I love the CIA WorldFact book. It is constantly updated on countries around the world. And it has little pearls like:

[Ukraine is ] slightly smaller than Texas

From: Ukraine - CIA WorldFact Book

Afghanistan, Botswana, Burma, Central African Republic and Somalia are also listed as slightly smaller than Texas.


Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe. Russia is the largest country in Europe and the world in terms of land area. There are some people who quibble and claim that Ukraine is the largest country in Europe because Russia is partly in Asia.


But then it depends on what you think a continent is. I didn't realize that other folks learn there 6, 5, 4 or 3 continents in the World. As a child I learned there are 7 continents. However Eastern Europeans learn there are 6; Antarctica, South America, North America, Eurasia, Africa and Australia.


Ukraine has the second worst population growth rate. They are decreasing 0.6%. Latvia has the worst rate at -0.67%


During the Soviet Era, Ukraine was known as the bread basket. And it continues to be the bread basket. It has the second most arable land in the world at 53.8%.

arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest;

From: Notes and Definitions - CIA WorldFact Book

Bangladesh beats Ukraine by having 55.39% arable land.


Romania and Ukraine have a maritime border dispute over Snake Island. This is an island that is 0.17 in area and is part of Odessa Oblast. The European Union has asked Romania to settle the issue. The issue is fairly complex but it boils down to... Is Snake Island an island or a cliff.


The capital of Ukraine was Kharkiv from 1918 to 1934, then it moved to Kyiv.


Horses are believed to have been first domesticated in the Ukraine approximately 6,000 years ago. From: Animal Encounters