Reading material ukraine

Official name - Ukraine

Status - Sovereign State

Area - 603,700 sq. km ,

Population - 51, 2 mln.

Capital - Kyiv

Languages - Ukrainian

Ukraine is a sovereign state. It has its own territory, higher and local bodies of state power (the Supreme Soviet and local Soviets) and Government, national emblem, state flag and anthem.

The population of Ukraine are Ukrainians (73,6 %). Besides, Russians (21,1%), Jews (1,3%), Byelorussians (0,8%), Moldovians (0,6%), Poles and Bulgarians (0,5% each) and other nations and nationalities live here. There are 24 administrative regions and the Crimean autonomous republic in Ukraine. The geographical position of Ukraine is very favourable to the development of its relation with countries of Europe, as well as with the countries throughout the world. It borders on the Russian Federation, Byelorussia, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

95% of the Ukrainian area is flat and the rest of it is mountainous. The Ukrainian Carpathians and the Crimean Mountains make up those 5% of its area. Ukraine is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and it has very important ports. The major rivers are the Dnieper, the Dniester, the Bug, the Donets and others.

Ukraine has a lot of industrial raw materials, it has rich deposits of iron, metals, coal, oil, gas, different ores and other natural resources. The country has metallurgical and heavy industries.

It is the agricultural country.

Scientists of Ukraine make a great contribution to our science. The Academy of Science of Ukraine includes a lot of outstanding scientists and research workers famous for their important discoveries and inventions. Great success has been achieved by Yev. Paton

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the Institute of Electric Welding, the Research Institute of Superhard Materials, and others.

Ukraine has an ancient history. It has its own original culture and arts. It has many professional theatres and Philharmonic societies.

Over the last years people of Ukraine display a keen interest in Ukrainian history and cultural and artistic heritage. A lot of names of masterpieces have been revived. There is a new approach to the development of culture, arts, languages.

Now Ukraine establishes new relations with different countries throughout the world. It sets direct contacts with them signing agreements and treaties.

Ukraine is one of the founding members of the United Nations Organization and participates in the work of many international organizations.

The constitution of ukraine

Governed by the-Act of the Ukraine's Independence of August 24,1991,the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on behalf of the Ukrainian people adopted the Constitution -the Fundamental Law on June 28, 1996.

The Constitution establishes the country's political system, assures rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, and is the basis for its laws. It asserts that Ukraine is a sovereign and independent, democratic, social and legal state. It is a Unitarian state with single citizenship.

Ukraine is a republic. The people are the only source of power which is exercised directly and through the bodies of state power and local self-government. The land, mineral raw materials, air space, water and other natural resources which are on the territory of Ukraine are objects of the property right of Ukrainian people. •

The state language in Ukraine is Ukrainian. The state symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the State Anthem of Ukraine. The State Flag is a blue and .a yellow banner made from two equal horizontal stripes. The main element of the Great State Emblem of Ukraine is the Sign of the State of Prince Volodymyr the Great(the Small Slate Emblem of Ukraine). The State Anthem of Ukraine is the national anthem with the music of M.Verbytsky. The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv.

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The Constitution states that every person has the right to the free development of his/her personality, and has obligations before society where free and full development of the personality is assured. Citizens have equal Constitutional rights and freedoms and are equal before the law. There are no privileges or restrictions based upon face, color of skin, political and other beliefs, gender, ethnic and social origin, property, ownership, position, place of residence, language or religion.

The articles of the Constitution guarantee the rights to life, personal inviolability and the inviolability of dwelling, non-interference in private and family life, free choice of residence, work, rest, education, social security, housing, health protection, medical care and medical insurance, legal assistance and a safe and healthy environment.

Defence of the Motherland, of the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and respect for the state's symbols are the duty of citizens. Citizens of Ukraine perform military services in compliance with the law. No person may damage the environment and cultural heritage. Every person must pay taxes and duties in the order and amount determined by law.

The Constitution outlines the structures of the national government and specifies its powers and duties. On the Constitution the powers of government are divided into three branches - the legislative which consists of the Verkhovna Rada, the executive, headed by the President, and the judicial which is led by the Supreme Court.

The parliament - the Verkhovna Rada is the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine. There are 453 people's deputies who are elected for a term of four years on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

The Verkhovna Rada's main function is making laws. Law drafting work is performed by its Committees.

The Verkhovna Rada adopts the State Budget for the period from January 1 to December 31 and controls the execution of it. The monetary unit of Ukraine is the Hryvnia.

The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of it. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of five years with no more than two full terms.

The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada.

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It carries out domestic and foreign policy of the State, the fulfillment of the Constitution, as well as the act of the President, develops and fulfills national programs on the economic, scientific and technological, social and cultural development of Ukraine.

Justice in Ukraine is exercised entirely by courts. It is administered by the Constitutional Court and by courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Ukraine is the highest juridical body of general jurisdiction.

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters and 161 articles.

The day of its adoption is a state holiday - the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

KYIV

The city of Kyiv is an industrial, scientific, administrative and cultural centre of Ukraine. It is the capital of Ukraine and the seat of the Supreme Soviet arid the Cabinet of Ministers. Kyiv is one of the largest and oldest cities of Europe. Kyiv is one of the most ancient cities. In 1982 it was 1500 years old. It was called the Mother of All Russian Cities", it has the population of 2,6 million and occupies an area of 790 square kilometres.

Kyiv is located on the picturesque banks of the Dnieper River. Kyiv is famous for its beauty. The streets of Kyiv are broad and straight. There are a lot of chestnut trees and flowers in the city.

As one of the oldest cities of Europe it has many places of historic interest. Among them Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the St.Sophia's Cmhedral, the Golden Gate, the monuments to Bohdan Khmebitski, and Prince- Volodvmyr and others, in the park of Immortal Glory there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, over which an eternal fire burns.

There are a lot of museums in Kyiv: the State Historical Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian and Russian art and so on. Kyiv is famous for its theatres such as Opera House (Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre), the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre and others.

Kyiv is the centre of education and science, A lot of scientific search institutes, colleges and the University are in this city, "■

No wonder that Kyivites are proud of their city.

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