Crimea (history, geography, population). Crimean peninsula. Geography, mountains and steppes of Crimea - My Geography

1. Physiographic characteristics of the Caucasus

2. Physiographic characteristics of Crimea

CAUCASUS

Geographical position

The Caucasus is part of the Crimean-Caucasian mountainous country, lying south of the Russian Plain. The Caucasus itself is located between the Caspian and Black Seas. The mountain systems of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus and the foothill lowlands and elevated plains extend here. The Caucasus is separated from the Russian Plain by the Kuma-Manych depression. Russia owns only part of this physical-geographical country: the plains of the Ciscaucasia and the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus (up to the Samur River); The state border runs along the watershed ridge. Only in the northwest we own the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus (up to the Psou River). This region is called the North Caucasus, its area is about 300 thousand km2, its length from northwest to southeast is over 1000 km, in the perpendicular direction only 400 km. The North Caucasus lies between 41˚N. and 47˚N, at the junction of the temperate and subtropical zones. According to the characteristics of nature, three regions are distinguished here: the Greater Caucasus (mountain region); Western and Middle Ciscaucasia (foothill steppe region); Terek-Kuma Lowland (Eastern Ciscaucasia).

Geology and relief

Ciscaucasia lies on the Scythian Epihercynian Plate, which formed in the Paleozoic. The middle of the Caucasian belt formed in the Alpine folding. The oldest Precambrian deposits (gneisses, crystalline schists) are found in the axial part of the Main Range. At the beginning of the Paleozoic there was a continental regime in this territory. During the Hercynian stage of development, the entire Ciscaucasia and Greater Caucasus experienced a trough, the country was flooded by the sea, and then folding began, and volcanic-sedimentary strata with clayey shales and limestones were formed (up to 5-6 km). In the Mesozoic, tectonic movements intensified, and the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus was a geosyncline where sandy-clayey sediments up to 10-12 km thick accumulated. This was followed by transgression, which also covered the Scythian plate. The rise began in the Paleogene. During the Alpine cycle of tectogenesis, the orogenic stage in the development of the Caucasus and the formation of the Cis-Caucasian trough began. At the same time, along with the rise of mountains, denudation processes also occurred. In Quaternary times, the relief of the Greater Caucasus became younger. The total rise was 4-5 km, and the foothill depressions continued to sink. An anticlinal fold formed in the area of ​​the Stavropol Upland. In the Greater Caucasus, the Elbrus and Kazbek volcanoes have become active. Climate cooling led to the development of mountain glaciation, which took place in several stages and influenced the development of flora and fauna. The tectonic development of the Caucasus continues today; it is rising at a rate of 1-3 mm per year. The entire region is characterized by increased seismicity. Moreover, the foci of earthquakes are close to the surface.

Orographically, the country is divided into the Ciscaucasia and the Greater Caucasus. Ciscaucasia lies on the Scythian plate, along the northern border, which stretches (700 km) from the Sea of ​​Azov to the Caspian Sea. In relief it corresponds to the Kuma-Manych depression. The central part of the Ciscaucasia is occupied by the Stavropol Upland, the highest height of which in the southwest reaches 830 m. It is based on the Stavropol Arch, within which the depth of the foundation is from 0.5 to 2.5 km. To the west of the Stavropol Upland there is the Kuban-Azov lowland, at the base of which is the Azov-Kuban depression, with a foundation depth of up to 3 km. The eastern part of the Ciscaucasia is occupied by the Terek-Kuma Lowland, which is based on the depression of the same name; here the depth of the foundation is more than 6 km. This lowland is, in fact, the southwestern edge of the Caspian lowland. To the south of the Stavropol Upland there is the Mineralovodskaya (Pyatigorsk) group of island mountains - laccoliths. To the west and east of it lie marginal troughs, turning into anticlinal folds of the Tersky and Sunzhensky ridges, which are intermediate structures between the Ciscaucasia and the Greater Caucasus.

The Greater Caucasus is a huge mountain structure, about 1000 km long and 30 km wide near Novorossiysk to 180 km in Dagestan. This is a large asymmetric meganticlinorium. Its core contains Precambrian, Paleozoic and Triassic rocks. They are bordered by Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene and Neogene strata. The Greater Caucasus is divided into three longitudinal belts (zones): the northern slope belt (a system of several parallel ridges); axial belt – Main (Vodorasdelny) and Lateral ridges; belt of the southern slope (lies outside Russia). Along the strike of the Caucasus, there are also transverse segments (segments): 1) The Central Caucasus is the highest, all the “five thousand meters” of Russia are located here (Elbrus - 5642 m, Dykhtau - 5204 m, Kazbek - 5033 m, etc.); 2) Western Caucasus - from Elbrus to Mount Fisht - decreases to the northwest, highest point Mount Dombay-Ulgen (4046 m); 3) Northwestern Caucasus - from Mount Fisht to the Taman Peninsula - this is a low-mountain Black Sea chain, its heights decrease from Mount Fisht (2868 m) to 500 m and to Novorossiysk; 4) Eastern Caucasus - lies east of Kazbek, a number of peaks exceed 4000m. The predominant type of relief in the mountains and in the Ciscaucasia is water erosion; here the depth of erosion is the greatest in Russia, on average 2000 m, and in the upper reaches of Teberda up to 3000 m. In the Ciscaucasia the processes of river accumulation and gully erosion dominate. The presence of cuesta ridges is associated with different stability of rocks. There is karst. The highlands are characterized by glacial landforms. In the mountains there are rockfalls and screes.

Climate and surface waters

The climate of the Caucasus is influenced by its geographical location in the southwest of Russia, on an isthmus between the seas, as well as by mountainous terrain. The Caucasus receives a large amount of solar radiation per year. The country lies at the junction of two climatic zones - temperate and subtropical. Only the Black Sea coast belongs to the subtropical zone in Russia. In winter, continental air of temperate latitudes spreads across the Ciscaucasia; northern and eastern winds predominate. Cold air stagnates on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Over the Black Sea, the pressure decreases and therefore cold air from the mountains rushes towards the sea (this is how the Novorossiysk bora sometimes occurs, at temperatures down to -15˚C). At an altitude of 1.5-2 km, western transport dominates. In winter with Mediterranean Sea Cyclones often hit the Caucasus, which leads to thaws and avalanches in the mountains. When the foehn wind occurs, the temperature can rise at the foot of the mountains to +15˚C (on Elbrus up to -5˚C). Average January temperatures range from +2˚C in Novorossiysk to +6˚C in Sochi; in the mountains, with altitude the temperature drops to negative values(in the highlands up to -15˚C). In the Ciscaucasia region in winter, average temperatures are also negative -2˚C-4˚C. The absolute minimum in the Ciscaucasia is -35˚C, and in Sochi -15˚C. In winter, the maximum precipitation falls on the Black Sea coast (Mediterranean type), while in the rest of the territory the maximum occurs in summer. In winter, snow cover is established on the plains and especially in the mountains. On the plains it appears towards the end of December, and the snow often melts off in winter. On the mountain slopes the thickness of the snow cover reaches 3 m. In summer, average air temperatures range from +22˚C on the Black Sea coast to +25˚C in the east of Ciscaucasia. In the mountains, the temperature drops and at an altitude of 2500 m is +10˚C (at Elbrus station, altitude 4250 m, temperature +1.5˚C). At the beginning of summer, cyclonic activity intensifies, and maximum precipitation occurs in July. Droughts occur in the second half of summer. The annual amount of precipitation decreases from west to east and increases from the foothills to the mountains. In the Ciscaucasia, the amount of precipitation varies from 700 mm in the Stavropol region to 350 mm in the east. On the Black Sea coast, precipitation quickly increases from 700 mm in Novorossiysk to 1600 mm in the Sochi region. In the highlands of the western Caucasus, up to 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually (the maximum for Russia is Achishkho station on the southwestern slope of the Greater Caucasus - over 3700 mm), in the eastern Caucasus 1000-1500 mm falls.

