Political System

Form of government: Presidential-Parliametary Republic
Head of State: President
Legislative power: Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council)
Executive power: Cabinet of Ministers
Judicial power: Constitutional Court
Voting qualifications: 18 and older
Political Divisions: 24 oblasts (regions) and 1 autonomous republic (Crimea)

A nationally elected presidency was instituted on December 1, 1991. Ukrainian citizens elect the president for a five-year term. The head of the state appoints the prime minister and the cabinet, which Verkhovna Rada has to approve. People's deputies (members of Verkhovna Rada) are elected for a four-year term in multicandidate elections.

Transportation

Taxi
Although you can order a taxi by dialing 0-58, there is little need in doing so. Private cars and taxis swarm city's streets. To hail a car, you can simply put out your hand, and a car will stop. Private cars, the cars driven by locals who sometimes act as taxi drivers, cost significantly less than official taxis. Although it is the most common way of getting a ride besides public transport, you should be careful and use common sense. Most drivers do not speak English. Agree on a price beforehand.

Metro
Ukraine boasts a very convenient, safe, and inexpensive metro system in three cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk. In Kyiv, you can buy tokens at any metro station. The price of one token is 50 kopiykas, and it allows you to transfer from line to line. If metro is going to be your most frequently used transportation type, it is reasonable to purchase a monthly metro pass at a price of 25 Hryvnias.

Trolleys/Buses/Trams
These tend to be crammed tight with people but provide a good and cheap way to travel around the city. You can purchase tickets at a price of 50 kopiykas at bus stops or from a conductor on the trolley or bus. The monthly passes are also available at a price of 17 hryvnias per month. If you do not punch your ticket and are caught, you will be charged a 10 Hryvnia fine. In addition, there are private minibus companies that serve practically the same routes and will offer you a faster and a more comfortable ride. The price per ride varies from 50 kopiykas to 1 hryvnia.

Rail Information
Kyiv is connected to European and Asian cities via an extensive network of railways. The capital's train station (tel. 005) is located in the center of the city right next to the Vokzalna metro station. It was fully reconstructed in 2001 and is now up to European standards. The ticket office for rail travel, located at 38/40 Tarasa Shevchenka blvd., can be reached at 050.

Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach just about any location. Prices are higher for foreigners, and the rate usually includes a per-ticket commission.

There are three comfort classes for long distance train travel: luxury-soft with two pull-out beds for more space, coupe-soft with four beds, and platskart with six beds per compartment. However, electric commuter trains, called elektropotyahy or elektrychky are usually outfitted with only hard wooden benches and no amenities. They are generally very crowded, especially on weekends and in the summertime when people travel to their summer houses. For further comfort and privacy, it is recommended you buy all the tickets for a compartment. This is an especially good idea for women traveling alone. It is always wise to bring your own toilet paper, soap, and supply of food and drinks.

Communication

Post Office
Every town in Ukraine has a developed network of post-offices. The main post-office is usually located in the central part of the city and offers nearly all existing types of communication services. The Kyiv Central Post Office is at 22 Khreschatyk vul. and works from 8 am till 9 pm on Monday through Saturday and from 9 am till 7 pm on Sunday. Here you can buy stamps, post cards, use fax machines, send letters or packages, and make international calls. If you have any questions, call the Central Post Office information service at 065 or 230-0838.

Phones
For calls around Kyiv, you can use public telephones located all over the city. You need a phone card which you can buy at any post office. Long distance phone services in Ukraine are operated by Utel (Ukrainian Telecomunications). The rates for calls to Europe are about $0.60-1.50 per minute. Calls to the United States are about $2.00 per minute (see Utel guide to telephone services).

Time
The time in Ukraine is set two hours ahead of the Universal time in Greenwich. To save electric power, it is altered twice a year. The watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and one hour backward in the last week of October.
For exact time information, dial 060.

Money

Cash
The Ukrainian national currency is Hryvnia. It is preferable to bring either US dollars or European euros with you. These can be changed at exchange points around the city. Make sure your foreign currency bills are crisp and new looking. Rumpled, torn and written-on bills are usually rejected. Avoid changing money with private individuals.

Credit
Personal checks practically do not exist in Ukraine, but many places in Kyiv accept major credit cards. Travellers' cheques can be cashed in a number of banks. However, do not rely solely on credit cards or travellers' cheques. Cash is preferred.

Safety

Crime
Crime rate is low in Ukraine as compared to Western rates. Still, beware of walking alone late at night and flashing a lot of money. The cities' centers are usually safer than the outskirts. Also, it is wise to have photocopies of your documents (passport, driving license) in a safe place in case your real valuables are lost or stolen.

Water
It is recommended that you boil tap water before drinking it because it is not clean enough even after purification. Bottled water is easy to find in supermarkets. Be forewarned that water supply, especially hot, can be irregular.

Radiation
Radiation levels in Kyiv and most of Ukraine are considered safe and normal by the U.S. Embassy and other official bodies.

Electricity
The standard electric voltage in Ukraine is 220 volts. If you bring electric appliances, be sure to take a plug adapter and a surge protector.

Temperature equivalents

F = 1.8 x C + 32

C = 0.55 x (F - 32)

source:http://ukrbiz.net/rus/kbd/ukraine/