Ukraine is a semi-presidential republic. The public elects a president for a five-year term, who in turn nominates a prime minister. The nominee is then approved by the country’s 450-member parliament, called the Verkhovna Rada.
Ukraine’s current constitution, which was adopted in 1996, established executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The prime minister oversees the creation and execution of laws through the legislative and judicial branches. The president represents Ukraine at ceremonies around the world and conducts negotiations and international treaties.
Exports
Agriculture products are some of the country’s main exports, or goods sold to other countries. Ukraine is one of the largest grain exporters in the world and the world’s largest producer of sunflower seeds. (The sunflower is the country’s national flower.)
Ukraine is home to fertile grasslands, high mountains, and dense forests. Native predators include wolves, martens, and foxes; they might prey on rodents like hamsters and jerboa. Black and hazel grouse, partridges, and wild geese soar the skies, and pike, carp, and sturgeons swim in Ukraine’s lakes and rivers.
In 1986, a nuclear accident had a devastating impact on northern Ukraine’s environment. A reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, killing many people and animals in Ukraine. Contaminated farmlands near Chernobyl are expected to be unsafe for thousands of years.
But scientists also saw a surprising positive impact. Much of the area surrounding the plant was closed to the public because of dangerous radioactive contamination. And because of the lack of people, more wildlife has been returning to the area. Cameras in the area, called the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, have even spotted rare animals such as lynx and European bison.
Independence Square-
