KharkivorKharkov,is the second-largest city inUkraine.Located in the north-east of the country, it is the largest city of the Slobozhanshchynahistorical region.The city was founded in 1654 and after a humble beginning as a small fortress grew to be a major centre of Ukrainian industry, trade and culture within theRussian Empire.Kharkiv was the first capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepublicDecember 1917 - January 1935, after which the capital relocated toKiev.
Presently, Kharkiv operates as a major cultural, scientific, educational, transport and industrial centre of Ukraine, with many scientific institutes,higher education universities and institutions,museums,theatres andlibraries.
