Geography of Ukraine: Difference between revisions
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Lying between latitudes [[44th parallel north|44°]] and [[53rd parallel north|53° N]], and longitudes [[22nd meridian east|22°]] and [[41st meridian east|41° E]], Ukraine covers an area of {{convert|603628|km2}}, with a coastline of {{convert|2782|km}}.<ref name=cia>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ |title=Ukraine |access-date=24 December 2007 |date=13 December 2007 |website=[[CIA World Factbook]]}}</ref> | Lying between latitudes [[44th parallel north|44°]] and [[53rd parallel north|53° N]], and longitudes [[22nd meridian east|22°]] and [[41st meridian east|41° E]], Ukraine covers an area of {{convert|603628|km2}}, with a coastline of {{convert|2782|km}}.<ref name=cia>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ |title=Ukraine |access-date=24 December 2007 |date=13 December 2007 |website=[[CIA World Factbook]]}}</ref> | ||
The landscape of Ukraine consists mostly of fertile [[steppes]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-01 |title=Ukraine country profile |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18018002 |access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref> and plateaus, crossed by rivers such as the [[Dnieper River|Dnieper]], [[Donets|Siverskyi Donets]], [[Dniester]] and the [[Southern Bug]] as they flow south into the [[Black Sea]] and the smaller [[Sea of Azov]]. To the southwest, the [[Danube Delta|delta]] of the [[Danube]] forms the border with [[Romania]]. The country's only mountains are the [[Carpathian Mountains]] in the west, of which the highest is [[Hoverla]] at {{convert|2061|m}}, and the [[Crimean Mountains]], in the extreme south along the coast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geographical location of Ukraine |url=http://www.ukrexport.gov.ua/eng/about_ukraine/geo/?country=ukr |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.ukrexport.gov.ua}}</ref> | The landscape of Ukraine consists mostly of fertile [[steppes]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-01 |title=Ukraine country profile |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18018002 |access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref> and plateaus, crossed by rivers such as the [[Dnieper River|Dnieper]], [[Donets|Siverskyi Donets]], [[Dniester]] and the [[Southern Bug]] as they flow south into the [[Black Sea]] and the smaller [[Sea of Azov]]. To the southwest, the [[Danube Delta|delta]] of the [[Danube]] forms the border with [[Romania]]. The country's only mountains are the [[Carpathian Mountains]] in the west, of which the highest is [[Hoverla]] at {{convert|2061|m}}, and the [[Crimean Mountains]], in the extreme south along the coast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geographical location of Ukraine |url=http://www.ukrexport.gov.ua/eng/about_ukraine/geo/?country=ukr |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.ukrexport.gov.ua |archive-date=2009-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121112513/http://www.ukrexport.gov.ua/eng/about_ukraine/geo/?country=ukr }}</ref> | ||
Ukraine also has a number of highland regions such as the [[Volhynian-Podolian Upland|Volyn-Podillia Upland]] (in the west) and the [[Dnieper Upland]] (on the right bank of the Dnieper). To the east there are the south-western spurs of the [[Central Russian Upland]], over which runs the border with the Russia. Near the [[Sea of Azov]] can be found the [[Donets Ridge]] and the [[Azov Upland]]. The [[snow melt]] from the mountains feeds the rivers and their [[waterfalls of Ukraine|waterfalls]]. | Ukraine also has a number of highland regions such as the [[Volhynian-Podolian Upland|Volyn-Podillia Upland]] (in the west) and the [[Dnieper Upland]] (on the right bank of the Dnieper). To the east there are the south-western spurs of the [[Central Russian Upland]], over which runs the border with the Russia. Near the [[Sea of Azov]] can be found the [[Donets Ridge]] and the [[Azov Upland]]. The [[snow melt]] from the mountains feeds the rivers and their [[waterfalls of Ukraine|waterfalls]]. | ||
Significant natural resources in Ukraine include [[lithium]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tabuchi |first=Hiroko |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi |date=2022-03-02 |title=Before Invasion, Ukraine's Lithium Wealth Was Drawing Global Attention |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/climate/ukraine-lithium.html |access-date=2022-03-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[natural gas]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mining – UkraineInvest |url=https://ukraineinvest.gov.ua/industries/mining/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[kaolin]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Lumber|timber]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nature |first=Preferred by |title=Ukraine Timber Risk Profile |url=https://preferredbynature.org/sourcinghub/timber/ukraine-timber-risk-profile |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=NEPCon - Preferred by Nature |language=en}}</ref> and an abundance of [[arable land]]. Despite this, the country faces a number of major environmental issues such as inadequate supplies of potable water, air and [[water pollution]], [[deforestation]], and radioactive