a rich context for understanding the nation's identity. The opening of the book sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Ukraine's geography. It highlights the relative obscurity of the country's geography in broader European studies, with Rudnitsky pointing out that the term "Ukraine" itself has often been overlooked or replaced in maps and literature over the last century. The author outlines Ukraine's geographic boundaries, its continental climate, and its position as a land of transition between Europe and Asia, while emphasizing the importance of the Black Sea. The preliminary chapters discuss the geological history and natural landscape of Ukraine, painting a vivid picture of a land characterized by plains, plateaus, and rich natural resources, all of which have contributed to the resilience of the Ukrainian people throughout history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)