Some facts about Ukraine:
- Ukraine gained it's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
- The capital of Ukraine is Kiev; it is located in the northern part of the country.
- Kiev was founded in 482 A.D by legendary Eastern Slavic chief Kiy (the city still bears his name), his brothers, Schek and Khoriv and their sister, Lybid.
- The official name of Kiev in Ukrainian is "Kyiv", Kiev" is the Russian spelling. They are also pronounced differently.
- Kiev has a population of close to three million .
- Ukraine is slightly smaller than Texas.
- The seven countries that border Ukraine are: Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia. Also, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea.
- Pictured is "Our Nation's Mother", a monument overlooking the city. The tip of her sword--a height of 62 meters and weighing 9 tons-- was cut off because it was higher than the Orthodox church nearby.
