View source for Kerch

{{short description|City in Crimea}}
{{other uses}}
{{Pp-template|small=yes}}
{{Redirect|Bospor|the strait between Europe and Asia|Bosphorus}}
{{Expand Ukrainian|topic=geo|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| image_skyline      = Kerch_ObeliskOfGlory.jpg
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = The Obelisk of Glory on Mount Mithridates
| settlement_type    = City
| subdivision_type   = Country <small>{{nobold|(''[[de facto]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name   = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Republics of Russia|Federal Subject (Republic)]] <small>{{nobold|(''[[de facto]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name1  = [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Crimea]]
| utc_offset         = +3
| official_name      = Kerch
| native_name        = {{ubl | {{native name|uk|Керч|italics=no}} | {{native name|ru|Керчь|italics=no}} | {{lang|crh|Keriç}} / {{native name|crh|Керич|sc=Cyrl}} }}
| image_shield       = Kerch coat.svg
| image_flag         = Flag_of_Kerch.svg
| subdivision_type2  = [[Administrative divisions of Crimea|City]] <small>{{nobold|(''[[de facto]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name2  = Kerch
| pushpin_map        = Crimea#Ukraine#European Russia#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Kerch in Crimea##Location of Kerch in Ukraine##Location of Kerch in European Russia##Location of Kerch in Europe
| pushpin_map1       = 
| pushpin_label_position1 = 
| pushpin_mapsize1   = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|21|43|N|36|28|16|E|region:RUS|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 10
| leader_title       = Head
| leader_name        = Oleg Katorgin
| area_total_km2     = 108
| population_as_of   = 2017
| population_total   = 149,566
| population_density_km2 = 1464.49
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 298300 – 298399
| area_code          = +7-36561
| blank_name         = [[List of renamed cities in Ukraine|Former name(s)]]
| blank_info         = Panticapaeum, Bosporus, Vosporo, Korchev, Cerchio
| blank1_name        = [[Twin towns and sister cities|Sister cities]]
| blank1_info        = [[Mogilev]], [[Smolensk]], [[Çanakkale]], [[Oryol]], [[Odintsovo]], [[Sochi]]
| blank2_name        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank2_info        = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| website            = [http://горсовет-керчь.рф/ горсовет-керчь.рф] (''[[de facto]]'')
| footnotes          = 
| subdivision_type3  = Country <small>{{nobold|(''[[de jure]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name3  = {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Autonomous republic of Ukraine|Autonomous republic]] <small>{{nobold|(''[[de jure]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name4  = [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Crimea]]
| subdivision_type5  = [[Administrative divisions of Crimea|Raion]] <small>{{nobold|(''[[de jure]]'')}}</small>
| subdivision_name5  = [[Kerch Raion|Kerch]]
| mapframe          = yes
| mapframe-zoom     = 10
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

'''Kerch''',{{efn|{{langx|uk|Керч}}, {{IPA|uk|kɛrtʃ|pron|audio=Uk-Керч.ogg}}; {{langx|ru|Керчь}}, {{IPA|ru|kʲertɕ|pron}}; {{langx|orv|Кърчевъ}}; {{langx|grc|[[Panticapaeum|Παντικάπαιον]]|Pantikápaion}}; {{langx|grc-x-medieval|Βόσπορος|Bósporos}}; {{langx|tr|Kerç}}.}} also known as '''Kerich''',{{efn|{{langx|crh|Керич|Keriç}}.}} is a city on the [[Kerch Peninsula]] in the east of [[Crimea]], Ukraine. It has a population of {{Crimea-census2014|147,033|punct=.}}

Founded 2,600 years ago as the [[Colonies in antiquity#Greek colonies|ancient Greek colony]] [[Pantikapaion]], Kerch is one of the most ancient cities in Crimea. The city experienced rapid growth starting in the 1920s and was the site of [[Battle of the Kerch Peninsula|a major battle]] during World War II.

Today, it is one of the largest cities in Crimea and is among the area's most important industrial, transport and tourist centres. As with the rest of Crimea, it has been occupied by Russian forces since the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian annexation of Crimea]] in 2014.

