Ukrainian Transcarpathians - the Heart and Center of Europe

Transcarpathian Ukraine
The first reference related to humans living in the Carpathian area goes back into the early Paleolith (500 thousand years ago). In the time of the Roman Empire, one of Franconian races – Carps – moved here.
Important event in the Transcarpathian history occurred in the period from 9th up to 11th centuries was that it fell under the active domain of huge East-Slavonic country – Russia with its high material and spiritual culture in this time.
he half of the 20th century it was a part of Hungary, Austria, Hungary-Austria, Czechoslovakia, but aethnic names such as «Russian» «Ruthenian» prove that this region never lost its bonds with the nations living on the other side of Carpathians.
In 1945 it was incorporated into Ukraine. In course of centuries, the Transcarpathian region was a part of various states but in never interrupted its bonds with Ukraine and Russia and it considered itself to be a part of the big family of East Slavonery.

The overall history of Transcarpathian region, from prehistory up to the present, may be divided into several periods: antiquity period chronologically lasting until the 9th century; feudalism period starting from 9th century and continuing until the half of the 14th century; capitalism development period from the second half of the 14 th century until the beginning of the 20th century i. e. the period between two world wars when the Transcarpathian region was a part of Czechoslovakia; Hungarian occupation in 1939—1944; Transcarpathian Ukraine (period from 1944 up to 1945) and post-war period when the Transcarpathian region had been incorporated into Ukraine.

