By its territory, Ukraine is one of the largest countries in South-East Europe. Its overall area is 603.7 ths sq. km, its extension from the West to East - 1300 kilometers, from the North to South - 900 kilometers. In the South Ukraine is washed by waters of the Black and Azov Seas; intensive contacts with foreign countries are effected through ports of these seas. A gateway to Danube provides communication with 7 countries of Western Europe. Developed railway, automobile and aviation networks connect the country almost with all the corners of the earth. Ukraine is bounded on the east by Russia, on the north by Byeloruss, on the west by Poland and Slovakia, on the south-east by Hungary, Romania and Moldova. The conventional point of European geographical center is situated nearby Rakhiv, Transcarpathian region.
Climate of Ukraine is of moderate continental type with certain peculiarities in Crimean mountains and Carpathians, as well as in the southern coastline of Crimea, where it has features of subtropical one. The largest mountain system - Ukrainian Carpathians - lies in the form of a range, 260 km long and 100 - 110 km wide. The highest peak of Ukraine - Goverla Mountain (2061 m) - is situated in Chornogirya massif of Ukrainian Carpathians.
Summer is mostly warm and dry, while winter - mild and humid. Periods without frost are last 150 - 160 days in the North and up to 250 days - in the South. Average diurnal temperature is over +10њC for 150 - 190 days in a year. Duration of beach season is from 105 to 145 days.
Over 70 ths rivers run through the territory of Ukraine; the largest of those are Dnipro, Dniester, Pivdenny Bug, Sivers'ky Donets' and Danube. There are over 3 ths of natural lakes and 22 ths of artificial water reservoirs. The largest river of the country - Dnipro (the third longest in Europe) with the length of 2285 km, from which 1205 kilometers are within the territory of Ukraine, flows into Black Sea. Dnipro basin covers almost a half of the territory of the country.

The capital of Ukraine, the most prominent historical-cultural center of the country, is situated on the banks of Dnipro river. Kyiv - one of the ancient center of the Slavdom, the capital city of powerful Kyivan Rus, the core of Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitanate. The city has over 2000 historical-cultural monuments.

Additional detailed useful information about Kyiv and Ukraine can be found on the web sites: http://www.ukrbiz.net/eng/kbd/ukraine/.
Also information about Kyiv hotels can be found on the following web site: http://www.all-hotels.com.ua/addz2.php3?Lang=1&sCity=1.

Updated weather information in Kyiv can be found on the web sites: http://www.pogoda.com.ua/kiev.htm or http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/Kiev_UR_c.html.