Ukraine
to extend - пролягати
to determine — визначати
temperate belt - помірний пояс
density - щільність
to rule - керувати
chamber — палата
to vest - надавати (напр., повноваження)
supreme executive authority - верховна виконавча влада
juridical - юридичний
to abide - виконувати, дотримуватись
approval - схвалення, розгляд
coat of arms — герб
to confirm - підтверджувати
community — співтовариство
manganese - марганець
mercury — ртуть
barley - ячмінь
oat — овес
hemp - конопля
cast iron - чавун
fertilizer - добриво
compulsory – обов’язковий
outstanding - визначний
discovery- відкриття
A new state, Ukraine, appeared on the world political map in 1991.
Ukraine occupies an area of 603.700 square kilometres. The territory of Ukraine extends 900 kilometres from north to south and 1,316 kilometres from east to west.
In the north Ukraine borders on Belarus; in the east and north-east, on Russia; in the south-west, on Hungary, Romania and Moldova; in the west, on Poland and Slovakia. In the south Ukraine is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The total length of the frontiers is 6,500 km including 1,050 km of the sea frontiers. The main territory of Ukraine is flat, but 5% of it make up mountains. In the north of Ukraine there are the Carpathian mountains. They are divided into the West Carpathians, East and South ones. The Crimean mountains stretch for about 150 km along the coast of the Black Sea.
The climate of Ukraine is determined by its geographical location. Ukraine's territory lies in the temperate belt. In general the country's climate is temperately continental, being subtropical only on the southern coast of the Crimea.
The population of Ukraine is about 48 million people; density - 87 persons per 1 sq. km. Ukraine is inhabited by representatives of 128 nations, nationalities and ethnic groups.
Nowadays Ukraine is a democratic state, ruled by the law and created as an implementation of the people's sovereign right to self-determination.
Ukraine has its own national emblems - the coat of arms, the flag, the seal and the national anthem.
The Ukrainian 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 which is accountable to him, and through a system of central and local organs of state executive authority; judicial power in Ukraine is vested in the courts of law. The courts are independent and all their activities abide only by the rules of law.
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, each of which has the elected council, whose Chairman, elected at large, also serves as head of the executive branch. 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 and Ukraine could be referred to now as a country with a parliamentary-presidential form of government. Having become an independent state and being now firmly resolved to put an end to the totalitarian dictatorship, Ukrainian people have an idea of building a state which confirms its peace-loving policy. 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.
Present-day independent Ukraine has a considerable potential to develop its economy quickly- and this is explained not only by the convenient geographical position, but also by favourable natural conditions.
Ukraine is rich in iron and manganese ore, coal, titanium, nickel, chrome, mercury and other rare materials. In Ukraine sugar beet, wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, sun-flower, hemp, a large variety of grain cultures, fruit and vegetables is grown. Ukraine is the first in Europe in iron and ore extraction, production of steel, cast iron, tractors, mineral fertilizers, sugar and grain; the second in coal mining, and the third in producing concrete, electric energy and various equipment. Ukraine's population stands for 0.9 % of that of the planet but it is responsible for 5% of the world's industrial output.
Ukraine is one of the biggest scientific centres of the world. A programme of educational reforms is aimed at integrating the system of general and post general education in the country into the world's educational medium. General secondary education in Ukraine is used to be free but compulsory. Post-general education is provided by 754 institutions, technical schools and colleges, institutes, universities, academies. The Academy of Sciences of Ukraine includes many outstanding scientists and research workers famous for their discoveries. Despite of today's hardships, the international scientific exchanges remain on an upward curve.
Ukraine has an ancient history. It has its own original culture and art. Over the last years the people of Ukraine display a keen interest in the Ukrainian history, cultural and artistic heritage.
In Ukraine there is a wide network of institutions of culture and arts. Professional arts are represented by some 100 operas and drama companies, 25 philharmonic societies and 4 conservatories. Eight theatres are meant specially for children, plus 27 puppet shows and 65 children movie theatres.
However, the national cultural treasure is replenished not only by professionals but also by more than 300,000 amateur choirs, music and drama companies uniting some 5 million residents of Ukraine. Ukraine ensures national and cultural revival of the Ukrainian people, their historical awareness and traditions, national and ethnographic characteristics.
The biggest cities of Ukraine are Lviv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovs’k and others. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine.
Kyiv
cradle - колиска
abundance - достаток
picturesque - мальовничий
to attract - приваблювати
Kyiv-Pechersky Monastery - Києво-Печерська Лавра
Askold's Grave - Аскольдова могила
Church of St. Andrew - церква св. Андрія
the park of Immortal Glory - парк Вічної Слави
tomb-могила
Unknown soldier - Невідомий солдат
Eternal fire — Вічний вогонь
research - науково-дослідний
Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. It is one of the oldest cities of Europe and therefore there are many historical places in it. It was the capital of ancient Rus, the cradle of three fraternal peoples - the Russian, the Ukrainian and the Byelorussian. .
Nowadays it is a large political, industrial, scientific and cultural centre of Ukraine, its population equals nearly 3 million people. It is the seat of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers.
Kyiv is famous not only for its history (it was called "the Mother of all Rus' Cities"), but for its beauty, for the abundance of places of historic interest in it. It is situated on the picturesque banks of the Dnipro River.
Kyiv's monuments of the past attract a lot of visitors. They are impressed by Kyiv-Pechersky Monastery which stands on the green hill above the Dnipro and its sparkling gold cupolas can be seen from outside the capital. The huge gateway from Volodymyrska Street opens on the territory of another ancient monument - St. Sophia's Cathedral which is a state architectural and historical preserve. It was founded in 1037 during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. On the other corner of Volodymyrska Street you can see the Golden Gate. Shevchenko Memorial, Vydubetsky Monastery, Askold's Grave, Church of St. Andrew are really worth sightseeing too. In the park of Immortal Glory there is a Tomb of Unknown Soldier, over which an eternal fire burns.
There are a lot of museums in Kyiv: the Historical Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian Art, the Museum of Russian Art, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art, Shevchenko Museum, Lesya Ukrainka Memorial Museum and others.
Kyiv is the centre of Ukrainian culture. Many research institutes and higher educational establishments are to be found here. It is famous for its theatres and concert halls such as Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre, Musical Comedy Theatre. Puppet Theatre, Conservatories and Philharmonics, the Concert Hall "Ukraine". The performances staged at these theatres are always in great demand.
The picturesque green banks and hills, plentiful flowerbeds with millions of different flowers, wonderful beaches of the Dnipro, Kreshchatyk, one of the widest and most beautiful streets in our country - all this adds up to the beauty of the Ukrainian capital.
You are a member of the Ukrainian Geographical Society. Come up to the map of Ukraine and show the biggest rivers, the highest mountains, the main cities and industrial regions of Ukraine. Speak on them.
What do we mean when we say, "East or West - home is best"? Give your comments.
You are going to take part in the meeting of the International Student's Association "Countries throughout the World". Deliver the report concerning the latest political and economic events in Ukraine.
In groups of three or four, discuss what role you think the Ukrainian government should play in economic policy of the country? Cite examples to support your opinion.
What would you do if you were the President of Ukraine?
You are invited to the Ukrainian residency in Ottawa to make a report on the economic situation in Ukraine. Gather the necessary data using the information from newspapers, journals, TV and radio programmes. Present your survey to the audience.