Powder Cellar Museum

Mariupol

Mariupol is a city of regional significance in southeastern Ukraine, situated on the north coast of the Sea of Azov at the mouth of the Kalmius river. It is the tenth-largest city in Ukraine and the second largest in the Donetsk Oblast. Population: 461,810 (2013 est.). Following the capture of Donetsk city by pro-Russian insurgents associated with the Donetsk People's Republic in 2014, Mariupol was made the provisional administrative centre of Donetsk Oblast. The city was retaken on June 13, 2014 by government troops and has been under heavy bombardment and the fighting has intensified as of August 2015.
Mariupol was founded on the site of a former Cossack encampment named Kalmius. It was granted city rights in 1778. Mariupol has been a centre for the grain trade, metallurgy, and heavy engineering. The Ilyich Steel & Iron Works and Azovstal propelled Mariupol onto the European stage in the 20th century as one of the largest and most productive plants. Mariupol played a key role in the industrialization of Ukraine. Between 1948-1989 the city was known as Zhdanov due to the Soviet authorities frequently renaming cities after communist leaders. Today, Mariupol remains a centre for industry, as well as higher education and business, a legal centre, and the economic engine of Pryazovia.


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