11. Kyiv

Kyiv the capital of Ukraine has the population of nearly three million inhabitans and covers over 43 km from east to west, and 42 km from north to south.

According to the legend, Kyiv was founded by three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv – and their sister Lybid. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument erected in the honour stands on the bank of the River Dnipro. In the late 6^th and early 7^th centuries the first fortification appeared in the northern section of Old Kyiv Hill. While the court of the prince 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 9^th 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 Yaroslav the Wise (1036–1054). Monasteries were established and developed into centres of education. Close to 400 churches were build, the most famous of which, Saint Sofia’s Cathedral has survived to this day. The first library was founded on the grounds of the Cathedral.

Today Kyiv is one of the greatest ancient European cities, rich with monuments of art and architecture. It is a political, scientific, cultural, sports and industrial centre of modern Ukraine. Kyiv is a major industrial centre 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. The city has many hotels, cafes and restaurants with Ukrainian, European, American and Eastern cuisine to accommodate tourists and business persons. Stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools and gyms are also available for you. If you visit Kyiv in late May, you will witness a beautiful festival – “The Days of Kyiv”.

12. Poltava.

The history of Poltava leaves in a deep antiquity. 1174 is considered to be the year of the foundation of Poltava, when the settlement “Ltava” or “Oltava” is mentioned in the written sources. They say that the city received its name from the inflow of Vorskla – the river Ltava or Oltava, where the settlement was situated. In the beginning of 15^th century a settlement appears with the modern name – Poltava. In 1614 Poltava was named a city.

The cultural life of the city was always was very rich. In 1818 – 1819 the famous writer M. V. Gogol studied in local college. The writer M. Staritskiy, the historian and public figure M. P. Dragomanov, the mathematician V. M. Ostrogradckiy have been studied in the high school of Poltava. The 1844 the famous Ukrainian poet and writer Taras Schevchenko has visited the city. The famous Ukrainian poet and writer Kotliarevsky was born in Poltava. Besides, the famous scientist Dokuchaev have worked here too. In 1891 under the initiative of Dokuchaev the museum of Local Lore was opened in Poltava. The famous doctor Scklifosovsky worked in Poltava too.

Gloridied by many cultural people, Poltava has given to the world a lot of talented and famous people. From here to all over the world has sounded the voice of Ivan Kotliarevsky, here studied famous Ukrainian writer Gogol, lived and worked Panas Mirny, Myasoedov, Makarenko, Korolenko.

The architectural ensemble of the Round square (19^th a century), there a lot of churches: Spaskaya Church, Uspensky Cathedral, a number of buildings recognized as the monuments of architecture (Technical Univercity and others), the modern buildings with the rich architecture (The Gallery of Art, the branch of the Juridical Academy etc). Poltava has many points of interests: the Museum of Local Lore, the Museum of Poltava Battle, the Museums of Kotliarevskogo, Korolenko, P. Mirny, Museum of Art, Museum of Cosmonautics and parks: Korpusniy Garden, Sun Park, park of Glory and rest Park called “Victory”.

The important transport highways are gathered in Poltava. The railway ways are pulled to the east in the direction to Kharkov and to Moscow, to the west to Kiev, to the south to Odessa and Crimea. Here is the highway Poltava – Kishenew started, the line Kiev – Kharkov is passed near the city.

The people in Poltava are lovely and friendly. The Poltava land is famous for its hospitality and kindliness.