Cities

Odessa is the center of Odessa oblast. It is a port at Bay of Odessa of the Black Sea. The territory is 160 sq. kilometers. Population is 1 029 000 people under last census. It was founded in 1794. Odessa is the third biggest city of Ukraine after Kyiv and Kharkov. It is main industrial, cultural, traffic, scientific and resort center of the Northern Prichernomoriye. Russians, Ukrainians and Jews prevail in cosmopolitan population of the city.

Odessa is the young city under European standards. It was founded by Ekaterina II in 1794, when Russian Empress decided that the country needs port at the Black Sea to widen the connections with Europe. First the ancient Greek settlement was at the place of modern Odessa, than Crimea Tatars lived there. They were replaced by Osman Turkish founded Khajibay Fortress which was seized by Russian army in 1789.

Having beneficial geographic position Odessa from small settlement turned into trade, industrial and scientific center of European significance. At 100 anniversary of its founding Odessa possessed 4^th place in Russian Empire by quantity of population and level of economic development after St. Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw. During the First World War and Civil War in Russia the city experienced ruining and chaos and during the Second World War was partially ruined.

Despite historical shocks for the last century the population of Odessa increased twice. Today city continues to develop as a big industrial and resort center of Ukraine. Mild climate, lots of sand beaches and warm sea annually attract thousands of tourists into the city for many years bearing the honor title of “Southern Palmira”. Citizens of Odessa are proud with their unique architecture and cultural heritage. There is a University in the city (founded in 1865), Opera and Ballet Theater (1809), Historical Museum (1825), City Library (1830), Astronomic Observatory (1871), Picture Gallery (1898) and other educational establishments, theaters and museums. Besides University, Odessa possesses other high quality educational establishments including Medical University, Marine Academy and Conservatory. Such famous people as poet Alexander Pushkin, biochemist Ilya Mechnikov and singer Leonid Utiosov lived there in different times.

Several generations of brilliant humorists born and grew up in Odessa during the last century gained special reputation of the capital of Russian language humor for Odessa.

Houses of the old part of the city were built in different styles of architecture from Renaissance to Art Nuvo.