==History==
{{stack|[[File:Kerch Pantikapaeum.jpg|thumb|Ruins of [[Panticapaeum]] from the 6th century BC]]}}
===Ancient times===
Archeological digs at Mayak village near the city ascertained that the area had already been inhabited in the 17th–15th centuries BC. While many finds from Kerch can be found in the [[Hermitage Museum]] in St Petersburg and the local museum, a large number of antique sculptures, reliefs, bronze and glassware, ceramics and jewellery were excavated in 1855–1856 during the [[Crimean War]] by Duncan MacPherson, a surgeon from the British Army, and later donated to the [[British Museum]] in London.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG61062| title = British Museum Collection}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG59348?id=BIOG59348&page=1#page-top| title = British Museum Collection}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://opacplus.bsb-muenchen.de/Vta2/bsb10221604/bsb:BV020307300?page=7| title = Antiquities of Kertch, and Researches in the Cimmerian Bosphorus, with Remarks on the ethnological and physical History of the Crimea by Duncan MacPherson ( 1857 ) }}</ref>

Kerch as a city starts its history in the 7th century BC, when [[Greeks|Greek colonists]] from [[Miletus]] founded a city-state named [[Pantikapaion|Panticapaeum]]<ref>See [[Talk:Kerch#Meaning of Greek name?]] for discussion about the Greek name Panticapaeum.</ref> on [[Mount Mithridat]] near the mouth of the Melek-Chesme river. Panticapaeum subdued nearby cities and by 480 BC became the capital of the [[Kingdom of Bosporus]]. Later, during the rule of [[Mithradates VI Eupator]], Panticapaeum for a short period of time became the capital of the much more powerful and extensive [[Kingdom of Pontus]].
The city was located at the intersection of trade routes between the [[steppe]] and [[Europe]]. This caused it to grow rapidly. The city's main exports were grain and salted fish; wine-making was also common. Panticapaeum minted its own coins. According to extant documents the Melek-Chesme river (small and shallow nowadays) was navigable in Bosporan times, and sea [[galley]]s were able to enter the river. Much of the city's population is thought to have been ethnically [[Scythian]], later [[Sarmatian]], as implied by the large [[Royal Kurgan]] at [[Kul-Oba]].

In the 1st century AD, Panticapaeum and the Kingdom of Bosphorus suffered from [[Ostrogoth]] raids; then the city was devastated by the [[Huns]] in AD 375.

The settlement of [[Myrmekion]] was founded by [[Ionians]] in the eastern part of what is now Kerch, some four kilometers north-east of ancient [[Panticapaeum]], in the first half of the 6th century BC.<ref>{{cite web|last=[[Alexander Butyagin|Butyagin]] |first=Alexander|url= http://blacksea.ehw.gr/forms/filePage.aspx?lemmaId=10725 |title=Myrmekion|publisher=Foundation of the Hellenic World|date=29 July 2008|access-date=29 October 2018}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:Yenikale fortress in Kerch.jpg|thumb|Yenikale fortress]]

From the 6th century the city was under the control of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. By order of Emperor [[Justinian I]], a citadel named Bospor was built there. Bospor was the centre of a [[bishopric]], the [[diocese of Bosporus]] and developed under the influence of Greek [[Christianity]]. In 576, it withstood a siege by the [[Göktürks]] under Bokhan, aided by Anagai, the last [[khan (title)|khan]] (ruler) of the [[Uturgurs]] (tribe of [[Huns]]).
[[File:Kerch ChurchOfStJohn.jpg|thumb|left|Church of St John the Baptist, built in the 8th century]]

In the 7th century, the [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] [[Khazars]] took control of Bospor, and the city was named '''Karcha''' from Turkic "karşı" meaning 'opposite, facing.' The main local government official during Khazar times was the [[tudun]]. 
During Khazar rule, Kerch was used as a major port for the [[Khazar slave trade]], through which slaves were exported to the [[Black Sea slave trade]].<ref>The World of the Khazars: New Perspectives. Selected Papers from the Jerusalem 1999 International Khazar Colloquium. (2007). Nederländerna: Brill. p. 233</ref>

Christianity was a major religion in Kerch during the period of Khazar rule. Kerch's Church of [[John the Baptist|St. John the Baptist]] was founded in 717; thus, it is the oldest church in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cohen |first=Saul Bernard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C6PLxz8EMk0C&dq=Kerch+John+Baptist+oldest+church+in+Ukraine&pg=PA1876 |title=The Columbia Gazetteer of the World: A to G |year=2008 |pages=1876}}</ref> The Church of the Apostles existed during the late 8th and early 9th centuries, according to the ''Life of the Apostle Andrew'' by [[Epiphanius of Salamis]]. 

Following the fall of Khazaria to [[Kievan Rus']] in the late 10th century, Kerch became the centre of a Khazar [[successor-state]]. Its ruler, [[Georgius Tzul]], was deposed by a [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]]-[[Kievan Rus'|Rus]] expedition in 1016.

