The city, founded more than 11 centuries ago, is located on a picturesque bank of Vorskla, inflow of Dnepr river, in one of the most unpolluted regions of all left bank Ukraine. Big green forest tract of deciduous and pine woods forms almost closed ring. There are many pines, oaks, hornbeams, elm grows, a lot of maples, various bushes in Poltava woods and forest parks. There is plenty of mushrooms, great strawberry and raspberry fields. Surrounding forests have many wild animals: elks, roes, wild boars; one may encounter some wolves and foxes; there are also many hares. Bird world of Poltava is represented primarily by duck species. There is a lot of woodpeckers and jays in the woods. Nightingales are rather frequent visitors of city's parks and squares. Rivers and lakes of the land are a home to crucian, roach, rudd, tench, carp, there is perch and pike perch, pike, chub and bream. Rivers Psel and Vorskla are very famous for its huge catfish among lovers of fishing.

Important transport highways of the country converge in Poltava. Railroad tracks stretch east to Kharkov and further to Moscow, west to Kiev, south - to Odessa and Crimea. The highway Poltava - Kishinev begins here, through here runs highway Kiev - Kharkov. The distance to Moscow is 924 kilometers, to Kiev - 333 kilometers. There is straight bus and railroad communication practically with all large cities of Ukraine.

According to the last census of enumeration the population of Poltava is almost 315 000, among whom there are 145 000 men, 169 900 women. Ethnic content is the following: 251 000 Ukrainians and 55 000 Russians. 97 000 people have secondary education, 24 700 - specialized secondary, 109 000 have higher education. 50.2% of able-bodied men and 49.8% of women are employed. The rate of unemployment in Poltava does not exceed 4 % according to the official data.

Poltava is known for its unique, alkaline type of water and curative mineral sources.

Praised by many masters of culture, Poltava has given the world many talented and outstanding people. The voice of Ivan Kotljarevsky, a classic of Ukrainian literature, rang for the whole world from here. The great N.V.Gogol, was born, studied, lived and worked here. Here lived and worked other outstanding people: classics of Ukrainian and Russian literature Panas Myrniy, V.G.Korolenko, I.Nechuj-Levitsky, a painter G.G Myasoedov, famous figure of theatre M.Kropivnitsky, a pedagogue A.S.Makarenko, world-famous scientists V.Dokuchaev, V.Vernadsky, M.Vavilov, and a great surgeon M.Sklifosovsky. Singer and poetess Marusja Churaj, the patriarch of Ukrainian Orthodox church Mstislav (S.I.Skripnik), one of the heads of the Ukrainian National Republic S.V Petlura, famous artist of the USSR V.M.Baturin were born in Poltava. Poltava could also boast of the famous theorist of rocket production J.Kondratjuk who, in 4 notebooks, calculated the possibilities of interplanetary space flights. His calculations were used during the preparation of American astronauts for the Moon landing. T.G.Shevchenko, V.A.Zhukovsky, K.D.Bal'mont, L.M.Tolstoy, M.P.Bazhan, P.G.Tichina, O.Vishnya, Maxim Gorkiy, I.J.Repin, count Potomkin; commanders Suvorov and Kutuzov; Russian Czars: Peter I, Catherine the Great, Nikolai II, Alexander II and many other well-known people visited Poltava at various times.

The famous Poltava Battle between the armies of Swedish king Karl XII and Russian tzar Peter I took place on this land in 1709. The Battle not only determined the outcome of Russian-Sweden military confrontation, but also shaped the destiny of Ukraine for centuries to come.

Poltava, being a principle town of province in 1809, began to be rebuilt by the best architects in connection with a centenary of the Poltava Battle, thus turning into a "small St. Petersburg". From that time modern Poltava has inherited its central part - the unique world famous ensemble of the Round square.

Provincial Poltava has turned into a heart of spiritual and cultural life of Ukraine prior to the beginning of the XIX century. Here were concieved talents, ideas, events and projects which affected the development of Ukrainian and world history of XIX - XX centuries.

There are many historical and cultural monuments, places of rest, silent cosy parkways and squares in the city. Poltava takes the third place among Ukrainian cities in prosperity and well-being of its inhabitants. Her people are sweet and affable, Poltava's land is known for its hospitality and kindness at all times.

The city has existed for almost twelve centuries, but it is still young and becomes more beautiful each year. Welcome to Poltava - the most beautiful Ukrainian city! You will gain unforgettable impressions from visiting our fine city!