Simferopol

Simferopol
Симферополь
Сімферопoль
Aqmescit
City of regional significance

Clockwise: The railway station, Salgirka park, Trinity Cathedral, the State Medical University, Children's park, Catherine street

Flag
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Город пользы  (Russian)
The City of usefulness  (translation)

Simferopol (dark blue) on a map of Crimea.
Coordinates: 44°57′7″N 34°6′8″E / 44.95194°N 34.10222°E / 44.95194; 34.10222Coordinates: 44°57′7″N 34°6′8″E / 44.95194°N 34.10222°E / 44.95194; 34.10222
Country

Disputed:

Region Simferopol Municipality
Location in Russia Autonomous Republic of Crimea Republic of Crimea
Location in Ukraine Autonomous Republic of Crimea Autonomous Republic of Crimea
Founded1 1784
Boroughs
List
  • Zheleznodorozhnyi Raion
  • Tsentralnyi Raion
  • Kievskyi Raion
Government
 • Head Gennady Bakharev
Area
 • Total 107 km2 (41 sq mi)
Elevation 350 m (1,150 ft)
Population (2014)
 • Total 332,317
 • Density 3,183.17/km2 (8,244.4/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Simferopolitan
Time zone MSK (UTC+3)
Postal code 295000—295490
Area code(s) +7 3652
Licence plate AK(UA) 82(Rus)
Sister cities Heidelberg, Kecskemét, Salem, Bursa, Eskişehir, Rousse, Nizhny Novgorod
Website simgov.ru
1 Founded in 1784 as Simferopol, previously known under the Crimean Tatar Aqmescit.

Simferopol (/ˌsɪmfəˈroʊpəl/; Crimean Tatar: Aqmescit, Акъмесджит; Ukrainian: Сімферополь, pronounced [sʲimfɛˈrɔpɔlʲ]; Russian: Симферополь; IPA: [sʲɪmfʲɪˈropəlʲ]) is a city on the Crimean peninsula, the status of which is disputed between Ukraine and Russia. As a result of 2014 vote to join Russia, which was held during Russian military intervention,[1] and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Simferopol has, de facto, been the administrative centre of the Republic of Crimea though it remains, de jure, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Simferopol is an important political, economic, and transport hub of the peninsula and serves as the administrative center of both Simferopol municipality and Simferopol Raion though it does not belong to the raion. Population: 332,317 (2014 Census).[2]

Archaeological evidence in Simferopol indicates the existence of an ancient Scythian city, collectively known as the Scythian Neapolis. The location was also home to a Crimean Tatar town, Aqmescit. After the annexation of the Crimean Khanate to the Russian Empire, the city's name was changed to its present Simferopol.

Etymologies

The name comes from the Greek Sympheropolis (Greek: Συμφερόπολις, Symferópolis), meaning city of common good. It is spelled Simferopol (Ukrainian: Сімферо́поль; Russian: Симферо́поль [sʲɪmfʲɪˈropəlʲ]) or Symferopil (Ukrainian: Симферопіль).[3]

In Crimean Tatar, the name of the city is Aqmescit, which means The white mosque (Aq—white, and mescit—mosque). In English, the name was often given as Akmechet or Ak-Mechet (e.g. in Encyclopedia Britannica[4]), a transliteration from Russian Акмечет, Ак-Мечеть, where Mechet (Мечеть) is the Russian word for "mosque".

History

Early history

The city in 1856, by Carlo Bossoli.

Archaeological evidence in the Chokurcha cave shows the presence of ancient people living in the territory of modern Simferopol. The Scythian Neapolis, known by its Greek name, is also located in the city, which is the remnants of an ancient capital of the Crimean Scythians who lived on the territory from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD.[5]

Later, the Crimean Tatars founded the town of Aqmescit. For some time, Aqmescit served as the residence of the Qalğa-Sultan, the second most important position in the Crimean Khanate after the Khan himself.[6]

Coat of arms from 1844–1920.
Coat of arms during the Soviet period (1971-1991).

