Kovel overview
Kovel (also spelled Kowel) is a city located in Volyn oblast of Ukraine. Kovel city is situated northwest of Volyn oblast administrative center Lutsk. Kovel is an important railway junction of the region.
There are some factories and plants in Kovel (agricultural machines manufacturer, milk plant, flax-processing and woodworking complexes, meat processing and packing factory).
Kovel city population is about 68,000 (2010).
The phone code of the city is +380 3352; the postal code is 45000.
Kovel history
History of Kovel started in early 9th century when there was an ancient Russian settlement there. In 1518 Polish king Sigizmund I allowed prince Vasily Sangushek to form a town from the settlement Kovle with granting it the Magdeburg law.
In 1543 the town was governed by Kovel monitors who organized its services and amenities, supervised royal income and were judges. Small production was the basis of the town economy, it met the local needs.
In 18th century Kovel was an important handicraft and trade center in Volyn. After Poland was divided for the third time Kovel became a district town in Russia.
The second half of 19th century was characterized by rapid economic growth of the town. The reform of 1861 promoted new growth. The first railway Kiev-Brest via Kovel was constructed (1873), industry was developed, population grew several times. Kovel became the third important town in Volynskaya gubernia after Zhitomir and Rovno.
In 1907 a new railway station was constructed by a famous architect Alexander Verbitsky. Several stores houses were built, some of them are still preserved in the center of the town.
In early 20th century several hotels were built. In Kovel there was a tobacco plant, a wine store-house, a printing house, a book store, a railway policlinics, schools and a gymnasium. There were 5 churches in the city.
Kovel views
Kovel city, Ukraine architecture
Author: Richard Frances
Kovel city architecture
Author: Richard Frances
Kovel city railway station
Author: Lada Stupina
Kovel features
The city Day is celebrated in Kovel on July, 6th. In 2010 the city turned 700.
Average temperatures: in summer – 18,7 degs C above zero, in winter – 3,4 degs C below zero. The regional center is 75 km away, the boundary with Poland – 60 km.
Kovel city area occupies advantageous place, it is located at the crossroads of European trade ways. Kovel area is crossed by the shortest ways between Kiev, Warsaw and Berlin and this fact promotes international cooperation and acquiring the status of a trans-European “bridge” in developing inter-state and foreign trade relations.
