Odessa

A colony from ancient Greece may have once occupied the site of the city. Numerous monuments of antiquity confirm links between this territory and the Eastern Mediterranean. In the Middle Ages these lands were a part of the Kiev Rus, Galich and Volyn Principality, the Golden Horde, the Great Lithuanian Principality, the Crimean Khanate and the Osman Empire. Crimean Tatars traded there in the 14th century. In the course of Russian-Turkish wars these lands were captured by Russia at the end of the 18th century.

Odessa (other spelling Odesa) city is a seaport and administrative center of Odessa oblast, southwestern Ukraine. Odessa stands on a shallow indentation of Black Sea coast at a point approximately 19 miles (31 km) north of Dnestr River estuary and about 275 miles (443 km) south of Kiev.

Odessa city remains a major port, the largest in Ukraine, with well-equipped docks and ship-repair yards. Odessa is the base of large fishing fleet. The city rail communications are good to all parts of Ukraine, Moldova and Romania.

Odessa is also an important cultural and educational center of Ukraine. The city has university, founded in 1865, and numerous other institutions of higher education. Odessa research establishments are headed by Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases. There are a lot of of museums and theaters, including opera house and ballet theater, dating from 1809 in Odessa city. The seashore south of the harbor is a popular resort area, with numerous sanatoriums and holiday camps.

This wonderful city standing on Black Sea coast is often called the "Pearl of the South". Odessa city has special architectural style and special ambiance. Fortunately, most of the marvelous buildings that went up in Odessa during the 18th and 19th centuries were only partially damaged during World War II. That means Odessa retains the charm of yesteryear.

Odessa residents are known to be hospitable, warm-hearted, independent, proud - and to possess a sophisticated sense of humor. Odessa city holds festivals of humor and satire every year on 1 April. And when the festivals are held, local businesses give their employees the day off.

Odessa Ukraine city population - 1,080,000 (2008).
Odessa Ukraine city land area - 163 sq. km.
Odessa Ukraine city phone code - +380-48.
Odessa Ukraine city postal codes - 65000-65480

Although a settlement existed on the site in ancient times, the history of modern Odessa city began in the 14th century when Tatar fortress of Khadzhibey was established there. It later passed to Lithuania-Poland and in 1764 to Turkey. The fortress was stormed by Russians in 1789 and ceded to Russia in 1791. New fortress was built in 1792-1793, and in 1794 the naval base and commercial quay were added. In 1795 the port was named Odessa for the ancient Greek colony of Odessos, the site of which was believed to be in the vicinity.

The late 18th and early 19th centuries were "golden age" for Odessa city, the peak of its development and richness. These times are connected with the name of one of the founders of the city, France's Duke de Richelieu. The founders were an enlightened bunch and did a good job of guiding the city. They included Field Marshal Suvorov, Count Potyomkin-Tavriyskiy and a number of notable Russians, including De Ribas, Devolan and Lanzheron.

They did such a good job of laying the foundation for the port city that it has become known throughout the world as a gate to large inland empire. Odessa was lucky enough to enjoy great deal of freedom under Russian rule. The central government kept its thumb on the vast majority of its vast empire.

Odessa was allowed to breathe politically because of its advantageous geographical location, convenient sheltered inlet, fertile black soil and eclectic mix of population. Russian Emperor Alexander I felt the newly won lands in the south needed a progressive administrator.

He chose Duke Arman de Richelieu as governor in 1803. Though a foreigner, Richelieu became a zealous Odessa booster. He went all out to create favorable conditions in Odessa city for development and trade. That included convincing the government to cut tariffs to only a quarter of what they were at other ports. A fifth of the revenue from the money saved on the lower tariffs went toward developing the new city.

he prosperity trickled down to all levels of society, giving Odessa city residents good standard of living. Count Lanzheron, who took over as governor from Duke de Richelieu in 1815, bolstered Odessa's prosperity by convincing Russian government to establish duty-free international trade zone in the city. Good times in the city during that era led to Odessa gaining a reputation as European city.

During the 19th century Odessa's city growth was rapid, especially after the coming of railways in 1866. Odessa became the third city of Russia and Russia's second most important port after St. Petersburg; grain was its principal export.

Odessa city was one of the chief centers of Russian Revolution of 1905 and was the scene of the mutiny on the warship Potemkin; Sergey Eisenstein's classic film Potemkin was made there in 1925. Odessa suffered heavy damage in World War II during its prolonged and unsuccessful defense against German and Romanian forces.

Odessa's city age - 200 years - makes it a young city for this part of the world. By comparison, Kiev is 1,500 years; old Kiev and Lvov are even older.