Cherkasy is a city in central Ukraine. It is the capital of the Cherkasy Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Cherkasky Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast. The city is cultural, educational and industrial center of Cherkasy Oblast and Central Economical Region of Ukraine. Cherkasy is famous since 13th century and played a great role in history of Ukraine. Cherkasy was the center of Cossacks, citizens took part in Khmelnychchyna and Koliyivschyna (cossacks and peasants rebellions). The city is located on the right bank of Dnieper River (specifically at the Kremenchuk Reservoir), about 200 km (124 mi) south of the nation`s capital, Kiev. The city is divided into 2 parts (raions) - Sosnivskiy (with Orshanets village) and Pridniprovskiy. The current population of Cherkasy is 285,526 (as of 2010). Cherkasy is situated on the high right bank of the Dnipro River, exactly - in the middle of Kremenchuk Reservoir. Relief of the historical part of the city was influenced by Zamkova (Castle) mountain, where Cherkasy Fortress was situated. Still, the major part of Cherkasy is located in lowlands. The city area as of 2010 is 69 km², it is 17 kilometers long and just 8 km width. From the North-West Cherkasy is surrounded by forest - Cherkaskiy Bir (Cherkassy Forest), which is the biggest (28,500 hectares) natural pine forest in Ukraine. Climate of Cherkasy is mild continental with mild winters and warm (last time - hot) summers. Average temperature in the city - +7,7 °C. Winters are usually cold and snowy (average January temperature - -5,9 °C), but last winters are rather warm with rare severe frosts (up to -25 °C). Summers are dry and warm (average temperature in July - +19,8 °C), with occasional jumps of temperature up to +35 °C.