimean Mountains – Roman Kosh (1545m.).

Ukraine is famous for its vast plains called steppes. The plains are covered with fertile black soil, which has made Ukraine one of the world’s leading farming regions.

The economic potential of Ukraine is great. Coal is Ukraine’s most abundant and heavy exploited mineral resource. There are also significant reserves of natural gas, uranium, and oil, though the latter remains largely unexploited.

Ukrainian industrial potential includes machine production, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, bus production, light and cargo vehicles production, tractors and other agrarian machine production, production of diesel locomotives, equipment for electric power plants, turbines, aviation engines and aircrafts, equipment for oil refinery and chemical plants.

The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv. Ukraine is the member of UNO, Council of Europe, UNESCO and nearly 40 other influential international organizations.

E x e r c i s e s

I. Answer the questions:

1. What is the area of Ukraine?

2. How many mountain ranges are there in Ukraine?

3. Where are the large reserves of mineral deposits?

4. What are the major cities?

5. What is the industrial potential of Ukraine?

6. Who is the president of Ukraine?

7. Can you name the people of Ukrainian art and culture?

ІI. Say what statements are false and what are true; correct the false ones:

1. Ukraine got its independence in 1990.

2. Ukraine’s area is 603, 000 sq.km.

3. The highest mountain in Ukraine is Hoverla.

4. Gas is Ukraine’s most abundant and heavy exploited mineral resource.

5. Ukraine does not lead in farming.

6. The capital of Ukraine is Lviv.

7. Ukraine is famous for its vast plains called steppes.

III. Find the correct English word for the phrase:

1) land that is owned or controlled by a particular country, ruler, or military force –

2) political freedom from control by the government of another country –

3) a natural and continuous flow of water in a long line across the country itno a sea –

4) a very high hill –

5) land along the side of a river or lake –

6) the official line that separates two countries, states, or areas, or the area close to this line –

7) a large area of flat dry land –