Crimea Ukraine Republic

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• overview
• history
• economy
• main attractions

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Crimea Ukraine Republic overview

Crimea coat of arms

Crimea flag

Crimea map location

Crimean peninsula situated on the southern edge of Ukraine between Black Sea and Azov Sea is divided into two parts. One is steppe area, with huge open spaces and a dry, hot summer.

The other is the coast, which has a subtropical climate. The natural boundary between the areas is the eye-catching Crimean Mountains, which contains a dormant volcano called Kara-Dag.

Crimea was one of the most famous resorts in Russian-Soviet empires since the 18th century. Crimea remains a favorite resort of Ukrainians and Russians because of its warm sea, clean air and bright sun.

Other reasons why Crimea is popular include hot springs, mineral waters and the mud baths of Saky. A series of invasions has made the art, architecture and other parts of culture of Crimea what it is today.

Crimea Ukraine population - 1,973,000 (2007).
Crimea Ukraine land area - 26,100 sq. km.

Crimea beautiful views

Crimea scenery

Crimea Ukraine Republic history

Scythians established a kingdom in the steppes of Crimea in 4 BC. You can still see the ruins of Scythian capital of Neapolis on the southern edge of Simferopol, present capital of Crimea.

Greek colonies united to form the Bosporan kingdom near Scythian kingdom in 5 BC. The most important Greek colony was Chersonese, which was established where the present-day city of Sevastopol is located. You can still see the ruins of the colony in Sevastopol, the second-largest city in Crimea.

Chersonese became a vassal state of Roman Empire about the time of Christ. Christianity arrived in Crimea in the third century. After forcing Chersonese to accept it, Prince Volodimir began establishing Christianity throughout present-day Ukraine and into Russia.

Meanwhile, German tribes known as Goths conquered Scythians in the 5th century. Italian traders from the city-states of Venice and Genoa captured some of the coastal lands of Crimea in the 13th century.

Crimea nature

Crimea landscape

Later in the 13th century, Mongols took the peninsula - then named Tauricia - and renamed it Kyrym, from which its present name is derived. Crimea was the seat of the Mongol empire for two centuries.

After winning Russo-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774, Russia annexed Crimea. Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians and Germans flooded in to the area after that. In 1854 - 1855 Crimean peninsula became the main theater of Crimean War between Russia, England and France.

On February 19, 1954 Crimea was transferred from Russian SFSR (present Russia) to Ukrainian SSR (present Ukraine) as a gift to friendly Ukraine nation from Russians.

With the collapse of Soviet Union, Crimea became the part of newly independent Ukraine. But Crimean population was ethnically and culturally Russian for the most part. This led to tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Also Russian Black Sea Fleet is based on Crimean peninsula in Sevastopol city.

Crimea pictures

Crimea architecture

Crimea Ukraine Republic economy

Crimea republic industry: food processing, chemical and petrochemical industries, machine-building, fuel industry (oil extraction).

Crimea republic agriculture: grains, vegetables, fruits, grapes; cattle and poultry farming.

Crimea photo

Crimea Ukraine Republic main attractions

"Lastochkino Gnezdo" (Swallow's Nest)

This incredibly beautiful building clings to a cliff right over the sea. Architect A.Sherwood designed it to look like a medieval castle. It was built in 1911-1912 in Haspra, above Aurora's cliff.

"Polyana Skazok" (Meadow of Fairy Tales)

This open-air museum contains more than 200 sculptures that represent various fairy tales. Crimean artists, wood carvers and stonecutters created the pieces. The fairy-tale museum is a branch of local historical museum. It is about 3 miles from Yalta city.

Palace of Livadiya

This was a summer residence of Russia's tsars in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are 60 buildings on the complex. The centerpiece is the Great Palace, built in Italian Renaissance style with elements of Byzantine, Gothic and Arabic architecture. Yalta conference of 1945, during which Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin completed plans for Germany's defeat, was held on the palace grounds.

Genoese Fortress of Sudak and Noviy Svet

This is a gem on Crimean seaside. It has wonderful mountain vistas, a gorgeous coastline and is a grape-growing area. The first settlement was in 212. Genoese fortress was built between 1371 and 1409. It is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the world.

The nearby village of Noviy Svet has been the center of champagne production since the 18th century. The area between Sudak and Noviy Svet includes two lovely grottos. There are three lagoons in the area as well. The green, blue and dark-blue waters make it one of the most picturesque seascapes in this part of the world.

Nikitskiy Botanical Garden

This superb example of architectural landscaping is also the largest scientific-research establishment by area in southern Ukraine - and a nature preserve. More than 28,000 species and hybrids of tropical plants have been assembled here.

The arboretum is one of the finest in the world. The trees and shrubs are planted in individual groups or picturesque clusters that blend into a single artistic design. There is also wonderful rosarium and a special display of clematis and chrysanthemums.

Yalta city of Crimea

This is the most famous resort on Crimean coast. It is a beautiful, optimistic, light-hearted city. When you're here, you'll feel like you're on an endless holiday. The beaches and mountains are breathtaking, the plants lush, the buildings inviting, the inhabitants warm.

Yalta never sleeps. You can hardly notice the difference between day and night because everything is alive and moving. Part of Yalta's cosmopolitan nature stems from the fact that a series of cultures have dominated it.

Crimea cathedral

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