Dnipropetrovsk Travel Guide, Ukraine

With 1,04 milion inhabitants, Dnipropetrovsk is the third largest city in Ukraine. The city is located in the East-Central region of Ukraine, on the river Dnieper, and is the capital of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Dnipropetrovsk is within a reasonable distance to other major Ukrainian cities like Kharkov or Donetsk.

Dnipropetrovsk Travel Guide – Geography and Climate

The climate around Dnipropetrovsk is characterized by hot summers and cold winters, therefore the best time for traveling is during the intermediate seasons – spring and autumn. The proximity of the river balances the excesses of the continental climate, bringing masses of fresh and warm air. Winters in general are snowy and cold, with temperatures around -5 ˚C, while in summer temperatures go as high as 27-30 ˚C. It’s less likely to find this in a Dnipropetrovsk travel guide, but air pollution represents an important problem for the Dnipropetrovsk metropolitan area, due to the existence of numerous heavy industry plants (no reason to worry, pollution is partially compensated by numerous parks and public gardens).

Dnipropetrovsk Travel Guide – Economic Activities

Dnipropetrovsk has been famous ever since the 19th century as an important metallurgical centre. From the cast iron manufacturing to the design of sophisticated nuclear equipment, Dniporpetrovsk covers all branches of heavy industry. Yuzhmash plants, one of the biggest employers in the city, are specialized in the production of ballistic missiles. The textile industry is also well represented in Dnipropetrovsk, with a considerable amount of the local products being exported to Western Europe. Other major economic activities are the production of consumer goods, food processing, transportation and commerce.

Dnipropetrovsk Travel Guide – Getting to and Around Dnipropetrovsk

Dnipropetrovsk International Airport connects the city with other European and Asian major cities. However, within the borders of the country and across Eastern Europe, the preferred way of traveling is by train, which is relatively cheap and comfortable. As for local transportation, Dnipropetrovsk is served by a dense network of buses, trams and trolleys, not to count the popular ‘marshrutkas’ (minibuses). There is also a metro line, now in renovation, as well as taxis, bicycles and motor scooters.

Dnipropetrovsk Travel Guide – Interesting Facts and Figures

Due to its aerospace research centers and plants, Dnipropetrovsk was a closed city in the Soviet era. It is estimated that the area around Dnipropetrovsk has been settled since the 10th millennium BC. The city’s anniversary is celebrated every year in the second week of September. Some Dnipropetrovsk travel guides will also list a number o famous people who are former or present Dnipropetrovsk residents, like politicians Leonid Kuchma, Pavlo Lazarenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, film director Boris Sagal, composer Serghei Prokofiev or skater Oksana Baiul.