Simferopol

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

Simferopol (English pronunciation ) (Сімферополь; Симферополь; , literally: The white mosque) is the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in southern Ukraine. The city is situated on the small Salhir River. It is a manufacturing, commercial, and transportation center located in a productive agricultural region. Products include canned fruit, flour, machine tools, and electric equipment.

Geography and climate

Simferopol is located in the southern portion of the Crimean peninsula. The Simferopol Reservoir is located near the city, providing the area with clean drinking water.

The climate is dry and warm, with soft winters. The average temperature in January is and in July. The average rainfall is per year, and there is a total of 2,469 hours of sunlight per year.

History

A famous archaeological site known as Scythian Neapol, the remnants of an ancient capital of the Crimean Scythians, is located within the city's boundaries.

Later, the Crimean Tatar town of Aqmescit was located in the area of modern Simferopol.

Russians renamed the city Simferopol in 1784 after the conquest of Crimea by Catherine II of Russia. In Greek, Συμφερόπολις (Sympheropolis) means "the city of usefulness". In 1802, Simferopol became the administrative center of the Taurida Governorate. During the Crimean War of 1854-1856, the Russian army reserves and a hospital were located in the city. More than 30,000 Russian soldiers were buried in the vicinity of the city.