The national currency of Ukraine HRYVNA (UAH). 1 hryvnia (UAH) is equivalent to 100 kopecks. In the course of bank-notes 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 Hryvnia and the coins in denominations of 1 hryvnia, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2, 1 penny. In Ukraine, foreign currency exchange without any restrictions and problems made ​​at airports / Railway station, all the banks and numerous exchange offices. In the markets, private shops, restaurants often are accepted as Ruble (RUR), and the U.S. Dollar (USD) or Euros (EUR). However, remember that torque is a partially convertible currencies, ie outside Ukraine may face difficulties in the exchange of national unity on other currencies. Credit cards American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Maestro cards are accepted freely in almost all establishments (hotels, shops and restaurants). However, traveler's checks (travelling cheques) are of limited use and work with them only the big banks.

Ukraine - the largest Eastern European country located in Central Europe and occupies the area of ​​603.7 thousand square meters. km. It shares borders with both countries of the European Union: Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and the former CIS countries: Russia, Moldova, Belarus. Southern region of Ukraine - the sea gate of the state, opening up access to the Azov and Black seas. Most of the country is flat, but in the West Carpathian Mountains (Goverla, 2061 m) and on the Crimean peninsula - the Crimean mountains (Roman-Kosh, 1,545 m).

The population of Ukraine - about 46.6 million people, of whom 78% are Ukrainians, 17% - Russian. Also well represented are of nationality, as Belarusians, Tatars, Jews, Moldovans, Poles, Hungarians. The official language of the country - Ukrainian. Widespread, especially in eastern and central Ukraine is Russian. In the southern and western regions of the country used the languages ​​of other nationalities (Tatar, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hungarian, etc.), but the Ukrainian and Russian know and understand everything. About 65% of Ukraine's population - the faithful, about 80% of whom are Orthodox, 14% - Catholics and Greek Catholics, 3% - Protestants. In addition, there are communities of Muslims (mainly in the Crimea, where Crimean Tatars live), and Jews.

Time in Ukraine for 2 hours ahead of Greenwich. There exists an division in the summer (March to October) and winter. Food, industrial shops and pharmacies are working with 8.00 - 9.00 19.00 - 20.00. In the resort and many major cities round the clock and super megastore. Banks are open from 9.00 to 16.00-17.00, bureaux de change from 9.00 to 20.00.

To date, the Ukrainian legislation is defined as the visa and visa-free order entry of foreigners to Ukraine. Since the right to visa-free entry into and transit through it are U.S. citizens, the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Japan and Canada, if their stay in Ukraine does not exceed 90 days. The citizens of Russia or Belarus, have the right to enter the territory of Ukraine for civilian passport without a visa and registration at the place of arrival for a period not exceeding 90 days. For the citizens of other CIS countries also adopted a visa-free entry and exit, but only with a properly issued a passport. Immigration card is filled in and presented to all persons over 18 years.

Tax-exempt for import items costing less than 200 euros (including excise goods) or a single indivisible object worth at most 300 euros (except for excisable goods). When importing firearms, edged weapons, explosives, gas cylinders, requires permission from the Interior Ministry of Ukraine. The import of: vehicles older than 5 years, poisonous, radioactive, explosives and other items printed and pictorial materials that contain propaganda of war, racism, violence, food products without a certificate of conformity.

Allowed entry without any additional documents to 10 thousand U.S. dollars or equivalent in any currency with the mandatory declaration of all imported currency. When importing from 10 to 50 thousand U.S. dollars resident should submit the application to which are attached documentation certifying the origin, nonresidents, the source of origin is not required.

The export of goods worth up to 100 thousand euro, the export of works of art, historical and cultural values ​​must have permission of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. The export of precious metals, precious stones, cultural values, poisonous, radioactive, explosive substances, cancellation of the securities.

Telephone country code: + 380.

Emergency Phone Numbers.

Fire brigade - 101

Police on duty - 102

Ambulance - 103

Gas emergency service - 104

Supplemental PSTN - 109

Help and order long-distance calls in Ukraine and CIS countries - 1071

Order international negotiations - 1079

January 1 - New Year

January 7 - Christmas

March 8 - International Women's Day

1, 2 May - International Workers' Day

May 9 - Victory Day

June 28 - Day of the Constitution of Ukraine

August 24 - Independence Day of Ukraine

Mondays are also non-working days following the Sundays, which celebrate religious holidays of Easter and Trinity.