The river network is well developed. Almost all rivers originate in the mountains. The largest rivers: Kuban (length 900 km) and Terek (590 km). The Caspian basin belongs to: Terek, Kuma, Samur; Black Sea – Mzymta, Sochi; Azovsky - Kuban. These rivers are mountainous in nature, do not freeze in winter and carry a lot of suspended material (turbid). In the Ciscaucasia there are lowland rivers: Kalaus, Manych, Eya, Beisug, etc. Almost all rivers in the region experience high water in the summer. The food is glacial, snow and rain. There are not many lakes. Near the coast of the Caspian and Azov seas there are lagoon and estuary lakes. There are tarn lakes in the mountains; in the limestones of the cuesta ridges there are karst lakes. There are almost 1,500 glaciers in the Caucasus. The snow line lies in the western Caucasus at an altitude of about 3000 m, and in the eastern 3500-4000 m. The greatest glaciation in the Central Caucasus is the Elbrus glacier complex. The double-headed Elbrus is covered with a snow-ice cap with a diameter of about 10 km. The largest long glacier in the Caucasus is the Bezengi glacier (more than 17 km long). In the eastern Caucasus, due to the dry climate, glaciation is less developed.

Soils, flora and fauna

The plains of Ciscaucasia are characterized by zonality, and the mountains are characterized by altitudinal zonation. Moreover, the zonality here changes not in the sublatitudinal direction, but in the submerideonal direction, from Azov to the Caspian Sea, as the continental climate increases. On the plains of Western Ciscaucasia and Stavropol region, chernozem soils dominate, their humus horizon is 1.5 m, and the humus content is 5-8%. In the east of the Stavropol Upland, the soils become chestnut, and even further east - light chestnut, often solonetzic. There are solonetzes and solonchaks, especially in the Kuma-Manych depression. In the coastal part the soils are meadow-chestnut, in river deltas they are alluvial. In the mountains, soils change with altitude. At the foot of the mountains there are mountain black soils, in the east there are chestnut soils. They differ from plain soils in their high gravelly content. Higher in the mountains, brown soils and mountain-forest gray soils are developed, even higher - mountain-podzolic soils, further - mountain-meadow soils. On the Black Sea coast (southeast of Tuapse) the subtropical soils are yellow soils.

The country's vegetation cover is very diverse. It combines in its flora elements of European forests and steppes, Asian highlands and deserts; as well as elements of the Mediterranean flora. There are up to 550 endemic species, and there are many of them, especially in the mountains. The Western and Central Ciscaucasia is dominated by steppes, most of which are now plowed. The steppes of the Ciscaucasia are a continuation of the steppes of the south of the Russian Plain, consisting of various types of feather grass; on the Stavropol Upland - turf-grass (from fescue, feather grass, etc.). In the eastern Ciscaucasia, the steppes give way to semi-deserts with grass-wormwood vegetation, and in places with thickets of saltwort. Closer to the foothills, the steppe gives way to a forest-steppe of meadow herbs with areas of forests of oak, hornbeam, and ash; in the east there are thickets of thorny bushes such as freegana and shiblyak. As you ascend the mountains, forest vegetation begins; at the beginning there are broad-leaved forests, higher up there are coniferous forests; even higher are subalpine and alpine meadows. Thus, in the Caucasus Mountains the altitudinal zonation is most fully expressed. Moreover, the set of altitudinal zones is different in the western part of the mountains and in the eastern. In the west of the mountains, at the foot of the mountains, there are meadow steppes on chernozems; higher up, foothill forest-steppe begins on gray forest soils with oak, beech, hornbeam, and ash. Higher up, the forest-steppe gives way to mountain broad-leaved forests, on brown mountain forest soils, made of beech with an admixture of chestnut, hornbeam, and ash. In the undergrowth of these forests there are Colchis subtropical elements - evergreen shrubs and vines. As the height increases, fir and spruce are added to the beech. Even higher, the forest becomes purely coniferous, on mountain-podzolic soils, with an undergrowth of rhododendron and a herbaceous cover of northern elements (oxalis, oxalis, etc.). At the upper border of the forest there are birch-beech forests combined with tall grass meadows of umbrellas, bellflowers, blueberry bushes, etc. Even higher is a belt of subalpine meadows on mountain meadow soils, of geranium, columbine, delphinium, bellflowers and rhododendron bushes. This belt turns into alpine meadows of low-growing grasses and sedges, with brightly blooming gentian, buttercup, dandelion, forget-me-not, speedwell, primrose, saxifrage, etc. Above 3200 m there is a belt of snow and ice. In the east of the mountains, the climate is drier, so at the foot there are fescue-wormwood subshrubs on light chestnut soils. The first altitudinal zone here is wormwood-grass and fescue-feather grass dry steppes on mountain chestnut soils. Above is a belt of shiblyak and freegana (thorny bushes) on brown soils. The composition of shibliak includes: meadowsweet, buckthorn, ephedra, cotoneaster, serviceberry, juniper, hold-tree, barberry, etc. The composition of freegans includes sage, astragalus, scabiosis, etc. Above are mountain-meadow steppes on chernozem-like soils, mainly of cereals . Even higher are subalpine and alpine meadows (of cereals) turning at an altitude of 3600-4000 m into the glacial-nival belt (snow and ice). The southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus are characterized by the Colchian type of altitudinal zonation. The lower zone is represented here by relict Colchis broad-leaved forests with evergreen undergrowth on yellow soils. The basis of the forest is: chestnut, oak, beech, hornbeam; in the undergrowth - Pontic rhododendron, holly, cherry laurel, boxwood; a lot of vines. Higher up, yew, pine, oak, maple, linden, ash, and beech appear on brown soils. Higher up is a mixed forest of beech and conifers, and even higher is a dark coniferous belt of fir and spruce on mountain brown soils. Higher up are the subalpine and alpine meadows (of gravel, sedges, umbellifers and grasses) and above 3500 m snow and ice begin.

Animal world very diverse; There are many endemics here: aurochs (stone goats), Caucasian hamster, Caucasian black grouse and snowcock, etc. The bison lives in the reserves. Typical steppe animals live in the steppes of Ciscaucasia: ground squirrel, jerboa, hamster, mole vole, brown hare, steppe ferret, fox, etc. In the east, semi-deserts are inhabited by: ground hare, hairy jerboa, gerbils, long-eared hedgehog, corsac fox, wolf, small vole; Saiga antelope is rare. There are many reptiles (steppe viper, boa constrictor, snakes, lizards, viper, etc.) Birds include steppe lark, quail, steppe harrier and eagle, kestrel, bustard, demoiselle crane. In the reed thickets of rivers one can find: wild boar, jackal, jungle cat, and many waterfowl and wading birds. The Greater Caucasus is inhabited mainly by forest and mountain species. These are deer, roe deer, wild boar, badger, squirrel, marten, dormouse, forest mice, forest cat. Birds include jays, finches, nuthatches, tits, woodpeckers, owls, black grouse, etc. The highlands are inhabited by aurochs, chamois, Promethean mice, voles, and leopards. Birds include snowcock, lark, snow finch, eagles, etc.

In the Caucasus there are 4 nature reserves (Teberdinsky, etc.) and 3 national parks (Sochinsky, etc.).

