Odessa

Odessa ({{lang-ua|?????, Odesa}}; {{lang-ru|??????}}) is a city in the southwestern Ukraine, major port on the Black Sea and the administrative center of country's Odessa Oblast (province). Population 1,012,500 (2004).

Overview

From 1819–1858 Odessa was a free port (porto franco). During the Soviet period it was the most important port of trade in the U.S.S.R. and a Soviet naval base. On January 1, 2000 the Quarantine Pier of Odessa trade sea port was declared a free port and free economic zone for a term of 25 years.

Related Topics:
1819 - 1858 - Free port - Soviet - U.S.S.R. - Naval - Base - 2000 - Free economic zone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Odessa is a warm water port, but of limited military value. Turkey's control of the Dardanelles and Bosporus has enabled NATO to control water traffic between Odessa and the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Odessa hosts two important ports: Odessa itself and Yuzhny (also an internationally important oil terminal), situated in the city's suburbs. Another important port, Illichivs'k (or Ilyichyovsk), is located in the same oblast, to the south-west of Odessa. Together they represent a major transportation junction integrated with railways. Odessa's oil- and chemical-processing facilities are connected to Russia's and EU's respective networks by strategic pipelines.

Related Topics:
Turkey - Dardanelles - Bosporus - NATO - Mediterranean Sea - Yuzhny - Terminal - Illichivs'k - Oblast - Russia - EU

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Odessa is the fifth-largest city in Ukraine and its most important trading city. In the 19th century it was the third city of Imperial Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. Its historical architecture has a flavor more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Odessa has always possessed a spirit of freedom and ironical humour, probably by virtue of its location and its willingness to accept and tolerate people of many different backgrounds.

Related Topics:
Ukraine - 19th century - Imperial Russia - Moscow - St. Petersburg - French - Italian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pictures of Odessa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~