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{{seealso|2014 Crimean crisis|2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine}} {{Short description|De jure autonomous republic of Ukraine}}
{{three other uses|the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|the peninsula|Crimean peninsula|the proclaimed federal subject of Russia|Republic of Crimea}} {{About|the ''de jure'' Ukrainian government in Crimea|the Soviet republic|Crimea in the Soviet Union{{!}}Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|the disputed Russian ''de facto'' administration in Crimea|Republic of Crimea (Russia)}}
{{pp-move|expiry=2014-09-07 00:11:01|small=yes}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2017}}
{{pp-protected|expiry=2014-04-05 14:14:39|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox political division
|conventional_long_name=Autonomous Republic of Crimea
| name = Autonomous Republic of Crimea
|native_name={{unbulleted list |Автономная Республика Крым |Автономна Республіка Крим |Qırım Muhtar Cumhuriyeti}}
| native_name = {{smalldiv|{{unbulleted list |Автономна Республіка Крим|Автономная Республика Крым|''Qırım Muhtar Cumhuriyeti''}}}}
|common_name=Crimea
|image_flag=Flag of Crimea.svg | image_flag = Flag of Crimea.svg
|image_coat=Emblem of Crimea.svg | flag_link = Flag of Crimea
| settlement_type = ]{{efn|Annexed by Russia as the ]}}
|image_map=Crimea in Ukraine.svg
| image_seal = Emblem of Crimea.svg
|map_caption = Location of Crimea (red) with respect to ] (white)
| seal_type = Coat of arms
|national_motto = <br/>{{native phrase|ru|"Процветание в единстве"|italics=off}}<br/>'']''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(])<br/>"Prosperity in unity"}}
| seal_link = Coat of arms of Crimea
|national_anthem = <br/>{{native name|ru|"]"|italics=off|nolink=on}}<br/>''Nivy i gory tvoi volshebny, Rodina''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(transliteration)<br/>''Your fields and mountains are magical, Motherland''}}
| anthem ={{native name|ru|"]"|italics=off|nolink=on}}
|official_languages = ]
]<br />''Nivy i gory tvoi volshebny, Rodina''{{nbsp|2}}(transliteration)<br />Your fields and mountains are magical, Motherland
|recognized_regional_languages = ], ]<sup>a</sup>
| image_map = Crimea in Ukraine.svg
|ethnic_groups =
| map_caption = {{color box|#C12838}} Autonomous Republic of Crimea within Ukraine
{{unbulleted list
| image_map2 = Outline_Map_of_the_Autonomus_Republic_of_Crimea.svg
| 58.32% ]
| map_caption2 = {{map caption |countryprefix=the |location_color=light&nbsp;yellow |region=the ] |region_color=none}}
| 24.32% ]
| subdivision_type = ]
| {{nowrap|12.10% ]}}
| subdivision_name = ]
| capital = ]
| largest_city = ]
| legislature = ] (suspended)
| official_languages = ], ], ]<ref>{{cite web |author1=] |title=Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea |url=https://en.wikisource.org/Constitution_of_Crimea,_1998#CHAPTER_3._Securing_Rights_and_Freedoms_of_Ukrainian_Nationals_and_Rights_of_Ethnic_Groups_in_the_Autonomous_Republic_of_Crimea |access-date=19 December 2022 |pages=Section 1, Article 10 |quote="In the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, alongside with the ], the application and development, use and protection of ], ] and other ethnic groups’ languages shall be secured."}}</ref>
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list
| 60.12% ]
| 25.78% ]
| {{nowrap|14.1% ]}}
}} }}
|ethnic_groups_year = ] | ethnic_groups_year = ]
| established_title1 = ]
|capital = ]
| established_date1 = 12 February 1991
|latd=44 |latm=57 |lats=25 |latNS=N |longd=34 |longm=6 |longs=38 |longEW=E
| established_title2 = ]
|largest_city = capital
| established_date2 = 21 October 1998
|government_type = ]
| established_title3 = ]
|leader_title1 = {{longitem|]}}
| established_date3 = 20 February 2014{{efn|In 2015 the ] officially set 20 February 2014 as the date of "the beginning of the ]."<ref name="10404918crimea"/>}}
