Ukrainian facts for kids
Ukrainian refers to many things connected to the country of Ukraine. It can describe the people who live there, their unique language, or anything else from this interesting Eastern European nation.
Contents
What Does 'Ukrainian' Mean?
The word "Ukrainian" helps us talk about different parts of a country and its culture. It is like saying "American" for things from the United States. When you hear "Ukrainian," it usually points to something from or related to Ukraine.
Ukraine: The Country
Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe. Its capital city is Kyiv. Ukraine shares borders with several countries. These include Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The Black Sea also borders Ukraine to the south.
Ukraine has a rich history. It has been home to different groups of people for thousands of years. The country is known for its wide, flat plains called steppes. These lands are very good for farming. Ukraine is often called the "breadbasket of Europe" because it grows so much grain.
The country has a varied climate. Summers are warm, and winters can be very cold. Many rivers flow through Ukraine, including the large Dnieper River. This river is important for trade and transportation.
The Ukrainian People
The people of Ukraine are called Ukrainians. They have a strong national identity. Ukrainian culture is known for its beautiful folk art. This includes colorful embroidery and traditional songs. Music and dance are very important parts of their heritage.
Ukrainians celebrate many holidays. Christmas and Easter are celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar. They also have unique traditions like Vyshyvanka Day. On this day, people wear traditional embroidered shirts. Family and community are very important to Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian Language
The Ukrainian language is the official language of Ukraine. It is an East Slavic language. This means it is related to Russian and Belarusian. Ukrainian uses the Cyrillic alphabet. This alphabet looks different from the Latin alphabet used in English.
Many people around the world speak Ukrainian. This is because many Ukrainians live outside their home country. The language has a long history. It has developed over centuries. It has its own unique sounds and grammar rules.
A Look Back: Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
For a long time in the 20th century, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. From 1922 to 1991, it was known as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian SSR). During this time, Ukraine was one of the many republics that made up the Soviet Union.
The Ukrainian SSR had its own government. However, it was controlled by the main government in Moscow, Russia. Life in the Ukrainian SSR was different from how it is today. The economy was centrally planned. Many aspects of life were controlled by the state.
In 1991, the Soviet Union broke apart. Ukraine then became an independent country again. This was a very important moment for the Ukrainian people. It allowed them to build their own future.
