In preparation for launch, I have decided that as I do my research on the countries I will be traveling to, I want you all to learn about them too!
So, first up is UKRAINE!
MAP OF UKRAINE WITHIN EUROPE
MAP OF UKRAINE
Summary:
- With the Caucasus Mountains, its crumbling castles, and the Black Sea, Ukraine is a popular destination for European tourists.
- However, though it was formerly the second largest economy in the Soviet Union, this nation now struggles with poverty. The orphan population is growing and human trafficking is as well.
- The most common religion is Eastern Orthodoxy. It’s estimated that 75% of the population believes in God, but only 37% attend any kind of service regularly.
Area:
- 603,550 sq km (almost 4 times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas)
Culture:
- Despite the large numbers describing themselves as atheist, Ukrainians are extremely superstitious. If you do something that they believe can cause harm such as sitting on stone steps, someone will undoubtedly tell you that you risk doing great harm to yourself as a result of your actions. Superstitions are derived from folk wisdom in rural communities.
- Ukrainians live in a country where everyday life is often unpredictable and unstable and they have learned to adapt to constantly changing rules and laws. The influences of the Russian Orthodox Church plus a long history of turbulent economic times, unstable governments, and adverse climatic conditions produce a rather fatalistic approach towards life.
- Ukrainians are extremely generous and hospitable. All social occasions include food. Visitors are always offered something to eat as well as a beverage. It is considered the height of rudeness to eat in front of another person and not offer them something.
- In Ukraine, it is not a custom to shake hands with a woman. Kissing her hand will make you very gallant
- On public transportation, you give up your seat to mothers with children, the elderly, or the infirm
What am I going to do there?
- Meeting with university and high school aged students to form relationships with them
- Conducting weekly evangelistic school sessions to teach the English language
Climate:
- Temperate continental
- Mediterranean-like only on the southern Crimean coast
- Precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast
- Winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland
- Warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south
Language:
- The official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian, an East Slavic language which is the native language of 65% of Ukraine’s population.
- Russian is the native language of 33% of Ukraine’s population and the rest (2%) are native speakers of other languages.
How to say Hello:
- ?????? ????. (DOH-bryy dehn’)
Fun Facts:
- It’s the largest country in Europe if you don’t include Russia
- The heaviest silver coin was released in Ukraine in 2006
- Ukrainians wear their wedding rings on their right hands
- Ukraine has the 4th largest number of IT professionals in the world, behind the US, India, and Russia
- The literacy rate for the total population is 99.8%
Is it safe?
- Yes!
Also, we will be in Ukraine for their Independence Day on August 24th!
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- The most important, PRAY.
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