|leader_name1 = ] <small>(de facto)<small><ref>{{uk icon}} , ] (27 February 2014)</ref>
|leader_title2 = ] | established_title4 = ]
| established_date4 = 18 March 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Toal|first1=Gerald|last2=O’Loughlin|first2=John|last3=M. Bakke|first3=Kristin|title=Six years and $20 billion in Russian investment later, Crimeans are happy with Russian annexation Point|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/18/six-years-20-billion-russian-investment-later-crimeans-are-happy-with-russian-annexation/|date=18 March 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>
|leader_name2 = {{nowrap|] <small>(de facto)<small><ref>{{cite news|title=Crimean Parliament Dismisses Cabinet and Sets Date for Autonomy Referendum|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/crimean-parliament-dismisses-cabinet-and-sets-date-for-autonomy-referendum/495391.html|accessdate=February 27, 2014|newspaper=]|date=February 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>Installed during the ] and not appointed by the ]</ref>}}
| area_km2 = 26,100
|leader_title3 = {{longitem|]}}
| area_sq_mi = 10,038 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|leader_name3 = {{nowrap|] <small>(de facto)<small><ref>, ] (March 17, 2010).</ref><ref name="Mohyliov"/>}}
| population_census = 2,033,700
|legislature = ]
| population_census_year = ]
|sovereignty_type = Modern history of statehood
| population_density_km2 = 77.9
|established_event1 = ]
| population_density_sq_mi = 202.6 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|established_date1 = 13 December, 1917
| iso_code = UA-43
|established_event2 = ]
| government_type = ]
|established_date2 = January 1918
|leader_title1 = ]
|established_event3 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|established_date3 = April 1918
|established_event4 = ]
|established_date4 = April 1919
|established_event5 = ]
|established_date5 = June 1919
|established_event6 = ]
|established_date6 = October 1921
|established_event7 = ]
|established_date7 = 1941-1943
|established_event8 = ]
|established_date8 = June 1945
|established_event9 = ]
|established_date9 = February 1954
|established_event10 = ]
|established_date10 = February 1991
|established_event11 = ]
|established_date11 = 21 October, 1998
|established_event12 = ]
|established_date12 = 16 March, 2014
|area_rank = 148th
|area_magnitude =
|area_km2 = 26,100
|area_sq_mi = 10,038 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water =
|population_estimate = 1,973,185
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 148th
|population_census = 2,033,700
|population_census_year = ]
|population_density_km2 = 75.6
|population_density_sq_mi = 196.6 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 116th
|currency = ]<!-- until Jan. 1, 2016 -->, ] <ref name="currency">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_c2 |title=Ukraine cries 'robbery' as Russia annexes Crimea |publisher=CNN.com |date=March 18, 2014}}</ref>
|currency_code = UAH
|country_code = UA
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +2
|time_zone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|cctld = crimea.ua<sup>c</sup>
|calling_code = ]<sup>d</sup>
|footnote_a = Because ] is the only state language in Ukraine, no other language may be official, although according to the Constitution of Crimea, ] is the language of inter-ethnic communication. However, government duties are fulfilled mainly in ], hence it is a '']'' official language. ] is also used.
|footnote_b = The ]'s autonomy was restored when it became the Autonomous Republic of Crimea within the newly independent ].
|footnote_c = Not officially assigned.
|footnote_d = ]&nbsp;65 for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, +380&nbsp;692 for the administratively separate ].
|footnotes = ]
}} }}


