Chernivtsi is situated in the Western Ukraine on both banks of the Prut River.
Its total area is 153 km2 and it is divided into 3 districts. Its population is 257 300.
The city was founded in the second part of the 12th century. The first mention of Chernivtsi in the chronicles occurred in 1207.
In the middle of the 14th century it belonged to Moldavia and stood on its border with Poland. In 1744 it became a part of Austria, and since 1917 - a part of Romania.
In 1940 the Southern Bukovyna joined the Ukrainian Republic.
The Prut divides the city into two parts. Chernivtsi is a green city with the Botanical Gardens, the arboretum, 8 parks and many public gardens.
The architectural monuments are the building of the Chernivtsi University, the former residence of the Bukovynian metropolitan, the city hall, St Nicholas's Church (1607) and the building of the theatre.
Chernivtsi is the city of theatres, museums and libraries.
It is famous for the Chernivtsi University, the Medical University, the Institute of Trade and Economy, 12 technical secondary schools and many scientific-research institutions.
The Kobylanska Music and Drama Theatre, the puppet theatre and the philharmonic society are very popular among the people.
The museums are worth visiting. They are the Yu. Fedkovych Memorial Museum, the 0. Kobylanska Memorial Museum, an art museum, and a regional-history museum.
The major branches of industry in Chernivtsi include light industry, the food-processing, the machine-building and metal-working industries.
The well-known enterprises include he Fedkovich fine goods factory, he "Bukovyna" souvenir factory, the furniture factory and many othes.
