Kharkov (Kharkiv in Ukrainian), a big Ukrainian megalopolis and one of the Ukrainian regional centers, is a giant of the national industry, an educational and cultural center, and the biggest transport junction of Ukraine.
The city is situated in the north-eastern part of Ukraine in the steppe region, near the junction of the Lopan and the Udy rivers.
Kharkov is situated on five hills and five vales far from the sea. However, the sea air is often brought here with westerly and south westerly winds and it makes the city's climate temperate continental, with long but not severe winters and warm summers.
According to Kharkov meteorological service
the average temperature of the year is +6.9ºC;
the coldest month is January (-7.1ºC);
the hottest month is July (+20.5ºC).
Kharkov is the second biggest city in Ukraine, its population is about 1.5 million.
The city has grown significantly since October Revolution. Public transport system is well-developed and makes it easy to get to any part of the city. Here you can find underground, trams, trolleybuses, buses and taxi minibuses.
Kharkov is a center of mechanical engineering and metal manufacturing, space technologies and aviation, heavy engineering and construction. It is a big center of science and culture. There are more than 60 scientific research institutes, about 20,000 students graduate from Kharkov higher educational institutions every year. There are a lot of museums, art galleries, several theaters in Kharkov. Also, this city is one of the greenest in Ukraine.
Kharkov is a city of old traditions, a city with remarkable and sometimes tragic history, a city that is proud of its past. In 1917 - 1934 it was the capital city of Ukraine.