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years, and its capital city (Sumy) was founded back in 1652. It is an example of how Ukrainians have created a modern country without having to destroy the landscape or forget its cultural and historical past. In the Sumy oblast’s forests, the natural landscape—the oblast has 165 rivers running through it—and historical sites make it a popular tourist destination. So do the examples of baroque-style architecture, such as the Voskresenskaya Church, which was built in 1702. The Sumy oblast’s economy, however, is driven by agriculture (sugar, sunflower seeds, grains, potatoes, and meat) as well as a variety of industries, from paper mills and cloth factories to electronics and mining. The Cuisine Ukraine’s flat topography made it a popular route over the centuries for migrants, merchants, and warriors looking for people and land to conquer. Today, its population includes around 130 nationalities. Among the indigenous people, Ukrainians make up almost 80 percent of the population, followed by Crimean Tatars, Karaites, Krymchaks, and the Gagauzes of Odesa. Ukrainians in the north still embrace traditions and folk culture from the original Slavs who

Potatoes are a staple in Ukrainian cuisine, especially in the popular deruny .

Chapter 1: Northern Ukraine

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