The '''Autonomous Republic of Crimea''' is an ] encompassing most of ] that was ] by ] in 2014. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies most of the peninsula,<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea">, ]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/printable_article?art_id=301361 |title=Government Portal of The Autonomous Republic of Crimea |publisher=Kmu.gov.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> while the ] (a ] within Ukraine) occupies the rest.
The '''Autonomous Republic of Crimea''' ({{lang-uk|Автономна Республіка Крим}}, ''Avtonomna Respublika Krym''; {{lang-ru|Автономная Республика Крым}}, ''Avtonomnaya Respublika Krym''; {{lang-crh|Qırım Muhtar Cumhuriyeti}}, Къырым Мухтар Джумхуриети)<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26367786</ref> is an ], in the southern region of ], located on the ] on the north shore of the ]. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea includes nearly all of the Crimean Peninsula, with the small exception of ].


The ], ], ]s, ], ], ], ], ], the state of ], ], Italians, and ] Mongols<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Crimea|volume=7}}</ref> and Tatars each controlled Crimea in its earlier history. In the 13th century, it was partly controlled by the ] and by the ], and in the late 15th century, it was partly under ] suzerainty.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kołodziejczyk|first=Dariusz|title=The Crimean Khanate and Poland-Lithuania. International Diplomacy on the European Periphery (15th–18th Century). A Study of Peace Treaties Followed by Annotated Documents|location=Leiden and Boston|year=2011|publisher=Brill|page=17|isbn=978-90-04-19190-7}}</ref> They were followed by the ] and the ] in the 15th to 18th centuries, the ] in the 18th to 20th centuries, ] during World War II, and the ], and later the ], within the ] during the rest of the 20th century until Crimea became part of independent Ukraine with the breakup of the ] in 1991.
Due to recent political instability in the region and ], national sovereignty over the peninsula is currently being disputed by Russia and Ukraine (March 2014).<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea">, ]</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> On 11 March 2014, the parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea adopted a ] from Ukraine, ahead of a planned referendum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crimea parliament declares independence from Ukraine ahead of referendum|url=http://rt.com/news/crimea-parliament-independence-ukraine-086/|publisher=RT.com|accessdate=13 March 2014|date=11 March 2014|quote=The parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has adopted an independence declaration from Ukraine which is necessary for holding a March 16 referendum.}}</ref> On 16 March 2014, an overwhelming majority voted in favour of independence of Crimea from Ukraine and joining Russia as a federal subject.<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26606097</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/16/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140316</ref> After the referendum, Crimean lawmakers formally voted both to secede from Ukraine and ask for membership in the ]. The legitimacy and legality of the vote has been rejected by the government of Ukraine and the international community, with few exceptions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/european-union-ukraine.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0|agency=The New York Times|title=Lawmakers in Crimea Move Swiftly to Split From Ukraine|date=17 March 2014|accessdate=17 March 2014}}</ref> On 18 March 2014, the President of Russia, the Prime Minister of Crimea, and the mayor of Sevastopol jointly signed an agreement for Crimea and Sevastopol to join the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kremlin: Crimea and Sevastopol are now part of Russia, not Ukraine|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/|publisher=CNN}}</ref>


After the ] in February 2014, ] ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/46860 |title=Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club|publisher=]|date=24 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415032511/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/46860|archive-date=15 April 2015|quote=I will be frank; we used our Armed Forces to block Ukrainian units stationed in Crimea}}</ref> Russia formally ] ] on 18 March 2014, incorporating the ] and the ] of ] as the 84th and 85th ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?92062 |script-title= ru:Распоряжение Президента Российской Федерации от 17.03.2014 № 63-рп 'О подписании Договора между Российской Федерацией и Республикой Крым о принятии в Российскую Федерацию Республики Крым и образовании в составе Российской Федерации новых субъектов' |access-date=25 June 2016 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140318095051/http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?92062 |archive-date= 18 March 2014}}</ref> While Russia and ] recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, Ukraine continues to claim Crimea as an integral part of its territory, ] and ].<ref name="cnn20140318UNga"/>
Since c. 700 BC, the peninsula has changed hands several times, with all or part having been controlled by ], ], ]s, ], ], ], ], ], ] (the historical precursor to the modern states of ], ], and ]<ref name="Plokhy2006">{{cite book |title=The Origins of the Slavic Nations: Premodern Identities in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus |last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |year=2006 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-521-86403-9 |pages=10–15 |url=http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/64039/excerpt/9780521864039_excerpt.pdf |quote=For all the salient differences between these three post-Soviet nations, they have much in common when it comes to their culture and history, which goes back to Kievan Rus', the medieval East Slavic state based in the capital of present-day Ukraine. |accessdate=2010-04-27}}</ref>), the ], ], ], ], the ], the ], the ], the ], ], ], and now, perhaps, the ].


Crimea is an autonomous ] within Ukraine<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea"/> and is governed by the ] in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. The capital and administrative seat of the republic's government is the city of ], located in the center of the peninsula. Crimea's area is {{convert|26200|sp=us|km2|sqmi}} and its population was 1,973,185 as of 2007. These figures do not include the area and population of the City of ] (2007 population: 379,200), which is administratively separate from the autonomous republic. The peninsula thus has 2,352,385 people (2007 estimate). The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an autonomous ] within Ukraine<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea"/> and was governed by the ] in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. The capital and administrative seat of the republic's government is the city of ], located in the centre of the peninsula. Crimea's area is {{convert|26200|km2|sqmi}} and its population was 1,973,185 as of 2007. These figures do not include the area and population of the City of ] (2007 population: 379,200), which is administratively separate from the autonomous republic. The peninsula thus has 2,352,385 people (2007 estimate).