From the 10th century, the city was a [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] settlement named Korchev, which belonged to the [[Tmutarakan]] principality. Kerch was a center of trade between Russia', [[Crimea]], [[Caucasus]] and the [[Orient]]. 

In the 13th century, Crimea including Korchev was invaded by [[Mongol invasion of Rus|Mongols]]. After the Mongols, the city became the [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] colony of Cerco (Cherkio) in 1318 and served as a sea harbour, where townspeople worked at salt works and fishery.

In 1475, the city was passed to the [[Ottoman Empire]]. During the Turkish rule Kerch fell into decay and served as a [[History of slavery|slave-market]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Inalcik|first=Halil|chapter=Servile Labor in the Ottoman Empire|chapter-url=http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~fisher/hst373/readings/inalcik6.html|editor1-last=Ascher|editor-first1=Abraham|editor2-last=Király|editor-first2=Béla K.|editor2-link=Béla Király|editor3-last=Halasi-Kun|editor-first3=Tibor|title=The Mutual Effects of the Islamic and Judeo-Christian Worlds: The East European Pattern|place=Brooklyn, N.Y.|publisher=Brooklyn College Press|year=1979|pages=25–43|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504102244/http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~fisher/hst373/readings/inalcik6.html|archive-date=4 May 2017|access-date=29 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It repeatedly suffered from raids of [[Zaporizhian Sich|Zaporizhian Cossacks]].

{{clear}}

===18th–20th centuries===
[[File:Kerch aivazovsky.jpg|thumb|''Kerch'' by [[Ivan Aivazovsky]], 1839]]

In response to the strengthening of [[Russian Empire|Russia]]n military forces in [[Sea of Azov|Azov]] area, the Turks built a fortress, named [[Yenikale]], near Kerch on the shore of [[Kerch Strait]]. The fortress was completed by 1706. In 1771 the [[Imperial Russian Army]] invaded [[Crimea]] and approached Yenikale. The Turks decided to abandon the fortress, though reinforcements from the Ottoman Empire had arrived a few days earlier. By the Peace [[Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji]] in 1774, Kerch and Yenikale were ceded to Russia. As a result, the Turkish heritage has been almost completely wiped out.

In 1790 Russian naval forces under the command of admiral [[Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov|Fyodor Ushakov]] defeated the Turkish fleet at the [[Battle of Kerch Strait (1790)|Battle of Kerch Strait]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mf-black.htm| title= Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Morskoyo Flota ( Naval Force)|website=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=29 October 2018}}</ref>

Because of its location, from 1821 Kerch developed into an important trade and fishing port. The state museum of ancient times and a number of educational institutions were opened in the city. The ironwork factory was built in 1846 based on a huge [[iron ore]] deposit found on Kerch Peninsula.

During the [[Crimean War]] the city was devastated by [[British Empire|British]] forces in 1855.

In the late 19th century, mechanical and [[cement]] factories were built, and tinned food and [[tobacco]] factories were established. By 1900, Kerch was connected to a railroad system, and the fairway of Kerch Strait was deepened and widened. At this time, the population had reached 33,000.

After suffering a decline during the [[World War I|First World War]] and the [[Russian Civil War]], the city resumed its growth in the late 1920s, with the expansion of various industries, iron ore, and metallurgy in particular, and by 1939 its population had reached 104,500.

===Kerch in World War II===
[[File:Керчь. Обелиск Славы на вершине горы Митридат..jpg|thumb|{{Ill|Monument of Glory in Kerch|uk|Обеліск Слави (Керч)}}]]

On the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front of World War II]] from 1941 to 1945, Kerch was the site of heavy fighting between [[Red Army]] and [[Axis powers|Axis]] forces. After fierce fighting, the city was taken by the [[Germany|Germans]] in November 1941. On 31 December 1941, the [[302nd Rifle Division (Soviet Union)|302nd Mountain Rifle Division]] recaptured the city following a naval landing operation at Kamysh Burun, to the south of the city, five days earlier.<ref>{{cite book|last=Forczyk|first=Robert|title=Where the Iron Crosses Grow|publisher=Osprey Publishing|place=Oxford, UK|year=2014|pages=103, 110}}</ref> In 1942 the Germans occupied the city again. The Red Army lost over 160,000 men, either killed or taken [[POW]] at the [[Battle of the Kerch Peninsula (1942)|Battle of the Kerch Peninsula]]. On 31 October 1943 another Soviet naval landing operation was launched. Kerch returned to Soviet control on 11 April 1944.

