Information

Trident (tryzub). The official coat of arms of Ukraine is a golden trident on an azure background. As a state emblem, the trident dates back to Kievan Rus when it was the coat of arms of the Riuryk dynasty.

The Ukrainian flag is composed of two equal horizontal bands of azure and golden yellow colors. It represents ripe wheat growing under the blue sky.

The National Currency - Hryvnia, Hryvna, Hryvnya, (UHR) - was introduced in September, 1996. There are bills for 1, 2, 5,10, 20, 50,100 and 200 Hryvnias. 1 Hryvnia = 100 kopiykas. There are poins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 copiykas.
The Ukrainian national currency is Hryvnia. It is preferable to bring either US dollars or European euros with you. These can be changed at exchange points around the city. Make sure your foreign currency bills are crisp and new looking. Rumpled, torn and written-on bills are usually rejected. Avoid changing money with private individuals.

To enter Ukraine, a visa is needed for all non-Ukrainian citizens except the CIS citizens and persons with diplomatic or special passports of the countries that have appropriate agreements with Ukraine. The best and cheapest way to obtain a visa is through the Ukrainian consulate or embassy in your country prior to departure. In case of any questions contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Visa's Department (tel: 212-8317).

Almost all international flights to Kyiv arrive to Boryspil International Airport located 30 kilometers from the city center. The city's other main airport Zhulyany-Kyiv, located 7 kilometers from the center, handles domestic flights. The most convenient way to get to downtown Kyiv from the Boryspil airport is by taxi. Taking into account the fact that taxi drivers do not usually speak English, you should have your destination written on paper in Russian or Ukrainian. There are also shuttle buses connecting Boryspil airport with Kyiv downtown.

Political System. Form of government: Constitutional Democracy. Head of State: President. Legislative power: Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council). Executive power: Cabinet of Ministers. Judicial power: Constitutional Court. Voting qualifications: 18 and older. Political Divisions:24 oblasts (regions) and 1 autonomous republic (Crimea). A nationally elected presidency was instituted on December 1, 1991. Ukrainian citizens elect the president for a five-year term. The head of the state appoints the prime minister and the cabinet, which Verkhovna Rada has to approve. People's deputies (members of Verkhovna Rada) are elected for a four-year term in multicandidate elections.

Transportation. Although you can order a taxi by dialing 0-58 there is little need in doing so. Private cars and taxis swarm city's streets. To hail a car, you can simply put out your hand, and a car will stop. Private cars, the cars driven by locals who sometimes act as taxi drivers, cost significantly less than official taxis. Although it is the most common way of getting a ride besides public transport, you should be careful and use common sense. Most drivers do not speak English. Agree on a price beforehand.
Metro. Ukraine boasts a very convenient, safe, and inexpensive metro system in three cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk. In Kyiv, you can buy tokens at any metro station. The price of one token is 50 kopiykas, and it allows you to transfer from line to line. If metro is going to be your most frequently used transportation type, it is reasonable to purchase a monthly metro pass at a price of 25 Hryvnias.
Trolleys/Buses/Trams. These tend to be crammed tight with people but provide a good and cheap way to travel around the city. You can purchase tickets at a price of 50 kopiykas at bus stops or from a controller on the trolley or bus. The monthly passes are also available at a price of 17 hryvnias per month. If you do not punch your ticket and are caught, you will be charged a 10 Hryvnia fine. In addition, there are private minibus companies that serve practically the same routes and will offer you a faster and a more comfortable ride. The price per ride varies from 60 kopiykas to 1 hryvnia.
Rail Information. Kyiv is connected to European and Asian cities via an extensive network of railways. The capital's train station (tel. 005) is located in the center of the city right next to the Vokzalna metro station. It was fully reconstructed in 2001 and is now up to European standards. The ticket office for rail travel, located at 38/40 Tarasa Shevchenka blvd., can be reached at 050. Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach just about any location. Prices are higher for foreigners, and the rate usually includes a per-ticket commission. There are three comfort classes for long distance train travel: luxury-soft with two pull-out beds for more space, coupe-soft with four beds, and platskart with six beds per compartment. However, electric commuter trains, called elektropotyahy or elektrychky are usually outfitted with only hard wpoden benches and no amenities. They are generally very crowded, especially on weekends and in the summertime when people travel to their summer houses. For further comfort and privacy, it is recommended you buy all the tickets for a compartment. This is an especially good idea for women traveling alone. It is always wise to bring your own toilet paper, soap, and supply of food and drinks. 

Post Office. Every town in Ukraine has a developed network of post offices. The main post office is usually located in the central part of the city and offers nearly all existing types of communication services. The Kyiv Central Post Office is at 22 Khreschatyk vul. and works from 8 am till 9 pm Monday through Saturday and from 9 am till 7 pm on Sunday. Here you can buy stamps, post cards, use fax machines, send letters or packages, and make international calls. If you have any questions, call the Central Post Office information service at 065 or 228-173.

Phones. For calls around Kyiv, you can use public telephones located all over the city. You need a phone card which you can buy at any post office. Long distance phone services in Ukraine are operated by Utel (Ukrainian Telecomunications). The rates for calls to Europe are about $0.60-1.50 per minute. Calls to the United States are about $2.00 per minute.

