Kyiv facts for kids

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This page is about the capital city of Ukraine. For other uses, see Kyiv (disambiguation).

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Kyiv

Київ

Kiev

Capital city and city
with special status

Independence Square

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Red University Building

House with Chimaeras

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Mariinskyi Palace

Flag
Coat of arms	Logo

Nickname(s):

Mother of Rus' Cities

Anthem: How Can I Not Love You, Kyiv of Mine!

Kyiv

Location in Ukraine

Kyiv

Location in Europe

Country

Ukraine

Municipality

Kyiv

Founded

AD/CE (officially)
1494 (Magdeburg rights)

Named for

Kyi

City council

Kyiv City Council

Districts

List of 10

Darnytskyi District
Desnianskyi District
Dniprovskyi District
Holosiivskyi District
Obolonskyi District
Pecherskyi District
Podilskyi District
Shevchenkivskyi District
Solomianskyi District
Sviatoshynskyi District

Area

• Capital city and city
with special status

839 km² (324 sq mi)

Elevation

179 m (587 ft)

Population

(1 January 2021)

• Capital city and city
with special status

2,952,301

• Rank

1st in Ukraine
7th in Europe

• Density

3,299/km² (8,540/sq mi)

• Metro

3,475,000 of the Kyiv metropolitan area

Demonym(s)

Kyivan, Kievan
Киянин, Киянка (uk)

GDP

• Capital city and city with special status

₴1.28 trillion (US$46.76 billion) (2021)

• Per capita

₴431,616 (US$15,815.9) (2021)

Time zone

UTC+02:00 (EET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+03:00 (EEST)

Postal code

01xxx–04xxx

Area code(s)

+380 44

ISO 3166 code

UA-30

Vehicle registration plate

AA, KA (before 2004: КА, КВ, КЕ, КН, КІ, KT)

FIPS code

UP12

NUTS statistical regions of Ukraine

UA63

Kyiv (also spelled Kiev) is the capital city of Ukraine. It is the largest city in the country and one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. Kyiv is located in the north-central part of Ukraine along the Dnieper River.

The city is a major center for culture, science, and industry. It has many universities, high-tech companies, and famous historical landmarks. Kyiv also has a large public transport system, including the Kyiv Metro, which is a subway system with some of the deepest stations in the world.

As of 2022, nearly 3 million people lived in Kyiv, making it the seventh-most populous city in Europe.

Name of the City

The name Kyiv comes from the Ukrainian language. The name Kiev comes from the Russian language.

According to an old legend, the city was named after Kyi, the oldest of three brothers who founded the city.

Today, "Kyiv" is the official spelling used by the government and most international organizations. Many people started using "Kyiv" instead of "Kiev" to show support for Ukraine's independence and its own language.

History

Legends and Early Days

People have lived in the area around Kyiv for thousands of years, dating back to the Stone Age.

The legendary founders: Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and their sister Lybid.

There is a famous legend about how the city began. It says that three brothers named Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv, along with their sister Lybid, built the city. They named it Kyiv after the eldest brother.

Historians believe the city started as a trading center around the 5th or 6th century. It was located on a major trade route that connected Scandinavia (where the Vikings lived) to the Greek city of Constantinople.

The Golden Age

In the late 9th century, the city became the capital of a powerful state called Kievan Rus'. This was the first state of the East Slavs. During this time, Kyiv was one of the largest and most important cities in the world. It was a center for trade and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Hard Times and Rebuilding

In 1240, the Mongols invaded and destroyed much of the city. For a long time after that, Kyiv lost its power. Over the next few centuries, it was ruled by different neighbors, including Lithuania, Poland, and Russia.

In the 19th century, while part of the Russian Empire, Kyiv began to grow again. The Industrial Revolution brought factories, railways, and trade. It became an important city once more.

Modern Kyiv

In the 20th century, Kyiv faced many challenges. It suffered during World War I and the Russian Civil War. In 1934, it became the capital of Soviet Ukraine.

During World War II, the city was occupied by Nazi Germany and suffered great damage. A very tragic event happened at Babi Yar, where thousands of people were killed. After the war, the city was rebuilt and grew quickly.

In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Ukraine became an independent country with Kyiv as its capital.

In February 2022, Russian forces tried to capture the city. The Ukrainian army defended Kyiv successfully, and the invading forces were pushed back.

Geography and Weather

The River and Hills

Satellite view of Kyiv and the Dnieper River.

Kyiv is built on both sides of the Dnieper River, which flows south to the Black Sea.

The Right Bank (western side) is older and has many hills, ravines, and small rivers. This is where the historic center is.
The Left Bank (eastern side) is flatter and was built up more recently, mostly in the 20th century.

The city has many islands in the river and plenty of water. There are also many parks and forests, making Kyiv a very green city.

Climate

Kyiv has a humid continental climate. This means it has four distinct seasons:

Summer: Warm and sunny. Temperatures are usually around 25 °C (77 °F).
Winter: Cold and snowy. Temperatures often drop below freezing. The snow usually stays on the ground from November to March.

How the City is Run

Kyiv has a special status in Ukraine. It is not just a city but also acts like a region.

The Mayor is elected by the people. The current mayor is Vitali Klitschko, a former world champion boxer.
The city is divided into 10 districts (called raions). Seven are on the Right Bank and three are on the Left Bank.

People and Culture

Population

Kyiv is home to nearly 3 million people. Most of the residents are ethnic Ukrainians. There are also people from many other backgrounds, including Russians, Belarusians, and Jews.

Language

The official language is Ukrainian. Many people also speak Russian. It is common to hear both languages spoken in the streets, and many people are bilingual (speak two languages).

Religion

Religion is an important part of the city's history. Kyiv is a major center for Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It has many beautiful churches and monasteries with golden domes.

Famous Places to See

Kyiv is full of history and beautiful architecture.

Historic Buildings

Saint Sophia Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saint Sophia Cathedral: Built in the 11th century, it is famous for its mosaics and frescoes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves): An ancient monastery founded in 1051. It has a system of underground caves where monks used to live.
Golden Gate: A reconstruction of the ancient entrance to the city.
Mother Ukraine: A giant statue made of titanium that stands on a hill overlooking the river. It is part of a museum about World War II.

Museums and Parks

National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War: A large complex with open-air displays of military equipment.
Kyiv Zoo: A large zoo that is home to over 2,000 animals.
Hydropark: An island in the Dnieper River with beaches, boat rentals, and amusement parks.

Getting Around

The Zoloti Vorota metro station is known for its beauty.

Kyiv has a large public transport network.

Kyiv Metro: The subway system is very popular. It is fast and has beautiful stations that look like underground palaces. The station Arsenalna is the deepest metro station in the world, going 105.5 meters underground!
Trolleybuses and Trams: Electric buses and trams run throughout the city.
Funicular: A cable railway that connects the historic upper town with the lower commercial district called Podil.

Sports

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Kyiv. The most famous team is FC Dynamo Kyiv. They have won many championships and play in a large stadium called the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex. This stadium hosted the final match of the UEFA Euro 2012 championship.