Interesting facts about Kiev:

• Kiev was founded by legendary Eastern Slavic chief Kiy (the city still bears his name), his brothers, Schek and Khoriv and their sister, Lybid', at the end of the V century AD.
• Kiev was a strong hillside fortress overseeing and guarding the main East European trade route, River Dnieper, that linked Greeks and Varangians (Norse or vikings). It historically became a fortress protecting the peaceful residents of the Eastern European farmlands from the savage nomadic tribes invading from the steppes of Southern Ukraine, Tavrida (khazars, cumans, pechenegs, polovtsi and others).
• Kiev was the first ever capital of Kievan Rus, the first Russian state (late 9th century - 1240). It was built on the lands of the Polyan tribal union, but it later incorporated all the Eastern Slavic tribes.
• Kiev was the largest town in XI century Europe, fifty times the size of London, ten times the size of Paris. It reached the height of its prominence under the rule of Yaroslav the Wise (1010-1054 AD), who had family connections to the royal houses of France, Norway, Hungary, and Poland.
• Kyiv Chronicles in 1187, for the first time, use the word "Ukraina".
• In 1240 Kiev fell to the Mongolian armies led by Baty Khan. The city was thoroughly ruined, burned, and reduced to a dozen huts. Most of the survivors, including all the artists, traders, and crafters were led into slavery to the nomadic steppes.
• In 1350s-1360s Kiev falls under Rzech Pospolita (a union of Poland and Lithuania) rule. Which was none better than Khan's.
• In 16th century Kiev was re-claimed by Russian tzar, Ivan IV, Ivan the Terrible.
• In 1654, Ukrainian Cossack het'man Bohdan Khmelnitskiy signed a treaty with the tzar of the Russian state of Moscovia that unified the two slavic nations into one state, after the Liberation war of 1648-1654.
• During the World War II Kiev was occupied from September 10, 1941 - November 6, 1943 by German Wehrmacht.
• During the World War I and the Russian Civil War, Kiev had changed hands 18 times. It had been occupied by Germans, Russian, Petlyura, Red Army, and White Guard.
• Kiev is considered the greenest city in the world by UN. There's about 20 square meters of greens per resident.
• Kiev celebrated its 1500th anniversary in 1982.
• Kiev is the first and only capital of Ukraine since December 1, 1991 when Ukraine became independent.
• Kiev's population is approaching 3 million residents (does not include immediate suburbs).
• The official name of Kiev in Ukrainian is "Kyiv", "Kiev" is a Russian name.
• Kiev's official logo is chestnut. May is the most beautiful month in Kiev when chestnuts bloom.

For more interesting facts about Kiev please me

Navigation in Kiev (Kyiv)

• Kiev Metro (underground express train transportation) map may help you get around the city.

• Map of Kiev with Metro stations (in Ukrainian)

The pictures linked to from this site are taken by Vanya and .

The following site provides a lot of very interesting (although some of it - arguable) information about History, Linguistics, Geography and politics of Kiev, Kievan Rus, Ukraine, and Ukrainian People:

Places to see in Kiev

Historical sites:

1. The Kiev-Pecherska Lavra - The Monastery of the Caves.
2. St. Sofia's Cathedral - Kiev's landmark cathedral built in the 11th century.
3. St. Andrew's Church - The beautiful 19th Century church designed by the architect Rastrelli.
4. The Kiev Shevchenko Opera Theatre.
5. Zolotie Vorota - The Golden Gate of Kiev - A restored remnant of Kiev's ancient city walls.
6. The Gothic Cathedral

Museums and Monuments:

1. Babi Yar - The site of mass executions during the Nazi occupation of Kiev.
2. Bohdan Khmelnitskiy Monument - A Cossack on a horse.
3. The War Museum - Its a giant statue - no its a museum - no its a statue...
4. The Outdoor Museum of Ukraine

Other Places to see in Kiev:

1. The Verkhovna Rada - The Ukrainian Parliament
2. Khreshchatik - Kiev's main thoroughfare
3. Independence Square - The heart of the city center
4. Kiev's Railway Station -Travelling by rail in Ukraine
5. The Bessarabka Market - The central market of Kiev
6. Kiev Day - An annual day-long celebration of the city
7. Another view of St. Andrew's Church

The Nature of Kiev

1. The Kiev Botanical Garden - Where the lilacs grow
2. The River Dnipro - One of Europe's longest rivers
3. The River Desna - A tributary of the Dnipro
4. The pedestrian bridge over Dnipro
5. Kiev State University Administration Building