Alexandria (Ukraine): location, history and sights of the city

In the world there are at least six countries on the territory of which there is a city called Alexandria: Ukraine, Egypt, USA, Romania, United Kingdom and South Africa. But in this article we will talk about the Ukrainian Alexandria. Where is this city located? When was it founded? What sights can you see here? The answers to all these questions you will find below.

Alexandria (Ukraine): map and geographical location of the city

The city with the poetic name Alexandria is spread over an area of over 6,000 hectares at the confluence of two steppe rivers - Ingulza and Berezovka. Geographical address of the city: Ukraine, Kirovograd region. Alexandria is located 70 kilometers from the regional center and 350 kilometers from the country's capital. The location of the locality on the map of Ukraine can be seen on the following map:

Through this steppe city is the international motorway "Makhachkala - Brest", as well as an important railway branch "Znamenka - Debaltsevo."

Alexandria (Ukraine) is located within the flat section of the Dnieper Upland, densely indented by the valleys of several rivers, as well as beams and numerous ravines. In some places here, Precambrian rocks of solid age (gneisses, quartzites and granites) come to the surface.

The climate of this territory is moderately continental, with hot dry summers and a fairly cold and little snowy winter. For the year in Alexandria, no more than 500 millimeters of precipitation falls. Such climatic conditions are very favorable for the cultivation of many crops: wheat, corn, beet. Natural (virgin steppe) vegetation within the city and in its environs practically does not occur. In Alexandria, there are two small forests, the main tree species in which are maple, oak, poplar, acacia and linden.

Alexandria (Ukraine): a brief history of the city

According to legend, the city was founded by the Cossack Us. The first mention of the settlement in this place (it was just the Usovka village) is dated by historians in 1746. The historical center of the city is located at the confluence of the rivers Ingulets and Berezovka. Here, on the island of Zasnov, it is planned to create a landscape park with a monument to the founders of Alexandria. However, while the implementation of this project, the city does not have enough funds.

The advantageous geographical location of Alexandria contributed to its transformation into an important transport and industrial center of the Russian Empire in the early twentieth century. At the same time, the first attempts to develop lavish brown coal deposits begin.

The city of Alexandria has its own flag and official coat of arms. The latter consists of three fields - gold, green and crimson. Two Cossack sabers are depicted on the shield . One of them is entwined with an oak branch, and the other with a laurel branch.

Economy of Alexandria

The economy of the city is based on heavy industry (in particular, mining and machine building). In the middle of the 20th century, the rapid industrial development of Alexandria begins, which, first of all, is manifested in the intensive development of local brown coal deposits. Then, seven coal mines were laid in the city and 3 mines were built. In addition, there was a unique factory where ozokerite was produced.

In 2000, the number of workers in the concern "Alexandriaugol" began to decline rapidly. To date, we can state that the coal industry of the city is in a state of complete stagnation.

In Alexandria, several machine-building factories producing electrical machinery continue to function, as well as equipment for the food industry and agriculture. Also in the city works a brewery - a branch of the well-known company "Obolon".

The city's attractions

The city of Alexandria is not very rich in historical and cultural monuments. However, there is something to see for tourists.

In pre-Soviet times there were five most beautiful Orthodox churches in Alexandria, however, all of them were destroyed in the years of struggle against "opium for the people." Nevertheless, up to now, about a hundred buildings of pre-revolutionary age, which have architectural value, have reached. One of the most interesting in the city is the building of the fire station in 1897.

The city has several dozen monuments and obelisks, among which is a monument to the Conquerors of Space in Shevchenko Park, as well as a sculptural composition dedicated to the outstanding teacher Vasily Sukhomlinsky.

In Alexandria is also worth a visit to the so-called Museum of Peace, which is included in the list of the most interesting museum facilities in Europe.

Conclusion

Alexandria (Ukraine) is a small town in the Kirovograd region with 80 thousand inhabitants. It is located in the steppe zone, on the shore of a large river Ingulets. The city is known since 1746. In the second half of the twentieth century, Alexandria was an important center of the brown coal industry of the Soviet Union. However, today this industry is going through not the best of times.