In the southwest of Ukraine, where the spurs of the Podolsk upland, cut by deep beams and ravines, are replaced by the Black Sea lowland, gradually descending into the Black Sea, is located Odessa region.
From west to east the region occupies the territory from the Danube delta to the Tiligulsky estuary. From the south its shores are caressed by the Black Sea throughout all 300 km of the sea coast, on which are located such famous resorts of the Odessa region as: Sergeevka, Zatoka, Gribovka, Kurortnoye and Lebedevka.
The population of many nationalities and ethnicities lives on the territory of Odeschina. This peculiarity, as well as many others, is caused by the specificity of historical development of this marvelous region. In ancient times it was successively settled by the tribes of Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians. Then the Greeks settled here and founded the famous ancient cities of Tiru and Nikonius, located on the opposite banks of the Dniester estuary. Later the Romans, Goths, Huns and Slavs visited this land in turn. In the second half of the XV century almost the whole territory of the Northern Black Sea coast fell into dependence on Turkey, and the northern lands of the present-day Odessa region became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Since the end of XVIII century the Russian Empire ruled here, which founded the port-city of Odessa — the main sea gate in the south of the empire, which led to the settlement of the Black Sea region by peasants from the central and northern provinces, as well as foreigners on favorable terms (Germans, Bulgarians).
On February 27, 1932 Odessa region was formed within the Ukrainian SSR, and on February 15, 1954 the territory of Izmail region, which was previously occupied by Romania, was included in its composition.
Today in Odeschina the sphere of tourism and recreation acquires intensive development, which is conditioned by the peculiarity of economic and geographical location, favorable natural and climatic conditions, sandy beaches and the presence of natural healing resources.
About 200 rivers flow through the territory of the region, many of which dry up in summer and form estuaries or lakes at their mouths. The most full-flowing rivers are the Danube, Dniester and Southern Bug, which are among the main waterways of Ukraine. Between the lower channel of the Danube River and the Dniester estuary there are freshwater (Kahul, Yalpug, Katlabukh, China) and saltwater (Sasyk, Alibey, Burnas, Shagany) lakes. On the coast there is a large number of estuaries, and such as Hajibeysky, Shabolotsky and Kuyalnitsky are famous for their healing mud, which effectively cure diseases of the respiratory system, blood circulation, nervous system and others.
In the deltas of large rivers and estuaries, as well as on the sea coast and in the shelf zone nature has created unique ecosystems that form a high biosphere potential of the region, which has national and international importance.
There are more than 100 natural protected areas in the Odessa region, including the Danube Biosphere Reserve «Danube Plavni», «Tiligulsky» landscape park on the bank of the Tiligulsky estuary, botanical garden of the Odessa National University named after I.I.Mechnikov and 2 natural monuments of national importance — Odesskie catacombs and Mikhailovsky Yar.
The attractions of the Odessa region also contributed to the tourist potential. To date, preserved a lot of religious buildings XIII — XX century. different religions. Here you can admire the unique defense (XIII — XV century.) and palace (XIX century.) complexes of architectural structures. They include: Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the famous Potemkin Stairs, Belgorod — Dniester Fortress, Ukrainian Venice — Vilkovo city, monuments of cult architecture in the cities of Odessa, Izmail, Reni, Kilia and many others.
Warm sea, sun, therapeutic sea air, healing mud, sea sandy beaches, picturesque views, historical monuments — all this creates unique conditions that provide unforgettable holiday in Odessa region.