Capital of Zhitomir oblast in western Ukraine, 125 km/78 mi west of Kiev; population (2001) 284,200. Zhitomir, on the Teterev River, is a timber and grain centre, and has furniture factories, sugar refineries, and a large brewing industry. The city was founded in the 13th century.
Black, red, and green are known as the ‘black liberation’ colours, recalling Jamaican black activist Marcus Garvey. Taken from the arms of Nyasaland, the sun indicates the dawning of a new era. Effective date: 6 July 1964.