Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city

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overview
history
economy
main attractions

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city overview

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city coat of arms

Kharkov, also spelled Char'kov, Ukrainian Kharkiv is a city and administrative centre of Kharkov region, northeastern Ukraine. Kharkov city lies at the confluence of the Udy, Lopan and Kharkov rivers. Kharkov is the second largest city of Ukraine after Kiev.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city map location

Kharkov Ukraine city population - 1,461,000 (2007).
Kharkov Ukraine city land area - 310 sq. km.
Kharkov Ukraine city phone code - +380-57.
Kharkov Ukraine city postal codes - 61001-61100.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city bird's-eye views

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city history

Kharkov city was founded in 1656 as a military stronghold to protect Russia's southern marchlands. Part of the old kremlin wall survives. The center of a region of fertile soils and rapid colonization in the 18th century, Kharkov quickly developed important trade and handicraft manufactures and became a seat of provincial government in 1732.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city bird's-eye views

Kharkov city nodal position was enhanced in the later 19th century by the opening of the adjacent Donets Basin coalfield, first reached by rail from Kharkov in 1869. At that period Kharkov's own industries, especially engineering, grew rapidly.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city bird's-eye views

After the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Ukrainian S.S.R. in 1917, Kharkov city was made its first capital but lost this function to Kiev in 1934. In World War II Kharkov city was bitterly contested and changed hands several times, with very heavy destruction.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - night street

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city economy

Today Kharkov city retains its role as a communications center. Kharkov is the largest rail junction of Ukraine, with eight trunk lines converging on it and three main-line stations.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - railway station

Kharkov city is also a node on the trunk highway system of Ukraine and Russia, with highways to Moscow, to Kiev and western Ukraine, to Zaporozhye and the Crimea, and to Rostov-na-Donu and the Caucasus.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - square near railway station at night

Kharkov city of Ukraine has a major airport. Kharkov is the second-largest city in the Ukraine and is the center of a metropolitan area comprising about 20 satellite towns.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - Soviet tram

The industrial structure of Kharkov city is headed by engineering. The wide range of products includes diesel locomotives, machine tools, mining machinery, tractors and other agricultural machinery, bicycles, generators, steam turbines, and many electrical items. There are also light industries producing foodstuffs and other consumer goods in Kharkov Ukraine. Much of the power for industry and heating in Kharkov city derives from natural gas.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - World War I tank

The great destruction of World War II made it possible for contemporary Kharkov to be rebuilt as a city of broad streets, large apartment blocks, imposing, often ponderous administrative and office buildings, and large industrial plants.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city architecture

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city main attractions

Among survivals of the past of Kharkov city are the 17th-century Pokrovsky Cathedral, the 19th-century Patriarchal Cathedral, and the bell tower commemorating the victory over Napoleon I in 1812.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city views - cathedral

Kharkov city is one of the most important cultural and educational centers of Ukraine. Kharkov university was founded in 1805. There are numerous other institutions of higher education, including polytechnic, medical, agricultural, and various engineering establishments in Kharkov Ukraine.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city architecture

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city in the evening

In addition, Kharkov city has a number of scientific-research institutions, a park of physical culture, and a botanical garden. Kharkov has a philharmonic hall, several theaters (the oldest of which dates from 1780), a planetarium, and a number of museums. Kharkov city subway system was opened in 1975.

Kharkov (Kharkiv) Ukraine city architecture

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