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THE CRIMEA___________________________
GEOGRAPHY
Located in Eastern Europe and washed by Black Sea and Sea of Azov, Crimean Peninsula with 26 100 km2 territory borders with Kherson distric(Ukraine) in the north and separated from Krasnodarsky Kray(Russia) by Kerch strait in its east.
The capital of Autonomous Republic of the Crimea is Simferopol.
Major cities: Feodosia, Kerch, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Sudak, Yalta, Yvpatoria. But total - 16 cities.
Nature reserves : Askania-Nova, Cape Aiya, Crimean reserve, Lebyazh`y ostrova(Swan Islands) and Yalta reserve.
Main rivers: Salgir, Indol, Biuk-Karasu, Tchernaya, Belbek, Kacha, Alma.
Highest mountains: Roman-Kosh (1545m), Demir-Kapu (1540m), Zeytin-Kosh (1534m), Kemal-Egerek (1529m), Eklizi-Burun (1527m), Angara-Burun (1453m).
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POPULATION
Population of the Crimea is 2 033 700 people. About one hundred twenty five nationalities live at Peninsula. Local population mostly consisted of Russians - 58,5%, Ukrainians - 24,4% and Crimean Tartars - 12,1%, also represented Armenians - 0,4%, Jews - 0,2%, Greeks -0,1%, Germen - 0,1% and others.
Language composition: 77% of Crimean population consider Russian as their native language, 11,4% - Crimean-Tartar as their native and 10,1% - Ukrainian.
Official State language in Crimea is Ukrainian.
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CLIMATE
Southern Coast of the Crimea has sub-Mediterranean, mild continental climate with hot dry summer and mild warm humid winter. Average temperature in summer
|July| +23,0° +24,5° and in winter |January| +2,0° +4,0°. Annual precipitation at Southern coast of the Crimea is about 350-650(mm).We have 250-300 SUNNY DAYS per year.
Mountain part divides Southern Coast of the Crimea from Midland has light continental climate with warm and mild humid summer and cool humid winter.
Midland part of the Crimea has mild continental steppe climate with hot dry summer and cool humid winter. Average temperature in summer |July| +22,0° +23,5° and in winter |January| -2,3° - 0,0°. Annual precipitation at Midland of the Crimea is about 340-480(mm).
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HISTORY in FIGURES
VII B.C. - Crimea within Scythia
VI B.C. - V B.C. - Foundation of Greek colonies
V B.C. - IV A.D. - Bosporus Kingdom
V A.D. - XIII A.D. - Crimea within Byzantine Empire
V A.D. - XI A.D. - Cave towns
988 A.D. - Compain of Prince Vladimir and adoption of Christianity at Chersonesus
XIII A.D. - XV A.D. - Greek Kingdom Theodoro
XIII A.D. - XV A.D. - Genoese at Crimea
1475 - Turks invasion
8 April 1783 - Russian Empress Catherine the Great signed Manifest according which Crimea became part of Russian Empire
1854 - 1856 Crimean War
4 - 11 February 1945 - Yalta (Crimean) Conference of Anti-Nazy Coalition
20 January 1991 - Referrendum for recreation of Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialistic Republic
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VISA REQUIREMENTS
Ukraine introduced a visa free regime for citizens of the countries of European Union, U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, San Marino, Monaco, Iceland, Vatican, Andorra and Liechtenstein, who may stay in Ukraine without visas up to 90 days.
A passport valid for six months beyond the planned date of travel is required. For citizens of the above mentioned countries who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions of the above mentioned countries in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, visas are still required. No visas are required for citizens of CIS countries (except Turkmenistan).
