| as the legacy of state control
and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and
civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months
of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and
to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist
slate under Viktor Yushenko. |
| Border
countries: Belarus 891 km Hungary 103
km Moldova 939 km Poland 526 km Romania (south) 169 km Romania
(west) 362 km Russia 1,576 km Slovakia 97 km Coast
line: 2,782 km Airports: Kiev
| Area:
total: 603,700 sq km land: 603,700 sq km water: 0 sq km Population:
47,425,336 (July 2005 est.)
Language: Ukrainian (official) 67% Russian
24% Ssmall Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities Climate:
temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation
disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and
southeast; |