contamination in the north-east from the [[Chernobyl disaster|1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]]. | Significant natural resources in Ukraine include [[lithium]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tabuchi |first=Hiroko |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi |date=2022-03-02 |title=Before Invasion, Ukraine's Lithium Wealth Was Drawing Global Attention |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/climate/ukraine-lithium.html |access-date=2022-03-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[natural gas]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mining – UkraineInvest |url=https://ukraineinvest.gov.ua/industries/mining/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[kaolin]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Lumber|timber]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nature |first=Preferred by |title=Ukraine Timber Risk Profile |url=https://preferredbynature.org/sourcinghub/timber/ukraine-timber-risk-profile |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=NEPCon - Preferred by Nature |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126092543/https://preferredbynature.org/sourcinghub/timber/ukraine-timber-risk-profile }}</ref> and an abundance of [[arable land]]. Despite this, the country faces a number of major environmental issues such as inadequate supplies of potable water, air and [[water pollution]], [[deforestation]], and radioactive contamination in the north-east from the [[Chernobyl disaster|1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]]. | ||
==Geographic location== | ==Geographic location== | ||
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|km2|sp=us}}. Ukraine has an [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|147,318|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in the [[Black Sea]].<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |title=Ukraine |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ |website=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> | |km2|sp=us}}. Ukraine has an [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|147,318|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in the [[Black Sea]].<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |title=Ukraine |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/ |website=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> | ||
The land border of Ukraine totals {{convert|6993|km|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pvu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=47129&cat_id=46429 |title=Державна прикордонна служба України |website=www.pvu.gov.ua |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206030446/http://www.pvu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=47129&cat_id=46429 |archive-date=6 December 2007 | The land border of Ukraine totals {{convert|6993|km|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pvu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=47129&cat_id=46429 |title=Державна прикордонна служба України |website=www.pvu.gov.ua |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206030446/http://www.pvu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=47129&cat_id=46429 |archive-date=6 December 2007 }}</ref> The border lengths with each country are: Belarus {{convert |891|km|sp=us}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}, Hungary {{convert |103|km|sp=us}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}, Moldova {{convert |939|km|sp=us}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}, Poland {{convert |428|km|sp=us}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}, Romania {{convert |169|km|sp=us}} on the south and {{convert |362|km|sp=us}} on the west,{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}} Russia {{convert |1974|km|sp=us}}, and Slovakia {{convert |90|km|sp=us}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}. Ukraine is also bordered by {{convert|3783|km|sp=us}} of coastline.{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}} The border with Russia, part of which runs through the Sea of Azov, is the country's longest border.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecolex.org/details/treaty/agreement-between-the-russian-federation-and-the-ukraine-on-cooperation-in-the-use-of-the-sea-of-azov-and-the-strait-of-kerch-tre-149547/|title=Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Ukraine on cooperation in the use of the sea of Azov and the strait of Kerch|website=www.ecolex.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref> | ||
The village of [[Veľké Slemence|Vel'ké Slemence]] is split between [[Geography of Slovakia|Slovakia]] and Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lyman |first=Rick |date=2015-08-10 |title=A Ukrainian Border Town Once Fenced by Soviets Blossoms Into a Shopper's Paradise |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/world/europe/ukraine-slovakia-mali-selmentsi-velke-slemence.html |access-date=2022-03-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | The village of [[Veľké Slemence|Vel'ké Slemence]] is split between [[Geography of Slovakia|Slovakia]] and Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lyman |first=Rick |date=2015-08-10 |title=A Ukrainian Border Town Once Fenced by Soviets Blossoms Into a Shopper's Paradise |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/world/europe/ukraine-slovakia-mali-selmentsi-velke-slemence.html |access-date=2022-03-03 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | ||
