Landscape and Climate 

Ukraine is bordered by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to the west, the Black Sea to the south, and Russia and Belarus to the east and north. Ukraine is divided into 24 areas called oblasts and one autonomous republic, Crimea.
Much of the country is fertile agricultural land, covered by vast plains and plateaus called steppes. To the west are the Carpathian mountains. The Crimean peninsula, which juts out into the Black Sea, is also mountainous.
Several major rivers, including the Dnestr and the Dnipro, cross the steppes and water Ukraine's rich black earth. The land was once called "The Breadbasket of Europe" because of the quantity and quality of grain grown. Ukraine also has deposits of coal and iron, and the Dnipro river has been dammed to generate hydroelectric power, making it an important industrial centre.
In Ukraine summers are warm, and the average July temperature in Kyiv is about 19°C. Hot, dry winds from the desert steppes to the east sometimes cause summer droughts. Winters are snowy in Kiev where the average January temperature is -6°C. On the Crimean peninsula in the south, the climate is mild.

Ukraine's environment was disastrously affected by the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl. The soil and vegetation in the region are contaminated. Air and water pollution went largely unchecked during the Soviet era. Environmental concerns formed part of the Ukraine's drive for independence from the Soviet Union, and current policies include environmental protection measures.
Did you know?
With the recent independence of Ukraine from Russia, Ukrainian words for Russian ones, as part of the country's activity to reclaim it's heritage. For example, what we know as Kiev is now called Kyiv.
Summary Fact Sheet
 

Official Name:

Ukraine

Capital:

Kyiv

Type of Government:

Multiparty republic

Population:

52 million

Area:

603,700 sq. km

Major Ethnic Groups:

Ukrainian, Russian

Language:

Ukrainian

Religion:

Christianity

Unit of Currency:

Hryvnia

National Flag:

Two equal horizontal bands of blue on top and yellow on the bottom

Date of independence:

 
August 24, 1991
 
Ukraine has a population of approximately 49 million with an ethnic composition of 73% Ukrainian, 23% Russian and 2% Jewish. Two-thirds the population lives in rural areas, where poverty is widespread.
Many children from low income families have poor nutrition and no access to primary health care. The number of children living on the streets has risen steadily over the past decade.
 
Ukrainian law does not allow the pre identification of children for international adoption, hence unlike in other countries; families do not receive a child proposal before they travel to the country. Based on their policy of direct contact with adoptive families, families are invited by the adoption centre to the Ukraine where they will receive referrals of available adoptive children.
 
Following approval by Canadian provincial authorities, the adoption process in Ukraine is as follows:
• Registration of the family file with the Adoption Centre in Ukraine
   for approval
• Receipt of Invitation to visit the National Adoption Centre
• Review of child profiles and selection of a prospective child
• Visit to the orphanage to meet the child
• Signing the consent documents in consultation with Canadian agency
   and social worker
• Presentation of the case to the judge, court hearing and decision
• Finalization of Immigration and visa processes
• Return to Canada
 
Ukrainian adoptions may take between 12 - 18 months from start to finish. Due to the fact that a child is not pre selected, the duration of stay within Ukraine is longer than in other countries and may last from 4 - 6 weeks.
 
The Mission of TEARS has a well established adoption program in the Ukraine with field staff to assist families in all overseas procedures.