Sevastopol, formerly known as Sebastopol, is located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula with a population of 342,451. The city, formerly the home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, is now a Ukrainian naval base mutually used by the Ukrainian Navy and Russian Navy. The unique geographic location and navigation conditions of the city’s harbors make Sevastopol a strategic important naval point. The trade and shipbuilding importance of Sevastopol’s port has been growing since the fall of the Soviet Union despite the difficulties that arise from the joint military control over its harbors and piers. It is also an important center of marine biology research. In particular, the studying and training of dolphins has been conducted in the city since the end of World War II, initially as a secret naval program to use these animals for special undersea operations. Sevastopol (together with Kronstadt and Gibraltar) is one of the most famous naval citadels in Europe. It was founded in 1783, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, soon becoming an important naval base and later a commercial port. In 1797 under an edict issued by Emperor Pavel I, the military stronghold was renamed Akhtiar after a small Tatar settlement on the north shore of the inlet. Finally, on April 29, 1826, the city was returned to its original name of Sevastopol.
What’s in a Name
The name of Sevastopolis, or currently Sevastopol, was originally chosen in the same etymology trend as other cities in the Crimean peninsula that was intended to reflect its ancient Greek origins. It is a compound of two Greek nouns: sevastós meaning “venerable, reverend” and polis meaning “city.” Despite its Greek origin, the name is not old. The city was probably named after the Empress Catherine II of Russia who founded Sevastopol in 1783. She visited the city in 1787 accompanied by Joseph II, the Emperor of Austria, and other foreign dignitaries. In the west of the city there are well-preserved ruins of an ancient Greek port city Chersonesos founded in the 5th century BCE. The name means “peninsula” reflecting its location and is not related to the ancient Greek name for the Crimean Peninsula
Labels: Travel information
posted by Hills @ 10:17 PM
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