Sumska region

Sumska region is situated in the forest-steppe zone of the north-eastern Ukraine and borders on the Russian Federation. The main rivers are the Desna and the Psyol which are the tributaries of the Dnieper River. The territory of the region is the ancient lands of Kievan Rus which were controlled by Tartars, Lithuanian and Polish princes at different times of the 2nd century. Attempts to revive the glory of Kievan Rus were made during the War of the Ukrainian people under the guidance of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky against Poland in 1648-1654. Moreover, the city of Sumy was in the center of the struggle of Hetman Mazepa against the Russian Tsar Peter I in 1708-1709. After Russian Empress Catherine II came to the throne, since the end of the 18th century Sumy region and the whole Ukraine were controlled by the Russian Empire. The city of Sumy has been a part of Ukraine since 1991. Oil-and-gas production and related industries are well developed in the region. Grain and sugar beet crops, meat and milk production are the main agricultural areas. The key attractions of the region are the house-museum of A.P. Chekhov in the city of Sumy, Historical and Cultural Reserve in the town of Glukhov, the landscape arboretum of Neskuchnoe, the monastery-fortress in the town of Putivl, the Trostyanetsk Palace built in the 19th century, and many religious buildings in cities and villages of the region. On the banks of the rivers you can find several resorts, tourist centers, and the well-known resort "Buymerovka." Tourism is poorly developed. The main development trend is recreational tourism, educational tourism and sightseeing.