GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KHARKOV AND UKRAINE

Kharkov

Kharkov is the second largest city in Ukraine with a Population of over 1,5 million people. Active settling and development of Kharkov region began in the 30-th of the 17th century, and acquired the mass character during the war of Liberation of Ukrainian people in 1648-1654. It was then, that the vast territories of the current East of Ukraine were mainly populated by Ukrainians, the migrants from the Trans-Dnieper area (Zadnipryanshchina), who have formed the aboriginal population of the land. In 1654 these lands were called the Sloboda Ukraine or Slobozhanshchina with their center in Kharkov which stood on the confluence of the Kharkov and the Lopan rivers. During the last three centuries, Kharkov has become not only a traditional center of the East-Ukrainian lands but also one of the most developed industrial city of Ukraine and in the south of Eastern Europe. Today, Kharkov is one of the biggest scientific, technical and commercial centres of Ukraine. Kharkov is also called as the City of Students - by the number of higher educational institutions Kharkov stands first place in the Ukraine. Many young people from all around Ukraine come to study in its oldest and prestigious institutes and universities. Kharkov is a very green city. Tourists like this city because of wonderful parks and squares. The main square in Kharkov is the biggest in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. Historical museum, cathedrals, churches, theaters, exhibitions - there are a lot of interesting places in Kharkov you will be able to visit.

Geographical Location & Population

Ukraine is situated in Eastern Europe and lies in the Dnipro River basin. Neighboring Ukraine are the countries of Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. In the South, Ukraine is washed by the Black and Azov Seas. The area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq.km, the population is 51,728,400. Kiev (Kyiv, in Ukrainian), Capital of Ukraine, occupies a territory over 790 sq. Km and is situated on the banks of the Dnipro River which divides it in two parts - the left and right ones. About 3 million people live in Kiev. Approximately 85% of the Ukrainian population are Orthodox Christians; 10% are Catholics of the Byzantine rite; 3% are Protestant (mainly Baptists); 1.3% are of the Jewish faith.

Kharkov is situated in north-eastern part of Ukraine and has approximately 2 million residents. Kharkov has much to offer in the cultural and architectural arenas with its wide tree-lined boulevards and historical buildings. Kharkov is a major industrial center that includes companies specializing in electronics, engineering, aviation, food and chemical production, etc. Also Kharkov is often referred to as 'City of students' as over 40 educational institutions are located here, including one of the best universities of foreign USSR (Kharkov State University), all-Ukraine famous Law Academy, Aviation Institute, where many of famous scientists have studied, and many more - more than in any other ukrainian city.

Climate

Climate in Ukraine is temperate-continental, but for the Crimea where there is a subtropical climate of mediterrainian type. Winters are long, snowy and cool, average temperature in January is - 6 Celsius degrees (21 Fahrenheit degrees). The coolest month is February. Summer is short, not very hot, average temperature in July is +19 Celsius degrees (67 Fahrenheit degrees). In July and August the thermometer gauge can raise to +35-40 Celsius degrees, but more often it stays at + 25, 30 Celsius degrees. Change of seasons is very distinct in Ukraine, snowy winter, flowering warm springtime, hot summer and gilded autumn.

Electricity

Standard voltage in electric networks all through Ukraine is 220 volts. Faults in electricity supply occur very seldom and, as a rule, are immediately eliminated.

Paying Tips

Restaurant bills normally include a 10% service charge, however, you'll often find that a few extra hryvnias can make your dining experience a lot more pleasurable :-).

Ukrainian Currency

Official state currency since 1996 is hryvna. We have money bills by nominal values 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 hryvnas and small change coins by nominal values 1,2,5,10,25,50 kopecks. Payments on the territory of Ukraine are realized only in national currency (hryvnas). You may change hard currency for hryvnas at exchange posts scatterred all over the city and at banks. In order to avoid fraud and troubles, do not use services of street changers. You can get cash for your travellers checks in hotels and some banks. Credit cards are taken for payment only in large hotels, restaurants and shops.
See more information about Hryvnia at The National Bank of Ukraine site. Also pay attention to the description of protection techniques implemented in Hryvnya as counterfeit currency is not so rare.

Credit Cards

Ukraine is a cash economy. Traveler's checks and credit cards are gaining wider acceptance in larger cities. Use of credit cards is limited to the better hotels, Western-style restaurants, international airlines and select stores. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are commonly accepted. A passport or diplomatic card may be required whenever a credit card is used. You can take cash money from your credit card in any cash machine. Also you can use services of international money transfer companies, such as Western Union.

Water

For drinking water, Kharkovites use water filters, or boil tap water. We do not advise you to drink tap water without filtering. Better buy drinking water at shops. Big popularity among Kharkovites enjoys water retrieved from artesian bore holes, 600 and more meters deep. Cars selling artesian water can often be seen throught the city. This water is much cleaner than the tap water, and usually is aerated. In each house, there is cold and hot water.

Operation Hours

Workday in state-opened and private companies usually begins at 9.00 and ends at 18.00, with dinner break at 14.00-15.00 or 13.00-14.00, the days off are Saturday and Sunday. Most of the banks are open for visitors from 9.00 till 18.00, days off - Saturday, Sunday. There also exists such a notion as "technical break" for 15 min usually at booking offices, which can happen each 2-3 hours.

Language

Official state language in Ukraine since 1990 is Ukrainian, but alongside with it Russian is broadly used. In big cities, Russian is mostly used (particularly in Eastern part, where you will hardly hear ukrainian speech), and in villages - Ukrainian. All official documents are exercised in Ukrainian, mass media uses two languages. More and more people in Kharkov speak English, especially students. Hotels, restaurants, bars, private companies hire people who know English. But do not hope to hear English in shops, kiosks, or town transport.

Crime Situation

In spite of the common in western newspapers view that the streets of Kharkov and other ukrainian cities are dangerous for foreign tourists, this is not really so. In fact, streets of Kharkov are much more safe than the streets of New York, Los-Angeles or Chicago. You can freely move along the streets at night time, if you keep your usual behaviour. Try not to call attention to yourself, don't carry big sums of money with you, do not use services of street money changers, keep your eye on your baggage and your own pocket when using public transport. Do not carry money amounts greater than needed in your pockets, avoid getting into taxi if there are already several passengers in it. Follow all principles of good sense and your stay in Kharkov will be pleasing.