Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova (including the breakaway Pridnestrovie) to the southwest; and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe (after the European part of Russia).

Between the 9th and 11th centuries, Ukraine was the center of Kievan Rus, one of the most important civilizations at the time and the most powerful state in Medieval Europe. Today, it is geographically large, but politically unstable and economically weak former Soviet country. The World Bank classifies Ukraine as a middle-income state. Significant issues include underdeveloped infrastructure and transportation, corruption and bureaucracy. Also Ukraine was hit heavyily by the economic crisis of 2008 and in November 2008, the IMF approved a stand-by loan of $16.5 billion for the country.

Contrary to these bitter data and conclusions, Ukraine has raised the 8th position in the list of the most popular tourism destination in the world. Thus, Ukraine attracts more than 20 million foreign visitors every year (23.1 ml in 2007). Tourists primarily come from Eastern Europe, but also from Western Europe (6.3 million) and USA and also Canada.

For travellers, Ukraine offers a lot of bright spots. It has mountain ranges - the Carpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. Kiev (or Kyiv), the country's capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards. There are other cities well-known to tourists such as the harbour town Odessa and the old city of Lviv in the west. The Crimea, a little "continent" of its own, is a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming and sunbathing on the Black Sea coastline with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins.