About the city and region
Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine. It is one of the main industrial, cultural and educational centers of Ukraine. It is an administrative center of the Kharkiv region as well as Kharkivsky district. The city was founded in the middle of 17th Century. During the early years of the power of the Soviet Union, Kharkiv was the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and it later became the site of several military engagements during the World War II. The city that was captured by the Nazi Germany, was recaptured by the Red Army. But it was again recaptured twice by the Nazis before the liberation of the city in August 1943.
Area and Location: The city lies in the North East of Ukraine. Kharkiv is located at 49°54'60 latitude North and 36°18'60 Longitude East. It stands at the confluence of the Kharkiv, Lopan and Udy Rivers. The city possesses a total area of 300 sq. km and has an elevation of 152 m. Around 1,461,300 people live in the city.
Transportation:
The Kharkiv Osnova International Airport is the International airport that serves the mega city. The airport provides the flights to Kyiv, Symferopol, Moscow, Donetsk, Baku, Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Dusseldorf, Larnaca, Vienna, Antalia, Amman and others. One can use the airport website in order to see the flights schedule and to book a ticket:
Kharkiv International Airport - http://www.airport.kharkov.ua/index.cfm/lang/2
Railway trains and electric trains help people move form one city to another. Kharkiv underground, trolleybuses, taxis, tramways and mini-buses are the main pubic transportation facilities in the city.
Hotels:
The world-class service and high 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 the outstanding hotels in the city.
Places of Attraction:
Memorial Complex of Glory
In 1977 in Lesopark a huge memorial complex of Glory was opened. It immortalized undying feat of the Soviet people in the struggle against fascism.
Here at the Northern line of the city the Hitler people executed tens of thousands Soviet captives, partisans, patriots, who didn't submit to the enemy.
Three memorized stellas with downed banners tell us about the fact that the Kharkiv citizens together with all Soviet people were struggling with the enemy.
In the center of memorial complex is stella that tells about the struggle, suffering and happiness from the Victory.
Uspenskiy Cathedral
Uspenskiy Cathedral is located in the center of University hill. This is one of the most unique architecture memorials founded in 1771-1777 years in the style of Russian baroque. In 1821-1844 according to the project of the architect Y.Vasilyev in memory of victory of the Russian army against the Napoleon army new Cathedral bell tower was built. Crowned with the golden dome, the bell tower attracts by its simplicity and charm. It is the highest building in Kharkiv. It height includes 89.5m.
Currently the organ is established in the hall of the Cathedral and now in the Uspenskiy Cathedral the concerts of well-known Kharkiv players will take place.
Square of Freedom
It is the main square of the city. This is the largest square in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. Here people's holidays, concerts, markets, demonstrations, meetings and other mass events take place.
In the center of the perimeter of the circle part of the square located a building of the state industry - Gosprom. This a unique architecture and historical memorial of the city. It was built in 1925-1928 years and was the first high building in the country. Gosprom is presented as the group of complexes, connected by the subways located on different levels. Total area of the building is 11 000 m2, the length of the front side is 300 m.