Kirovohrad (Ukrainian: Кіровоград) is the city in the centre of Ukraine, an administrative centre of Kirovohrad oblast and Kirovohrad region located on the Inhul river and Pridniprovska highland. Pop. 254,103 (2001 est.). Kirovohrad is a very important railway and motorway junction. The city was founded in 1754 and was used as a stronghold to protect Novorossiya from attacks of Turks and Crimean tatars. In Soviet times, the industrial potential of the city grew considerably as well as its economy. The city is divided into Kirovskiy and Leninskiy administrative districts, Novyy urban-type community is under administration of the city council too.
History
The city of Kirovohrad was founded in 1754 and called St. Elisabeth Fort. Initially, Elisavetgrad was a stronghold used for colonization of north Black Sea region and struggle with gaydamaks. The final attack on Zaporizhka Sich by tsar troops also began from the city. Revetments of the stronghold have partially preserved till nowadays. The construction of the stronghold continued for five years and it even considered to be a masterpiece of fortification art. However, due to the fact that in the end of XVIII century frontiers of the Russian Empire were moved to the south, the fortress lost its strategic importance.
Toponymy
* Yelisavetgrad 1754—1924 ( also Yelizavestgrad)
* Yelisavet (1918—1924)
Initially, the city was named after St. Elizabeth, however, its similarity with the name of empress Yelizaveta Romanova is obvious. At present, the city is likely to return its former name. In 2000, the referendum on this issue was even held, but it did not get the support.
* Zinovevsk 1924—1934
* Kirovo 1934—1939
* Kirovohrad from1939 till present day, the centre of Kirovohrad oblast.
Climate
The climate of the city is moderately continental with mild winter and warm (sometimes hot) summer. An average annual temperature is 8,0 ° C. The lowest temperature is in January (- 5,7 ° C), the highest is in July (+ 35 ° C). During last 100-120 years, the temperature in Kirovohrad, as all over the world, has increased. During this period, an average annual temperature rose by at least 1,0 °, 2007 became the hottest year in the history of the city. An average annual rainfall is 499 mm, the major part falls in July, the smallest in March and October. An average humidity makes 74%, the lowest is in May (62%), the highest is in December (88%).
Economy
The main branches of Kirovohrad industry are mining and machine building. Mineral wealth of Kirovohrad is one of the biggest in the country, the deposits of the region are unique not only in Ukraine but also in Europe. Here you can find almost all elements from the periodic table. Agricultural complex is very important for the region and its machine building industry. Kirovohrad machine engineering plants Hidrosila, Krasnaya Zvezda, Radiy are famous abroad. The city has also highly-developed food and consumer goods industries. There 3 universities, 2 theaters, 2 cinemas, local history museum, art museum, etc.
Culture
The educational system of the city offers a wide range of educational programs and services in order to satisfy educational needs of its people. There are 46 kindergartens and 43 schools where 39145 pupils are getting their education. The most demanded are modern schools like gymnasiums, lyceums and colleges. There are 9 children and youth sport schools, 3 stadiums, a swimming pool and a track and field ground. A lot of famous sportsmen, winners of Ukrainian, Europe and world championships were trained here. The city is also famous for its cultural attractions: Kropyvnytskyy Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre, puppet theatre, Rezonans student theatre and studio, others. Kirovohrad dancing groups such as Yunost’ theatre of folk music, song and dance, Yatran’ honoured folk dance studio, Vesna dance and song studio, Podsnezhnik and Rosinka children studios have helped the city to develop the reputation of Ukrainian folk choreography centre. Antonina Chervonskaya, the people’s artist of Ukraine, Honoured artists Vladimir Strat’ev, Boris Popov, Roman Val’kevich, Concertino chamber orchestra, the Brass bend, Baroque and Yelisavetgrad music college chamber ensembles, Natalka concert group are famous and popular not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. Kirovohrad philharmonic hall as well as its children philharmonic considered to be one of the best in the country. Moreover, there is Kompaniets city cultural centre which offers a wide range of entertainment, its talented and bright actors together with Moda theatre studio provide smart and charming performances. City’s music and art schools allow to obtain primary art education. Citizens of Kirovograd also like to spend their time in the arboretum, Kovalevskiy park and the park of Victory. There are also Zvezdnyy and Portal cinemas where everyone can enjoy new interesting films and cartoons.