KYIV IS THE CAPITAL OF UKRAINE

PAPT I

OUR MOTHERLAND

UKRAINE

For more than three centuries Ukrainian territories have been a part of different empires…

History shows that often Ukraine seemed totally defeated, irreparably destroyed but as time passed, Ukraine would rise from ruin and appear in the historical arena, alive and charged with fresh vigour.

The term Ukraine was first mentioned in the chronicles in the 12^th century as a geographical name for the southern lands of ancient Rus State.

The independence of Ukraine was proclaimed on the 24^th of August, 1991. Now it is sovereign state.

The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. km. Its population equals 46,7 million people. Ukraine borders on Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Belarus and Moldova.

Ukraine is the country of many rivers. The Dnieper (Dnipro) River divides Ukraine into two parts: Right-Bank and Left- Bank Ukraine. The Danube gives Ukraine access to European countries and the Siverskyi Donets – to the Don. In the south Ukraine is bounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Within the borders of Ukraine there are the Carpathian Mountains with the highest peak Hoverla (2061m.) and the Crimean Mountains – Roman Kosh (1545m.).

Ukraine is famous for its vast plains called steppes. The plains are covered with fertile black soil, which has made Ukraine one of the world’s leading farming regions.

The economic potential of Ukraine is great. Coal is Ukraine’s most abundant and heavy exploited mineral resource. There are also significant reserves of natural gas, uranium, and oil, though the latter remains largely unexploited.

Ukrainian industrial potential includes machine production, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, bus production, light and cargo vehicles production, tractors and other agrarian machine production, production of diesel locomotives, equipment for electric power plants, turbines, aviation engines and aircrafts, equipment for oil refinery and chemical plants.

The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv. Ukraine is the member of UNO, Council of Europe, UNESCO and nearly 40 other influential international organizations.

E x e r c i s e s

I. Answer the questions:

1. What is the area of Ukraine?

2. How many mountain ranges are there in Ukraine?

3. Where are the large reserves of mineral deposits?

4. What are the major cities?

5. What is the industrial potential of Ukraine?

6. Who is the president of Ukraine?

7. Can you name the people of Ukrainian art and culture?

ІI. Say what statements are false and what are true; correct the false ones:

1. Ukraine got its independence in 1990.

2. Ukraine’s area is 603, 000 sq.km.

3. The highest mountain in Ukraine is Hoverla.

4. Gas is Ukraine’s most abundant and heavy exploited mineral resource.

5. Ukraine does not lead in farming.

6. The capital of Ukraine is Lviv.

7. Ukraine is famous for its vast plains called steppes.

III. Find the correct English word for the phrase:

1) land that is owned or controlled by a particular country, ruler, or military force –

2) political freedom from control by the government of another country –

3) a natural and continuous flow of water in a long line across the country itno a sea –

4) a very high hill –

5) land along the side of a river or lake –

6) the official line that separates two countries, states, or areas, or the area close to this line –

7) a large area of flat dry land –

IV. Complete the sentences with the correct word:

Constitution, industries, legislative body, foreign, coal, Danube

1. Generаl fоundаtіоns оf pоlіtісаl sуstem іn Ukrаіne аre defіned bу іts……………..

2. А number оf …………….. аre сhаrасterіzed bу hіgh teсhnоlоgісаl level оf develоpment.

3. The оnlу ……… ………… оf Ukrаіne іs the Pаrlіаment – the Verkhоvnа Rаdа оf Ukrаіne.

4. The ………. pоlісу оf Ukrаіne іs thаt оf іnternаtіоnаl сооperаtіоn, peасe аnd frіendshіp wіth аll nаtіоns.

5. …………is Ukraine’s most abundant and heavy exploited mineral resource.

6. The ……….. gives Ukraine access to European countries.

KYIV IS THE CAPITAL OF UKRAINE

Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, its population is 4,5 million people. The city is also the political, economic and cultural center of Ukraine.

The central area of Kyiv is on a high cliff along the western bank of the Dnipro. There are medieval buildings and modern structures standing side by side. Industrial districts and rows of modern apartment blocks extend in all directions from the centre of the city.

According to the legend, Kyiv was founded by three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv, — and their sister Lybid. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument erected in their honor stands on the bank of the River Dnipro.

In the late 6th and early 7th centuries the first fortifications appeared in the northern section of Old Kyiv Hill. While the court of the princes was located on the hills of Kyiv, the lower part of the city, known as Podil, developed into a busy trading district. With the establishment of Kyivan Rus' (the 9th century), Kyiv became its capital.

Prince Volodymyr the Great (980—1015) expanded the city. Kyivan Rus' was at its zenith under the rule of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1036—1054). Monasteries were established and developed into centres of education. Close to 400 churches were built, the most famous of which, Saint Sofia's Cathedral (1037), has survived to this day. The first library was founded on the grounds of the Cathedral.

Today Kyiv is one of the greatest ancient European cities, rich with the monuments of art and architecture. It is a political, scientific, cultural, sports, and industrial centre of modern Ukraine.

Kyiv is a major industrial centre that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering, aviation, food, and chemical production, etc. Kyiv's economic development has been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.

The city has many hotels, cafes, and restaurants with Ukrainian, European, American, and Eastern cuisine to accommodate tourists and business persons. Stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, and gyms are also available for you. If you visit Kyiv in late May, you will witness a beautiful festival — "The Days of Kyiv".

E x e r c i s e s

I. Answer the questions:

1. What is the capital of Ukraine?

2. Who were the founders of Kyiv?

3. When did the first fortification appear?

4. What do you know about Kyiv of modern times?

5. What tree is the symbol of Kyiv?

6. Where in Kyiv are the monuments to Yaroslav the Wise and Volodymyr the Great?

ІI. Say what statements are false and what are true; correct the false ones:

1. According to the legend, Kyiv was founded by Kyi.

2. In the late 6th and early 7th centuries the first fortifications appeared in the northern section of Old Kyiv Hill.

3. Kyivan Rus was poor state.

4. Kyiv's economic development hasn’t been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the Black Sea.

5. Close to 400 churches were built, the most famous of which, Saint Sofia's Cathedral (1037), has survived to this day.

6. Yaroslav the Wise has built Desyatynna Church.

III. Find the correct English word for the phrase:

1) a building, statue, or other large structure that is built to remind people of an important event of famous person –

2) an old, well-known story, often about brave people, adventures, or magic events –

3) towers, walls etc built around a place in order to defend it –

4) a place where monks live –

5) a particular style of cooking or the food cooked in a particular restaurant or hotel, especially when it is very good –

6) an occasion where there are performances of many films, plays, pieces of music etc, usually happening in the same place every year –

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