There are at least six countries in the world on whose territory there is a city called Alexandria: Ukraine, Egypt, the USA, Romania, Great Britain and South Africa. But in this article we will talk about Ukrainian Alexandria. Where is this city located? When was it founded? What sights can you see here? You will find the answers to all these questions 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 thousand hectares at the confluence of two steppe rivers - Ingulz and Berezovka. Geographical address of the city: Ukraine, Kirovograd region. Alexandria is located 70 kilometers from the regional center and 350 kilometers from the capital. The location of the settlement on the map of Ukraine can be seen on the following map:
The international highway Makhachkala-Brest, as well as the important railway line Znamenka-Debaltsevo, pass through this steppe city.
Alexandria (Ukraine) is located within a flat section of the Dnieper Upland, densely cut by valleys of several rivers, as well as beams and numerous ravines. In some places, Precambrian rocks of solid age (gneisses, quartzites and granites) come to the surface here.
The climate of this territory is temperate continental, with hot, dry summers and rather cold and low snowy winters. In a year, no more than 500 millimeters of precipitation falls in Alexandria. Such climatic conditions are very favorable for the cultivation of many crops: wheat, corn, beets. Natural (virgin steppe) vegetation within the city and its environs is practically not found. In Alexandria, there are two small forests, the main tree species of 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 a settlement on this site (it was Usovka farm) was dated by historians in 1746. The historic city center is located at the confluence of the Ingulets and Berezovka rivers. Here, on the island of Sasnov, it is planned to create a landscape park with a monument to the founders of Alexandria. However, while the city does not have enough funds to implement this project.
The favorable geographical position of Alexandria contributed to its transformation into an important transport and industrial center of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the twentieth century. At the same time, the first attempts to develop generous deposits of brown coal begin.
The city of Alexandria has its own flag and official coat of arms. The latter consists of three fields - gold, green and raspberry. On the shield are two Cossack sabers. One of them is entwined with an oak branch, and the other is laurel.
Economics of Alexandria
The economy of the city is based on heavy industry (in particular, mining and engineering). In the middle of the twentieth century, the rapid industrial development of Alexandria began, which, first of all, manifests itself in the intensive development of local brown coal deposits. Then seven coal opencasts were laid in the city and 3 mines were built. In addition, a unique factory was operating here, in which ozokerite was produced.
In 2000, the number of workers in the Alexandriaugol concern began to decline rapidly. Today it can be stated that the coal industry of the city is in a state of complete stagnation.
In Alexandria, several machine-building factories producing electrical machines, as well as equipment for the food industry and agriculture, continue to operate. There is also a brewery in the city - a branch of the famous Obolon company.
The city's attractions
The city of Alexandria is not very rich in historical and cultural monuments. However, there is something for tourists to see here.
In pre-Soviet times, five beautiful Orthodox churches operated in Alexandria, however, all of them were destroyed during the years of the struggle against "opium for the people." Nevertheless, about a hundred buildings of pre-revolutionary age that have architectural value have survived to our days. One of the most interesting in the city is the building of the fire station of 1897.
The city has several dozens of monuments and obelisks, among which it is worth highlighting the monument “Space explorers” in Shevchenko Park, as well as a sculptural composition dedicated to the outstanding teacher Vasily Sukhomlinsky.
In Alexandria, it is also worth visiting the so-called Museum of Peace, which is included in the list of interesting museum objects in Europe.
Conclusion
Alexandria (Ukraine) is a small city in the Kirovograd region with an 80,000th population. It is located in the steppe zone, on the banks of the large river Ingulets. The city has been 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 not going through the best of times.