Ukraine is one of the biggest countries in Europe, with a long and fascinating history. It is widely known for its fertile land, corrupt government, and for being one of the United Nation’s founding members. While Ukraine’s history is interesting, it is also quite painful and violent.
In this article, we’re going to look more closely at some interesting facts about Ukraine. We’ll also take a quick look at its history and what makes this country unique. Let’s dive right in.
History of Ukraine
Before Ukraine became what it is today, this country was initially ruled by countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Russia, though it was mainly ruled by Russia after the 18th century. After the first World War, the majority of the Ukrainian region was a part of the larger Soviet Union. However, the western section was divided between three countries, namely, Romania, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.
It suffered a severe famine a few years later when Joseph Stalin was ruling Ukraine, and it went through even more economic failure when World War II came around. Several decades after the second World War, Ukraine experienced the tragic Chernobyl accident that took place at a nuclear power plant. Finally, in 1991, Ukraine declared itself independent.
10 Interesting Facts About Ukraine
1. Ukraine was known for its fertile land and natural resources.
Before Ukraine’s soil was heavily polluted by the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, it was widely known for its fertile soil and abundance of natural resources. Studies have shown that one-fourth of the world’s most fertile soil is in Ukraine, so much so that it used to be called Europe’s breadbasket. It also has high amounts of natural resources like timber, lithium, and even natural gases.
2. Ukraine used to be home to the largest airplane in the world.
Unfortunately, this plane was destroyed during the Russian invasion in February 2022, but before it was, the Antonov An-225 Mriya was the largest airplane in the world. This plane was an airlift cargo plane specially designed to transport orbiters, but was later modified for commercial use towards the end of the 1990s.
It weighed around 640 tonnes and had the largest wingspan of any plane. One of the most interesting things about this plane is that it could transport objects that people thought couldn’t be lifted in the air, like wind turbine blades and generators.
3. Ukraine has diverse wildlife.
Ukraine’s flora, fungi, and fauna are hugely diverse. There are over 45,000 species of animals, with 400 species of birds, 110 species of mammals, and over 20 species of reptiles.
The majority of fauna in Ukraine is made up of 35,000 invertebrate species, including insects. The Crimea and Carpathian regions are home to some of the endemic insect species. In terms of flora, Ukraine is home to oak, birch, and pine trees.
4. Ukraine is home to the second-deepest metro station in the world.
Arsenalna is a station in Kyiv that falls along the Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska Line. It was opened back in 1960 and, at present, starts running from 6:00 AM every morning. This station is over 100 meters deep and has a two-step escalator; it is also the oldest metro station in Kyiv. After this station was reconstructed, it reopened properly in 2021, and was later used as a bomb shelter during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
5. Ukraine is one of the largest sunflower seed producers in the world.
We mentioned earlier that Ukraine is known for its fertile soil, so much so that this country was often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe! It might surprise you to know that Ukraine produces some of the largest quantities of sunflower seeds in the world. It produces over 13 tonnes per year, with research estimates showing that nearly the entire Slovenian region consists of sunflower fields.
6. Ukrainians mostly identify with the Christian faith.
Over 85% of the population in Ukraine is Christian, with the majority of Christian people beloning to the Eastern Orthodox Church. The remaining percentage identifies with Catholicism and Protestantism. Interestingly, 10% of Ukrainians are atheists.
7. Ukraine is home to the Tunnel of Love.
The Tunnel of Love is an interesting place in Ukraine that is widely considered to be a romantic spot. It is a part of an industrial railway that is about five kilometers long. Trains only pass through this section three times a day, which is why it is a popular place for couples to go and hang out. One of the best things about this tunnel is the green arches that form the tunnel.
8. Ukraine is home to the site of the Chernobyl disaster.
The Chernobyl explosion took place in 1968 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat. It was rated seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale, and is known to be the worst nuclear disaster in all of human history.
The accident took place due to a power surge, which triggered meltdowns and steam explosions, as well as a reactor core fire. The fire spread radioactive contaminants across Europe and the USSR, and less than 50,000 people had to be evacuated.
9. Ukraine did not invent chicken kiev!
Contrary to popular belief, this chicken dish does not come from Ukraine. Chicken Kiev’s roots can actually be found in early Russian recipes, as well as French haute cuisine. It is different from the Russian Pozharsky cutlet, which contains butter that is added to ground chicken.
10. Ukraine’s cuisine is inspired by the land.
Since Ukraine is home to fertile black soil, also known as chernozem, the main dishes from this country are heavily inspired by the food that it grows. For instance, Ukraine’s national dish is a beetroot soup called borscht. Many dishes contain simple ingredients and are often more modern version of classic peasant staples. Ukrainians use a lot of rye, potatoes, beetroot, cabbages, and mushrooms in their food. The more traditional Ukrainian dishes, however, involve a complicated cooking, with foods being boiled or fried, then baked, or sometimes stewed.
Conclusion
In this article, we took you through a list of fun facts about Ukraine. This country is diverse and beautiful, and we hope you learned something new today.
