Kyiv - the capital of Ukraine

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, its administrative, political, economic and cultural centre, is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities of the world. Its population is above 3, 000 000 inhabitants.

The history of Kyiv dates back to the end of the 5^th century. A legend relates that the city was founded by 3 brothers – princes Kiy, Shchek and Choriv, and their sister Lybed. It was named after the eldest brother, Kiy. During a long period of time Kyiv was “the Mother of Russian cities”, the capital of the first Old Rus State - Kyivan Rus. In 1982 Kiev marked its 1500^th anniversary.

Kyiv is situated on the Dnieper, the longest river in Ukraine. The city is well known for the picturesque green hills and wonderful beaches of the Dnieper, for the shady parks, splendid lawns and flower gardens, for its Kreshchatik – the main thoroughfare of the city, one of the most beautiful streets in our country.

During the war the German invaders ruined the city but it was completely restored and now is more beautiful than ever before.

Kyiv is well known not only for its beauty but also for its highly developed industry, which had been created during the years of Soviet power. Present day Kyiv is a large industrial centre. Airliners, sea and river ships, extra speed computers, excavators, automatic lathes, photo cameras, chemical fibres and many other goods are produced in Kyiv. Industrial products with Kyiv trademark are known in 60 countries of the world.

Kyiv is an outstanding scientific, educational and cultural centre. The Academy of Sciences and many research institutes, universities and institutes, a lot of technical and vocational schools are located in the city.

Kyiv has 10 theatres, 26 museums, 72 cinemas, 1, 300 libraries, 20 stadiums, a planetarium, etc. The famous T. Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre and Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre have won wide popularity.

The museums of Kyiv contain rich collections of exhibits. The most famous are: The Ukrainian House, the Museum of Great Patriotic war, the T. Shevchenko State Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts and others.

Plenty of people visit the open-air Museum of Folk Architecture and Everyday life, which is located in the vicinity of the city.

There are many monuments in Kyiv. Among them the monuments to T.Shevchenko, B. Khmelnitsky, Prince Vladimir, Lesya Ukrainka, А. Pushkin, the monument to the Civil War hero Shchors and to Army General N. Vatutin, the Glory Obelisk on the grave of the Unknown Soldier and many others.

Kyiv is rich on architectural monuments. Among those of the past the most famous are: St. Sophia’s Cathedral, the Golden Gate, the Kyivo Pecherska Lavra, the St. Cyril Church, the St. Andrew Church, the Marininsky Palace, etc. We also admire the structures of our time: the building of the Supreme Soviet, the “Ukraine” Palace of Culture, the Palace of Sports and others.

Kyiv is a Hero-City. This title was conferred on it for the heroic defence of the city in 1941. In 1965 it was honoured the “Gold Star” medal.

2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following words and word combinations:

населення, стародавнє місто, бути заснованим, ювілей, живописний, токарні станки, штучні волокна, квітучі сади, німецькі загарбники, торгова марка, товари, Золоті ворота, Собор Св. Софії.