http://www.loda.gov.ua/eng/region/

L'viv region, created on December 4 1939, is situated in the most Western part of Ukraine. It borders with Republic of Poland, as well as Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Volyn', Rivne and Zakarpattya regions. There are 20 districts, 43 cities, 34 settlements of city estate and 1850 villages in L'viv region.

The square of the region is 21.8 square kilometers. L'viv region lies on the so-called line between the Baltic and the Black Seas, thus creating an axis between the Eastern and Western Europe. That is why such a splendid combination of different cultures have found its reflection in this region.

Owing to a specific geographic situation, the climate of L'viv region is mild, with no hot summers and severe winter. In autumn, it rains frequently, which makes the region attractive for the development of agriculture.

Approximately 80% of the territory of Ukraine is flat. The modern Southern border of the Carpathians coincides with the Verkovyna Mountain Range. The highest peak of the region, Mountain Pikui, is situated there and has the height of 1405 meters above the sea level.

The population of the region is approximately 2.75 million people. More than 61% of people live in cities. In gender structure women dominate in the region (more than 52%). The density of population is 120 persons per square kilometer. The biggest cities are L'viv (approximately 800 thousand inhabitants), Drohobych (above 80 thousand people), Chervonohrad (75 thousand people), Stryi (approximately 70 thousand), Sambir (41 thousand), and Boryslav (41 thousand).

It is characteristic for the region to have a high level of the religion consciousness. The dominant religion is Ukrainian Greek Catholic to which belong near 56% of all religious organizations.

L'viv region is nationally homogeneous. Ukrainians represent 90% of the population. Russians are the second largest group in the region concluding only about 200 thousand people. Also there many other nationalities, which are not so numerous (Polish, German etc.)

The region has one of the best transportation systems in Ukraine. The most important routes are: L'viv-Kyiv-Prague, and Warsaw-Bucharest. L'viv and Stryi are the largest railway junctions. The highways are an integral part of the transportation system of the region as well, with L'viv-Rivne -Kyiv highway and some others (L'viv-Ternopil'-Vinnytsia-Kyiv, L'viv-Ivano-Frankivs'k-Chernivtsi, and L'viv-Uzhorod) being the most important.

L'viv region plays a key role in the social and economic life of the whole western region of Ukraine. The main economic and industrial centers of the region are L'viv, Boryslav, Chervonohrad, Drohobych, and Stryi. The main branches of the industry include machinery, food and chemical industry, wood manufacturing, and production of building materials. Specialized industries of agriculture are grain-crops, potato, vegetables and flax. Livestock, pig, and poultry breading are well developed as well.

The region is known for a variety of excellent recreation zones. South of the region and the area of Carpathians are known for its excellent resorts of Truskavets', Morshyn, and Skhidnytsya. L'viv and other cities with rich architectural heritage and monuments (e.g. Zhovkva, Drohobych, Horodok, Sambir and Zolochiv) are the most visited places in the region.

The administrative center of the region is L'viv - one of the most ancient, beautiful cities in Ukraine, and also is a huge economic, political, social and transportation center.

Prince Danylo Halyts'kyi founded the city in 1256 and named it after his son Leo. Its geographical location on the crossroads of trade routes contributed to the rapid development of the city. In 1356 L'viv received the right to self govern (The Right of Megdebourgue). In later periods of its development the city has become the cultural and spiritual center of Ukrainian people, and played an important role in the development of the country.

At different times the city was under the foreign rule, hence, there are still many surviving records and architectural sights of different cultures: Jewish, Polish, German, Armenian etc. In 1918 L'viv was the capital of West-Ukrainian People's Republic.

The population of L'viv is approximately 800 thousand inhabitants, with Ukrainians representing the majority. Ukrainians concluded approximately 79% of the inhabitants, Russians - 16%, 1.6% - Jews, and 1.2% - Polish. There is a number of cultural minority centers, and many newspapers are published in different languages representing the diversity of the population in the city.

L'viv is one of the biggest educational centers of Ukraine. There are many outstanding educational establishments there that are also known far beyond Ukraine. L'viv Ivan Franko National University is the oldest University in Ukraine. Other well-known institutions are National University "L'viv Polytechnic", Ukrainian State Wood Processing University, Medical University, State Academy of Veterinarian Medicine and others.

The City of L'viv has a lot to offer to its visitors. In Ukraine, L'viv has the biggest number of historical and architectural places. UNESCO has acknowledged the city as the pearl of Europe. The Solomiya Krushelnuts'ka Opera and Ballet Theatre, St. George Cathedral, Dominican Church and many others attract the visitors from abroad.

The city of L'viv is also famous for its parks, with Stryis'kyi Park being the gem in the collection.

The religion life in the city has its long history. There are more than 75 churches there, and two educational religious establishments.

L'viv has many achievements in the sphere of international relations. The city (and the region) actively cooperates with neighboring countries. On 14th-15th of May 1999 a Summit of the Presidents of Central European States was held in the city. In June 2001 Pope John Paul II was on a 3-day visit to L'viv.

To facilitate the process of integration of L'viv into the European community, three highways connecting the city with Europe via Warsaw have been built.

Nowadays L'viv enjoys its beauty, its past and present that co-exist in the same dimension.