Once part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, Ukraine gained its independence in 1991. In late 2004 the Orange Revolution led to a re-run of the presidential election and the eventual declaration of Viktor Yushchenko as president raising Ukraine's profile abroad and placing the country on the tourist map. With spectacular Carpathian Mountains in the west, the history-rich central plains and the stunning Black Sea coast in the south Ukraine is one of the largest and most beautiful countries in Europe.The Crimean Peninsula, ethnically more Russian than Ukrainian, historically is a huge draw for holidaymakers from Russia every summer. Founded in the Sth century, Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is the mother city of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. All three descend from Kyivan Rus, the Slavic superstate that existed from the 9th to the 11th centuries. Among 454 cities and towns of Ukraine the biggest are: Kyiv (population 2.6 million); Kharkiv (population 1.6 million); Dnepropetrovsk (population 1.1 million); Odessa (population 1.1 million); Donetsk (population 1.1 million), and Lviv (population 802 thousand).
Prominent examples of baroque and Renaissance architecture can be found in Lviv, one of Europe's oldest cities and the capital of western Ukraine. Until 1939 it had never been ruled from Moscow, and it was here that Ukrainian nationalism re-emerged in the late 1980s.
Odessa is a curious mix of enticing seaside holiday retreat and an industrial port. A long-time Black Sea shipping centre and southern Ukraine urban giant, the city is famous for its role in the 1905 revolution, when the mutinous battleship Potemkin Tavrichesky supported rebellious workers. Odessa is also a home to one of the world's largest opera houses.
Dnipropetrovsk is the financial centre of Ukraine. The seats of over 40 largest public and private banks are located in this city, being one of the youngest in the country.
Donetsk is the industrial centre of Ukraine, with over 200 companies in heavy and engineering industry and over 20 thousand SMEs. Donetsk is also the host city for many festivals and contests in the area of culture and science.
