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Odessa is a seaport and administrative center of Odessa region. It is situated in the south-western part of Ukraine.
Although the history of the modern city began in the 14th century when the Tartar fortress of Khadzhybey was established there; it later passed to Rich Pospolyta and in 1764 to Turkey. The fortress was stormed by the Russians in 1789 and ceded to Russia in 1791. A new fortress was built in 1792—93, and in 1794 a naval base and commercial quay were added. In 1795 the new port was named Odessa for the ancient Greek colony of Odesos, the site of which was believed to be in the vicinity.
During the 19th century Odessa's growth was rapid, especially after the coming of railways in 1866.Odessa became the country's second most important port after St. Petersburg; grain was its principal export.The city was one of the chief centers of the Russian Revolution of 1905 and was the scene of the mutiny on the battleship «Potyomkin». Serhiy Eisenstein's film «Potyomkin» was made in 1925.
Odessa suffered from heavy damage in the World War II during its prolonged and unsuccessful defense against German and Rumanian forces.
The city remains a major port, the largest in Ukraine, with well-equipped docks and ship-repair yards. After 1857 a new outport was built at Illichevsk, 12 miles (20 km.) to the south. Odessa is the base of a fishing fleet. The seashore south of the harbour is a popular resort area, with numerous health centers and holiday camps.
Odessa is also a large industrial centre, with a wide range of engineering industries, including the production of machine tools, cranes and plows. The chemical industry makes fertilizers, paints, dyes, and other materials.
Odessa also has an oil-refinery plant and a large jute mill, a number of consumer goods and food-processing factories. Most factories lie north of the port along the waterfront, and new plants are on the western outskirts.
Odessa is also an important cultural and educational centre. It has a university, founded in 1865, and numerous other institutions of higher education.
Its many research establishments are headed by the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases.
There are a number of museums and theatres, including Opera and Ballet Theatre, built in 1809.
The city population is nearly 1,100,700 people.