], a predominantly ] ethnic minority who in 2001 made up 12.10% of the population,<ref name=2001CensusUKRCR>, ]</ref> formed in Crimea in the late ], after the ] had come into existence. The Crimean Tatars were ] to ] by ]'s government. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Crimean Tatars began to return to the region.<ref>Pohl, J. Otto. ''The Stalinist Penal System: A Statistical History of Soviet Repression and Terror''. Mc Farland & Company, Inc, Publishers. 1997. .</ref> According to the ] 58% of the population of Crimea are ethnic Russians and 24% are ethnic Ukrainians.<ref name=2001CensusUKRCR/> ], a predominantly ] ethnic minority who in 2001 made up 12.10% of the population,<ref name=2001CensusUKRCR>, ]</ref> formed in Crimea in the late ], after the Crimean Khanate had come into existence. The Crimean Tatars were ] to ] by ]'s government. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Crimean Tatars began to return to the region.<ref>Pohl, J. Otto. ''The Stalinist Penal System: A Statistical History of Soviet Repression and Terror''. Mc Farland & Company, Inc, Publishers. 1997. .</ref> According to the ] 58% of the population of Crimea are ethnic Russians and 24% are ethnic Ukrainians.<ref name=2001CensusUKRCR/> The region has the highest proportion of ].<ref name=2001CensusUKRCR/>


==Etymology== ==Background==
{{main|History of Crimea}}
The name ''Crimea'' derives from the name of the city of Qırım (today's '']''), which served as a capital of the Crimean province of the ]. The name Krim thus traces to the Tatar word for 'steppe, hill' (]: ''qırım'' - ‘my steppe, hill’, from ], ] ''qır'' ‘mountain top, mountain ridge; steppe, desert, level ground’).<ref> in ''Nişanyan Dictionary'' (Turkish Etymological dictionary)</ref><ref> in ], ], Oleg Mudrak (2003), ''Etymological Dictionary of the Altaic Languages'', Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers</ref> Russian ''Krym'' is a Russified form of Qırım. The ] called Crimea '']'' (later '']'', Ταυρική in ]), after its inhabitants, the ]. The Greek historian ] accounts for the name by asserting that ] plowed that land using a huge ox ("Taurus"). Herodotus also refers to a nearby region called ''Cremni''<ref>Herodotus IV.20.</ref> or 'the Cliffs{{'"}}, which may also refer to the Crimean peninsula, notable for its cliffs along what is otherwise a flat northern coastline of the Black Sea.


The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was established as part of the ] in 1921, with the latter joining with other republics to form the Soviet Union. Following the end of Nazi occupation during World War II, ] and the autonomous republic was abolished in 1945, replaced with an oblast-level jurisdiction. In 1954, ] was transferred to the jurisdiction of the ]. Shortly prior to the ], Crimea was granted the status of Autonomous Republic by the ] following a state-sanctioned ] held on January 20, 1991. When ], Crimea remained a republic within the country, leading to tensions between ] and Ukraine as the ] was based on the peninsula.
In English, Crimea has often been referred to with the ], as '''the Crimea''', although its usage was more common before the late ].


==History== ==History==
===Post-Soviet years===
{{main|History of Crimea}}
Since Ukrainian independence, more than 250,000 ] have returned and integrated into the region.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Крымские репатрианты: депортация, возвращение и обустройство|last=Gabrielyan|first=Oleg|publisher=Amena|year=1998|pages=321|language=ru}}</ref>
===Early history===
] near modern Sevastopol]]
Taurica was the name of Crimea in ]. Taurica was inhabited by a variety of peoples. The inland regions were inhabited by ] and the mountainous south coast by the Taures, an offshoot of the ]. Greek settlers inhabited a number of colonies along the coast of the peninsula, notably the city of ] in modern Sevastopol. In the 4th century BC<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hind|first=John|title=The Bosporan Kingdom|journal=The Cambridge Ancient History|volume=VI - The 4th Century BC|pages=476–511|editor1-first=D.M. Lewis; J.Boardman; S. Hornblower; M. Ostwald|publisher=CUP|location=Cambridge}}</ref> the eastern part of Taurica became part of the ], before being incorporated into the ] in the 1st century BC. During the 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Taurica was host to Roman colonists in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naukawpolsce.pap.pl/en/news/news,397105,polish-archaeologists-discovered-a-roman-garrison-commanders-house-in-the-crimea.html |title=Polish archaeologists discovered a Roman garrison commander's house in the Crimea &#124; News &#124; Science & Scholarship in Poland |publisher=Naukawpolsce.pap.pl |date=2013-09-18 |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> Taurica was eventually renamed by the ], from whose ] Crimea's modern name derives. The word "Crimea" comes from the Crimean Tatar name ''Qırım'', via Greek ''Krimea'' (Κριμαία).{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}