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== Climate == | == Climate == | ||
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_UKR_1991–2020.svg|thumb|250px|Ukraine map of Köppen climate classification.]] | [[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_UKR_1991–2020.svg|thumb|250px|Ukraine map of Köppen climate classification.]] | ||
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_UKR_2071–2099_SSP585.svg|thumb|250px|2071–2099 map under [[Representative Concentration Pathway|the most intense climate change scenario]]. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely<ref name="HausfatherPeters2020">{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Schuur2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Phiddian2022">{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=[[Cosmos (magazine)|Cosmos]] |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC | [[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_UKR_2071–2099_SSP585.svg|thumb|250px|2071–2099 map under [[Representative Concentration Pathway|the most intense climate change scenario]]. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely<ref name="HausfatherPeters2020">{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Schuur2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Phiddian2022">{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=[[Cosmos (magazine)|Cosmos]] |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn't make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. [[The Australian Academy of Science]], for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. [[Climate Action Tracker]] predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;" | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;" | ||
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!January (°F) | !January (°F) | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Kyiv]] || 27/17 || 80/62 || | |[[Kyiv]] || 27/17 || 80/62 || −1/−6 || 31/22 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Kharkiv]] || 27/17 || 81/62 || | |[[Kharkiv]] || 27/17 || 81/62 || −2/−7 || 28/20 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Dnipro]] || 29/17 || 84/63 || | |[[Dnipro]] || 29/17 || 84/63 || −1/−6 || 30/21 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Odesa]] || 28/19 || 82/66 || 2/ | |[[Odesa]] || 28/19 || 82/66 || 2/−3 || 36/27 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Donetsk]] || 27/16 || 81/61 || | |[[Donetsk]] || 27/16 || 81/61 || −1/−6 || 29/20 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Zaporizhzhia]] || 28/16 || 83/61 || | |[[Zaporizhzhia]] || 28/16 || 83/61 || −0/−5 || 31/21 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Lviv]] || 24/13 || 75/56 || | |[[Lviv]] || 24/13 || 75/56 || −1/−8 || 32/21 | ||
|} | |} | ||
[[File:Climate change in Kyiv over the last 120 years Temperature density function.png|thumb|Visualisation of climate change in [[Kyiv]], showing different temperature ranges between different 30-year time periods.]] | [[File:Climate change in Kyiv over the last 120 years Temperature density function.png|thumb|Visualisation of climate change in [[Kyiv]], showing different temperature ranges between different 30-year time periods.]] | ||
Ukraine is firmly in the mid-latitudes, and generally has a [[continental climate]], except for its southern coasts, which feature [[Cold semi-arid climate|cold semi-arid]] and [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical climates]].<ref name="faoclimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Ukraine/ukraine.htm|title=Ukraine|work=Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006014817/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Ukraine/ukraine.htm | Ukraine is firmly in the mid-latitudes, and generally has a [[continental climate]], except for its southern coasts, which feature [[Cold semi-arid climate|cold semi-arid]] and [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical climates]].<ref name="faoclimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Ukraine/ukraine.htm|title=Ukraine|work=Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006014817/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Ukraine/ukraine.htm}}</ref> Average annual temperatures range from {{convert|5.5|–|7|°C|°F|1}} in the north, to {{convert|11|–|13|°C|°F|1}} in the south.<ref name="ebclimate">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Ukraine – Climate |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine |access-date=20 October 2015}}</ref> [[precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] is disproportionately distributed; it is highest in the west and north and lowest in the east and southeast.<ref name="ebclimate" /> Western Ukraine, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains, receives around {{convert|1200|mm|in|1}} of precipitation annually, while Crimea and the coastal areas of the Black Sea receive around {{convert|400|mm|in|1}}.<ref name="ebclimate" /> | ||