CRIMEA (Crimean Peninsula)

The Crimean Peninsula is located south of the Russian Plain and is washed by the Black and Azov Seas. Its area is 26 thousand square meters. km. Crimea is connected to the Russian Plain in the north by the narrow (8 km) Perekop Isthmus. Crimea has two peninsulas: in the west - Tarkhankutsky, in the east - Kerch, which is separated from the Russian mainland by the strait of the same name. In the northeast, Crimea is washed by the Sivash Bay, and in the northwest by the Karkinitsky Bay. The extreme southern point of Crimea reaches 44 degrees north latitude.

Crimea is divided into three physical-geographical regions: Steppe Crimea, Mountain Crimea and the Kerch Peninsula.

The mountainous Crimea and the Kerch Peninsula belong to the Alpine folding, and the Steppe Crimea belongs to the Scythian plate of the Paleozoic folding. The Crimean Mountains are structurally an anticlinal uplift consisting of clayey shales, Mesozoic sandstones and Permian limestones. In places there are effusive rocks. The steppe Crimea is composed of Neogene marine and Quaternary continental sediments.

The Crimean mountains consist of the main ridge - Yayla ("yayla" is translated as "summer pasture") and two cuesta ridges, gently sloping to the north of the main ridge. In the west, Yayla is a ridge with a plateau-like surface: Ai-Petrinskaya and Yalta Yayla. In the east, Yayla splits into a number of massifs: Chatyrdag, Dolgorukovskaya Yayla, etc. Maximum height Crimean mountains reaches 1545 m (Roman-Kosh town). The peaks of Yayla, with an average height of about 1000 m, are highly leveled, as they are composed of Jurassic limestone, while the slopes are quite steep, especially along the southern coast of Crimea. Open karst is widespread in the mountains. In some places there are tar fields. The plateau is cut by canyons.

Along the southern coast there is developed erosional relief, represented by landslides and chaos - collapsed limestone blocks. The southern coast of Crimea is characterized by volcanic formations - laccoliths (Mt. Ayudag - “Bear Mountain”). The northern slope of Yayla is flatter and has a height of 500 – 750 m.

The relief of the Kerch Peninsula is hilly. The steppe Crimea is a flat plain, in some places with salt lakes. The climatic conditions of the Crimean peninsula have features of a transitional climate from temperate to subtropical Mediterranean. The most pronounced subtropical climate is on the southern coast and in the foothills of Yayla. The annual rainfall here is about 600 mm, and most of it occurs in winter, when Mediterranean cyclones dominate. The average air temperature in January is +4° C, snow rarely falls. The average temperature in July is about +24° C. Five months a year the average daily air temperature is above +15° C. The climate of the Steppe Crimea is more consistent with a temperate continental one, although the winter is very mild, with an average January temperature of about 0° C. Average temperatures in summer are + 23 ... +25° C. Annual precipitation is 250-300 mm, and most of it falls in winter. Summer is characterized by drought. Similar climatic conditions persist on the Kerch Peninsula.

The Crimean Peninsula is not rich in inland waters. Large rivers No. In the Steppe Crimea, the most significant are the Salgir and Alma rivers. Powered by groundwater, rain and melt water from the mountains. In summer, most rivers dry up. The rivers of the southern coast of Crimea are mountainous in nature and are distinguished by their short length, but somewhat higher water content. Their regime is flood. Almost all lakes are salty, the largest lake being Sasyk.

The soils in the Steppe Crimea are chestnut, and in some places there are southern black soils. Salinization is typical. The vegetation is mainly represented by dry steppes (fescue, feather grass, tonkonog, wormwood, solyanka); off the coast of Sivash Bay, the steppes turn into semi-desert.

Completely different soil and vegetation cover of the Crimean Mountains and the Black Sea coast. The soils here are predominantly brown, and on the moist slopes of the mountains - red earth, turning higher into mountain forest brown. Mountain chernozem-like soils are developed on the upper plateaus of Yayla. The flora of this region is distinguished by its richness of species (1,500 plant species). On the coast and up to an altitude of 300 m there is forest vegetation with elements of the Mediterranean flora: fluffy oak, strawberry tree, pistachios, tree-like juniper, butcher's broom, boxwood, vines - ivy, clematis, etc. To the east the forest turns into thickets of xerophytic shrubs (shiblik) from hornbeam, sessile oak, pine tree, hawthorn, dogwood, blackthorn, tamarisk and xerophytic grasses. Above 300 m, the appearance of the forest changes, subtropical species disappear, deciduous broad-leaved species begin to dominate: beech, hornbeam, oak, ash, maple, linden, elm, wild apple and pear, poplar, willow, alder and conifers - Crimean pine - appear even higher. yew, juniper. The upper border of the forest reaches a height of 900 m. On the upper Yayly plateau there are mountain meadows on chernozem-like soils. Grains grow: fescue, feather grass, tonkonogo, brome, as well as Crimean edelweiss, violet, semolina, clover, bedstraw, mantle, etc.

Currently, natural vegetation in a large area has been replaced by cultivated vegetation and imported from other regions: cypress, laurel, cherry laurel, magnolia, eucalyptus, fan palm, holly, silk acacia (mimosa), etc. The fauna in the Crimean steppes is represented mainly by rodents (gophers , hamsters, jerboas, mouse-like rodents) and reptiles (lizards, snakes, Crimean gecko, etc.), as well as invertebrates and steppe bird species. The forests of the mountainous Crimea are inhabited by: squirrels, dormouse, bats, predators - fox, marten, badger, ungulates - wild boar, roe deer, and in some areas red deer are still preserved. There are many birds in the forests - mainly European forest species. The world of invertebrates is quite diverse.

The Republic of Crimea occupies the territory of the Crimean Peninsula.

The territory of the Republic of Crimea is 26.1 thousand square meters. km.

Length: from west to east – 360 km, from north to south – 180 km.

Extreme points: in the south – Cape Sarych; in the west – Cape Priboyny; in the east - Cape Lantern.

The most important seaports are Evpatoria, Yalta, Feodosia, Kerch.

Related regions: Krasnodar region Russian Federation, Kherson region of Ukraine.

The climate of the peninsula differs in its different parts: in the northern part it is temperate continental, on the southern coast it has subtropical features. Crimea is characterized by a small amount of precipitation throughout the year, a large number of sunny days, and the presence of breezes on the coast.

The relief of the Crimean peninsula consists of three unequal parts: the North Crimean Plain with the Tarkhankut Upland (about 70% of the territory), the Kerch Peninsula and in the south - the mountainous Crimea stretches in three ridges. The highest is the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains (1545 m, Mount Roman-Kosh), consisting of individual limestone massifs (yayls) with plateau-like peaks and deep canyons. The southern slope of the Main Ridge stands out as the Crimean sub-Mediterranean. The Inner and Outer ridges form the Crimean foothills.

The Crimean peninsula is washed by the Black and Azov seas.

The natural reserve fund includes 158 objects and territories (including 46 of national importance, the area of ​​which is 5.8% of the area of ​​the Crimean Peninsula). The basis of the reserve fund is made up of 6 nature reserves with a total area of ​​63.9 thousand hectares: Krymsky with the branch “Swan Islands”, Yalta Mountain Forest, Cape Martyan, Karadagsky, Kazantipsky, Opuksky.

Crimea is a peninsula richly endowed with natural resources. In its depths and on the adjacent shelf there are industrial deposits of iron ore, combustible gas, mineral salts, construction raw materials, oil and gas condensate.

Of greater importance are the natural recreational resources of the peninsula: mild climate, warm sea, healing mud, mineral waters, picturesque landscapes.