Between 1992 and 1995, a struggle about the division of powers between the Crimean and Ukrainian authorities ensued. On 26 February, ]<!-- in 1992-1995 this name, it was a big conflict point about the name when --> renamed the ASSR the ]. Then on 5 May, it proclaimed self-government<ref>{{cite web|url=http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=1359-7566&volume=12&issue=2&spage=65|title=Catching up with 'Europe'? Constitutional Debates on the Territorial-Administrative Model in Independent Ukraine|access-date=16 December 2006|last=Wolczuk|first=Kataryna|date=31 August 2004|work=Taylor & Francis Group}} {{dead link|date=September 2021}}<br />{{Cite journal|url=http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/157181104322784826|title=The Crimea Conundrum: The Tug of War Between Russia and Ukraine on the Questions of Autonomy and Self-Determination|journal=International Journal on Minority and Group Rights|volume=10|issue=2|pages=111–130|last=Wydra|first=Doris|date=11 November 2004|doi=10.1163/157181104322784826| issn=1385-4879 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/02/world/ukraine-president-claims-new-powers-in-crimea.html | title=Ukraine President Claims New Powers in Crimea | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2 April 1995 }}</ref><ref name="Constitution of Crimea ref2">, ], 2003, {{ISBN|1857431871}} (page 540)</ref> and twice enacted ] that the Ukrainian government and Parliament refused to accept on the grounds that it was inconsistent with Ukraine's constitution.<ref name="5 May 1992 in Crimea"> by ], ], 1995, {{ISBN|0253329175}} (page 194)</ref> Finally in June 1992, the parties reached a compromise: Crimea would be given the status of "autonomous republic" and granted special economic status, as an autonomous but integral part of Ukraine.<ref name="Subtelny">{{cite book|title=Ukraine: A History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HNIs9O3EmtQC&pg=PA78|last=Subtelny|first=Orest|author-link=Orest Subtelny|publisher=]|year=2000|isbn=0-8020-8390-0}}</ref>{{rp|587}}
Throughout the later centuries, Crimea was invaded or occupied successively by the ], ], ] (AD 250), the ] (376), the ] (4th–8th century), the ] (8th century), the state of ] (10th–11th centuries), the ] (1016), the ] (Kumans) (1050), and the ] (1237).{{fact|date=March 2014}} In the 13th century, the ] seized the settlements that their rivals, the ], had built along the Crimean coast and gained control of the Crimean economy and the Black Sea commerce for two centuries.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The ] pandemic came to Europe in the 14th century, probably aboard Genoese merchant ships from the Crimean peninsula.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/a-b/blackdeath.html |title=Channel 4 – History – The Black Death |publisher=Channel 4 |accessdate=3 November 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080625094232/http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/a-b/blackdeath.html |archivedate=25 June 2008}}</ref>


In October 1993, the Crimean parliament established the post of ]. Tensions rose in 1994 with election of separatist leader ] as Crimean president. On 17 March 1995, the ] abolished the Crimean constitution of May 1992, all the laws and decrees contradicting those of Kyiv, and also removed ], the then president of Crimea, along with the office itself.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-18-mn-44129-story.html | title=Ukraine Abolishes Crimea Constitution, Presidency : Black Sea: Measures taken by Kiev leadership give it broad powers over the violence-ridden peninsula | website=] | date=18 March 1995 }}</ref><ref name="iccrimea.org">{{cite web|last=Belitser|first=Natalya|url=http://www.iccrimea.org/scholarly/nbelitser.html|title=The Constitutional Process in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in the Context of Interethnic Relations and Conflict Settlement|publisher=International Committee for Crimea|date=20 February 2000|access-date=22 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Ukrainian law|type=]|number=93/95-вр|law=92%2F95%2D%E2%F0|name=On the termination of the Constitution and some laws of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|date=17 March 1995}}</ref> After an interim constitution, the 1998 ] was put into effect, changing the territory's name to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
A number of ], now collectively known as the ], came to inhabit the peninsula starting with the early Middle Ages. At times these dominated the peninsula demographically, while at other times their numbers dwindled (1750–1944) or disappeared altogether (1944–91), only to reappear again (1991–present) After the destruction of the ] by ], the Crimean Tatars founded an independent ] in 1441, under ], a descendant of ]. The Crimean Tatars controlled the steppes that stretched from the ] and to the ], however, they were initially unable to take control over commercial Genoese towns. After the capture of Genoese towns, the Ottoman Sultan held ] captive,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avalanchepress.com/Soldier_Khan.php |title=Soldier Khan |publisher=Avalanchepress.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> later releasing him in return for accepting Ottoman sovereignty above the Crimean Khans and allowing them rule as tributary princes of the Ottoman Empire.<ref name="blacksea-crimea/hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/history1.html |title=History |accessdate=March 28, 2007 |work=blacksea-crimea.com}}</ref><ref name="Subtelny">{{Cite book| title=Ukraine: A History | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HNIs9O3EmtQC&pg=PA78&dq#v=onepage&q=&f=false| author=Subtelny, Orest | publisher=] | year=2000 | isbn=0-8020-8390-0 | authorlink=Orest Subtelny }}</ref>{{rp|78}} However, the Crimean Khans still had a large amount of autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. In 1774, the Crimean Khans fell under Russian influence with the ] and, in 1783, the entire Crimea was annexed by the ].<ref name="Subtelny"/>{{rp|176}}