Water availability from the major river basins is expected to decrease, especially in summer. This poses risks to the agricultural sector.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Didovets |first1=Iulii |last2=Krysanova |first2=Valentina |last3=Hattermann |first3=Fred Fokko |last4=del Rocío Rivas López |first4=María |last5=Snizhko |first5=Sergiy |last6=Müller Schmied |first6=Hannes |date=2020-12-01 |title=Climate change impact on water availability of main river basins in Ukraine |url=https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_24844_1/component/file_25084/24844oa.pdf |journal=Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |language=en |volume=32 | | Water availability from the major river basins is expected to decrease, especially in summer. This poses risks to the agricultural sector.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Didovets |first1=Iulii |last2=Krysanova |first2=Valentina |last3=Hattermann |first3=Fred Fokko |last4=del Rocío Rivas López |first4=María |last5=Snizhko |first5=Sergiy |last6=Müller Schmied |first6=Hannes |date=2020-12-01 |title=Climate change impact on water availability of main river basins in Ukraine |url=https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_24844_1/component/file_25084/24844oa.pdf |journal=Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |language=en |volume=32 |article-number=100761 |doi=10.1016/j.ejrh.2020.100761 |s2cid=230613418 |issn=2214-5818|doi-access=free }}</ref> The negative impacts of [[climate change]] on agriculture are mostly felt in the south of the country, which has a [[steppe]] climate. In the north, some crops may be able to benefit from a longer growing season.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Skrypnyk |first1=Andriy |last2=Zhemoyda |first2=Oleksandr |last3=Klymenko |first3=Nataliia |last4=Galaieva |first4=Liudmyla |last5=Koval |first5=Tatiana |date=2021-03-01 |title=Econometric Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on the Sustainability of Agricultural Production in Ukraine |url=http://www.jeeng.net/Econometric-Analysis-of-the-Impact-of-Climate-Change-on-the-Sustainability-of-Agricultural,132945,0,2.html |journal=Journal of Ecological Engineering |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=275–288 |doi=10.12911/22998993/132945 |s2cid=233801987 |issn=2299-8993|doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[World Bank]] has stated that Ukraine is highly [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]].<ref>{{cite web |title=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/ukraine |website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org |language=en}}</ref> | ||
{{Weather box | {{Weather box | ||
| Line 1,013: | Line 1,013: | ||
== Environmental issues == | == Environmental issues == | ||
Ukraine [[Economy of Ukraine#Environmental issues|has many environmental issues]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-25 |title=Ukraine invasion: rapid overview of environmental issues |url=https://ceobs.org/ukraine-invasion-rapid-overview-of-environmental-issues/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=CEOBS |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 2016 |title=Ukraine Country Environmental Analysis |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/24971 |journal=[[World Bank]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Some regions lack adequate supplies of potable water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) |url=https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303120132/https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash | Ukraine [[Economy of Ukraine#Environmental issues|has many environmental issues]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-25 |title=Ukraine invasion: rapid overview of environmental issues |url=https://ceobs.org/ukraine-invasion-rapid-overview-of-environmental-issues/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=CEOBS |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 2016 |title=Ukraine Country Environmental Analysis |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/24971 |journal=[[World Bank]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Some regions lack adequate supplies of potable water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) |url=https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303120132/https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash }}</ref> Air and water pollution affects the country, as well as deforestation, and radiation contamination in the northeast stemming from the [[Chernobyl disaster|1986 accident]] at the [[Chernobyl]] Nuclear Power Plant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://naturvernforbundet.no/international/environmental-issues-in-ukraine/category948.html |title=Environmental issues in Ukraine |publisher=Naturvernforbundet |date=16 July 2017 |access-date=16 July 2017 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306201646/https://naturvernforbundet.no/international/environmental-issues-in-ukraine/category948.html }}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 1,022: | Line 1,022: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Latest revision as of 05:38, 7 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Country geography
Ukraine is the second-largest European country, after Russia. Its various regions have diverse geographic features ranging from highlands to lowlands, as well as climatic range and a wide variety in hydrography. Most of the country lies within the East European Plain.
