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Ukrainian Dictionary
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Ukrainian Linguistic Ressources on line
English-Ukrainian-English Dictionary

Religion
Religious practises : Orthodox 86%
Others 14%.

Ukraine is a republic state based on parliamentary democracy having a semi-presidential form of government. Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. 
President is the chief of the state and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Prime Minister is appointed as the head of the government by the President after parliament selects him as the leader of the major political party or alliance to serve a five-year term. The executive power is shared between the President and the Prime Minister. Cabinet of Ministers is selected by the Prime Minister; the only exceptions are the foreign and defense ministers which are chosen by the President.
The legislature in Ukraine is unicameral. The parliament called Supreme Council consists of 450 seats with its members allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 3% or more of the national electoral vote, members serve five-year terms. President has the power to dissolve the Supreme Council, if he wishes so. The people of Ukraine have limited political rights.
The judiciary is not independent in Ukraine. Judges are often penalized for independent decision making, and there is significant evidence of routine interference in judicial decisions by the government. The main source of the law is the constitution of 1996. The country's legal system is based on civil law system and judicial reviews of various legislative acts. The judicial language used in the country is Ukrainian, having an interpreter is possible.
Ukraine is largely ruled by law; however certain degree of crime and governmental restrictions on media exist in the country. Foreign nationals cannot expect an impartial trial from the country's judicial system. Corruption is widespread in Ukraine, especially it exists at all levels in government departments.

Ukraine has a multi-party system, in which no single party often has chance of gaining power alone. So parties generally work with each other to form coalition governments. The major political parties in Ukraine are:
- PoR (Party of Regions) - left-wing, advocates increased social spending and pro-Russian foreign policy;
- SPU (Socialist Party of Ukraine) - left-wing, social democratic, one of the oldest parties in the country;
- CPU (Communist Party of Ukraine) – follows communist ideology;
NSNU (People’s Union Our Ukraine) – party associated with ‘Orange Revolution’: a series of protests and political events that took place throughout the country in response to allegations of massive corruption and electoral fraud during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election, advocates political reforms & massive privatization of economy;
YTB (Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc) – an alliance of 2 parties led by charismatic female politician Yulia Tymoshenko, advocates free-market economy and democratic values.

President: Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since January 2005) - NSNU
Prime Minister: Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since December 2007)

Presidential: Year 2009
Supreme Council: March 2011

For more information about tourism in Ukrainia , check out the following web site(s) :
Informations portal on tourism in Ukraine

Food

Traditional dishes
Borshch: beetroots based traditional soup
Varenniki: bread stuffed with meat, cheese and fruits.
Holubtsi: stuffed cabbage
It is important to know that it is nearly impossible to find restaurants in Ukraine, which can offer a good value for money meals. It is, indeed, advised to go to upper class restaurants to taste the traditional Ukrainian food.
Crimea wines are excellent, and so is the Krasny Kamen (red wine).
Abrau and Miskhako: dry red wines.
Artyomov: Ukrainian Champagne, bottled in the East of Ukraine.

Food-related taboos
No specific culinary taboos in Ukraine.

Last modified on December 2006