The largest rivers are Salgir, Indol, Biyuk-Karasu, Chornaya, Belbek, Kacha, Alma, Bulganakh. The longest river in Crimea is Salgir (220 km), the deepest is Belbek (water flow - 1500 liters per second).

There are more than 50 salt lakes in Crimea, the largest of them is Lake Sasyk (Kunduk) - 205 sq. km.

The population of Crimea as of January 1, 2013 is 1 million 965.2 thousand people. Including the economically active population is 970.3 thousand people, or less than 50% of the total population.

About 130 ethnic groups live in the Republic of Crimea. The largest ethnic groups are Russians (58.3%), Ukrainians (24.3%) and Crimean Tatars (12.1%).

Official languages: Russian, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar.

Time zone: MSK (UTC+4).

Administrative-territorial structure: cities of republican significance - 11, districts - 14.

The capital of the Republic of Crimea is the city of Simferopol.

The representative body of the Republic of Crimea is the State Council of the Republic of Crimea.

The executive body of the Republic of Crimea is the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea.

The Republic of Crimea has symbols: coat of arms, flag and anthem.

Crimea - the golden mean of the earth

This land is beautiful, washed by one of the most festive seas on the globe.
K. Paustovsky.

Each of us has the inalienable right to love our motherland and claim that there is no land more beautiful, more fertile, more unique. Only a fool would argue, but a wise person would agree, although he would add: “Of course, you are right, dear friend, but my homeland is also beautiful...”

Crimeans behave only this way and not differently: after all, millions of people from all over the world come to Crimea every year. Of course, Crimeans agree that there are still blessed corners of the earth somewhere. They don’t ask: “Why did you come to us, and not we to you?” Without a doubt, Crimeans are wise people, they say in such cases: “Of course, you are right, dear friend, but my Crimea is also beautiful, let me tell you about it.”

Let's open the map and get our bearings. The southernmost point of Crimea (44° 23") is Cape Sarych, near the village of Foros, located between Sevastopol and Alupka. The northernmost (46° 15") is located on the Perekop Isthmus, near the village of Perekop. This means that Crimea is located at latitude 45, midway between the North Pole and the equator. Perhaps someone has some other thoughts on this matter, but in the middle means in the middle, and not somewhere else. At latitude 45, by the way, is the geographical center of France, such European cities, like Budapest, Bucharest, Milan, Bern, the Canadian city of Montreal, the American cities of Minneapolis and Portland. Their latitude is fine, but their longitude...

The westernmost point of Crimea (32°29") is Cape Priboyny (Kapa-Mryn) on the Tarkhankut Peninsula, the easternmost (36°39") is Cape Fonar on the Kerch Peninsula. So, Crimea is located near 30° east longitude, that is, in the middle between the Greenwich meridian and the Urals, separating Europe and Asia. Please open the world map, don’t be lazy. At what length is it bent in half, where is its middle? Of course, along the line of 30" east longitude. St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kharkov, Ankara, Cairo, Lake Victoria, the highest point in Africa - the Kilimanjaro volcano, the North and South Poles are located at approximately this longitude. They were lucky with longitude, but here they are lucky the latitude fell only to Crimea.

If you look at the sky, it will point to Crimea. The Milky Way is called Chumatskiy Shlyakh in Ukrainian. The nebula pointing to the south seemed to have been created for the correct orientation of our ancestors, the Chumaks, who went to the Crimea for salt.

Before closing the map, let's take another look at the peninsula depicted on it. What is Crimea like? Of course - in the heart. A heart shocked by the Creator's Plan. A heart delighted with the incomprehensible wisdom and endless beauty of Nature. Crimea also looks like arms outstretched for hugs and like a cross sent down to people to comprehend the great unity of Faith, Love and Hope. A cross connecting North and South, West and East. But most of all, Crimea is like a flower dropped by the Creator on Earth.

Of course, you are right, dear friend, your homeland is beautiful, but so is my Crimea! Let me tell you about it in a little more detail.

The area of ​​the Crimean Peninsula exceeds 26 thousand km2, the maximum distance from north to south is 205 km, from west to east - 325 km. Yes, it is smaller than Switzerland, the Netherlands or Belgium, but Crimea is almost 56 times larger than Andorra, 82 times larger than Malta and 165 (!) times larger than such a venerable European principality as Liechtenstein. We will not compare Crimea with such small states as San Marino.

In many countries of the world there is not a single sea, but in Crimea there are two of them: the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. The Black Sea forms three large bays off the coast of the peninsula: Karkinitsky, Kalamitsky and Feodosiya; There are three large bays near the Sea of ​​Azov: Kazantipsky, Arabatsky and Sivashsky.

Crimea in the north is connected to the mainland by a narrow eight-kilometer strip of land called the Perekop Isthmus. The Kerch Strait, whose width is 4-5 km, separates the Crimean Peninsula from the Taman Peninsula - the western tip of the Krasnodar Territory of Russia. The total length of the peninsula's borders exceeds 2,500 km; the shores are slightly indented, except for a very winding coastline parts of the peninsula near Sevastopol. In the coastal strip of the Crimean plain there are 50 estuary lakes with a total area of ​​53 thousand km2. Of course, this is not as much as, say, in Finland or Norway, but the Crimean lakes are valuable because they are filled with brine, a concentrated salt solution that has absorbed the power of the sea, sun and earth.

At the beginning of the 20th century. About 40% of table salt was mined in Crimea Russian Empire. It is well known that D.I. Mendeleev said that using oil as fuel is tantamount to burning banknotes. To paraphrase the words of the great chemist, we can say that using Crimean salt as table salt is the same as salting soup with gold. The ecologically chaste chemical industry of the peninsula at the Saki and Krasnoperekopsk chemical plants produces various compounds of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and bromine from lake and Sivash salt. However, much more famous medicinal use Crimean estuaries, but this will be a separate discussion.

Once upon a time, palaces were erected by monarchs and their entourage on the southern coast of Crimea. The ruler of the next historical period invited Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill to divide the post-war world here. Why did the highly respected guests of Crimea choose it over all other places on Earth? Yes, because they were attracted by the unique Crimean climate, whose undeniable advantages are caused by several reasons.

The first is the mentioned equidistance from the equator and the North Pole, which determines the long length of the summer day, and not the measly 12 hours in the tropics, and a sufficient amount of beneficial warmth - namely heat, and not equatorial heat or polar cold.

The second is the union of sea and mountains. On hot sunny days of summer, Crimea is refreshed by a breeze, a cool breeze from the sea. In the cool evening hours it is replaced by warm air from the mountains.

The third is the unique position of the peninsula relative to the general circulation of the atmosphere, the predominance of westerly winds and stable anticyclones with clear weather and, as a result, a record number of sunny days, the absence of the sweltering heat that comes with air currents from Africa, and, naturally, minimal exposure to cold air masses from the north, from which the mountains serve as an additional barrier.

The Crimean mountains are small, their maximum height (Mount Roman-Kosh) reaches 1545 m, much less than Everest, but this height is quite enough to create a subtropical paradise on the South Coast, without simultaneously erecting an insurmountable barrier between the warm sea and the northern, steppe part of the peninsula .

Perhaps in some other place on Earth the expression “golden mountains” is an exaggeration, a metaphor, but not in Crimea. Crimean marls serve as raw materials for the production of cement, facing slabs are made from marble-like limestones, and beautiful white buildings are built from blocks of the famous Inkerman stone from the time of Chersonesos to the present day. Due to their high strength, rich color shades and good polishing properties, diabases of igneous origin are used for the manufacture of monuments and facing slabs. On Karadag and in other places one can find such minerals (gems) as agate, jet, onyx, opal, carnelian, brocade jasper.