The German invaders killed about 15,000 citizens and deported another 14,000 during their occupation. Evidence of German atrocities in Kerch was presented in the [[Nuremberg trials]]. After the war, the city was awarded the title [[Hero City (Soviet Union)|Hero City]].

The [[Defense of the Adzhimushkay quarry|Adzhimushkay]] [[catacombs]] in the city's suburbs were the site of [[guerrilla warfare]] against the occupation. Thousands of soldiers and refugees found shelter inside and were involved in counterattacks. Many of them died underground, including those who died of numerous alleged poison gas attacks. Later, a memorial was established on the site.

===Kerch in the Soviet Union===
{{expand section|date=October 2023}}

===Kerch in Independent Ukraine===
{{expand section|date=October 2023}}
On 11 November 2007, a powerful storm passed through the city, causing much damage and an ecological disaster as a few ships, including an oil tanker, were shipwrecked and blocked the [[Kerch Strait]].

===Russian occupation===
{{expand section|date=September 2023}}
As with the other parts of Crimea, {{as of|2023|lc=yes}} Kerch is occupied by Russian forces following the [[Russian occupation of Crimea]] in 2014.

On 17 October 2018, [[Kerch Polytechnic College massacre|a student killed 20 people and himself]] at [[Kerch Polytechnic College]].

==Geography==
[[File:Kerch ViewFromMithridates.jpg|thumb|Kerch, view from Mount Mithridat]]

===Climate===
Kerch has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'')<ref>{{cite journal| last = Kottek | first = M.|author2=J. Grieser |author3=C. Beck |author4=B. Rudolf |author5=F. Rubel | title =World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated| journal =Meteorol. Z.| volume =15 | pages =259–263| url =http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf| doi =10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130| access-date = 11 December 2012| year =2006| issue = 3| bibcode = 2006MetZe..15..259K}}</ref> with cool to cold winters and warm to hot summers.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Kerch (1991–2020, extremes 1936–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 17.3
| Feb record high C = 17.8
| Mar record high C = 23.4
| Apr record high C = 27.6
| May record high C = 30.6
| Jun record high C = 35.2
| Jul record high C = 37.7
| Aug record high C = 37.9
| Sep record high C = 35.5
| Oct record high C = 30.9
| Nov record high C = 23.2
| Dec record high C = 19.4
| year record high C = 37.9
| Jan high C = 3.8
| Feb high C = 4.5
| Mar high C = 8.8
| Apr high C = 14.9
| May high C = 21.0
| Jun high C = 26.0
| Jul high C = 29.0
| Aug high C = 28.9
| Sep high C = 23.4
| Oct high C = 16.9
| Nov high C = 10.2
| Dec high C = 5.8
| year high C = 16.1
| Jan mean C = 0.7
| Feb mean C = 1.1
| Mar mean C = 4.7
| Apr mean C = 10.1
| May mean C = 16.0
| Jun mean C = 21.2
| Jul mean C = 24.1
| Aug mean C = 24.0
| Sep mean C = 18.6
| Oct mean C = 12.6
| Nov mean C = 6.6
| Dec mean C = 2.8
| year mean C = 11.9
| Jan low C = -2.0
| Feb low C = -1.9
| Mar low C = 1.2
| Apr low C = 5.8
| May low C = 11.3
| Jun low C = 16.3
| Jul low C = 19.1
| Aug low C = 19.2
| Sep low C = 13.9
| Oct low C = 8.7
| Nov low C = 3.5
| Dec low C = 0.1
| year low C = 7.9
| Jan record low C = -23.7
| Feb record low C = -23.1
| Mar record low C = -15.6
| Apr record low C = -6.5
| May record low C = -1.1
| Jun record low C = 2.8
| Jul record low C = 9.9
| Aug record low C = 7.5
| Sep record low C = 1.0
| Oct record low C = -5.4
| Nov record low C = -11.8
| Dec record low C = -17.6
| year record low C = -23.7
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 38
| Feb precipitation mm = 29
| Mar precipitation mm = 33
| Apr precipitation mm = 29
| May precipitation mm = 31
| Jun precipitation mm = 53
| Jul precipitation mm = 33
| Aug precipitation mm = 41
| Sep precipitation mm = 35
| Oct precipitation mm = 31
| Nov precipitation mm = 39
| Dec precipitation mm = 37
| year precipitation mm = 429
| Jan snow depth cm = 1
| Feb snow depth cm = 2
| Mar snow depth cm = 1
| Apr snow depth cm = 0
| May snow depth cm = 0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0
| Nov snow depth cm = 0
| Dec snow depth cm = 1
| year snow depth cm = 2
| Jan humidity = 86
| Feb humidity = 83
| Mar humidity = 79
| Apr humidity = 75
| May humidity = 74
| Jun humidity = 70
| Jul humidity = 66
| Aug humidity = 65
| Sep humidity = 71
| Oct humidity = 78
| Nov humidity = 83
| Dec humidity = 85
| year humidity = 
| Jan rain days = 10
| Feb rain days = 9
| Mar rain days = 11
| Apr rain days = 11
| May rain days = 9
| Jun rain days = 10
| Jul rain days = 6
| Aug rain days = 6
| Sep rain days = 8
| Oct rain days = 9
| Nov rain days = 11
| Dec rain days = 11
| year rain days = 111
| Jan snow days = 8
| Feb snow days = 8
| Mar snow days = 5
| Apr snow days = 0.2
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 2
| Dec snow days = 7
| year snow days = 30
| Jan sun = 64.5
| Feb sun = 96.9
| Mar sun = 142.7
| Apr sun = 207.2
| May sun = 282.3
| Jun sun = 307.7
| Jul sun = 349.0
| Aug sun = 322.3
| Sep sun = 246.7
| Oct sun = 172.5
| Nov sun = 92.9
| Dec sun = 59.9
| year sun = 
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name="pogoda">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/33983.htm
| script-title=ru:Климат Керчи
| access-date = 8 November 2021
| website = pogodaiklimat.ru
| language = ru}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/RussianFederation/CSV/Kerch_33983.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Kerch-33983
| publisher = [[NCEI|National Centers for Environmental Information]]
| format = CSV
| access-date = 17 July 2021}}</ref>
|date=April 2012
}}

