Kiev

Kiev (Ukrainian: {{Audio|Kyiv.ogg|????}}, Kyiv; Russian: {{Audio|ru-Kiev.ogg|?????}}, Kiev; also spelled Kyiv (see also Cities' alternative names), is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper river. As of 2003, Kiev officially had 2,642,486 inhabitants, although the large number of unregistered migrants would probably raise this figure to about three million. Administratively, Kiev is a national-level subordinated municipality, independent from surrounding Kiev Oblast. Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural center of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions, world-famous museums and art institutions. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including a Kiev Metro system.

Modern Kiev

Today, Kiev is a modern city with over 2.5 million inhabitants. Like many other large cities of the former Soviet Union, it is a mix of the old and the new, seen in everything from the buildings to the stores to the people themselves. Experiencing a fast growth rate during the 1970s, '80s and the early to mid-'90s, Kiev has continued its consistent growth after five years of restructuring. As a result, today, even Kiev's "downtown" is a dotted picture of new, modern buildings (known as novostroika) amongst the pale yellows, blues and grays of the older apartments. During the last growth period, urban sprawl has been gradually reduced while population densities of suburbs started increasing. Today, it is rather popular to own a novostroika in Kharkivskyi Raion, Troyeshchina, or Obolon along the Dnieper, around Khreschatyk, as well as in Pechersk or other better-established areas.

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - 1970s - '80s - '90s - Novostroika - Kharkivskyi Raion - Troyeshchina - Obolon - Khreschatyk - Pechersk

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With Ukrainian independence on the turn of the millennium, new changes came. Western-style novostroikas, hip nightclubs, classy restaurants and prestigious hotels opened in the center. Music from Europe and North America started rising on Ukrainian music charts. And most importantly, with the changes in visa rules in 2005, Ukraine is positioning itself as a prime tourist attraction, with Kiev, among the other large cities, looking to profit from the new opportunities. The center of Kiev has been cleaned up and buildings have been restored and redecorated, especially Khreschatyk and Independence Square. Many historic squares of Kiev, such as Andryivskyi Uzviz, have become popular street vendor locations, where one can buy traditional Ukrainian art, religious items, books, game sets (most commonly chess) as well as jewellery.

Related Topics:
Europe - North America - 2005

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With the partial collapse of the Kiev transit services, private investors have seen room for profit. While the publicly owned and operated Kiev Metro system remains the fastest, the most convenient and affordable network that covers most, but not all, of the city, the marshrutkas (private microbuses) have become the next most popular method of transportation, along with the public transit buses including electric trolley buses and trams.The trams are now being gradually phased out. Marshrutkas provide a good coverage of the smaller residential streets and have routes that are convenient for the residents?although on the busiest routes the buses get increasingly larger. Being more expensive, they are also faster, thus more available, although with an increased frequency of accidents because many drivers overload their buses. It is also quite common for any local with a car to act as a taxi driver now and then, although organized private taxi companies have increased competition dramatically. The Kiev Metro is also expanding to cover the growing demand.

Related Topics:
Kiev Metro - Marshrutkas - Trolley bus - Tram

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Image:Andreevskaja cerkov.jpg|St.Andrew's Church

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Image:Verkhovna Rada.jpg|Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament

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Image:Kiev Opera House.JPG|National Opera of Ukraine

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Image:Mariinsky Palace.jpg|Mariyinsky Palace

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Image:StMichaelCathedral.jpg|St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral

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Image:Founders of Kiev.jpg|Founders of Kiev

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Image:National Bank of Ukraine.jpg|National Bank of Ukraine

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Image:Motherland Monument.jpg|Motherland Monument, dedicated to WWII

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