How much do you know about Ukraine?

Question

How much do you guys think you know about the great country of Ukraine. And what do you know? About the government, history, flag, coat of arms. Anything that you know about Ukraine!!!

Answer 1

I have been to my ancestral homeland twice, 6 months in 1991, 10 months in 1993-4. Spent most of the time in L'viv, also in Kamyanets-Podilskiy, Urich (village in the Carpathians), Kyyiv, etc.
I haven't kept up with the govt changes, but it sure was great to be there when the ussr split up, and see the first free elections.
Ukrainians descend from the Rus' people, who accepted Christianity in 988 in Kyyiv. The Mongols invaided and occupied the country starting in 1240. Over the following 7 centuries, Ukraine was occupied in part by Poland, Lithuania, Ottoman Turks, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and finally the Soviet Union. The entire country was occupied by natzi Germany during WW2, during which 10 million Ukrainians died. There was terrible distruction all over the country during the war. Independence came 24 Aug 1991, there was truly dancing in the streets, I saw it.
The Ukrainian language uses a Cyryllic alphabet. It is a bit different from the alphabets used in Russian, Belarusian, Serbian, etc, they are all a bit different. It is a great deal easier to read Ukrainian than it is to read English.
In area, Ukraine is the largest country entirely in Europe, and has a population of about 50 million.
The flag is blue over yellow, represents the sky over the wheat fields, a common site in the countryside.
Some folks display the flag with a trident device on it, which dates back to the Rus' king Volodymir the Great. I was told that the Ukrainians letters for V, O, L, Ya can be seen in the trident - this spells the word for freedom. Some people dissagree with this.
Many Ukrainians are, like my family, Orthodox Christians. There are churches everywhere. Even some very poor villages have built a church since freedom was allowed.
I could go on and on. Will this do?
SLAVA UKRAYINI !

Answer 2

The classical English tradition dictates us to use "the" with all proper names derived from the respective common nouns. (A proper name is a noun that in its primary application refers to a unique entity, whereas a common noun refers to a class of entities.) The rule applies even if a proper name is derived from a common noun in the corresponding local language. This is why English speakers habitually say "the Netherlands" when they talk about the country (which commonly means “low lands”), "the Hague" when they talk about the city (which commonly means in the original language “a hedge” or “an enclosed area”). The definite article is inherent in these place names, it defines an object as unique, it converts a common noun to a proper name by attaching it to a unique object that is now separated from a class. Many original English place names fall in the same pattern, e.g., "The Tower" (a castle in London; commonly “a tower” = a tall structure), "The Old Bailey" (a courthouse in London; commonly “a bailey” = a fortified wall of a fortress). "The Ukraine" as the name of the country follows this well established English logic. The word “Ukraine” is the Russian for “a borderland”. As a common noun it is attested in early Russian texts where it was sometimes used in plural and applied at various times to different geographic areas including Siberia and even the area where Moscow is currently situated. The historic meaning of this word resembles that of “the frontier” in American texts, except expanding Russia had several “borderlands” in different directions. In time, most of these Russian “borderlands” received other proper names, and only the area known currently as “the Ukraine” retained its historic name “the Borderland”. Therefore, "the Ukraine" is the natural and grammatically correct English name of the country. Notably, only non-English speakers call into question the use of the definite article in this place name; native English speakers don’t seem to have any problem with “the Ukraine”. Certainly, the Russian ear may safely skip “unnecessary” English articles since the grammatical category of the article does not exist in the Russian language. But the proper English ear needs articles in their respective places, including the one in “the Ukraine”. The definite article may be dropped only for brevity or out of politeness to a non-English speaker… if they insist…

Answer 3

Been there; Yalta and Odessa. Know that Anton Chekov lived in Yalta and that's where the term "Treaty of Yalta" orginated when Stalin, Churchhill and Roosevelt concurred. Know that the Treaty was signed in Livonia palace. Yalta is located at the tip of the crimean peninsula. Odessa has the monument to the unknown sailor and a beautiful opera house. It was considered a major resort area. for the former USSR. Both cities are located on the Black Sea and another major city in Ukraine is Kiev. Own a Black russian terrier, and Yalta was the first place I saw one.

Answer 4

Dinamo Kiev Rules!! At least it used to....

Well actually a former soviet republic, and now an independent country for about 15 years. The capital Kiev is over a 1000 years old. Population is about 50-60 million people. Located south west of Russia with milder climate. Has black sea shore, where resorts are. Democratic form of government, although still influenced by Russia somewhat. Beautiful women, tall nice looking guys, economy sucks....Is this enough for you?

Answer 5

well Officer T I know a lot about ukraine it is my favorite country but sadly I dont know anything about it

Answer 6

Honestly, I don't know anything about it. I really have no excuse other than a lack of enthusiasm for other countries when mine is as complicated as it is. I know, I know, I'm lame.

Answer 7

U can find everything u need here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

Answer 8

According to Kramer
Ukraine is "weak"