==Administration==
The city municipality stretches over a substantial area and includes several separate neighborhoods that are part of the Kerch city: Eltigen (Heroyevskoe), Kamysh-Burun (Arshyntsevo), [[Port Krym]], Adzhimushkai, and [[Tuzla Island]].

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|percentages = pagr
|cols = 1
|1897 | 33347<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Cities & towns of Ukraine |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/ukraine-cities.htm |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=pop-stat.mashke.org}}</ref>
|1923 | 25986<ref name=":0" />
|1926 | 34624<ref name=":0" />
|1939 | 104443<ref name=":0" />
|1959 | 98769<ref name=":0" />
|1970 | 127608<ref name=":0" />
|1979 | 156827<ref name=":0" />
|1989 | 174365<ref name=":0" />
|1992 | 180500<ref name=":0" />
|1998 | 167400<ref name=":0" />
|2001 | 157007<ref name=":0" />
|2003 | 155294<ref name=":0" />
|2004 | 153916<ref name=":0" />
|2005 | 152564<ref name=":0" />
|2006 | 151327<ref name=":0" />
|2007 | 150088<ref name=":0" />
|2008 | 149021<ref name=":0" />
|2009 | 148120<ref name=":0" />
|2010 | 147269<ref name=":0" />
|2011 | 146516<ref name=":0" />
|2012 | 145845<ref name=":0" />
|2013 | 145265<ref name=":0" />
|2014 | 144626<ref name=":0" />
|2020 | 151548<ref>{{Cite web| title=Rar file | url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/CcG8qBhP/mun_obr2020.rar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822004543/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/CcG8qBhP/mun_obr2020.rar | archive-date=2020-08-22}}</ref>
|2021 | 154621<ref>{{Cite web| title=Численность населения россии, федеральных округов, субъектов российской федерации, городских округов, муниципальных районов, муниципальных округов, городских и сельских поселений, городских населенных  пунктов, сельских населенных пунктов с населением 3000 человек и более | language=ru | trans-title=Population of Russia, federal districts, constituent entities of the Russian Federation, urban districts, municipal districts, municipal districts, urban and rural settlements, urban populated areas, rural populated areas with a population of 3,000 people or more | format=XLSX | url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901163746/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx | archive-date=2022-09-01}}</ref>
|2024 | 152328<ref>{{Cite web| title=Перечень субъектов РФ | language=ru | trans-title=List of constituent entities of the Russian Federation | format=XLSX | url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/%D0%A1hisl_MO_01-01-2024.xlsx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428232801/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/%D0%A1hisl_MO_01-01-2024.xlsx | archive-date=2024-04-28}}</ref>
|2025 | 151103<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/%D0%A1hisl_MO_01-01-2025.xlsx | title=Перечень субъектов РФ | language=ru | trans-title=List of constituent entities of the Russian Federation | website=rosstat.gov.ru | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260225005807/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/%D0%A1hisl_MO_01-01-2025.xlsx | archive-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>
}}
In 2014, the population of Kerch was 144,626.<ref name=":0" />

==Economy==
Today Kerch is home to many [[metallurgist]]s, shipbuilders, and fishermen. It also has a significant tourism sector.

