Kiev (or Kyiv) is the capital of Ukraine. It is located in the north central part of the country on both sides of the Dnieper river which flows south through the city and ends in the Black Sea.

Kiev, founded probably sometime in the 5th century, is now a scenic city with nearly 3 million inhabitants. In ancient times it was called Kieva Rus and during the 11th and 12th century, when it reached its golden era, was the centre of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean

The city of Kyiv was destroyed by Mongol invaders in 1238 and has had a history of foreign occupation ever since.

In the 1930s many churches were systematically destroyed by the Soviet authorities and many of its architectural and art treasures were destroyed in World War II bombings, but extensive restoration has taken place ever since.

On the 24th of August 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow, Ukraine proclaimed its independence.

Kiev is now 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.

Kiev's climate is continental humid, although it has changed significantly during recent decades due to global climate changes.

Both the Dnieper and the Desna rivers around Kiev are navigable, although subject to reservoir shipping locks and winter freezings.