Illichivsk

Illichivsk ( _uk. Іллічівськ, translit. "Illichivs’k", _ru. Ильичёвск) is a port city in the Odessa Oblast (province) of south-western Ukraine. The city is designated as its own separate raion (district) within the oblast, and is located at around coord|46|17|60|N|30|40|0|E|display=inline,title.

Geography

Illichivsk is situated on the coast of the Black Sea, just 12 miles west from Odessa. It is an independent city within Odessa oblast.

Overview

Illichivsk as a city was built around the port. Named after Vladimir ILLICH Lenin the city was designed to become a new home for the Black Sea Shipping Company (the largest passenger and commercial vessel operator in the world; later BLASCO, which declared bankruptcy in early 1990s). Originally a builder's trailer village, Illichivsky has expanded to become Ukraine's most prosperous town (by income per capita). Residents are mostly employed by the port (one of the largest ports of Europe) and the maritime industry. Residents of Odessa have recently begun relocating to lower-cost but higher-income Illichivsk.

Industries

Illichivsk local economy is largely oriented to the sea. The biggest employer is a State Enterprise: "Illichivsk Maritime Trade Port". The headquarters and manufacturing facilities of "Antarctica" (Ukraine's largest fishing company) are also located in Illichivsk. Other major maritime shipping companies have also chosen to open their offices in Illichivsk. The city's healthy economy continues to attract new businesses and residents.