ZHYTOMYR

Russian Zhitomir, oblast (province), western Ukraine. Its northern half lies in the swampy, forested Pripet Marshes; part of the swamp has been reclaimed. The southern half lies on the Volyn-Podilsk Upland, which is greatly dissected by deep river valleys and gullies resulting from erosion. The economy is largely agricultural, and half of the population is rural. Wheat and sugar beets are the main crops, with hops, flax, and livestock raised in the northern lowland, where timberworking is also important. Apart from Zhytomyr, the oblast headquarters, its cities are small and engaged in processing farm produce. The production of china and glass is a specialty of cities in the west, notably Horodnytsya. Area 11,600 square miles (29,900 square km). Pop. (1991 est.) 1,503,700. Russian Zhitomir, city and administrative centre of Zhytomyr oblast (province), western Ukraine. It lies along the Teteriv River where it runs between high, rocky banks. Zhytomyr is believed to date from the 9th century, but the first record is from 1240, when it was sacked by the Tatars. For long a major trade focus and a seat of provincial government, Zhytomyr today is an important junction where the main rail and road routes westward from Kiev are crossed by north-south routes. Its light industries chiefly process wood for furniture and flax for linen. Synthetic fibres are a recent extension of the city's textile industry. Musical instruments, notably accordions, are a specialty. Zhytomyr has agricultural and teacher-training institutes. Pop. (1991 est.) 298,000.