Homeland

Today I would like to tell you about Crimea, my precious homeland, the place where I was born and lived for 32 years of my life. Crimea is a unique historical and cultural reserve that amazes by its antiquity and diversity. The history of Crimea is a blend of the East and the West, the history of the Greeks and the Golden Horde, the churches of the first Christians and mosques.

Crimean peninsula is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. It is almost completely surrounded by both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the northeast. Its favourable natural and climate conditions and plenty of animals brought first people, Neanderthals, to the peninsula. It happened approximately 150,000 years ago. Through many centuries, different peoples lived here, carried wars, built and destroyed cities; one civilization replaced another. Here in Crimea lived such peoples as: Cimmerians, Tauri, Scythians, Greeks, Romans, Mongols, Tatars, Turks, etc. Tauri settled on the southern coast of Crimea and named the peninsula, which was known in ancient times as Taurica. In different times, Crimea was also called Taurida and Tauris. In the 13th century, the peninsula was renamed into Crimea by the Tatars. Due to geographical location and unique natural conditions, since ancient times, Crimean peninsula was a crossroads of transit shipping routes. Short and warm winter, long sunny summer, wealthy flora and fauna enabled ancient tribes and peoples to hunt, fish, breed cattle, farm, etc. Abundance of ironstone furthered craft, metallurgy and mining. Almost all Crimean regional historical museums display unique exhibits - archeological finds which prove existence of the primitive prehistoric men on the peninsula.

The modern Crimea has considerably changed and become even more delightful and stunning by its beauty of nature and historical-architectural memorials which have remained through centuries.  Different ethnic groups live here today. The population is mostly comprised of Russians, followed by Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, Belarusians, Armenians, Jews, Moldovans, Poles, Greeks, Germans, Bulgarians and Gypsies. The total number of population today is 2,340,921.

The official languages are Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean-Tatar. For all school students, it is mandatory to learn Russian as a native language, and then optional Ukrainian or Crimean-Tatar, English or German as a second language.

The capital of Crimea is the city of Simferopol. It is a big industrial city, also, known as a students’ city because of a large number of universities and colleges. Youth from many cities of Crimea study here to get higher education. The biggest Crimean cities are Sevastopol, Simferopol, Kerch, Yevpatoria and Feodosia.

Crimea is a unique peninsula, where on its territory simultaneously exist three natural and climatic zones: steppes with the temperate continental climate, the Crimean Mountains with the Mediterranean climate and the South Coast of Crimea with the subtropical climate.  Winters are mild and rainy, summers are hot and dry. The average temperature in January is -1 and 25 in July. The Black Sea water temperature in summer months is from 22 to 25, with the high of 30, but in winter months it is 8. It is remarkable that the beaches on the south-west of Crimea are shingle, while the ones on the other part of peninsula are sandy.

Today, Crimea is a world’s health resort, one of the most attractive tourist regions with its unique landscaping and natural resources. Crimea is also known as a child’s health resort. Every summer season, millions of tourists from Europe, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Belarus and other countries vacation in Crimea. Mostly, these vacationers are family people who want to have a quiet holiday. Healing power of the sun, the Black Sea, the air of the Crimean Mountains and forests, numerous rivers, the beauty of the landscape, natural and historical memorials – all attract more and more tourists and vacationers every year.

Tourism is the mainstay of the Crimean economy. Also, peninsula economy is based on agriculture, fishing, mining, metallurgical and steel industry, shipbuilding, fuel, chemical, and food production industries. There are a total of 291 large industrial enterprises and 1002 small business enterprises. Agriculture in the region includes vegetable-growing, wine-making and gardening.

The Black Sea ports of Crimea provide quick access to the Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans and Middle East. Historically, possession of the southern coast of Crimea was sought after by most empires since antiquity. The Dnieper River links the Black Sea with the Baltic Sea. The Black Sea connects the Caucasus region and the Caspian Sea to central and Eastern Europe.

Crimea is one of a few regions of Eastern Europe associated with culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Crimean culture of the Middle Ages is highly bonded with Byzantium and the Mediterranean cultures. Crimea is the historical homeland of Crimean-Tatars and many other people who brought in their cultures from afar. Therefore, the Middle Ages culture of the peninsula was formed by the impact of Muslim culture - the Ottoman and Tatar architecture. In its numerous of cultural heritage are reflected historical events, culture and religion of different epochs and peoples.

In Crimea are instituted large-scale scientific centres such as oceanic, eco-biological, historical and archaeological, touristic, medical, agricultural, wine-making, military-space, aviation and naval profiles. Also, many universities have been leading scientific research on wide range of matters.

A few interesting facts about Crimea:

1. The world’s most powerful electric power station on solar battery was built by Austrian company “Active Solar” in a small Crimean town in 2011. Its power is 100 MWt.  
2. More than 2,700 varieties of unique plants are endemic to Crimea. Out of them more than 240 plants are red-listed.
3. The Europe’s longest intercity trolleybus line with the length of 95 km was built in Crimea. It extends from Simferopol to Yalta.
4. Two asteroids, Tauris and Crimea, were named in honour of the Crimean peninsula.
5. The Europe's biggest astronomical-physical observatory was established in Crimea. The first telescope was set up in 1949. Since then, more than 850 of asteroids were discovered by it.
6. The Sea of Azov is the shallowest sea in the world. Its average depth is 8m, with the maximum depth of 15m.
7. The lighthouse of Yevpatoria is the highest one in the Russian Federation. Its height is 52m. The extension of the light beam is 32 kilometers.
8. Feodosia is the only city of Crimea with saved antique name. The meaning of its name is “Given by God”. The city was founded in the 6th century BC.

I could write many more interesting things about Crimea, but will save some for later. I hope it was an informative and interesting article to you readers, and that you enjoyed reading it.

I will always have a special spot in my heart for the place which gave me joyful, unforgettable years of life and will cherish these precious memories throughout my new life in Canada.