Kharkov Ukraine Information

Kharkiv (Ukrainian: Харків, pronounced [ˈxɑrkiw]), also spelt Kharkov (from Russian: Харьков) is the second largest city in Ukraine. It was the first capital of Soviet Ukraine, now the administrative centre of the Kharkiv Oblast (province), as well as the administrative centre of the surrounding Kharkivskyi Raion (district) within the oblast. The city is located in the northeast of the country. As of 2006, its population is 1,461,300.Kharkiv is a major cultural, scientific, educational, transport and industrial centre of Ukraine. Its industry specializes mostly in machinery. There are hundreds of industrial companies in the city. Among them are world famous giants like the Morozov Design Bureau and the Malyshev Tank Factory, leaders in tank production since the 1930s; Hartron (aerospace and nuclear electronics); and the Turboatom turbines producer.

There is an underground rapid-transit system (metro) with about 35 km (22 mi) of track and 28 stations. A well-known landmark of Kharkiv is the Freedom Square(Maidan Svobody formally formerly known as Dzerzhinsky Square), which is currently the third largest city square in Europe, and the 7th largest square in the world.

Geography and climate

Kharkiv is located in the northeastern region of Ukraine . Historically, Kharkiv lies in the Sloboda Ukraine region (Slobozhanshchyna also known as Slobidshchyna), in which it is considered the main city. The city rests at the confluence of the Kharkiv, Lopan, and Udy rivers, where they flow into the Siversky Donets watershed. Climate in Ukraine is temperate-continental, but for the Crimea where there is a subtropical climate of Mediterranean type. Winters are long, snowy and cool, average temperature in January is - 6 Celsius degrees (21 Fahrenheit degrees). The coolest month is February. Summer is short, not very hot, average temperature in July is +19 Celsius degrees (67 Fahrenheit degrees). In July and August the thermometer gauge can raise to +35-40 Celsius degrees, but more often it stays at + 25, 30 Celsius degrees. Change of seasons is very distinct in Ukraine, snowy winter, flowering warm springtime, hot summer and gilded autumn.

History

Archeological evidence discovered in the area of present-day Kharkiv indicates that a local population has existed in that area since the 2nd millennium BC. Cultural artifacts date back to the Bronze Age, as well as those of later Scythian and Sarmatian settlers. There is also evidence that the Chernyakhov culture flourished in the area from the 2nd to the 6th century.Founded in the middle of 17th century by a Ukrainian Cossack called Kharkov, the city has had a university since 1805. During the early years of the Soviet Union, Bolsheviks established Kharkiv as the capital of the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic (from 1917–1934) in opposition to the Ukrainian Peoples Republic with its capital of Kiev.In the 1920s a 150 meters tall wooden radio tower was built in Kharkiv. It was destroyed in World War II. In 1928 the SVU (Union for the Freedom of Ukraine) process was initiated and court sessions were staged in the Kharkiv Opera (now the Philharmonic) building. Hundreds of Ukrainian intellectuals were arrested and deported.In the early 1930s, a famine drove many people off the land into the cities, and to Kharkiv in particular, in search of food. Many people died and were secretly buried in mass graves in the city's cemeteries.

In 1934 hundreds of Ukrainian writers, intellectuals and cultural workers were arrested and executed. The purges continued into 1938. Blind street musicians were also gathered in Kharkiv and murdered by the NKVD.During April and May 1940 about 3,800 Polish prisoners of Starobelsk camp were executed in the Kharkiv NKVD building, later secretly buried on the grounds of an NKVD pansionat in Pyatykhatky forest (part of the Katyn massacre). The site also contains the numerous bodies of Ukrainian cultural workers who were arrested and shot in the 1937-38 Stalinist purges.

During World War II, Kharkiv was the site of several military engagements. The city was captured by Nazi Germany and its military allies on 24 October 1941; there was disastrous Red Army offensive that failed to capture the city in May 1942 the city was successfully retaken by the Soviets on 16 February 1943, captured for a second time by the Germans on 16 March 1943 and then finally liberated on 23 August 1943. Seventy percent of the city was destroyed and tens of thousands of the inhabitants were killed. Kharkiv, the third largest city in the Soviet Union, was the most populous city in the Soviet Union captured by Nazis, since in the years preceding World War II, Kiev was by population the smaller of the two. Between December 1941 and January 1942, an estimated 30,000 people (slightly more than half Jewish) were killed and buried in a mass grave by the Germans in a ravine outside of town named Dobytsky Yar.

