Kiev Travel Guide, Ukraine

Kiev is the Ukraine's capital, as well as the country's biggest educational, cultural, economical, and political center.  There is an endless amount of opportunities offered to travelers from the city.  Traveling to Kiev could possibly be the most pleasurable experience in a traveler's life.  The lifestyle of the people who live in the city will be just as interesting as the major museums and other attractions.

This city is one of Europe's largest and bustling capitals, with its scientific, educational, cultural, administrative, and economic center.  Kiev is located on the Dnepr River and has a population of more than 3 million people.  This is a city that has invaluable cultural and historical monuments, as well as a city of outstanding people and great events.  The city is often called the 'mother of all cities' by Ukrainians and Russians alike, and it is one of Europe's oldest towns.

Architecture and Art

The architecture and art in Kiev is considered to be a treasure of the world, with many famous writers, poets, and artists estimating the city's unique beauty.  The more renowned landmarks of the city include the Kievo-Percherskaya Lavra, which features many cathedrals and monasteries; The Cathedral of St. Sophia with its outstanding frescoes and mosaics that date back to the 1000s; the Cathedral of St. Vladimir, which is from the 1800s; the Ukrainian Baroque Church of St. Andrew; as well as the Golden Gate of Kiev that dates back to about 1037.

Culture

Kiev has a rich cultural life, with theaters that offer a variety of programs.  Most of the performances are spoken in Russian or Ukrainian.  The Kiev Opera House has been renovated recently, presenting very good opera and a broad ballet repertoire.  The Ivan Franko Theater is a Ukrainian center for musicals, comedy, and drama.  Many varieties of exhibitions are played out in the many art galleries and museums in Kiev as well.

Economy

This city is also an educational and scientific center for the independent country.  There are a variety of science academies and universities, which includes the famous Kiev-Mogilyanskaya Academy, of which is one of Eastern Europe's first scientific establishments.

The city is also the biggest in the country, leading as a commercial and industrial center.  The major industries of the city include metallurgy, food processing, and the manufacturing of machine tools, machinery, chemicals, rolling stock, textiles, and building materials.  The economy's development in the country has given impulse to the business activity in Kiev.  There are many new trade exhibition centers, banks, office centers, as well as other commercial enterprises being started in the city today.