Lying between latitudes 44° and 53° N, and longitudes 22° and 41° E, Ukraine covers an area of Template:Convert, with a coastline of Template:Convert.[1]
The landscape of Ukraine consists mostly of fertile steppes[2] and plateaus, crossed by rivers such as the Dnieper, Siverskyi Donets, Dniester and the Southern Bug as they flow south into the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. To the southwest, the delta of the Danube forms the border with Romania. The country's only mountains are the Carpathian Mountains in the west, of which the highest is Hoverla at Template:Convert, and the Crimean Mountains, in the extreme south along the coast.[3]
Ukraine also has a number of highland regions such as the Volyn-Podillia Upland (in the west) and the Dnieper Upland (on the right bank of the Dnieper). To the east there are the south-western spurs of the Central Russian Upland, over which runs the border with the Russia. Near the Sea of Azov can be found the Donets Ridge and the Azov Upland. The snow melt from the mountains feeds the rivers and their waterfalls.
Significant natural resources in Ukraine include lithium,[4] natural gas,[5] kaolin,[5] timber,[6] and an abundance of arable land. Despite this, the country faces a number of major environmental issues such as inadequate supplies of potable water, air and water pollution, deforestation, and radioactive contamination in the north-east from the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Geographic location
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Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe: lying on the northern shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The country borders Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Moldova and Romania in the south-west, and Russia in the east.[7]
The total geographic area of Ukraine is Template:Convert. Ukraine has an Exclusive Economic Zone of Template:Convert in the Black Sea.[7]
The land border of Ukraine totals Template:Convert.[8] The border lengths with each country are: Belarus Template:ConvertScript error: No such module "Unsubst"., Hungary Template:ConvertScript error: No such module "Unsubst"., Moldova Template:ConvertScript error: No such module "Unsubst"., Poland Template:ConvertScript error: No such module "Unsubst"., Romania Template:Convert on the south and Template:Convert on the west,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Russia Template:Convert, and Slovakia Template:ConvertScript error: No such module "Unsubst".. Ukraine is also bordered by Template:Convert of coastline.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The border with Russia, part of which runs through the Sea of Azov, is the country's longest border.[9]
The village of Vel'ké Slemence is split between Slovakia and Ukraine.[10]
Relief
Most of its territory lies within the Great European Plain, while parts of western regions and southern regions lay within the Alpine system. In general Ukraine comprises two different biomes: mixed forest towards the middle of the continent, and steppe towards the Black Sea littoral. Major provinces include, Polesian Lowland, Dnieper Lowland, Volhynia-Podolie Plateau, Black Sea-Azov Lowland, Donets-Azov Plateau, Central Russian Upland, Carpathians, and Pannonian Basin.
The western regions feature an alpine-like section of Carpathian Mountains, the Eastern Carpathians that stretches across Poland, Ukraine and Romania. The highest peak is Mount Hoverla, which at Template:Convert above sea level is the highest point in the country. Mountains are limited to the west, the southern tip of Ukraine on the Sea of Azov. The western region has the Carpathian Mountains, and some eroded mountains from the Donets Ridge are in the east near the Sea of Azov.
Most of Ukraine's area is taken up by the steppe-like region just north of the Black Sea. Most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (or steppes) and plateaus. In terms of land use, 58% of Ukraine is considered arable land; 2% is used for permanent crops, 13% for permanent pastures, 18% is forests and woodland, and 9% is other.
Physiographic division of Ukraine
Most of Ukraine consists of regular plains with an average height above sea level being Template:Convert. It is surrounded by mountains to its west and extreme south. Wide spaces of the country's plains are located in the south-western part of the East European Plain. The plains have numerous highlands and lowlands caused by the uneven crystallized base of the East European craton. The highlands are characterized by Precambrian basement rocks from the Ukrainian Shield.
Plains are considered elevations of no more than Template:Convert among which there are recognized lowlands (plains) and uplands (plateaus, ridges, hill ridges).
