Kerch
Kerch (Ukrainian: Керч, [ˈkɛrt͡ʃ] ⓘ; Russian: Керчь, pronounced [ˈkʲertɕ]; Old East Slavic: Кърчевъ; Ancient Greek: Παντικάπαιον, Pantikápaion; Medieval Greek: Βόσπορος, Bosporos; Turkish: Kerç), also known as Keriç or Kerich (Crimean Tatar: Керич), is a city of regional significance on the Kerch Peninsula in the east of Crimea. Kerch has a population of about 147,033 (2014 Census).
Kerch
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City | |
Kerch's Obelisk of Glory, on Mount Mithridates | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Kerch Location of Kerch in Crimea Kerch Location of Kerch in Ukraine Kerch Location of Kerch in European Russia Kerch Location of Kerch in Europe | |
| Coordinates: 45°21′43″N 36°28′16″E | |
| Country | Disputed: |
| Republic | Crimea1 |
| Raion | Kerch Raion |
| Area | |
| • Total | 108 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Total | 149,566 |
| • Density | 1,464.49/km2 (3,793.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 |
| Postal code | 298300 – 298399 |
| Area code | +7-36561 |
| Former name(s) | Panticapaeum, Bosporus, Vosporo, Korchev, Cerchio |
| Sister cities | Mogilev, Smolensk, Çanakkale, Oryol, Odintsovo, Sochi |
| Climate | Cfa |
| Website | горсовет-керчь.рф (de facto) |
| 1 Autonomous Republic of Crimea (de jure) or Republic of Crimea (de facto), depending on jurisdiction. | |
Founded 2,600 years ago as an ancient Greek colony, Pantikapaion, Kerch is considered to be one of the most ancient cities in Crimea. The city experienced rapid growth starting in the 1920s and was the site of a major battle during World War II.
Today, it is one of the largest cities in Crimea and is among the area's most important industrial, transport and tourist centres. As with the other parts of Crimea, it is currently occupied by Russian forces following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.