Ukraine

Modern Life & Technology

Many popular mobile apps like BetterMe, and Uklon were created by Ukrainian developers!

Ukraine’s metro (subway) stations are some of the deepest in the world — as deep as a 30-story building!

Ukrainian students regularly win international competitions in mathematics and computer programming!

Ukraine has special schools called “lyceum” where students can focus on subjects they love, like arts or sciences!

The Ukrainian city of Lviv has the most coffee shops per person of any city in Europe!

Ukraine is one of the world’s largest producers of sunflower oil!

Many Ukrainian cities have special youth centers where kids can learn robotics and coding!

Fun and Unique Facts

Ukraine is home to Chernobyl, which is now a unique wildlife sanctuary where rare animals live!

Optymistychna Cave, located in western Ukraine, is the world’s longest gypsum cave, with explored passages stretching over 260 kilometers (about 162 miles).

In Ukrainian, the word “побратими” (pobratymy) refers to friends who are as close as brothers.

Ukrainian gymnasts have won more Olympic medals than many larger countries!

The Oleshky Sands in Ukraine is Europe’s second-largest desert!

Ukraine has over 100 natural springs with healing mineral water!

The Snake Island in the Black Sea is home to rare birds and plants!

Ukraine’s Askania-Nova nature reserve has zebras and bison living freely on the steppes!

Traditional Ukrainian houses were built without any nails!

Traditional Ukrainian houses were built without any nails!

Ukrainian embroidery patterns are like a secret code — each design has a special meaning!

In Ukraine, during the festival of Ivana Kupala, people jump over bonfires for good luck!

Ukrainian Christmas celebrations include twelve special dishes!

Ukrainian honey is famous worldwide, and beekeeping has been practiced here for over 1,000 years!

Ukrainians make “kutia,” a special sweet grain pudding, for Christmas Eve!

The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, founded in 1632, was one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe!

Ukrainian Cossacks had special boats called “chaiky” that could sail both forward and backward!

The first books in Ukraine were written by hand and decorated with gold!

Ukrainian folk tales often feature a character called Kotyhoroshko, who was born from a pea!

Ukraine launches its own satellites into space!

The Poltava breed of chicken, famous for its beautiful feathers and good egg-laying, comes from Ukraine!

People in the Ukrainian Carpathian mountains communicate using special wooden horns called “trembitas” that can be heard up to 10 kilometers away!

Ukraine has secret underground tunnels called “katakomby” under the city of Odesa that stretch for nearly 2,500 kilometers!

Ukrainian Leonid Kadenyuk was the first astronaut from independent Ukraine to fly in space!

Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote “Carol of the Bells,” a famous Christmas song heard around the world!

Ukraine’s national dish borscht has over 30 different recipes depending on which region you visit!

In Ukraine, there’s a tradition where unmarried girls put flower wreaths in rivers on Ivan Kupala night to predict who they’ll marry!

The Ostroh Academy in Ukraine, founded in 1576, had one of the first printing presses in Eastern Europe!

Kyiv’s Golden Gate was built between 1017–1024, and was named after a similar structure in Constantinople (Istanbul)!

Traditional Ukrainian houses were built facing south to get the most sunlight throughout the day!