Supplementary reading

Text E Industrial potential of Ukraine

Ukraine is relatively rich in natural resources, particularly in mineral deposits. Althoughoilandnatural gasreserves in the country are largely exhausted, it has other important energy sources, such ascoal,hydroelectricityandnuclear fuelraw materials.

Agriculture

Ukraine is the world's largest producer of sunfloweroil, a major global producer ofgrainandsugar, and future global player onmeatanddairymarkets. It is also one of the largest producers of nuts. Ukraine also produces more naturalhoneythan any other European country. Because Ukraine possesses 30% of the world's richestblack soil, its agricultural industry has a huge potential. The agricultural industry in Ukraine is already highly profitable, with 40-60% profits.

Heavy industries

Iron mining

Ukraine is rich in mineral deposits, including iron ore, manganese ore, mercury, titanium, and nickel.

Ukraine is one of the world's most important mineral producing countries. There are nearly 8,000 separate deposits, harboring some 90 different minerals, of which about 20 are economically significant. About half of all the known deposits are under exploitation. Coal reserves in Ukraine amount to 47.1 billion tons. The annual domestic demand for coal as fuel is about 100 million tons, of which 85 percent can be satisfied by domestic production. Ukraine has oil and gas fields that meet 10 percent of her oil and 20 percent of her gas consumption, respectively. Ukraine contains natural gas reserves of 39.6 trillion cubic feet, but only about 20 percent of the country's demand is met by domestic production. Deposits of iron ore (estimated at 28 billion tons), manganese ore (3 billion tons), chalk and limestone (1.5 billion tons) are also large in Ukraine.

Steel production

Ukraine has a major ferrous metal industry, producing cast iron,steeland pipes. Among its economy leading companies in that field areMetinvest,Kryvorizhstal, AzovStal,Ilyich Steel & Iron Works, and others. As of 2010, Ukraine was the world'seighth largest steel producer(according toWorld Steel Association). Another important branch is the country'schemical industrywhich includes the production ofcoke, mineralfertilizersandsulfuric acid. Manufactured goods include metallurgical equipment,diesel locomotives,tractors, andautomobiles. The country possesses a massive high-tech industrial base, including much of the formerUSSR'selectronics,arms industryandspace program. However, these fields arestate-ownedand economically underdeveloped.

Strategic and defense complex

Ukraine is also among the top 10 armsexporters in the world. The signing of recent large contracts may put Ukraine into 6th place among biggest arms traders, after theUnited States,Russian Federation,France,GermanyandIsrael.

Fuel industry

Ukraine imports 90% of its oil and most of its natural gas. Russia ranks as Ukraine's principal supplier of oil, and Russian firms now own and/or operate the majority of Ukraine's refining capacity. Natural gas imports come from Russia - which delivers its own gas, as well as the gas from Turkmenistan. Instead, Ukraine is transporting Russian gas to the EU through its well-developed gas pipelines system, being Europe's vitally important connection. The country's dependence on Russian gas supplies dramatically affects its economics and foreign policy, especially after therecent major gas dispute.

However, Ukraine is independent in its electricity supply, moreover, exporting it to Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe. This is achieved through a wide use of nuclear powerandhydroelectricity.

Text F The largest cities in Ukraine

The majority of the population of Ukraine lives in towns and cities, 5 of which have more than one million people on its territory. The largest cities of Ukraine are Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odessa. Kyiv Kyivis the administrative, cultural, and financial core of Ukraine, represented by over 3 million citizens. Kiev's most famous historical architectural complexes are the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves).

