Khmelnitsky region… Probably, many of us have heard more than once about the presence of such a region on the territory of Ukraine.
Someone was passing through there, someone went deliberately, for example, in order to visit one of the best wholesale markets in the country, and there are those who know about its existence only because of the consonance with the name of a famous hetman.
At the same time, not everyone knows that the villages of the Khmelnitsky region are really unique. In them you can get acquainted with the history, traditions and culture of the villages of the western part of the neighboring country. And local residents are always ready not only to share stories from the life of their ancestors, but also to invite travelers to taste the delights of national cuisine and appreciate the flavor and originality of their home.
General Description
Purely geographically Khmelnitsky region is located in southwestern Ukraine and is considered the real heart of Podolia.
There are actually enough prerequisites for this: its fields andthe meadows are covered with colorful carpets, and beautiful gardens bloom on the green hills. What is not a piece of paradise?
In general, Podolia is not in vain called a border and very tolerant land, a real example of the peaceful coexistence of various peoples and religions.
The districts of the Khmelnitsky region is a territory where Ukrainians and Russians, Poles and Tatars, Germans and Jews have lived side by side for centuries. It is hard to imagine that somewhere on the planet there are still lands where churches and synagogues, churches and mosques peacefully coexist with each other.
Majestic castles stand throughout the region. The most famous of them are located in such places as Zhvants, Satanov, Starokonstantinov, Letichev, Medzhibozh, Izyaslav. Not to mention the stunning Old Fortress located in Kamenetz-Podolsk.
Geographic features
Khmelnitsky region borders on such territorial units of Ukraine as Rivne (northwest), Zhytomyr (northeast), Vinnitsa (east), Chernivtsi (south), Ternopil (west) regions.
By the way, the length of this region from north to south is 220 km, and from west to east - 120 km.
Podolsk upland (altitude from 270 to 370 m) is located in the central part of the region. The watersheds of the Southern Bug, Dnieper and Dniester pass through its territory.
Volyn Upland (height up to 329 m) is located in the northwestern part of the region, and Polesskaya lowland (height from 200 to 250 m) is in the north.
The highest point of the region is in the southwest. This is a mountainGreat Bugachiha. Its height is 409 m.
In general, the Khmelnitsky region, Khmelnitsky region in particular, can boast of the presence of many rivers. There are 120 of them in total, and each of them is over 10 km long.
Dniester is the largest water artery, the length of which is 160 km. The most significant tributaries are Ushitsa, Zbruch, Southern Bug, Smotrych.
There are several lakes in the Goryn basin.
The largest reservoir is the Dniester. The climate in the region is temperate continental.
Unknown historical data
The map of the Khmelnitsky region has changed significantly several times. As you know, at first on the territory of Podolia on September 22, 1937, the Kamyanets-Podilsky region was formed, the administrative center of which until 1941 was the city of the same name. And only on January 4, 1954 it was renamed Khmelnytsky, moving, respectively, and the center.
How many years have people lived here? This question is not as easy to answer as it might seem at first glance.
Today, it is only known for certain that in Bakota, as a result of lengthy excavations, the remains of the oldest monastery on the territory of Podolia, which existed since 1362, were found. An inscription of the 11th century was found there, indicating the time of its foundation. And this means that the Khmelnytsky region (or rather, its settlements) is one of the most ancient on the territory of Ukraine.
There is a legend that during the invasion of the Tatar horde, monks hid in the caves, who refusedrenounce their faith, and for this they were walled up there alive.
People of the older generation, most likely, will note that this region was once considered one of the most developed in terms of industry. For example, in 1949, the Proskurovskaya (Khmelnitsky) motor transport office began to produce the Pobeda car - the famous beige taxi with a taximeter. Unfortunately, now they can only be seen in old Soviet films.
Economic Development
Today, the economy in the Khmelnitsky region is developing mainly due to its natural resources. Also, to date, 260 mineral deposits have been discovered there, thanks to which the porcelain and faience industry effectively functions in the industry and construction materials are produced.
Locations of graphite were discovered in the north-east of the region, and this automatically became the reason for the emergence of one of the most promising areas: the development of the mineral resource base.
Also, in the center of the Khmelnitsky region, a place was found where red and dark gray granite, diorite, labradorite, saponite clays occur.