Great European Plain (subregion East European Plain)
- Volhynia-Podillia Upland (Volhynia-Podillia Plateau)
- Small Polesia Plain
- Khotyn Upland (part of Moldavian Plateau)
- Roztocze
- Sian-Dniester Lowland
- Eastern Carpathian Foothills
- Polesian Lowland
- Dnieper Upland
- Dnieper Lowland
- Central Russian Upland
- Donets-Azov Plateau
- Donets Upland
- Azov Upland
- Donets Ridge
- Black Sea-Azov Lowland
- Black Sea Lowland
- Crimean Lowland
- Azov Lowland
Alpine system
- Transcarpathian Lowland (extension of Great Hungarian Plain, part of Eastern Pannonian Basin)
- Eastern Carpathians (part of Carpathian Mountains)
- Crimean Mountains
Soil
From northwest to southeast the soils of Ukraine may be divided into three major aggregations:[11]
- a zone of sandy podzolized soils
- a central belt consisting of the extremely fertile Ukrainian black earth (chernozems)
- a zone of chestnut and salinized soils
As much as two-thirds of the country's surface land consists of black earth, a resource that has made Ukraine one of the most fertile regions in the world and well known as a "breadbasket".[12] These soils may be divided into three broad groups:
- in the north, a belt of deep chernozems, about Template:Convert thick and rich in humus
- south and east of the former, a zone of prairie, or ordinary, chernozems, which are equally rich in humus but only about Template:Convert thick
- the southernmost belt, which is even thinner and has still less humus
Interspersed in various uplands and along the northern and western perimeters of the deep chernozems are mixtures of gray forest soils and podzolized black-earth soils, which together occupy much of Ukraine's remaining area. All these soils are very fertile when sufficient water is available. However, their intensive cultivation, especially on steep slopes, has led to widespread soil erosion and gullying.
The smallest proportion of the soil cover consists of the chestnut soils of the southern and eastern regions. They become increasingly salinized to the south as they approach the Black Sea.[11]
Hydrography
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The territory of Ukraine is bordered by the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. More than 95% of the rivers are part of those two seas' drainage basins. A few rivers are part of the Baltic Sea basin. There are seven major rivers in Ukraine: Desna, Dnipro, Dnister, Danube, Prypiat, Siverian Donets, and Southern Buh.[13]
Climate
| Location | July (°C) | July (°F) | January (°C) | January (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyiv | 27/17 | 80/62 | −1/−6 | 31/22 |
| Kharkiv | 27/17 | 81/62 | −2/−7 | 28/20 |
| Dnipro | 29/17 | 84/63 | −1/−6 | 30/21 |
| Odesa | 28/19 | 82/66 | 2/−3 | 36/27 |
| Donetsk | 27/16 | 81/61 | −1/−6 | 29/20 |
| Zaporizhzhia | 28/16 | 83/61 | −0/−5 | 31/21 |
| Lviv | 24/13 | 75/56 | −1/−8 | 32/21 |
Ukraine is firmly in the mid-latitudes, and generally has a continental climate, except for its southern coasts, which feature cold semi-arid and humid subtropical climates.[18] Average annual temperatures range from Template:Convert in the north, to Template:Convert in the south.[19] Precipitation is disproportionately distributed; it is highest in the west and north and lowest in the east and southeast.[19] Western Ukraine, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains, receives around Template:Convert of precipitation annually, while Crimea and the coastal areas of the Black Sea receive around Template:Convert.[19]
Water availability from the major river basins is expected to decrease, especially in summer. This poses risks to the agricultural sector.[20] The negative impacts of climate change on agriculture are mostly felt in the south of the country, which has a steppe climate. In the north, some crops may be able to benefit from a longer growing season.[21] The World Bank has stated that Ukraine is highly vulnerable to climate change.[22]
Natural resources
Significant natural resources in Ukraine include: iron ore, manganese, natural gas,[23] titanium, kaolin, uranium, and arable land.[5][24]
Environmental issues
Ukraine has many environmental issues.[25][26] Some regions lack adequate supplies of potable water.[27] Air and water pollution affects the country, as well as deforestation, and radiation contamination in the northeast stemming from the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.[28]
See also
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References
External links
- Zastavnyi, F. D. Physical geography of Ukraine: lowlands and uplands of Ukraine. "Heohrafiya".
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- ↑ Magocsi, Paul R. A history of Ukraine: The land and its peoples. University of Toronto Press, 2010.
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