Kharkiv

Kharkiv, also known as Kharkov is the second largest city in Ukraine. It was founded in the middle of 17th Century. During the early years of the Soviet Union, Kharkiv was the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and it later became the site of several military engagements during World War II. The city, which was captured by Nazi Germany, was recaptured by the Red Army. But it was again captured twice by the Nazis before its liberation on August 23, 1943. It is one of the main industrial, cultural and educational centers of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Kharkiv Oblast province as well as Kharkivsky Raion district.

Area & Location: Lies in the northeast of the country, Kharkiv is located at 49º54'60? Latitude North and 36º18'60? Longitude East. It sits at the confluence of the Kharkiv, Lopan and Udy Rivers. The city occupies a total area of 300 sq. km and has an elevation of 152 m. Around 1,461,300 people reside in the city.

Tourist Attractions: The city possesses many monuments, which are often visited by tourists from far and wide.

Transportation: The Kharkiv Osnova International Airport is the international airport that serves the city. Railway trains and electric trains help people move form one city to another. Kharkiv Metro, trolleybus, taxis, tramways and marshrutkas are the main pubic transportation facilities in the city.

Hotels: The world-class service and quality food are the unique features of Kharkiv hotels. Cosmopolit Hotel, Best Eastern Kharkiv Hotel, Airport Hotel, Hotel Mir, Hotel National, Buymerovka Pine-Spa Resort 1936, Chichikov Hotel and Plaza Hotel are the well-known hotels in the city.

Places of Attraction: Gosprom building, Memorial Complex, Freedom Square, Taras Shevchenko Monument, Mirror Stream, Uspensky Cathedral, Militia Museum, Pokriv Cathedral, T. Shevchenko Gardens, Kharkiv's funicular, Childrens' narrow-gauge railroad are the interesting sites in the city. Kharkiv Historical Museum, Mirror Stream fountain, Maestro Art Gallery and Kharkov Synagogue are the other popular spots in Kharkiv.