Time. The time in Ukraine is set two hours ahead of the Universal time in Greenwich. To save electric power, it is altered twice a year. The watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and one hour backward in the last week of October. For exact time information, dial 160.

Etiquette. When visiting Ukraine, you are recommended to follow a few simple rules of etiquette that may be useful. If invited into a family home, bring a gift with you. A bottle of wine, a cake or a bouquet of flowers is customary. If there is a child in the house, it is appropriate to provide him/her with a small gift as well. If you bring  flowers,  make sure it is an odd number of flowers. Do not shake hands across the threshold of a door. It is considered bad luck. When shaking hands, take off your gloves. Be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering a house. To keep apartments clean, most hosts will provide you with a pair of slippers. In public transportation, give up your seat to mothers with children, the elderly, or the infirm. At the entrance of upscale restaurants, expect that your coat, briefcase or baggage will be checked. Be sure to have business cards printed in Ukrainian on one side and English on the other. When eating dinner at someone's home, casual dress is accept ed. Be ready to give toasts at dinner, for guests are often asked to do so. Offer  to  share  your  snacks  and   cigarettes with  those around you. Be prepared to accept all food and drinks offered to you when visiting friends.  Ukrainians are known for their generosity when it comes to feeding others. Turning down food may be considered rude. For business, the clothes should be conservative. Men should not take off their jackets unless asked. In Orthodox churches women wear scarves or hats, and men take off their hats. Do not put your thumb between your first two fingers - this is a very rude gesture.

Holidays. August 24 - Independence Day.
August 28 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
September 1 - Day of Knowledge
September 21 - The Birth of the Blessed Virgin
September 27 - Exaltation of the Cross

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine (also known as Kiev), was founded by the three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid more than 1500 years ago in 482 A.D. Kyiv is one of the biggest cities in Europe with the population of about 2.6 million. Kyiv Coat of Arms depicts the statue of Archangel Mikhail who is considered the protector of the city. As an important administrative center, Kyiv is a place for Ukrainian Presidential Administration, Verkhovna Rada, Parliament, and nearly all ministries and governmental departments. Its financial part consists of the National Bank of Ukraine, as well as investment companies and funds, representative offices of foreign financial institutions, exchange markets, and more than 220 commercial banks. In Kyiv, more than 2,000 objects belong to historical, cultural, and architectural monuments.

Popular Places Visited by Tourists: Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra
The Dnipro hills are dominated by the greatest monument of Kyiv, the Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra, built almost nine centuries ago. A complex of churches, masterpieces of architecture by themselves, has been a holy place of worship for devoted Christians. Famous for its catacombs with the saints' relics, Lavra is also called the Monastery of Caves. Museum collections of miniatures and church treasures amaze visitors from all over the world.

Volodymyr the Baptizer. On the slope of the Volodymyr Hill stands the imposing monument to Prince Volodymyr who is also called the Baptizer of Rus. He converted Kyivan Rus to Christianity in 988. The bronze statue was erected in 1853.

St. Nicolas Catholic Cathedral. The cathedral was built in 1899-1909 by the architect Horotetskyi. The building is placed on one of the central streets (Chervonoarmiyska St.), and it can be easily recognized by its distinctive Gothic style and a pair of beautiful needle towers. It was restored in 1980 and now is used as both the concert hall for organ music and the church where Roman Catholic services are held.

St. Sophia Cathedral. St. Sophia's thirteen gorgeous golden domes nicely blend with the city skyline. The grandiose ensemble was built by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in the XI century in commemoration of the victory over the Pecheneg tribe. The cathedral became a major cultural and political center of Kyivan Rus and a site for receiving ambassadors from many countries. St. Sophia is famous for its outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the eleventh century.

Mariyinsky Palace. The gorgeous blue-and-cream palace designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli was built in 1750 under the supervision of Russian architect Ivan Michurin and is located on top of the hill in a beautiful park. The magnificent building was used as Kyiv residence of the Tsar family. Today the palace is used for official state receptions such as presidential meetings and international conferences. It is open to tourist groups by appointment as well.

The Horodetskyi Building. One of the most interesting buildings in Kyiv is located in a very quiet and peaceful part of the downtown. A well-known architect Horodetskyi built the house as a private residence in 1902-1903. The walls and the roof of the structure are decorated with intricate sculptural ornaments of mythological and hunting themes. The building is considered one of the most fascinating architectural creations in Kyiv.

Volodymyr Cathedral. The structure of this Russian Orthodox Church which was built in 1882 reflects features of the Neo-Byzantine style. The murals of the church interior done by famous Russian painters present considerable artistic significance. The mosaics of the authorship of Venetian masters and the choir music performed in the cathedral are not to be missed. The building is located on one of city's central streets, Tarasa Shevchenka blvd.

Khreschatyk. Khreschatyk is the main street in Kyiv. It was recently renovated into one of the most scenic and beautiful places that combines the features of a busy business center with the historical architectural design of buildings. The street leads to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the city's main square and one of the most popular places of meetings. On weekends, the traffic is blocked on Khreschatyk, and visitors can enjoy a nice walk right in the middle of the street.