During World War II, four battles took place for control of the city:

•          First Battle of Kharkiv

•          Second Battle of Kharkiv

•          Third Battle of Kharkiv

•          Operation Polkovodets Rumyantsev

Before the occupation, Kharkov’s tank industries were evacuated to the Urals with all their equipment, and became the heart of Red Army's tank programs (particularly, producing the legendary T-34 tank earlier designed in Kharkiv). These enterprises were returned after the war, and continue to produce some of the world's best tanks. Kharkiv was the third largest scientific-industrial center in the former USSR (after Moscow and Leningrad). During the last three centuries, Kharkov has become not only a traditional center of the East-Ukrainian lands but also one of the most developed industrial city of Ukraine and in the south of Eastern Europe.

 Today, Kharkov is one of the biggest scientific, technical and commercial centres of Ukraine. Kharkov is also called as the City of Students - by the number of higher educational institutions Kharkov stands first place in the Ukraine. Many young people from all around Ukraine come to study in its oldest and prestigious institutes and universities. Kharkov is a very green city. Tourists like this city because of wonderful parks and squares. The main square in Kharkov is the biggest in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. Historical museum, cathedrals, churches, theaters, exhibitions - there are a lot of interesting places in Kharkov you will be able to visit.

Tourism Attractions in Kharkov

The Kharkov Zoo was founded in 1895 and has already celebrated its centenary. It now has about five thousand animals representing 340 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibia, birds, and fishes from all continents. Of a great interest is the aquarium with exotic fishes of 80 species. The Zoo occupies an area of 22 hectares. and is located in the wonderful gardens in city center, it is always popular with visitors yearly.

 The Mirror Stream fountain was built in 1947, to commemorate victory in the Second World War. It is located at Sumska Street, just opposite the Opera Theater. It is situated in a small but very picturesque garden good for taking a stroll or just sitting for a while on a bench, or arranging a date.

                                                                   
Glory Memorial was unveiled in the Forest Park in 1977. It immortalizes the undying exploits of the Soviet people fighting the Nazism.At this city's northern boundary, the Hitlerites executed tens of thousands of Soviet war prisoners, partisans, members of underground resistance, and patriots who had not submitted to the enemy. Three memorial steles with lowered cast metal flags tell the story of Kharkivites' contribution in the Soviet people's battle with the hateful enemy. The Kharkivites displayed unprecedented courage and heroism in battles with the nazis. 230 of our compatriots were given the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, tens of thousands have been awarded with orders and medals. Inscription on one of the steles reminds about those, whom the present and subsequent generation owe their lives: 186,306 Soviet soldiers died in the battles of Kharkiv. A majestic stele at the center of the Memorial tells about the struggle, suffering, and joy of victory. A symbolic figure of Motherland stands nearby in mournful silence. The Eternal Flame burns at the foot of the sculpture. Gray granite bears gold lettering: "Heroes never die. They become immortal and stay forever in our memories, in our achievements, in great deeds of future generations. The progeny owe life to them". 

The Pokrovsky (Protection of the Virgin) Cathedral is the oldest city building. It was built in 1689. The Pokrovsky Cathdral is located close to the Constitution Square and is a valuable monument of the Ukrainian architecture of the second half of the 17th century. This is a typical Ukrainian three-domed church. Its exterior decorations have some elements of Russian architecture testifying to links between the Russian and Ukrainian cultures.The cathedral was severely damaged in the years of the Second World war. The restoration of the cathedral began in early 1990s and then it has been returned to the Kharkiv Church Eparchy. Now it is an acting orthodox temple.

 Small Southern  Children's Railroad The Small Southern is 3.6 kilometers long and connects the Gorky Park with the Forest Park. There were about 40 children's railroads in the former USSR. Few of them are still operational. Carriages of the children's railroad are relatively spacious and there is enough space inside both for children and adults. The Small Southern is one of the oldest; it celebrated it's 60th anniversary in November 2000. The railroad was built on initiative of Komsomol (Young Communist League) members of the Southern Railroad and the Institute of Railroad Engineers in the years before the Second World War.

From May through November, young railroad enthusiasts and students of Kharkov schools come here to acquire knowledge and practical skills in this industry. They drive locomotives, work as train attendants, switchmen, and yard masters.

The Small Southern rolling stock consists of Diesel locomotives, about fifteen passenger carriages, and two steam locomotives in honorary "retirement". However, with the trend for retro-style vehicles, they might return one day to entertain the public who have only seen steam engines in old picture books. The children's railroad is very popular with the Kharkivites and guests and has about 20,000 to 30,000 visitors annually.In its northern section the Gorky Park borders on the Forest Park, which is a large natural forest tract covering an area of over 2,000 hectares. This is the largest wooded area within the city limits, spread picturesquely on the terrain cut with ravines, which renders it special beauty and makes an excellent location for picnicking and recreation. An absolutely genuine railroad bridge connecting the Gorky Park with the Forest Park gives special charm to the children's railroad.