Talk:Freedom Square, Kharkiv

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Shouldn't that be spelled "ploshcha", with a shch? But then, although I love Ukrainian names, I think this should properly be at Independence Square, Kharkiv, according to WP naming conventions. —Michael Z. 2005-09-9 04:49 Z

[edit] Size

Let's make up our minds about what this article says about the size of the square. According to Europe, Moscow is geographically part of Europe. Pure numbers indicate that the Red Square is bigger (also try using google maps and you'll see for yourself). In this case, Freedom Square is not the biggest square in Europe. Shall we fix the article or are there any objections? --Romanski 16:52, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

Red Square is about 7,3 hectare [1] or according to other urealiable source is 6,9512 ha [2]. If number provided in article is correct - Kharkiv square is bigger. --TAG 20:27, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

I added the links to the google maps views earlier. I think on the contrary they show that the square in Kharkov is somewhat larger - shorter (300 meters while Red Square is closer to 330), but wider (slightly below 100 m, while Red Square is more like 70 m). However there are huge caveats in these measurements: for instance by most definitions the eastern boundary of Red Square is Saint Basil's Cathedral, but you often see lengths of 600 m of more, which also include the neighboring "St Basils' Descent" on the other side of the cathedral (see [3]). Whether that should be counted as part of "Greater Red Square" or not is really a matter of taste. Also, some measurements report a higher value for the width: this seems to consider Lenin's Tomb as being "on" the square (which then extends to the walls of the Kremlin) rather than bordering it... Similar problems with Ploshcha Svobody: there is a circular road loop that extends to the west of the square, designed for military parades (see [4]). Is that part of the square ? What about the clump of trees in the middle, should that count ?? The problem is that different sources (especially on the internet) have different standards and it's not always clear which ones. Plus there is a fair bit of exaggeration going on, with supporter of each side quoting unlikely numbers. If there are authoritative numbers available - or even better, some "international standard" guidelines on how to judge these things, please make them known! Otherwise the current values, given by the size of the main rectangular area in the squares, seem like a good default.--Nberger 22:21, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree with this. I've created List of city squares by size - let's see the Red Square supporters make a huge fuss! In any case, I believe satellite photographs are a very reliable source, and the main dispute is really about the definition of what constitutes a square. --Romanski 16:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)