Kiev: one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
Kyiv or Kiev is the beautiful capital of Ukraine and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is the largest city of the country and located in the north central part of Ukraine. Kyiv (Kiev) stands on steep hills overlooking the Dnipro River, which divides the city into two parts: Left Bank and Right Bank.
Geographically, Kyiv (Kiev) belongs to the Polissya natural zone (a part of the European mixed woods). However, the city's unique landscape distinguishes it from the surrounding region. The elder right-bank (western) part of Kyiv (Kiev) is represented by numerous woody hills, ravines and small rivers (now mostly extinct). It is a part of the larger Prydniprovska (near-Dnieper) upland adjoining the western bank of the Dnieper. The left-bank (eastern) part of the city was built in the Dnieper valley. Significant areas of it were artificially sand-deposited and enforced by dams.
The city is adjoined by the mouth of the Desna River and the Kyivs'ke reservoir in the north, and the Kanivs'ke reservoir in the south.
Kyiv's climate is moderately continental. The average winter temperature is about. 17-35 °F (-8 to +1 °C), in summer - 65-80 degrees °F (+18 to +27 °C). Although it has changed significantly during recent decades due to global climate changes.
An ancient legend says, that Kyiv was founded by three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and their sister Lybid, (you can read more about this monument on our "Kiev Monuments Page") and it was named after the eldest brother Kyi. Founded probably in the 5th century, a trading post in the land of Early East Savs, the city gradually has flourished into a valuable center of of East Slavic Civilization. In the 10th-12th centuries Kyiv (Kiev) became a political and cultural center of Kievan Rus'.
The city is the cradle of Eastern Orthodox Church where pilgrims from all over Ukraine and abroad come to offer up prayers in ancient Golden-domed cathedrals, churches and majestic monasteries. These unique monuments of high-spiritual aspirations, talent and consummate skills of people born at this land are rightfully claimed as masterpieces of ancient Rus and Ukrainian architecture. Read more about Kiev Churches and Cathedrals.
Kyiv (Kiev) is an important Industrial, Scientific, Educational and Cultural Center of Eastern Europe. It is home to many High-Tech industries, higher education Institutions, world-famous Museums and Art Institutions. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transportation, including the Kiev Metro system. (read more about Ukraine subway system here).
Today, Kiev is a modern city with over 2.5 million inhabitants. Like many other large cities of the former Soviet Union, it is a melting pot of the old styles and habits, standing in stark contrast to the birth of democracy and its effects on society. The new Kiev can be seen in everything from the buildings to the shops and stores to the people themselves. Even Kiev's "downtown" is a dotted picture of new and emerging, modern buildings against the pale yellows, blues and grays of the older Soviet style architecture.
With Ukrainian independence at the turn of the millenium, new changes became evident. The Western-style novostroikas (new and modern buildings), hip nightclubs, classy restaurants and prestigious hotels began to open in Kievs new vibrant center. Music from Europe and the United States began to rise on the Ukrainian music charts. Now, most importantly, with the new open visa regime, Ukraine is positioning herself as a prime tourist attraction.
The center of Kiev has been refurbished, includes buildings restored and redecorated, especially on Khreschatyk Kyiv's main bolouvard as well as on Independence Square. Many historical areas in Kiev, such as Andryivskyi Uzviz, have become popular street vendor locations, where one can purchase traditional Ukrainian art, religious items, books, game sets (including marvelous chess sets) as well as jewellery.
Additional pages on this website
Visit this website: www.gokiev.info
Report a broken link if the links on this page are not working, or if there are missing images.
The information above is copyright of www.gokiev.info, and cannot be copied without their permission.
Travel Guide Home
WiZZ Partnerships
WiZZ Travel Articles
WiZZ Ads
Search WiZZ.to
Link to us
Contact us
Tell a friend
Account Login
Affiliate Program
Helpdesk
Sitemap