Mykolaiv (Ukrainian: Миколаїв, pronounced [mɪkoˈlɑjiu̯]) is a city and municipality in Southern Ukraine, the administrative center of the Mykolaiv Oblast. Mykolaiv is located on the Southern Bug River (and has the most downriver bridge crossing of that river), with access to the Black Sea and is one of the main shipbuilding centers of the Black Sea. Aside from three shipyards within the city, there are a number of research centers specializing in shipbuilding such as the State Research and Design Shipbuilding Center, Zoria-Mashproekt and others. As of 2021, the city has a population of 476,101. Mykolaiv holds the honorary title Hero City of Ukraine.