UKRAINE

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Ukraine

Ukraine is a sovereign state. Ukraine is situated in the east of Europe. The territory of Ukraine is 603,700 square kilometres. It borders on Russia, Belarus, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. It’s washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in the south and has very important ports. Ukraine is larger than France and Great Britain but considerably smaller than Russia. 5% of Ukraine’s territory is mountainous; the rest part of the Ukrainian area is flat.

Ukraine has the Carpathians and the Crimean Mountains. The highest peak of the Carpathian Mountains is Hoverla in the west of Ukraine. The Carpathians is the natural mountainous boundary of Ukraine. They are characterized by flat summits and gentle slopes. The flat area of the treeless summit is called a polonyna. The Carpathians are covered with mixed forests of pine, fir, beech and oak trees. There are the Crimean Mountains with the highest peak Roman-Kosh in the south of Ukraine. Their slopes are called steep.

Ukraine has over 131 rivers. The Dnipro is the main river of the country. It’s the third longest river in Europe. Such rivers as the Dniester, the Southern Bug, the Danube, and the Severskiy Donets are also important. There are over 3000 lakes in Ukraine. The largest freshwater lakes are Lake Yalpuh and Lake Svytiaz.

The climate of Ukraine is different in various parts of the country. The Carpathians and the Crimean Mountains protect the country from the bitter winds. The climate along the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is much warmer than the climate of the rest of the country. Summer is hot here and winter is mild. The rest of Ukraine’s territory has a moderately continental climate. The highest rainfall is observed in the western part of Ukraine, in the Carpathians. This is the wettest place in Ukraine.

Ukraine has a rich historical and cultural heritage. It is also famous for many outstanding writers, poets and musicians.

The highest rainfall is observed in .... part of Ukraine.

Match the word with its definition.

to border on

Match the word with its definition.

a peak

Ukraine is situated

Ukraine borders on

Ukraine is larger than

The biggest cities of Ukraine ...... Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipropetrovsk

What is the main river of the country?

Ukraine ..... (to have) six theatres for opera and ballet performances

Have you ever tried to climb ..... Hoverla?

2.What is the area of Ukraine?