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YALTA______________________________
For centuries Yalta - the jewel of the Crimea - has lured millions of people with its mild climate, stunningly beautiful natural surroundings, warm sea, vast historical and cultural heritage, and special relaxed artistic atmosphere. The tourism capital of the country, Yalta has always been a crossroads of different cultures - from the ancient Tauri, Huns, Scythians, Greeks to the Tartars, the Russians, the Ukrainians, and provides the guests with opportunities of both sea-and-sun rest, and extensive sightseeing. Palaces of Emperors and noblemen, wineries, botanical gardens, museum are all open to welcome guests. Yalta belonged to Byzantium in the 6th century and first mentioned in writing in 1154 by an Arabian geographer Al-Idricy as Byzantine port and fishing village of Dzhalita. In the 14th century it was known as the Genoese colony of Etalita. In 1475 it passed to Turkey and remained under Turkish Domination until annexation to Russia in the 18th century, when Catherine the Great lavishly gave away land in the newly acquired territories to her nobles. Yalta grew in size and was surrounded by prosperous estates. Since the 18th century Yalta has been chosen a place to live and rest by nobility and Imperial families, party leaders (during the soviet era), famous writers, poets, creative people (Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy were among its famous inhabitants). Yalta is located on the Southern tip of the Crimean penninsula and is spectacularly surrounded by the amphitheater of the Crimean Mountains with the peaks of Mt. Ai-Petri (St. Peter) towering above. The air of mountain pine forests and the sea breezes make the unique combination, famous for its curative properties. This blend, has been one of the factors for the development of numerous health resorts, which began to evolve here in the 19th century. The 1960s-70s saw the rapid development of the city's recreational infrastructure, when over hundred facilities of all calibres were built. After the colapse the Soviet Union tourist infrastructure began the switch to new realities of market economy to meet requirements of more demanding tourists from worlwide Yalta is a wonderful city that calls you feel the atmosphere of sunny resort.
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Livadia Palace
Livadia ( The White) Palace - is one of the most interesting places at south coast of the Crimea. The White Palace, designed by architect Nikolay Krasnov in Renaissance style, was constracted for imperial family in 1911. It was summer residence of the last Russian tsar Nicolas II and his family. In February 1945 it became a place where the Crimean Conference of the Government executives of the anti-Hitler coalition countries (Stalin from USSR, Roosevelt from USA and Churchil from Great Britain) took place, besides it was residence of US president Teodor Roosevelt for the period of Yalta conference.
Vorontsov Palace
Alupka ( Vorontsov ) Palace - was consctructed in 1828-1848 by serf-masters according to the project of A.Blore. The Palace is built in pseudo-gothic style with the eastern stlyle elements. Opened for visitors sonce 1921, the Palace-museum hs the original interiors, collections of furniture, painting, china. bronzes, cut-glass ware. Around the Palace there's a wonderful Alupka Park, grounded in 1820 - one of the most known landscape parks in Ukraine. The park consists of the upper and the lower zones and has a large amount of landscape architecture..
Massandra Palace - the Palace of emperor Alexander III, built by design of French architect Bouchart on the slopes of the mountain ridge in the lonely place surrounded by the wood. The constraction started in 1881 under the order of the governor's heir, grand duke S.M.Vorontsov, but only after seven years since his death incompleted palace was bougth by emperor Alexander III and was finished in 3 years. In Soviet period this architectural monument was the closed object as Tsar's Palace, became the state cottage, where Communist party and government leaders stopped to rest. Nowadays the palace is opened for your visit.
Anton Chekhov came in Yalta for the first time in 1888 and 10 years later settled here for constant living. On the former outskirts of Autka he had bought a small lot, where by the project of architector Shapovalov in September 1899, building of the house was completed. Its national and harmonic volumes were conditioned by "modern" style. Plays: "The cherry garden", "Three sisters", the story "In the gully", and miscellaneous narratives, had been written by Chekhov here. Being guests of the authors Kuprin, Bunin, Gorkiy had been working on their productions, here came Levitan, Shaliapin, Rachmaninov and other agents of culture. In 1921 Chekhov's house was pronounced as museum and the author's sister Maria Pavlovna Chekhova, who had been living with him constantly, was appointed the Life keeper of the house. She managed to preserve the legacy of A.P. Chehov also in the time of the Nazi occupation.
Alexander Nevsky cathedral, that is situated at the opening of Kirov street in Yalta, resembles old Russian churches of the seventeenth century due to the grouping of its domes and rich decorative attire. The church was built in the late XIX century - early XX century to the design by architect Krasnov who designed Livadia Palace and Shapovalov, the interior trim was done after the sketch by Kroshechkin.
Dear Travelers,
If you have any questions re these destinations (attractions, transportation, currency etc) do not hesitate to post your questions. I `ll be glad to assist you
