The history of Kiev bears more than 1,500 years of vicissitudes, and its establishment dates back to the second half of the 5th century. In the 9th-13th centuries, Kiev was the capital and center of the first Kievan Rus' and was known as the "Mother of Rus' Cities". The city is located on a plateau about 90 meters high on the right bank of the Dnieper, bordered on three sides by steep cliffs. The earliest chronicle of the Eastern Slavs, Chronicles of the Past (written in the 12th century), details the origin of the city of Kiev, which originated at the turn of the 6th and 7th centuries and was built by three brothers of the Polyan tribe - Kiyi, Seke and Horiv, named Kiev after the eldest brother, and became the core of the later city of Kiev.
Kyiv is strategically located at the crossroads of three important trade routes. the "Varyag to Greeks Road" through the Dnieper connects the Baltic and Black Seas; The overland trade route runs from east to west, from the Black Sea to Kiev, Krakow and Prague, connecting the Arab world with Western Europe. Another trade route from the Caspian Sea to the Baltic Sea via Kiev connected the Arab world with Northern Europe.
The history of Kiev bears witness to the formation of the Ukrainian state. In 822, the first Ukrainian state, Kievan Rus, was established in Kiev, and in 988 the whole city was converted to Orthodox Christianity, which gradually prospered after the promotion of Eurasia**, and was known as the "imperial city" on the Dnieper River. However, in 1240, Genghis Khan's grandson Batu and his Mongol expeditionary force captured Kiev, making it an important city of the Kipchak Khanate. In 1362, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania invaded Kiev, ceded to Poland in 1569, and finally returned to ** in 1686.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the tsar set about developing Kiev's industry, making it the leading city in the region of Ukraine. In the 60s, Kiev was connected with Moscow and Odessa railways, which further strengthened its position in regional transport.
After the October Revolution of 1917, Kiev became the capital of the independent Ukrainian state, however, after the defeat of the Soviet Union in 1941, Nazi German troops occupied Kiev until its liberation by Soviet troops in 1943. After the end of World War II, Kiev was awarded the title of "Hero City" and the Order of the Golden Star and the Order of Lenin by the Soviet Union for its bravery and sacrifice in the war.
In 1991, Kiev became the capital of Ukraine, marking the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Ukraine. Strategically located in north-central Ukraine, in the middle reaches of the Dnieper River, Kiev is the economic and cultural center of Ukraine. The topography of the city is high in the west and low in the east, and it has a mild continental climate, and the temperature changes significantly. The city is divided into 10 administrative districts, among which the city center retains the old street pattern and is rich in historical buildings, such as the Sophia Cathedral, the Kiev-Pichersk Lavra, the Vidubitsk Lavra and the Andreyev Church.
Kyiv's economy is diverse, including mechanical engineering, light industry, chemical industry, and printing and publishing. The city is the transportation hub of Ukraine and has a well-developed water, land and air transportation network, of which the Kyiv metro system provides convenient public transportation services to the city. Kyiv is also the industrial, scientific, cultural, and educational center of Ukraine, with several higher education institutions and scientific research institutions.
The history of Kyiv is as rich and colorful as the history of Ukraine, carrying the suffering and struggle of the Ukrainian people, while also witnessing the rise and development of the city. As the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv has been an important city in Eastern Europe for the past millennium, and its rich cultural heritage and economic power have made it unique on the international stage.