Why are there gems? Even clay in Crimea is precious. Crimean bentonite formed from volcanic ash, popularly called keel, soap earth or mountain soap, has very unusual properties. Previously it was used for wine clarification, soap making, laundry and bleaching, but today it is used in high technology.

The flat plateaus of the Crimean Mountains combine the properties of plains and mountains, representing another “golden mean” of Crimea. Unprotected from the merciless sun, the yaylas seem to the uninitiated to be a symbol of dehydration, but this is not at all the case: underlain by porous limestones, they absorb precipitation like a sponge in order to, together with the shady forests, drop by drop accumulate water that feeds the Crimean rivers.

Crimea has everything, but in order not to jinx it, its residents like to grumble just in case. And since it is quite difficult to find a reason for grumbling in this corner of paradise, they are usually annoyed by the lack of water. Indeed, there are only 1657 rivers on the peninsula and only 150 of them are less than 10 km long. The total length of the watercourses is 5966 km, more than the length of the Amur from the mouth to the sources of the Argun, but slightly less than the Nile.

However, we must honestly say that natural water resources the peninsulas were clearly insufficient in its steppe part. We've heard a lot of bad things about global reclamation projects, and that's probably true. Probably, the turn of the northern rivers to the south threatened the Earth with an environmental disaster, but the turn of the southern river to the south, i.e. the creation of the North Crimean Canal, solved many of the problems of the peninsula.

Crimean drinking water is generally weakly mineralized, which is beneficial for the human body, but if you are accustomed to water enriched with wastewater from industrial giants, do not be prematurely upset. After all, Crimea has everything, even black water. The hydrogen sulfide-saturated water of the Adzhi-Su mineral spring in the village of Kuibyshevo, Bakhchisarai region, forms a black sediment of biologically active gums and bitumens, which is healing in hot medicinal baths. In total, more than a hundred sources of healing mineral waters, replete with many microelements - from fluorine to radium, have been explored in Crimea.

Geographical location, climate, steppe areas on mountain tops, clear and black waters - everywhere we talk about the combination of opposite principles. If you mix all the colors into one, it will turn out dirty grey colour. To avoid misunderstandings, we will immediately make an official clarification: Crimea is the Golden Mean, not mediocrity. The colors of his palette sparkle without mixing, and at the same time create a unique flavor.

Combining steppe and subtropics, Crimea not only does not mix them, but complements them with a zone of forests and forest-steppe. Yayla is not a half-steppe, half-mountain, but a unique natural phenomenon for which it is difficult to find analogues. Combining different principles, Crimea preserves their originality and complements them with new, unique qualities. Natural sciences unanimously prove the island origin of Crimea - we will talk about this more than once and present scientific arguments - therefore, on the peninsula, in addition to the amazing combination of steppe and Mediterranean nature, there is a great variety of endemic plant and animal species found only on the peninsula.

Among the natural massifs of Crimea, man-made landscapes are scattered in a bizarre mosaic: intertwining architectural styles of many centuries and peoples of the city, town and village, majestic parks, well-groomed fields, lush gardens, fragrant plantations of roses and lavender, unique vineyards. Since 1963, a period of intensive irrigated agriculture began in Crimea. Almost 40 types of vegetable crops are grown in open and closed ground. The quality of Crimean products is famous far beyond the borders of the autonomous republic.

Essential oil enterprises in the cities of Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, Alushta, Sudak and the urban village of Nizhnegorsk produce rose, lavender and sage oils. One of the leading industries in Crimea is food. The largest fishing port on the Black Sea with refrigerators, canning and ship repair plants was built in Sevastopol. However high level The development of the peninsula's food industry is due not only to the highly commercial agriculture of the peninsula and the rich resources of the seas. Its development is facilitated by a relatively high level of food consumption, especially in the summer. Thus, the issue of warmly treating guests is raised on a grand scale in Crimea.

Crimea is the unity of sea, steppe and mountains. It is worth removing a layer of soil from the surface of the earth in the steppe Crimea, and on the surface you will find a wonderful, easy-to-process building material - limestone-shell rock. Buildings with a layer of shell rock in their walls, like the sea, keep warm in winter and cool in summer.

One should not think, however, that only shell rock is hidden under the fertile Crimean soil. The iron ores of the Kerch basin lie so shallow that they are being mined open method. These ores are unique high content manganese, therefore, when smelting alloy steels, this element is added in a minimal amount or not added at all.

Since the mid-60s. Industrial development of natural gas fields is underway on the Tarkhankut Peninsula, in Northern Crimea and on the Arabat Spit. The extensive system of gas pipelines made it possible to gasify most populated areas, convert thermal power plants to environmentally friendly fuel and enter the country’s unified gas pipeline system.

The top of the industrial pyramid of the Crimean Autonomous Republic are high-tech industries: electronics, automotive, defense, construction of supertankers.

The comprehensive development of the Crimean industry is based on an extensive network of communications. There are two railway lines in Crimea. Sea transport carries out small coastal connections in the Azov-Black Sea basin and long-distance international flights. However, the main transport of the autonomous republic is automobile. It accounts for about 90% of domestic freight and passenger traffic. In the early 60s. The mountain trolleybus route Simferopol - Yalta came into operation, making it possible to connect the capital of the republic with the Southern Bank using convenient and inexpensive transport.

Environmental safety of the Crimean industry has long traditions. Back in 1931, the first in the USSR, the most powerful at that time in Europe power plant powered by wind, was built in Balaklava. The generator blades had a diameter of 30 meters. The unique power plant was destroyed during the war. In 1986, a solar power plant with a capacity of 5 MW was built in Crimea. The total area of ​​mirrors is 40 thousand m2. Several environmentally friendly projects have been implemented on the peninsula, using tidal energy to generate electricity, solar and geothermal energy to supply heat to residential buildings, resorts and hotels.

The intercity trolleybus service very clearly demonstrates the level of environmental requirements for the development of the Crimean industry.

We could talk for a very long time about Crimean science, about the great scientists who worked here, but instead of a huge list of discoveries, we will limit ourselves to a single brief remark: several sciences were created in Crimea, including virology, marine physics, helioseismology.

People of many nationalities inhabit Crimea, all of them are representatives of an endemic species called “Crimeans”. Crimeans are hardworking, smart, hospitable and prone to fun. Men are wise, strong, women are kind and incredibly beautiful. In a word, they are the same as the rest of the people on Earth, and only one thing distinguishes them from the rest of the inhabitants of the planet: they are more patient with the geographical boasting of visitors. Crimeans listen carefully to their guests, treat them to amazing Crimean wines, feed them dishes made from organic Crimean products, take them to caves, nature reserves, beaches, dolphinariums, tasting rooms, arrange sea excursions... Further - the entire contents of the book.

The population of Crimea increases many times in summer and early autumn. When millions of guests go home, it turns out that there are about 2.5 million true Crimeans. According to 1998 data, 363.8 thousand people lived in the capital of Crimea, Simferopol, 167.4 thousand in Kerch, 371.4 thousand in Sevastopol, 113.5 thousand in Evpatoria. Considering the small number of the endemic species described above, we propose to include it in the Red Book and, if there is no way to stop all talk about the unsurpassed (?!) charm of other lands, then at least give the Crimeans a word in defense of their homeland.

Alas, this is not always possible, because during the holiday season Crimeans constitute a minority on the peninsula. But they came up with a way out and told about themselves and their region in the coat of arms.

