About Dnepropetrovsk

Dnepropetrovsk, the third largest city in the Ukraine, with 1 064 000 (2002) population is the industrial center of Ukraine. It is located in a region rich in minerals, and, as a rail and water transport hub, it has access to iron ore from Krivoy Rog, coal from the Donets Basin, and manganese from Nikopol. Manufactures include steel, fabricated metal, construction materials, chemicals, railroad equipment, and agricultural and mining machinery. Large and beautiful, it is the main city of Central-East Ukraine. This constant fortress settlement has existed since the middle of the 16th century. The new town was founded in 1776 by the Russian duke, Potemkin by order of Catherine II, Empress of the Russian Empire and called Ekaterinoslav (in honor of Catherine the Great) from 1776 to 1926. From 1918 the town's name was Sicheslav (The Glory for Sich'/Fortress of Cossacks). And the present name, also spelled Dnipropetrovsk, was adopted in 1926. The central street of Dnepropetrovsk is a very beautiful, wide and long parkway, which stretches east to west through the central part of the city. It was founded in the XVIII century and parts of its buildings are the actual decoration of the city. Among the places to see would be the Cathedral that was founded by order of Catherine II in 1787, the Museum of History, Diorama "Battle for the Dnieper River (Second World War)". The City Opera and Ballet Theatre, Russian and Ukrainian Drama theatres, some Youth theatres, and Circus are waiting for you all year round. The largest and most popular Dnepropetrovsk museum is the Historical Museum. The Museum of Art has an impressive collection of pictures.