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Kiev is the hero city, the capital and the largest city in Ukraine, and the administrative center of the Kyiv region. Kiev is located on the Dnieper River and is in the northern part of Ukraine. The governmental authorities are concentrated in Kiev. This is also the place where foreign nationals quarters are located. The length of Kiev is 50 kilometers from north to south and 56 kilometers from west to east.
According to a legend from the 12th century, the name of the city of Kiev comes from the name of one of the three brothers, one of the founders of the city. There is also another version, according to which the city of Kiyiv was called by the name of the people – Kiyans, who were the first to inhabit the city and were engaged in the work of servicing the river Dnieper. This crossing was served by wooden stakes (kiyas) hammered into the bottom of the river and a wooden bed.
Because Kiev was part of Russia for a long time, its name was translated into other languages in conformity with the Russian name: Kiev (English), Kiew (German). Since the independence of Ukraine, official foreign documents have increasingly translated the Ukrainian name Kyiv.
Initially, Kyiv was the capital of the ancient Poles. Then Kievan Rus and Kievan principality. In connection with the historical past of Kiev, it was called the Mother of Russian Cities. Since 1918, Kiev – the capital of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic. Since 1991, Kievan has been the capital of Ukraine.
The first settlements «Kievan» were discovered about 2000 years ago. The early development of Kievan can be divided into three stages, characterized by the White-Groud culture, the Zarubanec culture, and the Czernichian archaeological culture.
Kiev was founded by three brothers in the 6th century. In the 9th century, the kings of Kievan were the kings of the kings of Rurik, Askkold and Dir. In 882 Kievan was headed by Ryuriks grandson, prince Oleg of Novgorod, who proclaimed Kievan a Russian city. From that moment on, Kievan became the capital of the new state – Kievan Rus.
In his Chronicles, the ancient president of Louisiana, Johannesburg, indicates that Kievan had a second name, Samavatas. In Hebrew and European journals, Kievan is called Mankermann.
Kievans throne belonged to the eldest of the princely clan. Kievan was the active economic and political center of Kiev during the death of Mislav the Great. Throughout all of Kievs existence, Kiev has been the center of international competition among the princes.
In the early 19th century, the population of Ukraine amounted to 30,000 people. According to the 2001 population census, there were about 2,611,300 people living in Kiev. The 2010 Census showed that there were 2,785,825 people living in Kiev. The population, on average, grows by 20,000 people a year.
One of the oldest monuments in the world is the St. Sophia of Kiev – the Shrine of the Holy Trinity. The Cathedral of the Holy Sepulchre was founded by Prince Vladimir the Great of Kiev. The temple was built & laquo;as&with&the&like&of&its&Constantinopolitan&analogue&of&the&Cathedral&of&the&St. Sophia&with&very&complex&architectural&elements&of&the&time. Inside the temple, one can see a great number of ancient Russian frescoes and mosaics. Surrounding the cathedral is a collection of monastic structures dating from the 17th and 18th centuries: the Burse, the Metropolitan House, the Brotherhood Building, and much more. The St. Sophia of Kievan is a National Monastery listed in the World Heritage List.
Another ancient monastery is the Holy Epiphany of Kievan and Pechersk Lavra. The monastery, which is the center of Russian Orthodoxy, was founded in 1051 by the Monk Antoninus of Pechersk. The main relic of the monastery is the relics of the saintly saints. Here is also buried a hero of Russian fiction, Illya Momoromin.
The Museum of Mikhail Mikhail Boulaykov is in the house called The House of Turbins, where the writer lived and wrote from 1096 to 1919. The building features many of Bulgakovs paintings, and the rooms remain as Bulgakov described them in his works.
According to the approved plan for the citys development in 2020, Kievan will be joined in the near future by such cities as Borishevskyi, Boryodyanskyi, Broweryanskyi, Vasylyovskyi, Makarskyi, Fastovskyi. Kiev is also planned to be joined by satellite cities, among which may be Boryspil, Vyshgorod, Yirpin, and Fastov.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 31 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 2,900,000 people
- GDP: $2,099 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 34 Mbps
- Best wireless: Lifecell
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: Most locals in Ukraine don’t tip at restaurants, but tips may be expected from tourists. Tipping isn’t part of the culture, but is being introduced since Westerners have begun travelling to Ukraine. However if you do wish to tip, you can tip around 10% for good service.
- Apartment listings: Slando
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Best coworking space: Chasopys
- Online electronics shop: Rozetka
- Best short-haul air carrier: WizzAir
- Best intl air carrier: wizzair
- Monthly costs for expat: $1150
- Monthly costs for family: $2000
- Monthly costs for local: $600
- Meal: $4.5
- Small Cola: $0.7
- Beer 1 Pint: $0.9
- Coffee: $1.1
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