Region
This historical region in the northeast of Ukraine borders the Russian Federation. Ukrainians actively settled in this region in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its name comes from the self-governed settlements (Ukr. "slobidky"), whose residents were free for a long time and enjoyed various benefits. Various crafts and arts were traditionally developed here, and a lively trade hub emerged. The largest cities of the region are Kharkiv and Sumy. The region's landscapes are diverse: forests, natural parks, and industrial centres. A ridge of chalk rocks and hills stretches for several kilometres in the protected areas of the Dvorichanskyi National Nature Park.
