Crimea

Crimea, autonomous republic, southern Ukraine. The republic is coterminous with the Crimean Peninsula, lying between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. In 2014 Russia covertly invaded and illegally annexed Crimea, a move that was denounced by the international community. Area 10,400 square miles (27,000 square km). Pop. (2001) 2,033,736; (2013 est.) 1,965,177.

Geography

The peninsula is connected on the northwest to the mainland by the Perekop Isthmus, a 5-mile- (8-km-) wide strip of land that has been the site of numerous battles for the control of Crimea. Between Crimea and the mainland to the north lies Syvash (“Putrid Sea”), a network of shallow inlets that is separated from the Sea of Azov by the Arabat Spit, a 70-mile- (113-km-) long sandbar along the eastern shore of Crimea. Brines from Syvash supply chemical plants at Krasnoperekopsk in northwestern Crimea.

Crimea itself comprises three regions. The first of these, consisting of the northern and central part of Crimea (which constitutes about three-fourths of the peninsula), is made up of a level plain that slopes down gently from south to north. This steppe region is under intensive agricultural cultivation, with winter wheat, corn (maize), potatoes, and sunflowers among the main crops. The climate is dry and continental, and additional water supplies are brought by canal from the Dnieper River at Kakhivka (Kakhovka).

The second region, the Kerch Peninsula, thrusts eastward toward the Russian kray (territory) of Krasnodar and consists of low hills rich in iron ore. The mud volcanoes and mineral springs that dot the landscape have given rise to a spa industry that draws both domestic and international tourists. There is steppe vegetation, but large-scale agricultural development has been hindered by the limited availability of suitable soil. Heavier industry is concentrated in the city of Kerch, traditionally a centre of large-scale iron ore mining. A 12-mile- (19-km-) long bridge spans the Kerch Strait, linking Crimea and Russia.

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The third region is made up of the alpine fold mountains of the south, which form three chains parallel to the southern coast. These chains of flat-topped limestone blocks, known as the Crimean Mountains, rise successively higher from the north to the south (with steep-faced southern slopes and gentler northern slopes), topping out at 5,069 feet (1,545 metres) at Mount Roman-Kosh. This range drops steeply to the sea, where there is a narrow coastal plain broken by cliffs and headlands. Precipitation in the mountainous belt is significantly greater than elsewhere in Crimea, its average annual rainfall totals exceeding 23 inches (600 mm). The mountains have a luxuriant and varied forest vegetation of oak, beech, hornbeam, maple, and other species, which give way to juniper and meadow grasses at higher elevations. The southern coast, sheltered by the mountains from cold northern air, has a mild Mediterranean climate. Many exotic plants have been introduced, such as cypress, oleander, almond, and myrtle, together with palms and other subtropical flora.

On the lower mountain slopes of the south are many vineyards. Tobacco is important, as are flowers for perfume. Most towns are engaged in processing farm produce, especially wine making. Simferopol, the administrative centre of the republic, is located in the foothills of the Crimean Mountains. It has a diversified economy of light industry and services, and it is a major regional transportation hub. The Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, located in Nauchny, is one of the largest astronomical research facilities in eastern Europe. There are a number of stone quarries, especially for limestone and diorite. Along the southern coast, tourism is extremely important, with Yalta, Gurzuf, Alushta, and Alupka among the main centres. The port city of Sevastopol serves as the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.