Dnipro

Dnipropetrovs'k (Дніпропетровськ, Russian: Днепропетро́вск, formerly Екатериносла́в) is Ukraine's third largest city with 1.2 million inhabitants. It is located in the south-central section of the country, south of Kiev on the Dnieper river. Geographical location 48°27′N 35°02′E. Dnipropetrovs'k is the administrative centre of the Dnipropetrovs'ka oblast'.

A vital industrial centre of Ukraine, Dnipropetrovs'k was one of the key centres of the nuclear, arms, and space industries of the former Soviet Union. In particular, it is home to Yuzhmash, a major space and ballistic missile designer and manufacturer. Because of its military industry, the city was a closed city (no foreigners were allowed there) until the mid-nineties.

Dnipropetrovs'k has a highly-developed transportation system, including one metro line with 6 stations.

History

The city was founded in the 18th century as a result of southern expansion of the Russian Empire. One former name, Yekaterinoslav, translates in English to "The glory of Yekaterina" (Catherine the Great). The locale's history dates back to Cossack times.

In the 20th to 21st centuries, the economic potential of the city has defined its political importance. Dnipropetrovs'k and the surrounding oblast' are the birthplace of the so-called "Dnipropetrovs'k Clan", an influential informal political group inside the CPSU, members of whom were the industrial and party elite. Leonid Brezhnev, a native of the nearby city of Dniprodzerzhyns'k and later Soviet Union Communist Party General Secretary, founded and pushed the Clan to the highest levels of the Soviet power structure. Its members are believed by many political scientists to have ruled not only the Ukrainian SSR but also the entire Soviet Union up to the ascendancy of Mikhail Gorbachev. In 2005, the most powerful representative of that clan is Leonid Kuchma, the former President of Ukraine, previously senior manager of Yuzhmash.