Russian Empire and Civil War

The city was renamed Simferopol in 1784 after the annexation of the Crimean Khanate to the Russian Empire by Catherine II of Russia. The name Simferopol is in Greek, Συμφερόπολις (Simferopolis), and literally means "the city of usefulness." The tradition to give Greek names to places in newly acquired southern territories was carried out by Empress Catherine the Great as part of her Greek Plan.[6][7] In 1802, Simferopol became the administrative centre of the Taurida Governorate. During the Crimean War of 1854–1856, the Russian Imperial Army reserves and a hospital were stationed in the city. After the war, more than 30,000 Russian soldiers were buried in the city's vicinity.

In the 20th century, Simferopol was once again affected by wars and conflicts in the region. At the end of the Russian Civil War, the headquarters of General Pyotr Wrangel, leader of the anti-Bolshevik White Army, were located there. On 13 November 1920, the Red Army captured the city and on 18 October 1921, Simferopol became the capital of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

World War II

OT-34, monument of World War II

During World War II, Simferopol was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1 November 1941 to 13 April 1944. Retreating NKVD police shot a number of prisoners on 31 October 1941 in the NKVD building and the city's prison.[8] Germans perpetrated one of the largest war-time massacres in Simferopol, killing in total over 22,000 locals—mostly Jews, Russians, Krymchaks, and Gypsies.[9] On one occasion, starting 9 December 1941, the Einsatzgruppen D under Otto Ohlendorf's command killed an estimated 14,300 Simferopol residents, most of them being Jews.[10]

In April 1944, the Red Army liberated Simferopol. On 18 May 1944 the Crimean Tatar population of the city along with the whole Crimean Tatar nation of Crimea was forcibly deported to Central Asia in a form of collective punishment. On 26 April 1954 Simferopol, together with the rest of the Crimean Oblast, was transferred from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

An asteroid 2141 Simferopol discovered in 1970 by Soviet astronomer Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova is named after the city.[11]

Following a referendum on 20 January 1991, the Crimean Oblast was upgraded an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic on 12 February 1991 by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR.[12] Simferopol became the capital of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

After Ukrainian independence

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Simferopol became the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea within newly independent Ukraine. Today, the city has a population of 340,600 (2006) most of whom are ethnic Russians, with the rest being Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar minorities.

After the Crimean Tatars were allowed to return from exile in the 1990s, several new Crimean Tatar suburbs were constructed, as many more Tatars returned to the city compared to number exiled in 1944. Land ownership between the current residents and returning Crimean Tatars is a major area of conflict today with the Tatars requesting the return of lands seized after their deportation.[13]

On 16 March 2014, a referendum was held whose results showed that a majority of Crimeans voted in favour of independence of Crimea from Ukraine and joining Russia as a federal subject. The legitimacy of the referendum's results has been questioned by several nations and independent news organizations.[14] On 21 March, Simferopol officially became the capital of a new federal subject of the Russian Federation.[15] The referendum was not recognized internationally, and the event was viewed by many as an annexation of the Crimean land by the Russian Federation.

After Russian annexation

On 14 September 2014, a municipal election was held, which was its first ever parliamentary election since the Russian annexation on 16 March 2014. During the first session, the Simferopol City Council appointed Gennady Bakharev to the position of the acting Head of the Simferopol Administration nt mayor Viktor Ageyev was appointed Chairman of Simferopol City Council and de facto kept his position as the Mayor of Simferopol.

Geography and climate

The Simferopol Reservoir provides clean drinking water to the city.

Location

Simferopol is located in the south-central portion of the Crimean Peninsula. The city lies on the Salhir River and near the artificial Simferopol Reservoir, which provides the city with clean drinking water. The Simferopol Reservoir's earth dam is the biggest in Europe.

Climate

The city experiences a humid subtropical or oceanic climate (depending on which version of the Köppen climate classification is used),[16] near the boundary of the humid continental climate. The average temperature in January is 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) and 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in July. The average rainfall is 514 millimetres (20.2 in) per year, and there is a total of 2,471 hours of sunshine per year.