===Industry===
The largest enterprises in the city are:
* Kerch Metallurgical Works Factory launched in 1900<ref>{{Cite journal |last=L. |first=S. |date=1 May 1952 |title=Iron and Steel in the Soviet Union |journal=The World Today |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=210–222}}</ref>
* Kamysh-Burun Iron Ore Plant
* [[Zaliv Shipbuilding Yard|Zaliv Shipyard]] that produces and repairs tankers and cargo ships.
Construction-materials, food processing, and light industries play a significant role in the city's economy. Kerch is also a fishing fleet base and an important processing centre for numerous fish products.

* Kerch Aircraft Repair Plant KeARZ
* KMZ KMK Metallurgical Plant, Kerch east
* Oil and Gas extraction industry petrochemical and storage
* Zaliv Shipyard, (Kamysh Burun Zheleznogoroda)
* Kvartz Quartz Glass Factory Plant KSZ (Glass (various) and optics, optical materials and instruments) (Kerch)
* PSZ Albatros, PSZ KMPZ Vityaz Priladobudivni (Instruments and Instruments making, Machinery, Engineering)
* Kamysh Burun Iron Metallurgy Plant
* KMZ KMTP SV Fregat floating docks yard and ship repair yard
* KSRZ uvas-trans floating docks yards and ship repair (also lesser Kerch ship repair yards around)

===Tourism===
[[File:Grand_Mithridates_stairs_2021-05-09.jpg|thumb|Mithridates Staircase (19th century)]]
[[File:Керчь.Главная улица .Сентябрь. ..jpg|thumb|Lenina Street in Kerch]]

Because of its location on the shores of the [[Sea of Azov|Azov]] and [[Black Sea|Black]] seas, Kerch became a popular summer resort among people of the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]]. Also, several mud-cure sources are located near the city. Despite the seaside location, the tourist appeal of Kerch today is limited because of the industrial character of the city and associated pollution.
Despite the lack of beaches in the town's area, there are a lot of them at a distance of 20 minutes' travel by bus, train or taxi.

Kerch has a number of impressive architectural and historical monuments. Ancient historical heritage of the city makes it attractive for scientific tourism. The most notable of Kerch's sights are:
*Site of ancient settlement [[Pantikapaion]] (5th century BC–3rd century AD).
*[[Royal Kurgan]] (4th century BC) – burial mound for one of the Bosporian kings
*[[Church of Saint John the Baptist, Kerch|Church of St. John the Baptist]] (AD 717)
*[[Yenikale|Fortress of Yenikale]] (18th century)
*The Great Mithridates Staircase leading on top of the [[Mount Mithridat]], contains 428 footsteps, built in 1833–1840 under the guidance of [[Italy|Italian]] architect [[Alexander Digbi]]
*Obelisk of Glory on the [[Mount Mithridat]], built after World War II
*[[Lapidarium, Kerch|Lapidarium]]
*Memorial of heroic [[Defense of the Adzhimushkay quarry|guerilla warfare in Adzhimushkay mines]]
*[[Kerch Fortress]]; restricted area in Soviet times but free to enter in present days. The fortress was built by the Russian military architect [[Eduard Totleben|Totleben]] in the middle of 19th century.
* Sites of ancient settlements [[Myrmēkion|Myrmekion]], [[Tyritakē|Tyritake]] and [[Nymphaion (Crimea)|Nymphaion]]. There are also some settlements which have gone underwater due to earthquakes.
* [[Demeter]]'s Crypt, a crypt with numerous frescos dated 1st century BC.

===Transport===
[[File:Kerch Housing.jpg|thumb|Private houses are common in Kerch.]]

Kerch has a harbour on the Kerch Strait, which makes it a key to the [[Sea of Azov]]. It has several railroad terminals and a small airport. The [[Kerch Strait ferry line]] across the [[Kerch Strait]] was established in 1953, connecting Crimea and the [[Krasnodar Krai]] ([[Port Krym]] – [[Port Kavkaz]] line); (as of November 2009) there are also plans for a Kerch-[[Poti]] ferry route.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/53185/ |title=Yushchenko says Ukraine to try quickly implement Kerch-Poti ferry route project|agency= Interfax-Ukraine|via=[[Kyiv Post]]|date=19 November 2009}}</ref>
Tavrida Highway work in progress along Kerch railway (two rails) highway (four lanes) bridge to connect Rostov Krasnodar with peninsula.