Kharkiv Kharkivis also one of the largest cities of Ukraine and it is the former capital of Ukraine, the city with population of about 2 millions is the second-largest city in Ukraine after Kyiv. More than 380 industrial enterprises are located in the city. Kharkiv is not only an industrial and business center of Ukraine; it is also a city with a long and glorious history. The architecture of Kharkiv and its sightseeing attracts a lot of tourists: Uspenskiy (Dormition) Cathedral, Complex of Glory, Freedom Square which is the third large square in the Europe and the seventh in the world Militia Museum and many others.Dnipropetrovsk Another big city is Dnipropetrovsk with the population over million people. It is the third city in Ukraine after Kyiv and Kharkiv according to the population size. Dnipropetrovsk is the important center of the metallurgy industry und machine building, aerospace industry and rocket production. The city is famed also for its skyscrapers. In spite of the grand buildings in Dnipropetrovsk, its subway is one of the shortest subways in the world: 6 stations, the length of the line is 7,8 km. Among the historical sights the separate attention belongs to the Scythian women - here is the largest collection of them in Ukraine.Donetsk Donetsk is considered to be one of the largest cities in Ukraine. It is an unusual green industrial city with the population of one million people. Among the most interesting sightseeing of Donetsk is Mertsalov's Palm. The Palm is made from a single rail. In Voroshilov district of Donetsk you can find a park of forged figures. Every year in this park takes place an international festival of blacksmith's skill. In August 2009 in Donetsk was opened Donbass Arena stadium, designed and built in accordance with the standards of UEFA category Elite.Odessa Odessais a big city-port located in the south of Ukraine. It is a big industrial city with about 1 million inhabitants, but in the same time it is a great resort with sunny beaches, warm sea and a special way of life. Numerous historical places attract a lot of tourists to Odessa each year. For its beauty and location Odessa is called the pearl of the Black Sea. The increasing popularity is won with a new resort zone Carolina-Bugaz, Zatoka.Other big cities in Ukraine These cities are world known and play the significant role for Ukraine, but there are also other cities which should be seen - Lviv, Zaporizhya, Cherkasy, Sevastopol, Kherson, Ternopil and many others. Every city has its peculiarities and charm. All together they form the unique country called Ukraine.

Text G Ukraine economy overview

Ukraine economycan be classified as developed economy, given its overall level of industrial and agricultural output. However, the economy of Ukraine suffered because of various weaknesses deriving from overcentralized command economy during Soviet period.

Ukraine market economy

For the last years Ukraine is moving to market economy, where the forces of supply and demand and private ownership guide the allocation of resources. The transition to market economy is politically and socially difficult because the populace must endure rising inflation, unemployment, and economic uncertainty before it experiences the long-term benefits of market economy.

In addition, Ukraine redefines its economic relations with Russia and other former Soviet republics. As a way of safeguarding its political independence and limiting its economic vulnerability, Ukraine has its own national currency, called the hryvnia, from 1992. The economic reforms also cut military production and convert military factories and technologies to benefit the civilian economy and the populace.

Ukraine economy: Agriculture

Historically, Ukraine is well known for its agricultural production. Among its main agricultural products are sugar beets, wheat, meat, and dairy products. Other crops include barley, corn, rye, and tobacco.

Ukraine economy: Resources

Ukraine mineral resources have played an important role in supporting Ukraine industrial development and in providing for its energy needs. During the 1980s nuclear power also became a significant source of electrical power, accounting for about 25% of Ukraine’s electricity.

The accident at Chernobyl power station in 1986, however, created strong opposition to nuclear power in Ukraine, and efforts are now being made to phase out reliance on nuclear energy.

Ukraine economy: Industries

Ukrainian major industries are metalworks, machine building, construction, chemicals, food, and light industry. Ukraine is a major producer of steel and iron. About one-third of its industrial manufacturing comes from machine-building sector, which produces tractors, machine tools, and mining equipment.

Transportation vehicles manufactured by Ukraine economy include cars, trucks, buses, railway cars, diesel locomotives, airplanes, and ships.

The chief output of Ukrainian chemical industry is fertilizer, while Ukrainian food industry is involved with sugar refining, meat packaging, food canning, and wine production. Among consumer goods produced are television sets, refrigerators, washing machines, and clothes.

Ukraine economy: Transportation system

Overall, Ukraine has a well-developed and diverse transportation system. Ukrainian railroad network is extensive and links major cities with industrial enterprises. Waterways such as the Dnipro River and the Black Sea and the Azov sea, and their port cities, play an important role in shipping.

Ukrainian highway system comprises about 147,000 kilometers (91,000 miles) of paved roads. Ukrainian subway systems exist in Kyiv and Kharkiv. There are major airports near Kyiv (at Boryspil), Kharkiv and Odessa cities.

Ukraine economy: Export and Import

Ukrainian major exports include grain, sugar beets, coal, construction equipment, and select manufactured goods.

The primary Ukrainian import items are oil, natural gas, wood products, rubber, and consumer goods. Some of Ukraine major trading partners are Russia, Poland, USA, Hungary, Germany, France, and Iran.