Kharkov

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Kharkov (Kharkiv) City in ne Ukraine. It was founded in the 17th century to serve as a stronghold for the Ukrainian Cossacks defending Russia's s border. During the 19th century it developed industrially, stimulated by nearby coalfields. From 1919 to 1934, it was capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Industries: mining machinery, ball-bearings, chemicals, electrical goods. Pop. (1995) 1,521,400.

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