UKRAINE| Capital: | Kiev |
| Population: | 49,811,174 |
| Government type: | Republic |
| Location: | Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia |
| Area: | 603,700 km2 |
| Land boundaries: | Total 4,558 km; Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 90 km |
| Ethnic groups: | Ukrainian (73%), Russian (22%), Jewish (1%), other (4%) |
| Religions: | Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish |
| Languages: | Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian |
History
The Ukraine is one of the biggest countries in Europe. It is situated in the centre of the continent. It is bordered in the west by Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. In the north by Belarus and in the north-east by Russia. Its southern shores are washed by the Azov and the Black Sea.
Government
On 1st December 1991 the Ukrainian people voted unanimously for independence. The Parliament (VERHOVA RADA) of the Ukraine is the highest legislative body. The President of the Ukraine is the superior official and head of executive power of a state and he is elected by nation-wide vote (referendum).
Economy
After Russia, the Ukrainian Republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas. Shortly after the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalised most prices and erected a legal framework for privatisation, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output in 1992-1998 fell to less than half the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyper inflationary levels in late 1993. Since his election in July 1994, President Kuchma has pushed economic reforms, maintained financial discipline, and tried to remove almost all remaining controls over prices and foreign trade. The onset of the financial crisis in Russia dashed Ukraine’s hopes for its first year of economic growth in 1998 due to a sharp fall in export revenue and reduced domestic demand. Although administrative currency controls will have been lifted in early 1999, they are likely to be reimposed when the Hryvnia next comes under pressure. The currency is only likely to collapse further if Ukraine abandons tight monetary policies or threatens default.
Police
Law Enforcement Bodies :
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine on Militia (police) adopted on 20th December 1990 by the Parliament of Ukraine, the National Militia Organization is a united system of bodies and a part of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. It fulfils administrative, preventive, operative-search, criminal-judicial, executive and guard functions. The Militia Organization consists of the following services:
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