Kyiv, the Capital of Ukraine

Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the central part of the country on the river Dnipro. It is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home of many high-tech industries, higher educational institutions and world-famous historical landmarks.

The name Kyiv is said to derive from the name of Kyi, one of four legendary founders of the city (brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and sister Lybid). During its history Kyiv, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of great prominence and relative obscurity.

Geographically, Kyiv belongs to the Polissya ecological zone. However, the unique landscape distinguishes it from the surrounding region. Kyiv has a humid continental climate. The Dnipro naturally divides Kyiv into the Right Bank and the Left Bank. Historically located on the western right bank of the river, the city expanded into the left bank only in the 20^th century. Most of the Kyiv’s attractions as well as the majority of business and governmental institutions are located at the right bank. The eastern Left Bank is predominantly residential. There are large industrial and green areas in both the Right Bank and the Left Bank. According to the All-Ukrainian Census, the population of Kyiv in 2001 was 2,611,300.

Kyiv is known as a green city with two botanical gardens and numerous large and small parks. The horse-chestnut tree has become the symbol of the city. The center of Kyiv (Independence Square and Hreschatyk Street) becomes a large outdoor party place at night during summer months, with thousands of people having a good time in nearby restaurants, clubs and outdoor cafes. The central streets are closed for auto traffic on weekends and holidays. Andriyivskyi Descent is one of the best known historic streets and a major tourist attraction in Kyiv.

Kyiv was the historical centre of the East Slavic civilization and a major cradle for the Rus Christianization. Its sacred sites, which include the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Saint Sophia Cathedral are probably the most famous, attracted pilgrims for centuries and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remain the primary religious centers as well as the major tourist attraction. The above mentioned sites are also part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine’s collection.

Kyiv theatres include the Kyiv Opera House, Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre, Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Theatre of Russian Drama, Kyiv Puppet Theatre, October Palace and National Philharmonic of Ukraine and others.

The most important of the city’s 40 museums are the Kyiv State Historical Museum, Museum of the Great Patriotic War, National Art Museum, Museum of Western and Oriental Art, Pinchuk Art Center and National Museum of Russian art.

Kyiv hosts many universities, the major ones being the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, the National Technical University “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Scientific research is conducted in many of the institutes of the higher education and, additionally, in many research institutes affiliated with the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. There are many libraries in the city with the Vernadskyi library affiliated with the Academy of Sciences being the largest and the most important one.

Public transportation in Kyiv includes the metro, busses, trolleybuses, trams and funicular. Suburban transportation is provided by buses and short-range trains. The city represents the focal point of the Ukrainian national roads system and is linked by high-quality road to many of the principle cities of Ukraine. The city has a developed railroad infrastructure including a long-distance passenger stations, 6 cargo stations. Air passengers arrive to Kyiv through one of two airports: the Boryspil Airport, which is served by international airlines, and the smaller Zhulyany Airport, serving mostly domestic flights.

1. Where is Kyiv situated?

2. What is the name of Kyiv derived from?

3. Kyiv is one of the oldest cities of Eastern Europe, isn’t it?

4. Has Kyiv a humid continental or dry tropical climate?

5. When did Kyiv expend into the left bank of the Dnipro?

6. What is the population of Kyiv, according to the All-Ukrainian Census?

7. What tree has become the symbol of Kyiv?

8. What central streets are famous for?

9. What Kyiv sacred sites are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

10. What Kyiv theatres do you know?

11. What are the most famous Kyiv museums?

12. The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is one of Kyiv major higher educational institutions, isn’t it?

13. What kinds of public transportation are there in Kyiv?

14. Suburban transportation is provided by funicular, isn’t it?

Vocabulary and Speech Exercises

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