Kiev:

Kiev is one of the oldest and largest cities of the Soviet Union. It can be described without exaggeration as a garden city - only a seventh part of its territory is occupied by buildings. The city lies on the banks of the Dnieper amidst picturesque hills and vales; many of its magnificent buildings and monuments enjoy world renown. Kiev suffered enormous damage during the War of 1941-45: its main thoroughfare, the Kreshchatik, many adjacent streets, the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra (Monastery) and other architectural landmarks were almost completely destroyed. The reconstruction and restoration of the city began immediately after the war and is still in progress. The St Sophia Cathedral complex, the Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra and the Vydubichi Monastery have now been freed of later accretions and distortions and can be seen in their original beauty. Kiev continues to grow: what were once suburbs have been transformed into modern residential areas and incorporated into the city. The capital of the Ukraine is also one of the country's largest industrial and cultural centres.