Odessa oblast is situated in the extreme south-west of Ukraine, near the northern coast of the Black Sea. Odessa region is the largest in Ukraine, it occupies the territory of 33.300 square km, which is about 5.5% of Ukraine’s territory (an approximate size of Belgium or the Netherlands).
A bit of history
In 1794 Russian Empress Catherine the Great gave her order to build the city. Her special attitude has forever defined the city’s image remarkable for its openness, love for freedom and hospitality. Such outstanding European officers as de Ribas and Duc de Richelieu, who served in the Russian army, became the first governors of Odessa. They initiated the development of the young and dynamic city.
The unique position of Odessa, a vital trade link between the West and the East, made a way for the establishment of a big trade port center and the development of Odessa into a real European city. No other European city can match its growth rate in the XIX century. A crucial event in the trade policy was the Declaration of a free port regime in Odessa in August 1819. Within a short period of time the city has become “the Ukraine’s southern window to Europe”.
The Environment
The length of the Black Sea shore in Odessa region is over 300 km. Clean beaches, impressive natural reserves and Dnieper and Dniester deltas can play a significant role in the region development, ensuring that the economic development goes hand in hand with full attention for ecological aspects.
Odessa region consists of 26 rural districts, with 19 cities, 33 towns and more than one thousand villages. On January 1, 2004 the population was 2,430,033. Odessa region has a much more mixed population in terms of nationality compared to the other regions in Ukraine. 133 ethnic groups live here in peace and mutual understanding. This brings necessary political stability to the region and all our success in attracting investments would be impossible without it.
Climate
Odessa has a relatively warm and dry climate. The mild climate and coastal lagoons have given rise to beach resorts, beauty spas, and sanatoriums dot a 50-mile stretch of coast. They attract hundreds of tourists and visitors every year.
Distinctive features of the regional natural resources are the favorable climate, the sea, curative mud and salted water of the estuaries, sand beaches and mineral water springs.
The Odessa region comprises of arable and fertile land which makes the agriculture one of the most developed sectors of the regional economy. The natural conditions are favorable for cultivation of winter wheat, corn, barley, soy, millet, and sunflower.
Connected to it is a large processing and light industry sectors; in addition, its science-, research and education centers, medical institutes and recreational parks make the Odessa region a complete and upcoming environment for setting new business!
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About Odessa region 
