We are pleased to present to you the capital
of Ukraine - Kiev. The world has other cities
that are older, bigger, richer, smarter and
more comfortable. But Kyiv is beatiful and
unique in its own way. The city's natural
landscape with the boudless expanses of the
Dnieper is in itself remarkable picturesque.
The architectural ambience of the city has
been built up over fifteen centuries of
construction. Set amidst the natural
landscape, the city's architectural
masterpieces create a unique impression. Many
historic monuments are preserved in Kyiv.
These memorials remind us of the outstanding
Kyivans who made their city famous throughout
all the continents.
Kyiv's location was preordained by nature
itself for a unique settlement. The city arose
of the frontier between the forest and
forest-steppe zones, in a place where trade
between tribes was lively. The city is
cituated on the river Dnieper - one of the
most important navigation arteries in Europe,
part of the ancient trade route "from the
Varangians the the Greeks". It is also the
place where the Desna river flows into the
Dnieper. The landscape consists of a series of
elevations intersected by streams and ravines,
which create secure natural fortifications.
The legend about the founding of Kiev
tells: "And there were three brothers: one
known as Kiy, the second - Scheck, and the
third - Khoriv; and their sister was Lybid.
Kiy settled on the mountain that is now the
Borichev Slope; Scheck settled on the
mountain now known as Scheckavitsa; and Khoriv
lived on the mountain now known as Khorevitsa.
They built a town, and they called it Kyiv
afer the oldest brother. The forest round the
town was big and there were a lot of animals.
Those men were wise and clever, and their
people were called the Polians." This is the
starting point of the history of the city on
the Dnieper-Slavutich - the acknowledged
spiritual center of Rus, Ukraine and the
eastern Slavs.
Unfortunately, Kyiv's virtues constantly
attracted the predatory attention of invaders.
It is difficult to name any other European
capital that has been conquered and destroyed
so often. But after every defeat, Kyiv rose
even more beatiful - like a Phoenix from the
ashes.
Today Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine, a
sovereign state belonging to the UN and the
Council of Europe. Kyiv has a populaion of
more than 2.6 million people. It occupies an
area of 827 square kilometers. Every day Kyiv
receives numerous visitors eager to see it's
shrines and architectural ensembles. museums
and parks, theatres and stadiums. Whether the
chestnuts are in bloom or the lindens are
fragran, whether the trees are painted in
autumn colors or snow covers the roofs and
hills - the city on the Dnieper is always
beatiful and ready to greet you
hospitably.
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