Ukraine is one of the largest European countries with long and contradictory history. After several centuries of freedom fighting, Ukraine gained independence in 1991 after Soviet Union collapse. However, the first slovian state creation on this territory appeared on 8-9 century and possesses the name "Kievian Rus". Rus was one of the most powerful Europen states, competing with Byzantium Empire.

After complete destruction by Mongol Tartars invasion on 13th century its territory was ruled by Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Crimean Khanate, Austria. Because of close neighborhood with agressive nomad Asia civilizations (mongols, tartats etc) Ukrane for many years was not able to develop culture, architecture and science, but it served as a good protection of Western Europe countries from nomads.

All history of Ukraine is the history of cruel and brutal invasions,wars and plunderings, attempts to eliminate all Ukrainian signs and traditions. Last one on 1941-1945 by Nazi when Ukraine lost more then 30% of its population. Even its name "Rus" was attached by Moscow state after conquering this land in 17th century. Moscow became "Russia" and former Rus became "Ukrane", that means "borderland" as it is now.

But nevertheless Ukraine survived and preserved a lot of amazing monuments, historical cities, churches and castles, left from different epochues and nations - ancient Greek, Polish, Austrian and Ukrainian.

The territory of Ukraine is divided on two parts by river Dniper. Historically, right banks of Dniper gravitate to Europe (this part is called right-bank Ukraine) but left banks gravitate to Russia. Russian language on this part is widespread and commonly used while western Ukraine is mostly Ukrainian-speaking.

Ukrainan Carpaty mountains	Ancient Greek city Khersonesos in Crimea
Lviv - ukrainian city	Middle-ukrainian scenery

Population: about 48 millions
Time zone: +2h GMT
Religion: Ortodox (mostly)
Capital: Kyiv (Kiev) with population about 4 million

Ukraine consists of 24 oblasts (lands) and Crimea. Main cities are Kiev (Kyiv), Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporozhie, Dipropetrovsk, Myklolaiv, Sevastopol, Vinnitsa, Ternopil, Sumy, Chernigiv and others.

More resourses about Ukraine: here (Wikipedia)