===Formation of the autonomous republic===
], an East Germanic language, was spoken by the ] in some isolated locations in Crimea until the late 18th century.<ref>{{cite web| title=The Corpus of Crimean Gothic| author=Todd B. Krause and Jonathan Slocum| publisher=University of Texas at Austin| url=http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/eieol/gotol-10-R.html }}</ref>
Following the ratification of the May 1997 ], in which Russia recognized Ukraine's borders and sovereignty over Crimea, international tensions slowly eased. However, in 2006, ] broke out on the peninsula.<ref>, ] (8 June 2006)</ref> In September 2008, the ] ] accused Russia of giving out ]s to the population in Crimea and described it as a "real problem" given Russia's declared policy of military intervention abroad to protect Russian citizens.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521100144/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j57jsvObBZruGm0n7HhUA7rCG7nA |date=21 May 2011}}. ]. 6 September 2008.</ref>
] in ] was the center of ] in Ukraine for nearly 300 years]]


On 24 August 2009, anti-Ukrainian demonstrations were held in Crimea by ethnic Russian residents. ] (of the ]<ref>{{cite web|last=Kuzio|first=Taras|author-link=Taras Kuzio|title=Ukraine: Kiev fails to end Crimea's ethnic tentions|url=http://www.taraskuzio.net/media13_files/26.pdf|website=Oxford Analytica|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724092903/http://www.taraskuzio.net/media13_files/26.pdf|archive-date=24 July 2011|date=8 February 2007}}</ref> and then deputy speaker of the ])<ref>{{cite web|last=Kuzio|first=Taras|url=http://www.taraskuzio.net/media24_files/15.pdf|title=Separatists and Russian nationalist-extremist allies of the Party of Regions call for union with Russia|website=KyivPost|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516204846/http://www.taraskuzio.net/media24_files/15.pdf|archive-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> said then that he hoped that Russia would treat Crimea the same way as it had treated ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Clifford J.|last=Levy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/europe/28crimea.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss|title=Russia and Ukraine in Intensifying Standoff|work=]|date=28 August 2009|access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> The ] extended Russia's lease on naval facilities in Crimea until 2042, with optional five-year renewals.<ref>, '']'' (27 April 2010)</ref>
===Crimean Khanate===
The ] was a Tatar state founded by ], a descendant of ], from 1441 to 1783. In 1478 the Khanate became a ], during the long ] it became a formally independent state by the terms of the 1774 Russo-Ottoman ], and was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1783, and called the ].


=== Occupation and annexation by Russia ===
====Slave trade====
{{main|Russian occupation of Crimea|Republic of Crimea (Russia)}}
Until the late 18th century, Crimean Tatars maintained a massive ] with the ] and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |author=] |title=The Sultan’s Raiders: The Military Role of the Crimean Tatars in the Ottoman Empire |url=http://www.jamestown.org/uploads/media/Crimean_Tatar_-_complete_report_01.pdf |work=]|year=2013|page=27}}</ref> About 2 million slaves from Russia and Ukraine were sold over the period 1500–1700.<ref>Darjusz Kołodziejczyk, as reported by {{cite web |author=Mikhail Kizilov |title=Slaves, Money Lenders, and Prisoner Guards:The Jews and the Trade in Slaves and Captivesin the Crimean Khanate |url=http://www.academia.edu/3706285/Slaves_Money_Lenders_and_Prisoner_Guards_The_Jews_and_the_Trade_in_Slaves_and_Captives_in_the_Crimean_Khanate |work=The Journal of Jewish Studies|year=2007|page=2}}</ref> Tatars were known for frequent, at some periods almost annual, devastating raids on the ] peoples to the north. In 1769 a last major ], which took place during the ], saw the capture of 20,000 slaves.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mikhail Kizilov |title=Slave Trade in the Early Modern Crimea From the Perspective of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Sources |url=http://www.academia.edu/2971600/Slave_Trade_in_the_Early_Modern_Crimea_From_the_Perspective_of_Christian_Muslim_and_Jewish_Sources |work=Oxford University|page=7}}</ref>
{{further|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation}}
]


