Luhansk or Lugansk (Луга́нськ /lu'ɦɑnʲsʲk/, translit. Luhans’k, Луга́нск) is a city in southeastern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Luhansk Oblast (province). The city itself is also designated as its own separate municipality within the oblast, and is part of theDonbass region. The current estimated population is around 445,900 (as of 2004)

The city traces its history to 1795, when the British industrialist Charles Gascoigne founded a metal factory there. It was the beginning of an industry that still thrives there today. Luhansk achieved the status of city in 1882. Located in the Donets Basin, Luhansk was developed by the Soviet authorities into an important industrial center of the Eastern Europe, particularly a home to the major locomotive-building company.

During the Soviet times the city was known as Voroshilovgrad in honour of the Soviet military commander and politician Kliment Voroshilov a native of Lugansk. The name was changed on November 5, 1935, yet on March 5 1958 the old name was reverted in accordance to the new law that prohibited namings in honour of living people. On January 5, 1970, after Voroshilov died was the name changed again to Voroshilovgrad. Finally, on May 4, 1990, the name was returned to the historical name of the city by decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR.

Luhansk is home to FC Zorya Luhansk which now plays in the premier league Ukrainian annual football championship.

Luhansk Pyramid

On September 7, 2006, Archaeologists in Ukraine claimed an ancient pyramidal structure, which they allege outdates those in Egypt by at least 300 years, was discovered near Luhansk. The stone foundations of the structure are said to resemble Aztec and Mayan pyramids in South America.

Famous people from Luhansk

• Sergei Bubka (born 1963), Soviet pole vaulter, World Record holder, and Olympic Champion
• Vasiliy Bubka (born 1960), Soviet pole vaulter
• Vladimir Dal (1801-1872), greatest Russian lexicographer
• Fedor Emelianenko (born 1976), a mixed martial arts champion
• Andriy Serdinov (born 1982), Ukrainian swimmer
• Kliment Voroshilov (1881-1969), Soviet military commander, born in a suburb of Luhansk
• Aleksandr Zavarov (born 1961), a famous Soviet and Ukrainian football player and coach
• Valeriy Brumel (1942 - 2003), a famous Soviet olympic champion

External links

• Topographic map 1:100 000
• Historic images of Luhansk
• Luhansk Portal Top