A page about Ukraine. I picked Ukraine because my Uncle went on his mission to Ukraine. History Ukraine was the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which was during the 10th and 11th century was the most powerful state in Europe. It was then weakened by the Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Cossack Hetmanate, was established, during the 17th century. During the 18th century most of Cossacks Hetmanate territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of Czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine had an independence from 1917 through 1920, but then became part of the Soviet Union. In World War Two, German and Soviet troops were responsible for 8 million deaths. In 1991 Ukraine finally achieved independence. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Land and Climate Location:Eastern Europe Map References:Asia and Europe Area: 603,700 square km Climate: Temperate, hot in the south. Terrain: Most of Ukraine is steppes, mountains in the west, and in the extreme south. Elevation Extremes: Lowest point: Black Sea (0m) Highest point: Hora Hoverla (2,061m) Ukraine