Crimea voted strongly for the pro-Russian Ukrainian president ] and his ] in presidential and parliamentary elections,<ref name="SvobodawonthankstoYanu"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813031529/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/eastweek/2010-11-04/local-government-elections-ukraine-last-stage-party-regions-takeover- |date=13 August 2011 }}, ] (4 October 2010)</ref> and his ousting on 22 February 2014 during the ] was followed by a push by pro-Russian protesters for Crimea to secede from Ukraine and seek assistance from Russia.<ref name="CrimeaProtests">{{cite news|title=Putin orders military exercise as protesters clash in Crimea|url=http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/220244696/scat/723971d98160d438/ht/Putin-orders-military-exercise-as-protesters-clash-in-Crimea|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140227092437/http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/220244696/scat/723971d98160d438/ht/Putin-orders-military-exercise-as-protesters-clash-in-Crimea|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2014|work=Russia Herald|date=27 February 2014|access-date=22 September 2017}}</ref>
===Crimean War and the 19th century===
] during the Crimean War]]
Crimea became part of Russia's ] and was the site of much of the fighting in the ] (1853–1856) between Russia on one side, and France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia on the other. Russia and the Ottoman Empire went to war in October 1853 over Russia's rights to protect ]. Russia gained the upper hand after destroying the Ottoman fleet at the Black Sea port of Sinope; to stop Russia's conquest, France and Britain entered in March 1854. Most of the fighting took place for control of the Black Sea, with land battles on the Crimean peninsula in southern Russia. The Russians held their great ] for over a year. After it fell, peace was arranged at Paris in March 1856. The religion issue had already been resolved. The main results were that the Black Sea was neutralized—Russia would have no warships there—and the two ], ] and ], became largely independent under nominal Ottoman rule. The war devastated much of the economic and social infrastructure of the peninsula.


On 28 February 2014, ] in Crimea<ref name="CrimeaRussiaOccupation">{{cite news|title=This is what it looked like when Russian military rolled through Crimea today (VIDEO)|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140228/video-on-the-ground-crimea-ukraine-russia-tanks-armed-men|access-date=28 February 2014|publisher=UK Telegraph}}</ref> though the Russian foreign ministry stated that "movement of the Black Sea Fleet armored vehicles in Crimea (...) happens in full accordance with basic Russian-Ukrainian agreements on the Black Sea Fleet".{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Gunmen, either armed militants or Russian special forces, occupied the Crimean parliament and, under armed guard with doors locked, members of parliament elected ] as the new Crimean prime minister.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/19097/putin-crimea-russia-ukraine-aksyonov/|magazine=Time|title=Putin's Man in Crimea Is Ukraine's Worst Nightmare|first=Simon|last=Shuster|date=10 March 2014|access-date=8 March 2015|quote=Before dawn on Feb.&nbsp;27, at least two dozen heavily armed men stormed the Crimean parliament building and the nearby headquarters of the regional government, bringing with them a cache of assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades. A few hours later, Aksyonov walked into the parliament and, after a brief round of talks with the gunmen, began to gather a quorum of the chamber's lawmakers.}}</ref> Aksyonov then said that he asserted sole control over Crimea's security forces and appealed to Russia "for assistance in guaranteeing peace and calmness" on the peninsula. The interim government of Ukraine described events as an invasion and occupation<ref name="CrimeaRussiaOccupation2">{{cite news|title=UPDATE 2-U.N. Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Ukraine crisis|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-un-idUSL6N0LX3QA20140228 |publisher=Reuters|first=Louis|last=Charbonneau|date=28 February 2014|access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref><ref>Higgons, Andrew, "", ''The New York Times'', 28 February 2014, page A1; reporting was contributed by David M. Herszenhorn and Andrew E. Kramer from Kiev, Ukraine; Andrew Roth from Moscow; Alan Cowell from London; and Michael R. Gordon from Washington; with a graphic presentation of linguistic divisions of Ukraine and Crimea</ref> and did not recognize the Aksyonov administration as legal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/crimean-pm-claims-control-of-forces-asks-putin-for-help/article5739708.ece|title=Russian Parliament approves use of army in Ukraine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408043537/http://www.thehindu.com:80/news/international/world/crimean-pm-claims-control-of-forces-asks-putin-for-help/article5739708.ece |archive-date=8 April 2014 |work=The Hindu|date=1 March 2014|access-date=16 March 2022 |location=Chennai, India|first=Vladimir|last=Radyuhin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26403996|title=Ukraine army on full alert as Russia backs sending troops|publisher=BBC News|date=1 March 2014|access-date=1 March 2014}}</ref> Ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter to Putin asking him to use military force in Ukraine to restore law and order.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} On 1 March, the Russian parliament granted president ] the authority to use such force.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kremlin Clears Way for Force in Ukraine; Separatist Split Feared|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/europe/ukraine.html|access-date=1 March 2014|newspaper=New York Times|date=1 March 2014|first1=Alison|last1=Smale|first2=Steven|last2=Erlanger}}</ref> Three days later, several Ukrainian bases and navy ships in Crimea reported being intimidated by Russian forces and Ukrainian warships were also effectively blockaded in Sevastopol.<ref name="KyivPostWarning">{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/so-why-arent-they-shooting-is-putins-question-ukrainians-say-338389.html|title='So why aren't they shooting?' is Putin's question, Ukrainians say|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=4 March 2014|access-date=4 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBCcrimeablockade">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26440668|title=Ukraine resistance proves problem for Russia|work=BBC Online|date=4 March 2014|access-date=4 March 2014}}</ref>
===Crimea in the 20th and 21st centuries===
====In the Soviet Union====
During the ] following the overthrow of the Russian Empire, Crimea changed hands a number of times and was a stronghold of the ] ]. It was in Crimea that the White Russians led by ] made their last stand against the Anarchist forces of ] and the ] in 1920. Approximately 50,000 White prisoners of war and civilians were summarily executed by shooting or hanging after the defeat of General Wrangel at the end of 1920.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gellately |first=Robert |title=Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler: The Age of Social Catastrophe |publisher=] |year=2007 |page=72 |isbn=1-4000-4005-1}}</ref> This is considered one of the largest massacres in the Civil War.<ref>Nicolas Werth, Karel Bartosek, Jean-Louis Panne, Jean-Louis Margolin, Andrzej Paczkowski, Stephane Courtois, ''Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression'', ], 1999, hardcover, page 100, ISBN 0-674-07608-7. Chapter 4: ''The Red Terror''</ref>


