Background fi le EXTRA 10 top facts about Kyiv

10 Top facts about Kyiv

• Prince Kyi with his brothers and sister Lybid founded the city of Kyiv in the 5th century.

• The unoffi cial Kyiv’s logo is chestnut. May is the most beautiful month in Kyiv when chestnut trees blossom. That is why Kyiv celebrates its city day in May. • In the 11th century Kyiv was the largest city in Europe, fi fty times the size of London, ten times the size of Paris.

• Kyiv has not always been the capital of Ukraine. For example, Kharkiv was the capital city from 1917 till 1934.

• The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is the monastery with the longest underground tunnels.

• The Parkovyi Bridge, that leads to the Trukhanov Island, is the longest bridge in Europe.

• The shortest main street, but at the same time the widest main street is Kreshatyk. It is only 1225 metres long.

• The fi re department in Obolon district is the biggest in Europe. Also it has a museum of fi refi ghting.

Write six questions for a quiz on Kyiv. Ask your partner your questions. • The Arsenalna metro station in Kyiv is the deepest in the world. It is near the building of the Parliament. It goes under the ground for 105 metres. The Arsenalna metro station was opened in 1960.

• The third most visited McDonalds in the world is in Kyiv near the railway station. This fast food restaurant is one of the most crowded McDonalds in the world. More than 2 million people visit it every year.

When does Kyiv celebrate its day? In May.