What is the terrain and geography like in Ukraine?
Ukraine has a complex geology with a rich variety of scenery and impressive contrasts in topography. Central and southern Ukraine is primarily steppe (prairie) with very fertile black soil exceptionally well suited for grain farming. In the east, the industrial heartland of the Greater Donbas or Donets Basin contains large reserves of mineral deposits. Western Ukraine has many picturesque mountain resorts.
Enhancing the topography of Ukraine are two mountain ranges. On the western border are the Carpathians, very popular for winter sports. The Crimean Mountains divide the Crimean Peninsula, creating a semitropical area on its southernmost tip. The Crimea is a popular tourist destination.
Geographic Location | Europe |
Total Area |
233,031 Square Miles 603,550 Square Kilometers |
Land Area |
223,679 Square Miles 579,330 Square Kilometers |
Water Area |
9,351 Square Miles 24,220 Square Kilometers |
Land Boundaries |
2,837 Miles 4,566 Kilometers |
Irrigated Land |
8,398 Square Miles 21,750 Square Kilometers |
Border Countries | Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km |
Coastline |
1,729 Miles 2,782 Kilometers |
Geographic Coordinates | 49 00 N, 32 00 E |
Terrain | most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south |
Highest Point | 2,061 Meters |
Highest Point Location | Hora Hoverla 2,061 m |
Lowest Point Location | Black Sea 0 m |
Natural Resources | iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land |
Time Zone | UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
Daylight saving time | +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October |