Ukraine is a Central-Eastern European state. Its territory is 603.7 ths. sq. km, and is larger than countries such as France and Germany. From north to south Ukraine stretches for 893 km, from west to east, for 1,316 km. Ukraine is the biggest European country whose borders lie fully within Europe.
To the south the Black and Azov seas wash Ukraine, and through their ports, the country creates intensive trade relations with foreign countries. Access to the Danube River provides links with several countries in Western Europe. Important railway and motorcar highways cross Ukraine. The country is well-connected by air with almost all places on Earth.
Ukraine borders: to the north with Belarus, to the north-east and east with the Russian Federation, to the north-west with Poland, to the west with Slovakia, and to the south-west with Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The total length of the border is 4,558 km. The geographical center of Europe is located near Rakhov, in the Trans-Carpathian region.
The unique geographical position and relief, favorable climate, as well as the richness of the natural, historical and cultural, and recreational potential of Ukraine creates opportunities for a whole range of tourists.
Most of Ukraine is flat, with hills less than 350 m high. There are mountain ranges in the west (Carpathian Mountains) and in the south (Crimean Mountains). The Ukrainian Carpathians are the northern part of the Eastern Carpathians. Their length is 280 km. Mountain Goverla is the highest peak (2,061 m). The Crimean Mountains are located in the south of the Crimean Peninsula. Their length is 150 km, width reaches 50 km. They consist of three almost parallel ridges, which stretch along coast of Black Sea: the Main Ridge, with a height up to 1,545 m (Roman-Kosh); the Inner Ridge, with a height up to 750 m; and the External Ridge, with a height up to 350 m.
Ukraine’s climate is moderately continental with definite microclimates in the Crimean and Carpathian mountains, and also on the southern shore of Crimea, where it has both subtropical and desert features in different locations. The summer is mainly warm and dry, winter is soft and humid.
Ukraine has climatic resources for development of almost all types of recreational activity. Recreational areas with the most favorable climatic conditions are concentrated in south of Ukraine, in Crimea – mainly for summer holidays, and in the Carpathians and its foothills, for summer and winter recreational activity.
The frost-free period lasts from 150-160 days in the north, to 250 days in the south. For 150-190 days in a year, average daily temperature exceeds +100Ń, which assists to the development of all types of tourism. The duration of the swimming season is from 105 to 145 days.
Over 70 ths. rivers flow on Ukrainian territory, and the most important and largest of them are the Dnepr, Dniester, Southern Bug, Siverskiy Donets, and Danube. Most rivers belong to the Black and Azov seas basins, with 4 percent to the basin of the Baltic Sea.
The Dnepr (third in Europe by size) is the largest river in the country. It is 2,285 kilometers long, and 1,205 kilometers of it are on the territory of Ukraine. The Dnepr's basin covers almost half the territory of state.
Ukraine has over 3 ths. natural lakes and 22 ths. artificial reservoirs. South of country is washed by warm Black and Azov Seas, which belong to basin of Atlantic Ocean. The length of the Black Sea coastline of Ukraine is over 1500 kilometers, of which half is suitable for tourist purposes. Average water temperature in August is 22-250Ń, salinity of water is 18 ppm.