Coat of arms of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea

The columns are a symbol of the ancient Crimean civilization, a memory of Naples, Panticapaeum, Tmutarakan, Chersonese, Theodoro, and other cities and kingdoms that once existed on the territory of Crimea. The griffin is a symbol of the guardian and defender of Crimea. The blue pearl in his paw symbolizes the uniqueness of Crimea, the unity of all its peoples, religions and cultures. The Varangian shield is a symbol of the intersection of trade routes, and its red color is a symbol of courage and bravery of the peoples of Crimea. Rising Sun at the top is a symbol of rebirth, prosperity, warmth and light.

In general, everything that is reflected in the words is embodied wise writer: “Everyone is rewarded according to his faith...”

© Chapters from the book "All about Crimea. With love." Publishing house "World of Information", 2002 (text - G. Dubovis, responsible for the issue A. Ganzha, R. Tsyupko, editor T. Esadze)

formed as the Crimean region on June 30, 1945, received republic status in 1991. Its area is 26.1 thousand square meters. km (4.3% of the territory of Ukraine). Population - 2134.7 thousand people (4.3% of the population of Ukraine), including urban population - 1338.3 thousand people (62.7%), rural population - 796.4 thousand people (37.3% ). Population density - 81.8 people. per sq. km.

It is located on the Crimean Peninsula and is the southernmost region of Ukraine. In the west and south it is washed by the Black Sea, in the east by the Azov Sea. The Kerch Strait separates it from Russia. The length of the autonomous republic from north to south is 210 km, from west to east - about 325 km. By land it borders with the Kherson region. Crimea is connected to the mainland by the narrow (8 km) Perekop Isthmus, along which railroads and roads run. The second transport exit from the territory of Crimea is along an artificial embankment through Sivash. There is also a ferry service “Caucasus” between Kerch and the Taman Peninsula of Russia.

Administratively, the republic includes 14 administrative districts, 16 cities, including 11 cities of regional subordination, 56 urban-type settlements, 957 rural settlements.

The administrative center is the city of Simferopol, the first mention dates back to the 16th century, it has been a city since 1784. The city's population is 338.9 thousand people.

The territory of Crimea is distinguished by significant natural diversity. The Crimean Mountains, located in the southern part of the peninsula, determine the division of the territory into the northern plain (the so-called Steppe Crimea) and the southern mountainous (Mountain Crimea). A narrow pebble strip of the southern coast of Crimea stretches along the southern foot of the Crimean Mountains. Mineral resources are represented by iron ores, natural gas deposits on the Azov shelf, as well as deposits of building materials. There are deposits of semi-precious stones in the Karadag region. The southern coast of Crimea is one of the most important resort areas of the CIS (climate therapy, sea bathing from June to October, mud, grape therapy).

The climate of the northern part is moderate continental, dry; southern - subtropical Mediterranean type.

The rivers of Crimea are small and low-water (the rivers Salgir, Belbek, Chernaya, Kacha, etc.), on the largest of them reservoirs have been created that serve as sources of water supply for cities. The largest water artery is the North Crimean Canal, the waters of which irrigate fields. In Crimea there are a large number of estuary salt lakes (lakes Sasyk, Krasnoe, Sakskoe, etc.).

The Crimean peninsula has been a Slavic land since ancient times (Slavs penetrated and settled here already in the 8th century). The most ancient inhabitants of the peninsula are considered to be the Cimmerians, who mainly lived in the Northern Black Sea region and settled in Crimea. During the Middle Ages, part of the Crimean XII centuries). The S-peninsula was part of the ancient Russian Tmutarakan principality (X 1475 to 1774 it was a vassal Ottoman Empire.

In 1783, Crimea became part of Russia. In 1784, the Tauride region was formed, which included the Crimean peninsula, Taman and the lands north of Perekop to the Dnepropetrovsk governorship. After 12 years, its territory became part of the Novorossiysk province. At the end of the 18th century, Crimea began to be intensively populated by people from the central regions of Russia. On October 18, 1921, the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed. In 1944, Crimean Tatars and representatives of other non-Slavic peoples were evicted from Crimea. After the end of the war, population resettlement began here from the territories of the USSR, which were especially hard hit. In June 1945, the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was transformed into the Crimean region. In 1954, the Crimean region was transferred from the RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR. In 1991, the Crimean region was transformed into the Republic of Crimea, which is part of Ukraine.

Crimea represents shining example complex multinational and multicultural social system. During the 1990s, a stable trend of population decline was recorded throughout Crimea as a whole. The decline in the region's population is determined by both natural decline and migration outflow, and their ratio in Crimea is almost equal.

The age composition of the republic's population is characterized by a higher proportion of people of working age compared to the average Ukrainian indicators and a slightly increased proportion of younger age groups.

Historically, a complex ethnic structure of the population has developed in Crimea. The Ukrainian regional community of Crimea is the smallest in Ukraine. The largest share of Crimea's population is represented by Russians (they together accounted for more than 2/3 of the total population), while Ukrainians made up just over a quarter of its inhabitants. During the 1990s, there were some changes in the ethnic structure of the population of Crimea. They are connected, firstly, with the migration influx of Crimean Tatars and the outflow of representatives of other ethnic groups (primarily Russians) outside the republic. Largest quantity Crimean Tatars are recorded in the central and western regions of the republic, in some of them the share of Crimean Tatars is more than 25%.

Among religious organizations, communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate predominate; Muslim organizations also have quite a noticeable influence.

The territory is populated extremely unevenly. With an average population density of 81.8 people. per sq. km on the territory of the resort south coast city councils it rises to 100 people. per sq. km. The Crimean Peninsula is characterized by a specific settlement structure. It is based on several basic elements. Firstly, these are two large centers Simferopol and Sevastopol and, secondly, two “resort” group forms of settlement - Yuzhnoberezhnaya and Saki-Evpatoria. A relatively uniform and fairly extensive homogeneous settlement network is observed in the steppe part of the peninsula. In total, about a third of the total population of Crimea lives in the two settlement centers of Crimea and the settlements gravitating towards them. Within the South Coast ribbon-shaped group of city councils, a total of almost more than 17% of the total population of the republic, or almost 15% of the total population of the peninsula, including Sevastopol, is concentrated. In the western resort area, which includes the cities of Saki and Yevpatoria, as well as nearby settlements, the total current population is approximately 9% of the population of the republic.

The natural and climatic conditions of the peninsula determined the leading development of the sanatorium and resort industry, which is of international importance. To a large extent, the specialization of other service sectors is associated with this area of ​​activity. In the sectoral structure of the industrial complex, the leading place is occupied by the food industry, focused on the processing of local raw materials. Among its industries, winemaking (Massandra), fish processing (Kerch, Yalta), canning (Simferopol), essential oil (Simferopol, Bakhchisarai, Alushta, Sudak) and tobacco-fermentation (Yalta, Simferopol, Feodosia) are of national importance. There is a chemical complex in Crimea, which is represented by the Simferopol Plastics Plant, the Saki Chemical Plant and others.

Agriculture is diversified. However, the leading role belongs to grain farming. Rice and industrial crops are cultivated on irrigated lands. Gardening and viticulture, and the cultivation of essential oil crops are developed.

Main attractions: state architectural and historical reserve "Sudak Fortress" in Sudak, state historical and architectural reserve in Bakhchisarai, Alupka State Palace and Park Museum-Reserve.

The favorable economic and geographical position of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is due to the fact that the autonomy occupies the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, located in the south of Eastern Europe between 46°15’–44°23’ northern latitude and 32°29’–36°39’ eastern longitude. The area of ​​the Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies 26.1 thousand km2, which is 4.3% of the territory of Ukraine.

Crimea is located in the latitudinal zone of the globe, located at equal distances from the equator and the North Pole.

In the north, the peninsula is connected to the mainland by the narrow (7-23 km) Perekop Isthmus. From the west and south, the peninsula is washed by the Black Sea, from the east by the Kerch Strait, and from the northeast by the waters of the Sea of ​​Azov and its Sivash Bay.

