Various nationalities live in Kherson: Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Armenian, Tatar, Jewish, Polish and Turkish.

Kherson Region's historical name is Tavria. Its landscape is a flat surface; the most part of the territory is situated in steppe zone. This area possesses favorable geographical and climatic position and famous for its fertile black soil. It is washed by the Azov Sea and the Black Sea. Kherson is situated about 90 kilometers from the Black Sea. Dnipro River, the third longest river in Europe, flows through the Kherson region giving its water to numerable agricultural fields. Dnipro is divided into some branches on the territory of Kherson Region. The biggest tributary is Ingulets (Minor Dnipro).

Natural resources are represented mainly by deposits of non-metallic building materials. There are about fifty of them in the region with deposits of clay used for production of cement, brick and tiles, as well as marl, limestone, peat and construction sand.

The seaside territories of Kherson Region are rich in petrol and natural gas. Under development is the Strelkovoye deposit of natural gas situated in Arabatskaya Strelka on the Azov Sea. There are also deposits of mineral waters. On the Chongar Peninsula there is a deposit of thermal waters with 30 per cent iodine content, the only one in Ukraine. There are also two big extraction centers of sodium chloride (common salt) in the region. Sea salt is also being extracted for curative and cosmetics purposes. Recently, considerable deposits of phosphorite and bauxite were found on the right bank of Dnipro.

The building of the Black Sea fleet began in Kherson. On September 16, 1783 the first big 66-gun ship «Catherine Glory» was set on water. At the end of 18th century Kherson played an important role in development of internal and external economic connections of Russia. Trade with France, Italy, Spain and other countries of Europe were carried out through Kherson port.

Russian naval commander F.F.Ushakov was one of the leaders of building ships for the Black Sea fleet from 1783 till 1785. Later, from 1787 till 1791 A.V.Suvorov headed the construction of fortifications in Kherson city.

In 1803 Kherson became the center of the Kherson province (Kherson Guberniya). Shipbuilding was developing in the city; enterprises concerned with the processing of agricultural production flourished. The city Coat of Arms and the city flag were approved.

In 1813 the first district school was founded - public primary establishment. In two years province male gymnasium was open. School of the trade sea navigation was open in 1834, and agricultural school was open in forty years. The first newspaper «Kherson province news» was founded in 1838.

During the period from March 1917 till April 1920 city power was changing several times: it was under the control of the Austrian-German troops, Hetman Petro Skoropadsky, Ukrainian National Republic Directorate, Entente troops, A. I. Denikin Army and in February, 4, 1920 Soviet power was established in Kherson.

After the Civil War, the works on renewal of industry and economy of the city began. In March 1923 Kherson became the center of the Kherson region.

Before the liquidation of provinces in June 1925 Kherson was a part of Odessa province. In 1927 bus traffic was opened. Kherson became a large industrial center. Electrical machinery, pastry factories, cannery, cotton processing factory were built; construction of the grain elevator was complete. At that time it was one of the largest in Ukraine. An oil-processing factory was built.

At the beginning of World War II many enterprises were evacuated to the east. Kherson defense continued from 15th till 18th August 1941. On the 19th August 1941 Kherson was occupied by German troops. Occupation lasted until March 1944.

Modern Kherson still remains a major shipbuilding center. There is a combine-building plant, engineering, oil refining, food processing and cotton-textile industries in Kherson.

It is a rail junction and a sea and river port still, exporting grain, timber, and manganese ore and importing oil from the Caucasus. There is one of Ukraine's largest cotton textile mills in Kherson.

Kherson region is an industrial agrarian region with highly developed agriculture and varied industry: food, mechanical engineering, metalworking and the electrical power industry.

The leading branches of Kherson industry are: shipbuilding and machine building (7 shipbuilding plants and shipyards, combine plant, plant of cardan shafts and electrical machinery factory), food industry (butter-dairy and milk plant, tinned food factory, bread-baking plant, confectionery, etc.). The production of building materials, glass materials and furniture are well developed. Lately chemical and petrochemical industries started to develop (the production of plastic consumer products, State biological factory, which produces biological preparations for animals, etc.).

Kherson region is rich in fruit orchards and gardens with sweet cherries, apples, apricots, peaches and plums. Kherson tomatoes and watermelons are famous all over Ukraine. Grapes grown on vast vineyards in Kherson oblast steppes add delicious savor and saturated color to the wines and cognacs of Kherson region.

The agricultural branch has a considerable scientific and technical support represented by 4 scientific and industrial institutions: Kherson State Industrial University, Kherson State Agricultural University, the Institute of Cattle-breeding Askania Nova named after M. F. Ivanov, and also 4 scientific Research Stations.

Animal husbandry of the region is based primarily on breeding cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry. Newly developing branches include breeding of quails and ostriches.

Kherson region can offer many interesting places to visit. Romantic riverbanks covered with abundant greenness of trees, bending down over the blue ancient river Dnipro (ancient Greek name – Borisfen, ancient Slavic name - Slavutich). So called “plavni” preserved untouched by man and populated with wild ducks, gracious herons, colorful pheasants, invite all those who seek calmness and pacification. Small estuary lakes embellished with white and yellow water lilies are expecting admirers of eco-tourism.

Those who prefer active tourism can pleasantly spend some time in the National Park «Askania Nova» and enjoy its unique diversity. World famous for its unique flora and fauna wildlife reserve with virgin Steppe zone, covering an area of 200 hectares, unique Hortus Botanicus, ornithological park and Cross-Breeding Center will provide you the opportunity to appreciate the unique beauty of Tavriya steppes. This Park was founded many years ago by baron Friedrich Falz- Feinstein in virgin steppes populated with herds of koulans and saigas and swarms of birds. This is the place where you can see animals from Africa, Australia, and South America pasturing side by side. Askania Nova can be reached by bus: 2 hour trip from Kherson and 4 hour from Yalta.