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4. Read and translate the text. Ukraine

On the map of the world appeared a new independent state with a thou­sand-year-old history - Ukraine. The Act of Independence of Ukraine was adopted on the 24th of August, 1991 by the Extraordinary Session of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was supported by the majority of the Ukrainian population at the national re­ferendum on the 1st of December, 1991. Ukraine is a sovereign state. It has its own territory, constitution, higher and local bodies of state po­wer (the Verkhovna Rada and local Radas), President, government, national-emblem, state flag, anthem and national currency.

Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe. The territory of Ukraine is 604 thousand square kilometres. It stretches from the Carpathians to the Don steppes and from Chernihiv forests to the Black Sea coast. The geographical position of Ukraine is very favou­rable to the development of its relations with countries of Europe and of the world. Ukraine borders on the Russian Federation in the north-east, Belarus in the north, Poland and Slovakia in the west, Hungary, Romania and Moldova in the south-west. It is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in the south, and it has very important ports.

The population of Ukraine is about 48 million people, more than 74 percent of whom are Ukrainians. There are 24 administrative regions (cal­led "oblasts") and the Republic of the Crimea in Ukraine. The territory of Ukraine has variety of landscapes. We have high mountains, vast step­pes, endless forests, beautiful rivers and lakes. Steppes and plains com­pose 95 percent of the territory of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Carpathians and the Crimean Mountains are the most famous Ukrainian moun­tains and make up 5%. The highest point of the Carpathians is Hoverla (2061m). The Crimean Mountains are not very high but they are rather pic­turesque. The largest lake of Ukraine is Swityaz. The main river in Ukraine is the Dnipro. It divides Ukraine into Right-Bank and Left-Bank territories. Other large rivers are the Dniester, the Bug, the Desna, the Donets and others. The climate of Ukraine is mild. Ukraine's territory lies in the temperate belt.

The flora and fauna of our country are rich. Ukraine has many indu­strial raw materials; it has rich deposits of coal, iron, metals, salt, oil, gas, different ores and other natural resources. The country has metallurgical, heavy and machine-building industries, fuel and power base. Ukraine is the important producer of grain, wheat, sugar beet, sunflower, fruits, vegetables, grapes.

Scientists of Ukraine enriched the world science with important disco­veries and inventions. The Academy of Sciences of Ukraine includes many outstanding scientists and research workers famous for their important research work.

Ukraine has an ancient history. The State of Kyiv Rus situated on the territory of the present Ukraine was set up in the 9th century. Ukraine has its own original culture and arts. Over the last years people of Uk­raine display a keen interest in the Ukrainian history, cultural and ar­tistic heritage. Many names and masterpieces have been revived. There is a new approach to the development of culture, arts and languages. A spe­cial state programme for the Development of the Ukrainian language and Other National Languages in Ukraine has been adopted to translate the law "On Languages in Ukraine" into life.

Now Ukraine is establishing new relations with countries throughout the world. Ukraine plays an important role in international affairs and is a significant factor of European stability and security. It has given up its nuclear weapon. Ukraine was the first of the former Soviet republics to join the Council of Europe. Ukraine is one of the founder members of the United Nations Organization and participates in the work of many international organizations. It is visited by delegations, groups of specialists, art companies, sport teams and tourists from different countries of the world.