Zaporizhya (Запоріжжя), the capitol of the region, is a city of more than 860,000 residents on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro. It dates back to Kozak origins in 1553. Rebuilt after World War II, the city has modern architecture and wide tree-lined streets. Zaporizhya is an educational and research center and has an array of cultural facilities. Even with its scenic and cultural attractions, Zaporizhya's overwhelming impression is that of a dirty, polluted city, with huge smokestacks spewing out black clouds of smoke. The city's gigantic industrial complex owes its existence to the massive steel and concrete Dnipro Hydroelectric Station dam. Built from 1927 to 1932 with the help of Canadian and American engineers, the dam was the USSR's first hydroelectric dam and provided energy for Zaporizhya's extensive industrial growth. Partly destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt and expanded. The city is also the site of Europe's largest nuclear power station. It's the home of Ukraine's auto industry, led by Daewoo, the South Korean conglomerate. Other factories make aircraft engines, iron and steel, agricultural machinery, and chemicals.