There are several ports in Kerch, including Kerch Maritime Trading Port, Kerch Maritime Fishing Port, [[Port Krym]] (ferry crossing), Kamysh-Burun Port.

The railroad terminals include: Kerch, Kerch I, Kerch Factory, Arshyntsevo, and Krym.

A bus network connects Kerch to other cities in Crimea and [[Krasnodar Krai]].

==== City transport ====
[[File:Kerch-tram-opendates.png|thumb|Map of tram lines with opening dates]]

Kerch had a tram system that was established in 1935 and destroyed in 1941.
[[File:Kerch-trolleybus-opendates.png|thumb|Trolleybus lines map with dates of opening]]
A trolleybus system was established in 2004, and has one line.

====Crimean Bridge====
{{main|Crimean Bridge}}

On 25 April 2010, Ukrainian President [[Viktor Yanukovych]] and Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] signed an agreement to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait. In January 2015, with Russia now in control, the contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded to [[Arkady Rotenberg]]'s [[Stroygazmontazh|S.G.M. Group]]. In May 2015 construction commenced, and the road section of the bridge was opened to traffic in May 2018. The rail section was opened in 2019, with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] taking the first train across on 23 December.<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/20191223-putin-takes-first-train-across-crimea-bridge ''Putin takes first train across Crimea bridge''], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]], 23 December 2019.</ref> It was [[2022 Crimean Bridge explosion|heavily damaged by an explosion]] on 8 October 2022.


==Culture==
[[File:2015. Богатырские игры в Керчи 042.jpg|thumb|Games of [[Bogatyr]]s in Kerch]]

===Festivals and celebrations===
*Liberation Day (11 April)
*Day of Fishermen (the second Sunday of July)
*Day of the {{not a typo|City}} (the second Saturday of September)

===Education===
[[File:Керчь.Памятник.jpg|thumb|Kerch Brotherhood]]

Kerch hosts (2004):
*28 schools,
*9 institutes and branches of Ukrainian and Russian universities,
*shipbuilding and polytechnical colleges,
*medical school,
*6 [[Professional technical school|PTU]] schools,
*a number of pre-school child institutions

===Archaeology===
[[File:Panticapaea excavations.JPG|thumb|Excavations in Pantikapaeum]]

Archaeological digs in Kerch were launched under Russian auspices in the middle of the 19th century. Since then the site of ancient [[Panticapaeum]] city on [[Mount Mithridat]] has been systematically excavated. Located nearby are several ancient burial mounds ([[kurgan]]s) and excavated cities. Kerch takes part in [[UNESCO]]'s "[[Silk Road]]" programme.<br />
Treasures and historical findings of Kerch adorn the [[Lapidarium, Kerch|Lapidarium]] in Kerch and the collections of major museums around the world. Such as: the [[Hermitage Museum|Hermitage]], the Louvre, the British Museum, the Berlin Museum, the Moscow State Museum of fine arts and many others.<br />
Currently, excavations at ancient fortresses of Kerch are led by scientists from Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.

