Mariupol', from 1948 to 1989 called Mariupol', city, southeastern Ukraine, at the mouth of the Kal'mius River on the Sea of Azov. Mariupol' is an important seaport, a railroad terminus, and an industrial center. In the city are steel mills, shipyards, chemical plants, and fish canneries. A metallurgical institute is also here. The city was founded as Mariupol' in 1779 by Crimean Greeks. During World War II it was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1943 and suffered heavy damage. For 41 years it was called Mariupol' in honor of Andrey Zhdanov, a Communist official. Population (1998 estimate) 500,000.
