Mariupol’(Ukrainian: Маріуполь, ru.Мариу́поль) is a port city in south-eastern Ukraine, situated on the coast of the Azov Sea, at the mouth of the Kalmius River. Administratively it belongs to Donets'ka oblast', historically it is a part of Donbas region.

Mariupol is an important industrial center and seaport of Eastern Europe. From 1948 to 1989 the city bore the name Zhdanov in honor of Andrei Zhdanov.

As of 2001, the population of Mariupol was more than 500,000.

History

Mariupol was known from the beginning of the 16th century as the Cossack fortress named Kalmius . The settlement became a town in 1778. In 1780, after the migration of the Greeks from the Crimea to the region the town was renamed "Mariupol' " at their request.

Economy

Mariupol is home to major steel mills (including some globally-important) and chemical plants, also an important seaport and a railroad junction. Notable shipyards, fish canneries, metallurgy-related education and science institutions also present.

Sports

The city's steel industry sponsor the FC Metalurh Mariupol' soccer club, currently playing in the highest division of the Ukrainian national championship.

Emblem

The modern emblem of Mariupol was confirmed in 1989. It is the shield per fess wavy to argent and azure. In the shield is the anchor with a ring as a ladle with poured metal. The number 1778 indicates the year of the city foundation. The argent symbolizes steel, azure means sea, anchor means the port, and the ladle is for metallurgy.