Katherine Square at night

Odessa

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June 12th 2008
Odessa is proving to be a very interesting city. In many ways I suspect it is similar to what Prague might have been 15 years ago. It is still emerging from the shadows of communism and embracing capitalism (and corruption). The city is only two hundred years old. Catherine the Great decided she wanted a port on the Black Sea so sent her army here to defeat the Turks and build a modern city. Ar ... read more

Europe » Ukraine » Odessa

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Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Gran... ... read more