The history of Sevastopol had begun many ages ago. In 4-5 BC, a little village had been settled in ancient Tavrida, and gradually it turned into the prosperous and rich town “Khersonesus”. In 988 Kievan Prince Vladimir with his army seized Khersones, and it was here, according to the legend, that he became Christian. The founders of Slavic alphabet “Cyrilitsa” Ciril and Mephody had been here. In 15 century AD, Khersonesus ceased its existence after it was ruined by wars.

3 June 1783, 4 first stone buildings established the city of Sevastopol (Greek origin – honorable, worthy of worship).

In July 1873 the State Duma had discharged the city with additional territory, together with Khersones peninsula and Severnaya bay WW as separate entity. In July 1890 the city was proclaimed to be the military base and chief base of Black Sea fleet.

Since 1 December 1995, Cabinet of Ministers of the Ukraine had canceled the controlled traverse in Sevastopol. The city became unrestricted for tourism and commerce.

Landscape and Climate

• Sevastopol is the southernmost region of Ukraine. Total area of the city is 1079 km , which is larger than the one of Moscow, New York or Shanghai.
  
• The territory includes: 864 km of land, 215 km of bay area; 29 % of the territory is occupied by agricultural lands, nearly 40 % - by forests, 25 % - by industrial and residential areas, 6 % - by the naval base, where ships and military units of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation and the ones of the Naval Forces of Ukraine are located.
• The climate on the territory of Sevastopol region is similar to the Mediterranean one of the South Coast of the Crimea (dry and hot summer and warm damp winter). The average temperature in winter ranges from +2⁰C to +7⁰C. The summer heat becomes soft owing to fresh breeze. Annual precipitation in different parts of this region ranges from 300 mm per year on the Heraclean peninsula to 1200 mm per year on the peaks of the Main ridge of the Crimean Mountains.