The Language Academy

Kiev at a glance…

• Capital and largest city of Ukraine – pop. 3 million
• One of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe – founded 482 CE
• Historical centre of the East Slavic civilization
• Home to many world-famous historical landmarks
• Highly developed public transport system including the Kiev Metro
• Was classified as a Beta world- city as of 2004
• Was center stage to Ukraine’s famed Orange Revolution (2004-2005)

Climate

Summers are hot and sultry, peaking around 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are long, but becoming noticebly milder with mean temperatures around the -3 °C (26.6 °F) mark, dropping down to -15 °C (-5 °F) around the New Year period. Springs are brief but lush and autumns are cool and colourful. The warmest months are June, July and August and the coldest are December, January and February.

Why choose Kiev?

Kiev is Ukraine’s most international city – it’s small enough to be friendly, but also offers all the enticements of the big city catering for all tastes and experiences.

• Offers Ukraine’s most conteporary music scenePechersk Region
• The country’s historical and cultural centre
• Very ‘Expat Friendly’
• Ukraine’s transport hub
• Has excellent shopping, restaurants and cafes
• Access to outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking, wakeboarding and skydiving

Modern Kiev

Today, Kiev is a mix of the old and new. This can be felt everywhere you look – from the architecture of the buildings, to the products on the shelves of supermarkets and small shops, and even to the people themselves.

Consistent population growth after the turn of the millennium has resulted in a vibrant and modern downtown nestled amongst the pale yellows, blues and grays of older residential blocks.

Ukrainian independence has heralded other changes as well. Western-style residential complexes, hip nightclubs, classy restaurants and expensive hotels can now be found throughout the centre.

Kiev stands to profit the most as Ukraine’s historical and cultural centre. As a result, the centre has undergone a ‘facelift’ with many buildings restored and redecorated around Khreshchatyk street and Independence Square. Other historic areas of Kiev, such as Andriyivskyy Descent, have become popular street vedor locales, where traditional Ukrainian art, religious items, books, game sets, souvenirs and jewellery can be bought.