===Twin towns – sister cities===
{| class="wikitable" style="background:white;"
|-
! City
! Country
! Year
|-
| [[Mogilev]]
| {{flagicon|BLR}} Belarus
| 1998
|-
| [[Smolensk]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| 1998
|-
| [[Çanakkale]]
| {{flagicon|TUR}} Turkey
| 1999
|-
| [[Oryol]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| 2004
|-
| [[Odintsovo]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| 2004
|-
| [[Sochi]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| 2005
|-
| [[Kyiv]]
| {{flagicon|UKR}} Ukraine
| 1997
|-
| [[Tula, Russia]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| 2014
|}
{{clear}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Luke (Voyno-Yasenetsky)|Luke of Simferopol]], (1877–1961), aka ''Saint Luke the Blessed Surgeon'', surgeon and bishop
* [[Pyotr Voykov]] (1888–1927), a Ukrainian Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet diplomat
* [[Yuri Terapiano]] (1892–1980), a Russian poet, writer, translator and literary critic
* [[Jia Ruskaja]] (1902–1970), a Russian dancer and choreographer
* [[Paul Soskin]] (1905–1975), Russian born, British screenwriter and film producer.
* [[Boris Khodorov]] (1922–2014), physiologist and professor of physiology
* [[Alime Abdenanova]] (1924—1944), a Crimean Tatar scout in the Red Army during WWII. 
* [[Volodia Dubinin]] (1928–1942), a [[Young Pioneers (Soviet Union)|Pioneer]] [[Hero of the Soviet Union]]
* [[Vasily Filippenko]] (1936–1968), known as ''The Leningrad Strangler'', a Soviet serial killer
* [[Anatoliy Kokush]] (born 1951), a Ukrainian film engineer, businessman and inventor.
* [[Yuri Adzhem]] (born 1953), a Russian former football coach and player with over 330 club caps
* [[Volodymyr Ivanenko (television executive)|Volodymyr Ivanenko]] (1954-2006), a Ukrainian television producer
* [[Sergey Dorenko]] (1959–2019), Russian TV and radio journalist
* [[Mikhail Reva]] (born 1960), a Ukrainian artist, sculptor, architect and jewelry craftsman
* [[Ihor Leonov]] (born 1967), a Ukrainian former football midfielder and manager
* [[Taras Berezovets]] (born 1975), a Ukrainian activist and political analyst 
* [[Masha Efrosinina]] (born 1979), a Ukrainian TV host and media personality.
* [[Ulyana Nesheva]]  (born 1983), a Ukrainian contemporary painter and tattoo artist
* [[Sevgil Musayeva]] (born 1987), a Ukrainian journalist
* [[Valeriya Strakhova]] (born 1995), a Ukrainian tennis player

==Honours==
A [[minor planet]] [[2216 Kerch]] discovered in 1971 by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] astronomer [[Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova]] is named after the city.<ref>{{cite book | last = Schmadel | first = Lutz D. | title = Dictionary of Minor Planet Names | pages = 180 | edition = 5th  | year = 2003 | publisher = Springer Verlag | location = New York | isbn = 3-540-00238-3}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{| class="graytable"
|+
| width="29%"|[[File:Крепость Керчь 14.JPG|center|200px]]
| width="5%"|
| width="32%"|[[File:Церковь Иоанна Предтечи (интерьер).jpg|center|200px]]
| width="5%"|
| [[File:Crimea Kerch Tsar's barrow-12.jpg|center|200px]]
|-
| align="center"|[[Kerch Fortress]]
|
| align="center"|Interior of the [[Church of Saint John the Baptist, Kerch|Church of Saint John the Baptist]]
|
| align="center"|[[Royal Kurgan (Kerch)|Royal Kurgan]] entrance.
|}

==See also==

* [[Bosporan Kingdom]]
* [[Kerch Fortress]]
* [[Kerch Polytechnic College massacre]]
* [[Kerch Strait]]
* [[Mount Mithridat]]
* [[Panticapaeum]]
* [[Tuzla Island]]
* [[Yeni-Kale]]

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
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{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kerch}}
{{wikivoyage|Kerch}}
*[http://mykerch.com/ Моя Керчь] multi portal My Kerch: news, photo gallery, announcements, etc.
*[http://www.gorodkerch.com Керчь – это город] interactive map of Kerch
*[http://www.kerch.com.ua Керчь – это мой город] unofficial website of Kerch: information, news, photos, forum etc. {{in lang|ru}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080723105941/http://cam.kerch.net/ Webcams]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Kerch | volume= 15 |last1= Kropotkin |first1= Peter Alexeivitch |author1-link= Peter Kropotkin| last2= Bealby |first2= John Thomas| page = 754 |short= 1}}
*[https://www.panoramio.com/map/?tag=Kerch Photos of Kerch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001718/http://www.panoramio.com/map/?tag=Kerch |date=4 March 2016 }} from [[Panoramio]]
*[http://www.asinfo.com.ua/crimea/map/kerch_2.jpg Map of Kerch's Center] (by "Kartografia", 2004)
*[http://discover-ukraine.info/index/crimea/kerch Infos and photos of Kerch in travelguide around Ukraine]
*[http://www.yadvashem.org/untoldstories/database/index.asp?cid=676 The murder of the Jews of Kerch] during [[World War II]], at [[Yad Vashem]] website.

{{Settlements of Crimea}}
{{Cities in Ukraine}}
{{Hero Cities of the Soviet Union}}
{{Hero Cities of Ukraine}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kerch| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Crimea]]
[[Category:Kerch Peninsula]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Taurida Governorate]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Russia]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Russia]]
[[Category:Khazar towns]]
[[Category:Territories of the Republic of Genoa]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the Black Sea]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the Azov Sea]]
[[Category:Cities of regional significance in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in Russia]]