The Transcarpathian region has a specific status in Ukraine. It is the region with unique geopolitical and geographical position. With respect to its advantageous geographical location, the Transcarpathian Ukraine was the junction between the North and South, and East and West Europe from time immemorial.
The Transcarpathian region is situated on the South-Western slopes of Ukrainian Carpathians and partially on the Transcarparthian Lowland as well.
Almost 80 % of the area is forested creating, from the southwest to southeast , the Verchovina and Vododil Ridges as well as Horhory, Svydovec, ?ornohora, Poloniny Ridge, Rachiv Massif and Volcanic Carpathians.
The Transcarpathian region is separated from other regions by Jablunycký, Vyškivský, Užocký, Verecký and Volovecký passes situated in the altitude from 931 up to 1014 meters. On the ?ornohora Ridge of the Ukrainian Carpathians, the highest highlands of Ukraine – Hoverla (2061m) is located. Nearby Rachov in the Transcarpathian region, the mathematical geographical center point of Europe is found.
The climate is slightly continental with constant springs, non-hot summers, warm autumns and soft winters. Average temperature of January is - –7°C in mountains and +19°C and +11°C in July. The precipitation rate is 700-1000 mm.
Forests occupy an area larger that 50 % of the overall region.
On lowlands, there are found mixed oak and hornbeam forests, on the foot-hills the oak and mixed oak and beech forests in mountains, in the altitude from 800 to 1000 m you will find beech forests, in the altitude from 1300 m to 1500 m there are abundance of coniferous forests (European Silver fir, spruce) grow. The country is covered by sub-alpine and alpine meadows – plains.
Around 360 mineral water wells were discovered in the region, the have been examined and stating that they have healing effects because of their chemical compositions.
Relief, geographical position, mineral waters, slightly continental climate, rich traditions and culture of multi-national population of the country create altogether unique recreational and social experience; the region has good prospects to develop further complexes of world-class spa centers, or as called in this part of the world, sanatoriums.
In the Ukrainian Carpathians, the largest area of European primeval forests is found. In 1968, it was decided to protect the ecosystem and it was incorporated into the International Register of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Its area is 17 888 hectares. This region was awarded the European Council award for significant efforts for protection of its natural and historical monuments.
There are 137 natural lakes In the Transcarpathian Ukraine. More than 9 400 rivers and brooks flow through this area creating potential hydroelectric source. The Tisa River is the largest one. The most important of the mountain glacial lakes is the Synevyr Lake.
There are Carpathian natural preserves with unique „Narcissus Valley“, “Synevyr“ National Natural Park, 25 natural preserves of national-wide importance, 14 natural preserves of local importance, 349 natural monuments, 21 park and garden arts and 3 natural reserves.
Rock salt reserves from the Solotvino deposit are considered to be very important. There is kaolin exploitation and around 13 deposits of Carbon raw materials.
The Transcarpathian region is divided into 18 territorial and administrative units; five of them are towns with the regional classification (Uzhorod, Mukatchevo, Chust, Beregovo, Tchop) and 13 districts called; Beregovský, Velykoberez?anský, Vynogradovský, Volovecký, Iršavský, Mižgorský, Muka?evský, Pere?ynský, Rachivský, Sva?avský, ?a?ivský, Chustský, Užhorodský.
Airlines connecting from Lisabon-Triest (Terst)-?ub?ana-Budapeš?-Kyjev to Volgograd makes it possible to access this region directly. European roads, railways and river traffic networks assure the transit load transport also in the Europe-Asia direction. Airport is called Uzhorod. Flights to Lviv, Kiev which could serve as your entry points to Ukraine.
Transport networks in the area of the Transcarpathian region, are crossed with the network from Baltic Sea – Black Sea (Gdansk – Odessa) that enables passengers and goods transport from Northern to Southern Europe and vice versa.
16 border crossings and custom-houses are situated on the length of 467,3 km. 9 of them have the status of international border crossings, 6 international and 8 of them are local status. Main road border crossings are "Užhorod", "Malyj Bereznyj", "isa", "Lužanka", "?akovo" "Vylok", medzinárodné železni?né - "Pavlovo", "?op-železni?ný", "Salovka", and "?akovo".
Some simpler car road crossings are "Dzvinkove", "Kosyno", "Lužanka", "Vylok", "?akovo" and international railway border crossings such as "resva", "?akovo", "Rachiv".
Simplified border crossing for trekkers as a service for inhabitants in "Chyža", "??resva" and "?akovo" were established.
Passengers transport is provided with 68 international lines every day. From Uzhorod transportation lines lead to regional centers such as ?vov, Luck, Ivano-Frankovs, ?ernivci, to the Slovakian towns such as Bratislava, Michalovce, Humenné, Prešov, ??šice; to the Czech Republic such as Dobžina, Praha, Brno; and to Hungary - Niredyiháza.
The railways on the given area is 1 476 km long. 785 km of them are the main railroads the half of which is electrified. Basic internal railroads ?op - Užhorod - ?vov, ?op – Solotvyno pass through the railway junctions such as ?op, Muka?evo, Ba?ovo and Uzhorod. There are the railway connections with Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Ukrainian towns ?vov, ?yjev, Charkov, ?ernivce, Simferopo? etc. by three exits through the Carpathian pass.
Originality of the Transcarpathian culture is based on preservation of customs and traditions of Ruthenians and Ukrainians, which are divided ethnically into Hucul, Lemko and Bojko tribes. Each ethnic group has its own melody, embroidery technique and ceremonies. Customs and traditions of Hungarian, German, Slovakian and Romanian etc. people are connected with them very closely.
Historical chronicles of development of this area may be found in documents written by Roman Alphabet, Hungarian, German, Czech, Slovakian, Old-Slavonic and other languages. The Transcarpathians is the homeland of artists popular worldwide such as Igor Hrabar, Adalbert Erdeli, Josyf Bokšay, Fedor Manajlo, Andrij Kocka. Composers such as Dezider Zador, Stepan Marton, Jevhenij Stankovy?, singer Gizela Cypola ancome from this region.
There are 674 historical monuments, local architectonic monuments and monumental arts in this region. The most interesting objects of tourism are the castles from 13th century in Uzhorod, from 14th century in Mukatchevo, Mykolajev Church rotunda in Uzhorod, castle ruins in Chust, churches in the communities such as Seredno Vo?ano, ?rajnikovo, Užec, Myki?skyj monastyr (cloister) from 18th century in Mukatchevo, wooden churches from 1428, Episcopal palace from 1646, town halls and many others.