Zhmerynka

Zhmerynka
Zhmerynka; Жмеринка
	City
; Flag	; Coat of arms
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Country	Ukraine
Oblast	Vinnytsia
Area
• Total	18.26 km2 (7.05 sq mi)
Elevation	362 m (1,188 ft)
Population (2015)
• Total	35,284
Website	http://www.zhmerinka-adm.gov.ua/

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Zhmerynka (Ukrainian: Жмеринка, Ukrainian pronunciation: [ˈʒmɛrɪŋkɑ]; Russian: Жмеринка, translit. Zhmerinka, Polish: Żmerynka, Yiddish: זשמערינקאַ‎) is a city in Vinnytsia Oblast (province) of central Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Zhmerynka Raion (district), the town itself is not a part of the district and is separately incorporated as a city of oblast significance. Population: 35,284 (2015 est.)^[1]

Name

There are many propositions as far as the origin of name of "Zmerynka" is concerned. One of the ideas is that it may be derived from the Polish words, describing the handshake.

History

Ancient time

Zhmerynka was established as a city in agreement with the Magdeburg Rights in 1591.^[2] Before that moment, the two villages: Big Zhmerynka village and Small Zhmerynka village, were known to exist at the same place in 16th century.^[3]

Some time later, Zmerynka was shortly described in a book titled: "Geographic Dictionary of Polish Kingdom and other Slavic places," published in Warsaw in Poland. ^[4]

World War II period

Zhmerynka was occupied by the German fascist army during the World War II in 1941-1945. The celebration of the Victory Day in the World War II is shown below.

Celebration of the Victory Day in World War II at Central Square in Zhmerynka

Geography

Location

Zhmerynka is situated in a South-Eastern part of the Vinnytsia region. Zmerynka has an area of 18,2 square kilometers. The average altitude above the sea level is 326m.

Climate

Zhmerynka has the continental European climate.^[5]

City governance

The Mayor of Zhmerynka is elected by the people of Zhmerynka during the direct election process.

The City Assembly may approve or reject the urban development decrees, initiated by the local people, social groups and organizations.^[6]

Religion

Orthodox religion

The old Orthodox Cathedral was built in 1893, however it was destroyed in 1928.

There is the newly built St. Oleksandr Nevs'ky Orthodox Cathedral, which was made of the red bricks in 2005, in a central part of the city of Zhmerynka.

St. Oleksandr Nevs'ky Orthodox Cathedral in Zhmerynka

Catholic religion

There is the St. Oleksiy Catholic Cathedral, which was built in 1910, in Zhmerynka (see the picture in the Gallery).^[7]

Jewish religion

Many Jewish people were in Zhmerynka before World War II.^[8] However, the Synagogue was destroyed during the World War II. Presently, the Jewish people initiated an effort to collect the financial funds to build a new Synagogue in Zhmerynka.

Economy

Railway industry

The railway company, which is a part of railway transportation industry, is a biggest business and employer in Zhmerynka.^[9]

Agriculture industry

There are many companies, which belong to the agricultural industry in Zhmerynka.

Food industry

There is a well developed food processing industry with a number of big, medium and small companies.

Education industry

There are many secondary schools in Zhmerynka, which employ a big number of teachers.

Tourism industry

There is a number of comfortable hotels with all kinds of services, which operate in Zhmerynka.

Transportation

Railway transportation

Zmerynka is an important railway transportation hub in Ukraine at present time. ^[10]

The initial project of the Zmerynka railway transportation hub was made by Carl von Mekk, engneer in 1865.

The building of the Zmerynka big railway station was designed by Zhuravs'ky, architect and it was built in 1899-1904.

Zmerynka railway station was fully renovated in 2012. ^[11]

Railway Station in Zhmerynka

Automobile transportation

There is a bus station near the railway station. The distance to Bar, Ukraine is 30km. The distance to Vinnytsia is 35km. The distance to Shargorod is 37km. The distance to Kiev is 317km.

Media

Printing media

Zhmerins'ky Meridian newspaper is published in Zhmerynka. The head office is located at Bohdan Khmelnits'ky Street 19, Zhmerynka 23100, Ukraine. ^[12]