Odessa
a city and seaport of South Russia, on the N. W. coast of the Black Sea, half-way between the mouths of the Dniester and Bug. The harbor, which is artificial, is formed of two moles, and is capable of accommodating over 200 vessels. It is defended by two batteries toward the sea; and on the E. side is a citadel, which commands the town and port. The principal building is the cathedral of St. Nicholas. Facing the port is a large statue in bronze of the Duke de Richelieu. A great drawback is the scarcity of wood and water, and the in- ODIN ŒDEMA tensity of the heat, which frequently ists were overthrown he was created reaches 120°, and destroys the vegetation Chief of the Staff to Espartero. He took of the vicinity. Odessa is the emporium the side of the queen-mother in 1840, emifor the produce of Southern Russia, and owes its rapid growth to its being a free port. The great trade of the town and its principal export, is corn, which, garnered here from the adjacent Ukraine and Moldavia, is shipped to almost every part of Europe. Odessa was founded by Catherine II., in 1794. Pop. about 600,000. Odessa was the scene of anti- Jewish riots in 1905-1906, when many persons were killed. The mutinous Black Sea fleet also threatened the city.
The port was closed during the Balkan War, 1912-1913. It was bombarded by a Turkish fleet in the World War in 1914.
ODIN. See WODEN.