Kiev - the capital of Ukraine / Киев - столица Украины

The best way to get acquainted with a country and its culture is to visit its capital. If you visit Kiev, you'll never forget it and will dream about coming to it once more. Kiev is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Eastern Europe. It is more than 1525 years old and bears the name of the prince Kyi, who lived on the d Kiev Hill in the sixth century. The city is situated on the hilly right bank and on the low left bank of the Dnieper River. Nowadays it is a large political, scientific, cultural and business centre of Ukraine.

Because of its beauty, Kiev is often called a garden city. It looks very charming in spring, when chestnut trees are in blossom. A chestnut tree is considered to be one of Kiev's symbols, that's why there are a lot of these trees in the city. But not only chestnut trees make the capital green. There are more than a hundred parks in Kiev. So, there is enough place for work and for rest in the capital.

Many people visit Kiev in order to find themselves in the centre of the cultural life of the capital. The most famous theatres of Ukraine open their doors for you every day. Among them are the National Opera, Ukrainian Drama Theatre, Russian Drama Theatre, Theatre of Comedy and Drama, Youth People's Theatre and many others. Professional musical ensembles of the city include the National Philharmonic, State Bandurist Kapelle, Veriovka State Choir, Symphony Orchestra and many others.

If you want to know more about the history of the capital and its country, you may choose among more than 20 museums of the city. The most famous of them are the Historical Museum, Museum of Ukraine's Literature, Western and Eastern Art Museum, Museum of Kiev's History, Museum of Historical Treasures, the Memorial Complex of the Great Patriotic War and many others. Many monuments have been erected in Kiev's squares, parks, and other public places. The oldest are the monuments to the Magdeburg law on the right bank of the Dnieper (by A. Melensky), St. Vladimir in Vladimir Hill park (by V. Klodt and V. Demut-Malynovsky, 1853), and B.Khmelnitsky in St. Sophia Square (by M. Mikeshin, 1888). Very many people come to Kiev on business trips. Kiev is also the big industrial centre. A large part of Ukraine's industrial output is produced by Kiev's en prises: motorcycles, tape recorders, electrical equipment, audio and video equipment, furniture, clothing, etc. Kiev is the major transportation hub of Ukraine. It has five railway stations, an international airport near Borispol and an important river port.

So, if you decide to come to Ukraine's capital, you will always find a way to do it and enjoy one of the most beautiful European cities.

Словарь

a chestnut tree — каштан

to erect — возводить

the Magdeburg law — Магдебургское право

equipment — оборудование

to produce — производить