Climate data for Simferopol, 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.4
(68.7)		 21.9
(71.4)		 28.7
(83.7)		 31.5
(88.7)		 34.2
(93.6)		 37.7
(99.9)		 39.3
(102.7)		 39.5
(103.1)		 37.2
(99)		 33.3
(91.9)		 28.0
(82.4)		 25.4
(77.7)		 39.5
(103.1)
Average high °C (°F) 3.9
(39)		 4.7
(40.5)		 9.1
(48.4)		 15.9
(60.6)		 21.4
(70.5)		 25.7
(78.3)		 28.9
(84)		 28.7
(83.7)		 23.1
(73.6)		 17.0
(62.6)		 10.4
(50.7)		 5.6
(42.1)		 16.2
(61.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.2
(32.4)		 0.4
(32.7)		 3.9
(39)		 9.9
(49.8)		 15.1
(59.2)		 19.5
(67.1)		 22.3
(72.1)		 22.0
(71.6)		 16.9
(62.4)		 11.3
(52.3)		 5.8
(42.4)		 2.0
(35.6)		 10.8
(51.4)
Average low °C (°F) −2.9
(26.8)		 −3.2
(26.2)		 −0.3
(31.5)		 4.8
(40.6)		 9.5
(49.1)		 13.9
(57)		 16.5
(61.7)		 16.1
(61)		 11.2
(52.2)		 6.8
(44.2)		 2.2
(36)		 −1.1
(30)		 6.2
(43.2)
Record low °C (°F) −26.0
(−14.8)		 −30.3
(−22.5)		 −18.4
(−1.1)		 −11.1
(12)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 0.7
(33.3)		 3.6
(38.5)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 −11.4
(11.5)		 −21.7
(−7.1)		 −23.2
(−9.8)		 −30.3
(−22.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 39
(1.54)		 36
(1.42)		 37
(1.46)		 34
(1.34)		 34
(1.34)		 58
(2.28)		 47
(1.85)		 52
(2.05)		 42
(1.65)		 42
(1.65)		 49
(1.93)		 45
(1.77)		 515
(20.28)
Average rainy days 12 11 11 11 10 11 8 7 10 11 13 14 129
Average snowy days 11 11 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 9 44
Average relative humidity (%) 85 81 76 69 68 67 63 63 69 76 82 84 74
Mean monthly sunshine hours 88 100 164 211 282 314 341 316 261 204 114 75 2,470
Source #1: Pogoda.ru.net[17]
Source #2: NOAA (sun 1961–1990)[18]

Politics and administrative divisions

Simferopol's city centre
The Crimean Trolleybus runs from Simferopol to Yalta.

As the capital of the Republic, Simferopol houses its political structure including the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. Simferopol is also the administrative centre of the Simferopolskyi Raion (district), however, it is directly subordinate to the Crimean authorities rather than to the raion authorities housed in the city itself.

The city of Simferopol is administratively divided into three raions (Zaliznychnyi, Tsentralnyi, and Kyivskyi), four urban-type settlements (Ahrarne, Aeroflotskyi, Hriesivskyi, Komsomolske) and one village (Bitumne).[19] The city's mayor is (since the 2010 Ukrainian local elections) Viktor Ageev from the Party of Regions.[20] The previous mayor, Henadiy Babenko, was also (when elected) a member of Party of Regions;[21] but he was expelled from that party in September 2009.[22]

Transportation

Simferopol has a major railway station, which serves millions of tourists each year. In December 2014 Ukraine cut the railway line to Crimea at the border. Currently, the station serves only a commuter (regional) passenger train and the Moscow – Simferopol train every day.

The city is also connected via the Simferopol International Airport, which was constructed in 1936.[23] Zavodskoye Airport is situated southwest of Simferopol.

The city has several main bus stations, with routes towards many cities, including Sevastopol, Kerch, Yalta, and Yevpatoriya. The Crimean Trolleybus connects Simferopol to the city of Yalta on Crimean Black Sea coast. The line is the longest trolleybus line in the world with a total length of 86 kilometres (53 mi)[24] (since 2014 again 96 kilometres (60 mi)).

The streets of Simferopol have a rare house numbering – the odd numbers are on the right side of the road, looking in the direction in which the numbers increase.

Demographics

As of the Ukrainian National Census, 2001, Simferopol's population is 363,600. According to the census, Russians constitute 66.7% of the total population, Ukrainians 21.3%, Crimean Tatars 7%, Belarusians 1.1%, Jews 0.7%, Armenians 0.6%.[25]

Economy

When it existed, Crimea Air had its head office on the grounds of Simferopol Airport.[26] Simferopol hosts some industries, such as 'Zavod 'Phiolent' JSC producing Marine automation control systems; Precise electrical micro machines of low input power; Power tools, for both professional and household usage.

