Crimean

Crimean is an adjective relating to Crimea, a region on the northern coast of the Black Sea. It can describe the peninsula itself or its inhabitants, including residents who identify as Crimeans and groups such as Crimean Tatars.

Geography and administration: The peninsula covers about 27,000 square kilometers and features the Crimean Mountains, steppe, and a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is connected to the Ukrainian mainland by the Isthmus of Perekop. Sevastopol, a major port city, is administered separately by Russia as a federal city.

History and status: Crimea has been part of various states and empires. It was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1783 and later organized within the Russian Empire’s Crimean region. In 1954 it was transferred from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, Crimea remained part of Ukraine, with Sevastopol having its own status. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea following a disputed referendum; most countries do not recognize the annexation and consider Crimea Ukrainian territory, while Russia administers it as the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol as a separate federal city. The United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity in resolution 68/262.

Population and culture: The population is diverse, with Russians forming the practical plurality, and significant minorities of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars. The Crimean Tatars are a Turkic-speaking people with a long historical presence in the region and a history of mass deportations in 1944. The region has its own cultural traditions and languages, including Crimean Tatar, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Economy and transport: The economy centers on tourism, agriculture (notably wine and fruit), and maritime services. Sevastopol hosts a major naval base and port. Water supply has been a persistent issue since 2014, when Ukrainian control over the North Crimean Canal from the Dnieper was altered; Russia has pursued alternative sources and infrastructure to meet local needs.