The region has reserves of medicinal, table and mineral waters, so not only Ukrainians, but also guests from abroad come here for he alth improvement.
Today, agricultural and electrical engineering is developing here, as well as cement, tobacco, pulp and paper, sugar, alcohol, confectionery and fruit and vegetable canningindustry.
Khmelnitsky region boasts an honorable first place in the production of industrial products. It is known that the local power industry is provided by a powerful and modern nuclear power plant.
Characteristics of the industry
In this area, metalworking and mechanical engineering are considered the most developed industries.
At enterprises and factories are actively produced:
- agricultural machinery;
- machines;
- electrotechnical goods;
- transformers;
- cable;
- Forging and pressing and process equipment.
Kation, Thermoplastavtomat, Prigma-Press, Advis, Elektropribor, OAO Shepetovsky Cultivator Plant and others are considered the largest enterprises.
It should be noted that in the food industry the following industries are most active:
- sugar (total 16 factories);
- alcohol;
- pasta;
- vegetable canning;
- meat and dairy;
- confectionery shop;
- brewery;
- flour and cereal;
- tobacco.
The development of light industry is due to the processing of raw materials. Local raw materials are leather, and imported - wool, cotton, textiles, leather. The industry in the Khmelnitsky region is also developed in the clothing, textile, footwear, knitwear, haberdashery industries.
Furniture, packaging, building materials, paper,cardboard is produced by the forestry and woodworking industries.
Agriculture area
It is believed that the natural conditions in the Khmelnitsky region are favorable for the development of agriculture.
In general, according to experts, Khmelnitsky region is the region where sugar beet is grown the most.
Also, one of the most important sectors in the agriculture of the region is crop production. Potatoes, winter wheat, barley, oats, peas, corn and buckwheat occupy the main cultivated area of the region.
Vegetable growing is allocated a smaller area under crops. More than 40% of the area allocated for planting is forage crops (corn for silage, perennial grasses, vetch, peas, alfalfa, fodder beet, rapeseed).
Gardening is very developed in Podolia. Apple trees, cherries, apricots, pears, cherries, walnuts are grown here. Most gardens are located in Vinkovetsky, Dunaevets, Novoushitsky and Kamenetz-Podolsky districts. Animal husbandry, pig breeding and meat and dairy industries are also very important in the development of agriculture.
Besides, beekeeping, poultry farming, fish farming, sheep breeding and rabbit breeding are engaged in Khmelnitsky region.
Local population
Population density of Khmelnitsky region - 66, 7 people. per km². In total, about 1 million people live here.
The national composition is divided into Ukrainians (90%), Russians (6%), Poles (1.6%), Belarusians (0.2%) and Jews (0.1%).
Indigenous population density in some areasreaches and up to 100%.
Ukraine… Khmelnytsky region… Khmelnytsky… This region is always happy to welcome guests, however, it is worth noting that most of the people of Russian nationality live, as a rule, in urban areas. By the way, according to recent census data, the most impressive number of Russian speakers settled in the city of Slavuta (Khmelnitsky region).
51% of the population lives in cities and 49% in villages. Men in the region account for 46.1% and women 53.9%.
The Land of Multiple Religions
Due to the fact that the Khmelnitsky region is inhabited by peoples of different nationalities, many different religions are spread on its territory. Many Orthodox churches are being built in these parts. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has the largest number of parishes and believers.
Recently, the number of organizations belonging to the Greek Catholic Church has increased.
Also, religious communities of the Roman Catholic Church began to develop activities in the Khmelnitsky region, many Protestant churches appeared.
Piggy bank of interesting facts
- In with. Pasechnaya and s. Pilyava there are Cossack schools in which training is actively carried out according to the oldest Cossack methodology. All students, without exception, wear the appropriate uniform of that time. In these educational institutions, special attention is paid to the study of the history of Ukraine and the Cossacks, as well as physical training.
- The only cave in Ukraine with an unusual three-tier structure is called "Atlantis". It is located in the Kamyanets-Podilskyi region, in the village of Zavalye. The floors of this cave are connected by steep, almost vertical passages. Its halls and grottoes are decorated with beautiful crystals. "Atlantis" - the second most beautiful gypsum cave in Europe.