Education

The largest collection of higher education institutions in Crimea is located in Simferopol. Among them is the largest university in Simferopol and Crimea, the Taurida V.Vernadsky National University, which was founded in 1917.[27] Crimea State Medical University named after S. I. Georgievsky, also located in Simferopol, is one of the most prominent medical schools of Ukraine. The Crimean Medical University is situated on the plot, where in 1855 a nursery garden was planted by the founder of the Nikita Botanical Gardens Ch.Ch.Steven (1781–1863). In 1863–66 a school for girls was built here and in 1931 a medical institute was opened. On the same plot P.Krzhizhanovsky built a three-storey hostel for medical students after the design in 1934. The building with clear geometric masses was completed in 1938.

Sports

Simferopol is home to the football club Tavriya Simferopol, who were the first champion in the history of the Ukraine Premier League, and also won the Ukrainian Cup in 2010. After the 2014 Crimean Conflict, the club ceased its existence and applied for a Russian license, and with the new name FC TSK Simferopol. It currently plays in the Crimean Premier League.

Famous people

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Simferopol is currently twinned with:

In the centre of Simferopol, there is "Heidelberg House", which was founded in 2000 thanks to a private donation of Mr. Manfred Lautenschlaeger, the founder of MLP AG. The House belongs to two partner organisations: "Freundeskreis Heidelberg – Simferopol" (Heidelberg) and "Circle of Friends Simferopol – Heidelberg" (Crimea).[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Putin's remarks raise fears of future moves against Ukraine". Washington Post.
  2. ↑ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2014). "Таблица 1.3. Численность населения Крымского федерального округа, городских округов, муниципальных районов, городских и сельских поселений" [Table 1.3. Population of Crimean Federal District, Its Urban Okrugs, Municipal Districts, Urban and Rural Settlements]. Федеральное статистическое наблюдение «Перепись населения в Крымском федеральном округе». ("Population Census in Crimean Federal District" Federal Statistical Examination) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  3. ↑ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/545084/Simferopol
  4. ↑ Ak-Mechet, an article from Encyclopedia Britannica
  5. ↑ "Simferopol". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  6. 1 2 "Simferopol". Vacation in Crimea (in Russian). Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  7. ↑ "Russian cities with Greek names". Sevastopolskaya gazeta (in Russian). 20 July 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  8. ↑ Kirimal, Edige. "Complete Destruction of National Groups as Groups". International Committee for Crimea. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  9. ↑ "Simferopol". simferopol.ws (in Russian). Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  10. ↑ Das Personenlexikon zum Dritten Reich. Wer war was vor und nach 1945. Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, Zweite aktualisierte Auflage, Frankfurt am Main 2005, page 72
  11. ↑ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (5th ed.). New York City: Springer Verlag. p. 174. ISBN 3-540-00238-3.
  12. ↑ "Day in history – 20 January". RIA Novosti (in Russian). 8 January 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
  13. ↑ "Tatars push to regain their historic lands in Crimea". Today's Zaman. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  14. ↑ Crimeans vote over 90 percent to quit Ukraine for Russia | Reuters
  15. ↑ Putin signs reunification laws for Crimea, Sevastopol | Voice of Russia
  16. ↑ Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf; F. Rubel (2006). "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated" (PDF). Meteorol. Z. 15 (3): 259–263. doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Climate Averages for Simferopol" (in Russian). Weather and Climate (Погода и климат). Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Simferopol Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "City of Simferopol Autonomous Republic of Crimea". Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  20. ↑ (Ukrainian) Мером Сімферополя обрали Агєєва, більшість у міськраді – за Партією регіонів The mayor of Simferopol has been chosen in the city, Viktor Ageev – from Party of Regions, Interfax-Ukraine (8 November 2010)
  21. ↑ "Simferopol City Rada". Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  22. ↑ Регіонали викинули з партії мера Сімферополя. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  23. ↑ "Welcome to the International Airport "Simferopol"". Simferopol International Airport. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  24. ↑ "The longest trolleybus line in the world!". blacksea-crimea.com. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  25. ↑ Central Statistical Office of AR Crimea, see "Симферополь", column №3.
  26. ↑ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 27 March – 2 April 2001. 57.
  27. ↑ "Main page". Vernadskiy Tavricheskiy National University. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  28. ↑ "Twinning". City of Heidelberg. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  29. ↑ "Heidelberg House in Simferopol". HeidelbergHouse. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
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