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Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine and is situated in the northeast of the country (only 20 miles from the Russian border) in the region known as Sloboda. It serves as one of the main industrial, cultural and educational centres in Ukraine.

Today the city is home to a plethora of mega-companies such as the Malyshev Tank Factory and Turboatom. These companies specialize in fields such as tank and turbine production, and aerospace and nuclear and electronic research.

Kharkiv was originally founded during the 17^th century and has had a university since 1805. From 1917 to 1934 it also served as the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Kharkiv's most notable population increase came during the Holodomor famine in the 1930s, which saw many people arriving in search of food. It was an extremely depressing time and saw many lose their lives. The city went on to suffer further tragedy when, during World War II, it was not only the site of several battles but was captured by the Germans. The Nazis and the Red Army continually struggled for control over the city until August 1943 when it was finally liberated. Many tens of thousands lost their lives and the city suffered extensive damage.

Today Kharkiv has many attractions to be enjoyed by tourists. Freedom Square is the largest city square in Europe and is second in the world only to Tiananmen Square in Beijing. 

STATIONARY FANS' EMBASSY

As part of the UEFA-backed "RESPECT Fan Culture" programme, Football Supporters Europe are providing a fans' embassy in Gdansk to welcome fans of all nations who come to the city. Like the FSF's own fans' embassy service, this will operate on a "by fans, for fans" basis, and will be staffed by volunteers drawn from the local fan scene. There will also be an English-language service provision.

The fans' embassy will provide all the usual sort of information that a tourist office might offer, such as available accommodation, local transport timetables and routes, sightseeing opportunities, etc.

Crucially, though, it will also provide fan-specific information and advice such as ticket availability, viewing facilities, stadium regulations and matchday arrangements.

For more information, visit the FSE's 2012 Fanguide website.