Black Sea- a very deep (up to 2245 m), almost closed, oval-shaped reservoir. In terms of its water surface area (413,488 km2), this flat-bottomed basin is more than 15 times larger than the area of ​​the Crimean Peninsula.

Sea of ​​Azov, on the contrary, it is very shallow. Its greatest depth does not exceed 13.5 m. It is much smaller than the Black Sea in area (37,600 km2).

From north to south the peninsula stretches for 180 km, and from west to east - 360 km. It borders with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions of Ukraine, the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. Crimea is dominated by maritime borders; the length of the coastline is about 1,500 km.

The wealth of Crimea is its mild climate, close to the Mediterranean, characterized by an abundance of sun, warmth and light.

The climate of Crimea is determined by its geographical location, relief and influence of the seas washing the peninsula. It is typical for him big number hours of sunshine, but at the same time for most areas there is a lack of moisture. An abundance of sunny days (2180-2470 hours per year), a warm sea, moderately humid air saturated with sea salts, excellent mineral springs, effective healing mud - all this makes your stay on the peninsula unforgettable. The climate of the northern lowland part of Crimea is temperate continental with short, snowy winters and moderately hot, dry summers.

In terms of the amount of heat and moisture, Crimea is one of the relatively favorable areas for the development of agriculture. There is active vegetation of wheat, corn, most fruit crops and grapes.

Crimea is rightly called the natural pearl of Europe. Here, at the junction of temperate and subtropical latitudes, there is a wide variety of natural landscapes: mountains and plains, ancient volcanoes and modern mud hills, seas and lakes, forests and steppes, the nature of the Crimean sub-Mediterranean and the semi-deserts of the Sivash region...

It is no coincidence that this corner of a unique land has long attracted people’s attention, and in last decades has become a real “mecca” for millions of holidaymakers and tourists.

From a bird's eye view, or when looking at a physical map of Crimea, one can clearly imagine the main features of the geography of the peninsula. Like the ancient crown of the backbone of Taurida, the Crimean Mountains rise in the south. Plains stretch to the north of it, and the Kerch hills stretch to the east. The Crimean Mountains, with a gigantic stone scar, cut off the sub-Mediterranean southern coast of Crimea, clinging to the Black Sea, and to the north of them, along the edges of cuesta ridges, stretches the forest-steppe foothills.

The Crimean mountains break off like a sheer wall towards the sea coast, and their opposite slopes are gentle. The highest peaks are Roman-Kosh (1545 m), Ai-Petri (1232 m), Chatyr-Dag (1527 m), Northern Demerdzhi (1356 m), Sheer walls, from 200 to 400 meters high, stretch along the coast from the cape Aya to the village of Gurzuf.

257 rivers more than 5 km long flow through the territory of the republic. The largest is Salgir, 220 km long, and the deepest is Belbek (water flow up to 150 liters per second).

On the peninsula, mainly along the coasts, there are more than 50 salt lakes used to obtain salts and medicinal mud: Sakskoye, Sasyk, Donuzlav, Bakal, Staroe Lake, Red Lake, Aktashskoye, Chokrakskoye, Uzunlarskoye, etc.

More and more vacationers and tourists are flocking to Crimea every year: over the past 70 years, the flow of vacationers has increased 100 times! In these conditions, the natural reserve fund of Crimea is of particular value and scientific and environmental interest.

The reserve fund accounts for more than 135 thousand hectares of the peninsula, which is 5.2% of its area. The reserve fund plays a significant role in preserving the creations of inanimate and living nature, and stabilizes the ecological situation on the peninsula.

Crimea is a unique region of Ukraine, where in a relatively small area there are 152 natural reserves, including: 6 nature reserves, 30 reserves, 69 natural monuments, 2 botanical gardens, 1 dendrological park, 31 park-monuments of landscape art , 8 protected areas, 1 zoo.

More than 200 mineral deposits are known in Crimea. Iron ores (Kerch iron ore basin), salts of Sivash and coastal lakes (Staroye, Krasnoe, etc.), natural gas (Black Sea deposits), fluxing limestones (Balaklavskoe, Kerch deposits, etc.), cement marls (Bakhchisaray), are of national importance. pottery and bleaching clays (foothills). For medicinal and recreational purposes, therapeutic mud and mineral springs are used (Saki, Evpatoria, Feodosia, etc.), sand and pebble beaches (western and South coast, Azov region).

The climatic conditions of Crimea are very diverse. Crimea is surrounded by a water basin, crossed by a mountain plateau, with gentle slopes to the north and steeper slopes to the south (towards the Black Sea), which is protected from the influence of northern winds. The mountains are cut by valleys. At different altitudes above sea level, there are different conditions that influence the nature of the climate.

Each slope of the Crimean mountains has its own climatic conditions, because it is exposed to a greater or lesser extent to the influence of certain prevailing winds. The warmest part of the South Coast is the space from Cape Aya to Cape Ai-Todor, since this part of the coast is, as it were, in the wind shadow from the cold northern and northeastern winds. From Ai-Todor the influence of eastern winds is already becoming noticeable and, thus, the second place in warmth is occupied by the part of the Southern Coast from Ai-Todor to Alushta, and the third place in warmth is from Alushta to Koktebel, and the degree of gradual transition from a warm climate to a warmer climate the cold seems to follow in parallel with the gradual decrease in mountain heights from Alushta to Feodosia. Feodosia is already open to northern and northeastern winds, and its climate, which has its own local characteristics, is closer to the climate of the Kerch Peninsula.

Warm air coming to Crimea from the south penetrates relatively freely through the low Crimean Mountains into the steppe regions of the peninsula. When cold, dense arctic air invades, the mountains prevent its penetration into the South Coast. In this regard, a comparison of the average January air temperature in the central part of the lowland Crimea (Krasnogvardeyskoye town) and in Yalta is very indicative - -2°C and +4°C, respectively. If there were no mountains in Crimea, then the Southern Coast would be little different from the steppe coast of the Black and Azov Seas. In this case, the great role is played not so much by the height of the Crimean Mountains, but by their general direction - from west to east, parallel to the coast.

Crimea is one of the sunniest regions of the European part of the CIS. The annual duration of sunshine here varies between 2180 – 2470 hours. It is especially great on the sea coast, where the breeze prevents the formation of clouds. Of the annual amount of radiation, Crimea receives approximately 10% in winter, 30% in spring, 40% in summer and 20% in autumn. The peninsula also receives the greatest amount of solar heat in summer. Minimal amount occurs in mountainous areas, and the maximum is on the west coast. But be that as it may, in December and January by one earth's surface per day, the amount of heat received is 8–10 times more than, for example, in St. Petersburg.

In winter over the southern part European territory In the CIS, an axis of high atmospheric pressure is often established in the latitudinal direction, and over the Black Sea there is a zone of low pressure. As a result, cold and dry continental air of temperate latitudes or Arctic air often invades Crimea. This is associated with sharp drops in temperature and strong north-easterly winds. In the same season, cyclones from the Mediterranean Sea come here relatively often, bringing warm air from the tropics. Mediterranean cyclones, as a rule, linger in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. As a result, warm air primarily affects the southwestern part of the mountainous Crimea. That is why winter in Crimea is wet with frequent precipitation and low evaporation. However, in winter there is almost three times less precipitation than in summer.

Frequent thaws in winter lead to large temperature fluctuations and unstable and thin snow cover.

