KYIV - THE CAPITAL OF UKRAINE

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has the population of nearly three million inhabitants and
covers over 43 km from east to west and 42 km from north to south.
According to the legend, Kyiv was founded by three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv,
— and their sister Lybid. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument
erected in their honor stands on the bank of the River Dnipro.
In the late 6th and early 7th centuries the first fortification appeared in the northern section
of Old Kyiv Hill. While the court of the princes was located on the hills of Kyiv, the lower part
of the city, known as Podil, developed into a busy trading district.
With the establishment of Kyivan Rus' (the 9th century), Kyiv became its capital.
Prince Volodymyr the Great (980—1015) expanded the city. Kyivan Rus' was at its zenith
under the rule of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1036—1054). Monasteries were established and
developed into centres of education. Close to 400 churches were built, the most famous of
which, Saint Sofia's Cathedral (1037), has survived to this day. The first library was founded on
the grounds of the Cathedral.
Today Kyiv is one of the greatest ancient European cities, rich with the monuments of art
and architecture. It is a political, scientific, cultural, sports, and industrial centre of modern
Ukraine.
Kyiv is a major industrial centre that includes companies specializing in electronics,
engineering, aviation, food, and chemical production, etc. Kyiv's economic development has
been enriched by its advantageous location along the Dnipro River, which links Kyiv to the
Black Sea.
The city has many hotels, cafes, and restaurants with Ukrainian, European, American, and
Eastern cuisine to accommodate tourists and business persons. Stadiums, tennis courts,
swimming pools, and gyms are also available for you. If you visit Kyiv in late May, you will
witness a beautiful festival — "The Days of Kyiv".
VOCABULARY
fortification [,fɔ:tɪfɪ'keɪʃ(ə)n] — фортифікація;
мн. фортифікаційні споруди
to expand [ɪks'pasnd] — розширяти
cathedral [kə'θi:dr(ə)l] — собор
to accommodate [ə'kɔmədeɪt] — робити послугу; давати притулок, розміщати
stadium ['steɪdjəm] — стадіон
QUESTIONS
1. What is the capital of Ukraine?
2. Who were the founders of Kyiv?
3. When did the first fortification appear?
4. When did Kyiv become the capital of Ukraine?
5. What do you know about Kyiv of modern times?