General Characteristics of Crimea

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is located on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, which juts out deeply into the Black Sea and is connected with the continent by the narrow Perekopskiy isthmus. It is washed on the east by the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov with its Sivash bay. The area of Crimea is 27,000 sq.km , which makes 4.5% of the total territory of Ukraine. Distance between the extreme points of peninsula: from north to south - 195 km., from west to east -325 km.
2.23 million people or 4.35% of the total population of Ukraine live in the republic, 60% of those live in towns.
Crimea is divided into two quite different parts, such as northern, with plains (4/5 of the total area) and southern, with mountains, spread from Sevastopol to Feodosiya. Mountains of Crimea, consisting of three ridges in the western part and two ridges in the eastern part, which are divided by valleys, remind us of strong waves, which have scraped slopes from the coast side and there are more gentle slopes on the steppe side. The highest ridge is the first from the coast slope with the height of 1.5 km above the sea level. The highest point of the peninsula is the apex of the mountain Roman-Kosh, 1545 m.
The main ridge is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of fertile land, with a width from 2 to 8 km, known in it as South Coast of Crimea. Alushta, Partenit and Big Yalta, which includes Massandra, Livadiya, Oreanda, Gurzuf, Miskhor, Gaspra, Koreiz, Alypka, Semeiz and Foros are located here. It is in this very place, where the majority of prestige health resorts of the high class and the complex of children health improving camps, "Artek", are situated. Vineyards, which provide famous Crimean wines, are also concentrated here.The second and third ridges are a bit lower, 700-500 meters and 300-150 meters above the sea level, respectively. Ancient cave towns and monasteries, as well as modern Bakhchisaray, Simferopol, Belogorsk and Old Crimea are situated between them.
State Nikitskiy botanical garden, created 184 years ago, is located close to Yalta. The richest collection of wood and flowers and fruit cultivations are gathered here. Garden employees have collected and created about 2000 varieties of roses, 1500 varieties of peaches, etc. The famous institute of viticulture and wine-making, situated in Yalta, is the leader in this branch of industry in the south of Ukraine and Russia. Such unique sorts of Crimean wines as "Muskat white of the red stone" and others were created here. The biggest wine producer - plant "Massandra" is also located here.