Spring in Crimea proceeds quickly due to an increase in the height of the sun and the length of the day, a decrease in cloudiness and the influx of warm southern air. In the interior regions of Crimea there is a significant increase in temperature from February to March. Spring is the driest and windiest season of the year with frequent “returns of cold weather,” with night frosts and morning frosts, especially in the basins and river valleys of the foothills, which negatively affects early flowering stone fruit trees and heat-loving grapes.

In summer, clear, hot and windy weather prevails in Crimea with the manifestation of local breezes, mountain-valley and inclined winds. Due to the fact that the continental air of temperate latitudes is transformed here into local tropical air, dry weather prevails on the peninsula.

Marine air masses and Atlantic cyclones bring precipitation at this time of year. Heavy, intense, but most often short-term rainfall occurs. Summer in Crimea lasts 4–5 months.

Autumn is the best season of the year here. The weather is calm, sunny and moderately warm. Autumn is warmer than spring by 2–3°С in central and by 4–5°С in coastal regions. A sharp change in weather usually occurs in the second half of November.

In Crimea, the annual temperature change almost coincides with the change in the influx of solar radiation. Average monthly air temperatures mainly change from north to south, with the exception of the South Coast, where changes occur to the east and west. Most often, the coldest month is January or February. The lowest average temperature (-4°C) in January is observed in the mountains, and the highest (about +5°C) is observed in the South Coast. The highest average monthly temperature is most often in July, when it reaches +23+24 °C, in the mountains – 16 °C.

During the day, the lowest temperatures are observed before sunrise, and the highest - at 12 - 14 hours. Breeze winds reduce daytime temperatures and increase nighttime temperatures, as a result of which the diurnal amplitude on the sea coast is less than far from it. The absolute minimum air temperature occurs mainly in January – February and is down to -37°C in the foothills.

In Crimea, 80-85% of the annual precipitation falls in the form of rain. The number of days with rain ranges from 80-130 in steppe areas to 150-170 in the mountains. In summer in Crimea there are no more than 5-10 days with rain per month.

The highest air temperature observed in Crimea, 38.1° in the shade, was recorded in Sevastopol. The lowest temperature -30° was observed in Crimea in the area of ​​Simferopol and Krasnoperekopsk. Thus, the temperature in Crimea varies within 68.1°, with annual average values ​​from 10° to 13°.

As of November 1, 2009, Autonomous Republic Crimea was inhabited by 1966.4 thousand people. During 2009, the population decreased, mainly due to natural decline. Due to intraregional migration in 2009, the urban population increased at the expense of the rural population.

The population of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is distributed unevenly across the peninsula. With an average population density of 75.4 people/km2, the density in the plain part of Crimea exceeds 30 people/km2, in the mountains - about 10 people/km2, in the foothills - about 150 people/km2, and on the coast - more than 300 people/km2. The coast of Crimea, which is the most valuable territory for recreational purposes, is home to 50% of the republic’s population. And if mountains and foothills are also included as recreationally valuable areas, the figure will increase to 75%.

Crimea is characterized by an increase in the number of cities, as well as urban-type settlements, and the relative stability of rural settlements. Due to the expansion of the network of recreational enterprises (sanatoriums, holiday homes, boarding houses, etc.), the number of urban-type settlements on the coast has more than doubled over 50 years.

Rural settlements are distributed unevenly across Crimea. With a total number of 950 rural settlements and an average density of 4 settlements per 100 km2, in the Simferopol region the density of rural settlements is 6, and in the Black Sea region - 2.2 settlements per 100 km2.

Territory and number of actual population by regions of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as of November 1, 2010

Composition of the population of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea according to the results of the All-Ukrainian Population Census of 2001.

A feature of the national composition of the population of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is its multinationality. According to the All-Ukrainian Population Census, representatives of more than 125 nationalities and nationalities live on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Data regarding the most numerous nationalities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea are given below:

The table includes data on nationalities whose share in the total resident population of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is at least 0.1%.

The Crimean Peninsula, or Crimea, is located in the south of the Russian Federation. Its eastern shores are washed by the waters of the Sea of ​​Azov, and its western and southern shores by the waters of the Black Sea. The peninsula is a part of land almost isolated from the mainland, connected to the continent only in the north by the narrow, up to eight kilometers wide, Perekop Isthmus. Crimea includes two more peninsulas: Kerch, located between the Black and Azov seas in the east, and Tarkhankut, occupying the western tapering part of Crimea.

The Crimean peninsula cannot be called small. Its surface area is slightly less than twenty-seven thousand square kilometers, and even a small country can be located on such territory. Such an impressive size provides Crimea with a variety of landscapes: on the peninsula there are mountains, lakes, small rivers, and steppe plains that occupy the main part of it. In the west, on Tarkhankut, the plains give way to limestone ledges, and the surface of the Kerch Peninsula, located in the east, is mainly hills.

Crimea borders Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Georgia. Its capital, business and cultural life and the largest transport hub is the city of Simferopol. The city's population is about four hundred thousand inhabitants.

The natural conditions of the Crimean peninsula are very extraordinary. This amazing region is endowed with fertile lands, a magnificent sea coast, and majestic mountain ranges unique in their beauty. The climate throughout the peninsula is mild and somewhat heterogeneous. On the southern coast of Crimea it is close to Mediterranean and subtropical, and in the northern part of the peninsula it is continental. Summer on the peninsula is sunny and quite hot, with rare but plentiful rains. It usually begins in mid-May and continues until the end of September. The air in these places is not characterized by high humidity, so even hot summer days do not cause significant discomfort. Autumn in Crimea is rainy, but warm, almost windless, smoothly turning into a winter with little snow with rare, not severe frosts.

The Crimean Mountains stretch for one hundred and fifty kilometers, starting near the city of Sevastopol and ending near the city of Feodosia. They consist of three, almost parallel to each other, ridges, steep from the south and gently descending into valleys from the north. The height of the main ridge almost everywhere exceeds a thousand meters above sea level. The gentle slopes of the mountains are covered with oak, juniper, pine and beech forests and woodlands with rare species of shrubs. Pine forests Crimea, occupying about 13% of the forest area, is of particular value.

Over seven hundred square kilometers of the Crimean territory are nature reserves, replete with rare species of flora and fauna. Many of these species are found only in this area.

There are about one hundred and fifty rivers on the peninsula, the total length of which reaches about six thousand kilometers. Almost all rivers, the largest of which are the Salgir River, with a length of two hundred and four kilometers, and the Chatyr-Lyk River, with a length of one hundred and six kilometers, originate in the mountains. In summer, many Crimean rivers dry up, but in the event of heavy rainfall they quickly turn into swift, powerful streams, easily carrying down huge boulders and uprooting centuries-old trees. In the spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, these seemingly harmless water sources can instantly become a stormy roaring mudflow, sweeping away everything in its path. The most abundant rivers in Crimea are Belbek, Biyuk-Karasu and Chernaya.

Mountain streams, passing through narrow gorges, form waterfalls, the most picturesque of which is the powerful Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall. Even in dry times it almost never runs out. The Golovkinsky waterfall is very beautiful, falling from a twelve-meter height into a gorge, surrounded by lush vegetation, found only in these places. The Yalta Waterfall, formed by the Uchan-Su River not far from the city of Yalta, gains full strength, mainly in the spring. At this time he is simply magnificent.

There are over three hundred lakes and estuaries on the peninsula, including many mud lakes. The lakes of Crimea, located along the coast, are predominantly salty. On the Tarkhankut Peninsula there is a fairly large freshwater lake, Ak-Mechetsky. Mountain lakes are mainly artificial reservoirs.

Crimea is one of those corners of the globe where all the factors that contribute to the maximum comfort of existence of all life on the planet are miraculously combined. The reason for this is the favorable climate and convenient location of the peninsula.