Small map titled Kherson et le bas Dnepr, from wood engraving with  fine detail and clear impression. Overall size approx. 17 x 15 cm, image size approx. 11  x 7 cm. From La Nouvelle Géographie universelle, la terre et les hommes, 19 vol. (1875-94), great work of Elisee Reclus. Cartographer is Charles Perron.

Kherson

also spelled Cherson

city, southern Ukraine. It lies on the right (west) bank of the lower Dnieper  River about 15 miles (25 km) from the latter's mouth. Kherson, named after the  ancient settlement of Chersonesus (west of what is now Sevastopol), was founded  in 1778 as a fortress to protect the newly acquired Black Sea frontage of  Russia, and it became the first Russian naval base and shipyard on the Black  Sea. It was named a provincial capital in 1803. The city grew steadily during  the 19th century largely because of shipping and shipbuilding, and it remained a  major shipbuilding centre throughout the 20th century. Other industries have  included engineering, oil refining, and cotton-textile manufacturing. Kherson  has a number of training and research institutes. Pop. (2001) 328,360; (2005  est.) 319,278.