Ukraine, especially in its western part, located on the corridor linking the countries of Southeast and North-Western Europe. At the same time through the territory of Ukraine lie trans-European transport corridors, major: East - West (Trieste (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia)-Chop-Uzhgorod-Lviv (Ukraine)), Baltic - Black Sea. (Gdansk-Odessa), Europe-Asia (Dresden (Germany), Vrotsslav (Poland), Lviv - Kiev-Kharkiv-Lugansk (Ukraine). However, the roads of Ukraine did not meet European standards in many respects, in particular such as : speed, axle load, the availability of modern road signs and markings. Quite a few roads Category 1 (motorway) with multi-row traffic at high speeds (not exceeding 130 km / h). The main ones are: M 01, M 02, M 03, M 04. Most of the road category 2, with speed limits of 90 km / h. Control vehicular traffic by the State traffic police (DAІ).

Rail transport is the most developed in Ukraine and connects all the regional centers. Major / Railway station are located in Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk, Lviv, Simferopol and Odessa, Konotop, Debaltsevo Zhmerinka, Sinelnikovo.

International airports: Borispol (Kiev), apartment (Kiev), Simferopol, Odessa, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk , Rivne, Ternopil, Ismail.

largest ports on the Black Sea: Odessa, Kherson, Sevastopol. Southern, Izmail, Reni, Nikolaev.

largest ports on the Azov Sea: Mariupol, Berdyansk, Kerch.

National Ukrainian cuisine is known far beyond the country's extraordinarily rich and varied dishes that will satisfy even the most refined palates. But common to them is a complex heat-treatment (mainly protushivanie and provarivanie) using large amounts of fat. Among the first courses the most known and loved Ukrainian borscht - a soup made of fresh vegetables - cabbage, beets, carrots, tomatoes, seasoned with powdered who overcooked bacon and parsley. Served with small buns (donuts) with garlic and bacon.

Also enjoyed extraordinary popularity kartoplyaniki (pancakes cooked potatoes with the addition of various toppings (mushrooms, cabbage and meat)); dumplings stuffed with potatoes, cabbage, offal, cheese, fruit, berries, poppy, gnocchi with bacon and onions; Kulish ( porridge made from wheat or corn cereal with added cheese and bacon from zazharki and onion), homemade sausages, liver (stewed meat with potatoes, jellied meat (frozen broth of pork and chicken)), uzvar (cold saturated compote of dried fruits). Among the unusually tasty baking strudel with poppy seeds and a variety of pies.

Wines of sufficiently high quality are produced in Ukraine in the Crimea and Black Sea region. National ardent spirits - gorilka.

Ukraine's ancient heritage was reflected in a variety of things that do not leave indifferent even the most discerning travelers.

Religious shrines: Saint Sophia Cathedral (Kiev), St. Andrew's Church (Kiev), Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Kiev), Volodymyr's Cathedral (Kiev), the Savior Cathedral Preobrazhensky (Chernigov), Church of the Monastery (Donetsk region), Pochayiv Lavra (Ternopil) Monastery of St. Elijah (Kiev), Volodymyr's Cathedral (Sevastopol)

Historical and architectural heritage: the ruins of cities drevnihgrechenskih Tavria Chersonese (Sevastopol) and Panticapaeum (Kerch), Vorontsov Palace (Alupka, Crimea), and Massandra Livadia Palace (Yalta, Crimea) , the palace Vyshnevetsky (Ternopil), Old Fort (Kamenetz-Podolsk), Lubart castle (Lutsk) Potemkin Stairs (Odessa), the former Khan's Palace (Bakhchisarai, Crimea), Assumption Cemetery Lychakiv architectural ensemble (Lviv), Genoese fortress (Sudak, Balaklava, Crimea).

Natural Attractions: Marble Cave and the Big Canyon of Crimea (Crimea), Lake Svityaz (Volyn region) and Synevyr (Zakarpattya region), the Valley of Narcissi (Zakarpattya region), Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" (Kherson region).

Monuments of landscape architecture: dendrological park "Alexandria" (Bila Church of the Kiev region), a national arboretum "Sofiyivka" (Uman, Cherkasy region), Nikita Botanical Gardens (the village of Nikita, Crimea).