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'''Ukraine''' is an [[Eastern]] [[European]] country which was part of the [[Soviet Union]] until its collapse in 1991. To the north and east it shares a border with [[Russia]]; it shares a border with [[Belarus]] to the north and [[Poland]], [[Slovakia]] and [[Hungary]] to the west. The counties of [[Romania]] and [[Moldova]] are to the south-west. The [[Black Sea]] is to the south and this offers access to the [[Mediterranean]]. The Capital city is [[Kyiv]] (Kiev) and the main religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
'''Ukraine''' is an [[Eastern]] [[European]] country which was part of the [[Soviet Union]] until its collapse in 1991. To the north and east it shares a border with [[Russia]]; it shares a border with [[Belarus]] to the north and [[Poland]], [[Slovakia]] and [[Hungary]] to the west. The counties of [[Romania]] and [[Moldova]] are to the south-west. The [[Black Sea]] is to the south and this offers access to the [[Mediterranean]]. The Capital city is [[Kyiv]] (Kiev) and the main religion is [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christianity.
Current issues in Ukraine include:
* The worldwide [[Recession of 2008]] hit Ukraine hard and it is seeking international aid.
*Ukraine is seeking to join [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]], but Russia strongly objects.
* Politics has been chaotic recently.
* Russia has used its energy imports in attempts to control Ukrainian politics and economics.
* A strong (20%) Russian minority (mostly in the south and east) is campaigning for partition.
* The legal and economic systems are still controlled by powerful and secretive oligarchs.
*Ukraine is neutral in its alliances, but has some limited military links to both NATO and Russia.
==Geography==
==Geography==
The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. km (233,090 sq. mi), making it, after Russia, the second largest country in [[Europe]]. Its coastline is 2,782 Km.
The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. km (233,090 sq. mi), making it, after Russia, the second largest country in [[Europe]]. Its coastline is 2,782 Km.
The land of Ukraine is mostly [[steppe]]s and platues. There are mountains in the west of the country, the [[Carpathians]], and in the Crimean peninsula in the south. The main rivers in Ukraine are the [[Dnieper]] and the [[Dniester]].
The land of Ukraine is mostly [[steppe]]s and plateaus. There are mountains in the west of the country, the [[Carpathians]], and in the Crimean peninsula in the south. The main rivers in Ukraine are the [[Dnieper]] and the [[Dniester]].
The Ukrainian climate is considered temperate continental, but in the Crimea it is [[Mediterranean]]. The levels of precipitation are highest in the west and north, and lower in east and southeast. The winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland, and the summers are warm across the greater part of the country, and hot in the south.
The Ukrainian climate is considered temperate continental, but in the Crimea it is [[Mediterranean]]. The levels of precipitation are highest in the west and north, and lower in east and southeast. The winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland, and the summers are warm across the greater part of the country, and hot in the south.