Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe with a population of around 46 million people. Some key symbols of Ukraine include wheat, the round loaf of bread, and the stork. Ukraine has a long history dating back to the 9th century and has experienced periods of independence as well as integration into other empires like Russia. Ukraine gained independence again in 1991 and has a developing market economy focused on industries like metals, energy, and agriculture. Traditional Ukrainian culture is reflected in clothes, dances like the Hopak, and dishes such as borscht and dumplings.