Kharkiv

I’d like to tell you about my native city. Kharkiv is the second largest city and the
capital of Kharkiv region, situated at the confluence of the Lopan, Udy and Kharkiv
rivers; the historic capital of Slobidska Ukraine, it is an important industrial,
communications, scientific and cultural centre. Kharkiv’s name is most likely derived
from the Kharkiv River. The Russian historian N. Aristov believed it was derived
from the Cuman settlement of Sharukan, which existed on the territory of the present-
day city. According to popular legend, the city is named after a Cossack Kharko.

The generally accepted date of Kharkiv’s founding is 1654/5 when Ukrainian

Cossacks led by I. Karkach built a fortified settlement. From 1920 to 1934 it was the
capital of Soviet Ukraine. The city is over 300 sq km in area and is divided into nine
districts. During the Second World War Kharkiv suffered extensive damage. During
the 22 month German occupation thousands of Kharkiv’s inhabitants died of hanger,
disease and cold. Soviet forces recaptured Kharkiv on 16 February 1943, held it until
15 March, and finally established permanent control there on 23 August.

Today there are over 2500 streets and 26 squares in the city. There are 110 parks,
the largest being Corky Park, Shevchenko Garden with a zoo, Artem Park and some
others.

Kharkiv’s role as a transportation hub has grown. Railway lines radiate from it in 8
directions. The city is connected by air with many cities of Ukraine and other
countries, the present airport was built on 1954.

The population of the city is about 1.600.000 people. The quantity of Russian and
Ukrainians in the city is almost equal. Kharkiv is one of the largest industrial cities in
Ukraine with over 250 enterprises. Kharkiv is a major cultural and scientific centre of
Ukraine, second only to Kiev. There are about 200 secondary schools and 40 post-
secondary institutions, about 150 research and planning institutes. The city’s
prominent scholarly institutions are the Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory,
Mathematical Society, Scientific Library, Historical, Art and the Natural science
Museums. The city supports a circus and six professional theatres. The public enjoys
the use of 23 cinemas, 250 libraries, a sports palace, water sports palace and some
parks of culture and recreation.

 damage — розруха    
 hub — центр, вузол
 recaptured — повернулися