On 6 March, the Crimean parliament asked the Russian government for the region to become a subject of the ] with a Crimea-wide ] on the issue set for 16 March. The Ukrainian government, the European Union, and the US all challenged the legitimacy of the request and of the proposed referendum as article 73 of the constitution of Ukraine states: "Alterations to the territory of Ukraine shall be resolved exclusively by an all-Ukrainian referendum."<ref name="TwitterShip">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/elizapalmer/status/441587420220624896|title='another view of the Ochakov – scuttled by Russian forces Wed night to block mouth of Donuzlav inlet|publisher=Twitter@elizapalmer|date=6 March 2014|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref> International monitors arrived in Ukraine to assess the situation but were halted by armed militants at the Crimean border.<ref name="BBCCrimRef">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26465962|title='Ukraine crisis: Crimea parliament asks to join Russia|publisher=BBC.com|date=6 March 2014|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBCcrimref2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26475508|title='Ukraine crisis: 'Illegal' Crimean referendum condemned|publisher=BBC.com|date=6 March 2014|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>
On 18 October 1921, the ] (ASSR) was created as part of the ], which then became part of the ].<ref name="blacksea-crimea/hist" /> Crimea experienced two severe ] in the 20th century, the ] and the ] of 1932–1933.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccrimea.org/historical/famine1931.html |title=Famine in Crimea |publisher=Iccrimea.org |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref>


] surrounded by Russian troops ] on 9 March 2014.]]
During World War II, Crimea was the scene of several ]. The Axis forces under the command of ] suffered heavy casualties in the summer of 1941 as they tried to advance through the narrow ] linking Crimea to the Soviet mainland. Once the Axis forces broke through, they occupied most of Crimea, with the exception of the city of ], which ] from October 1941 until 4 July 1942 when the Germans finally captured the city. From 1 September 1942, the peninsula was administered as the ''Generalbezirk Krim'' (general district of Crimea) ''und Teilbezirk'' (and sub-district) ''Taurien''. In spite of heavy-handed tactics by the Nazis and their allies, the Crimean mountains remained an unconquered stronghold of the native resistance until the day when the peninsula ] from the occupying force in 1944.
The day before the referendum, Ukraine's national parliament voted to dissolve the ] as its pro-Moscow leaders were finalising preparations for the vote.<ref>. NBC News. 15 March 2014</ref>


The 16 March referendum required voters to choose between "Do you support rejoining Crimea with Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation?" and "Do you support restoration of the 1992 ] and Crimea's status as a part of Ukraine?" There was no option on the ballot to maintain the status quo.<ref name="CrmRada1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rada.crimea.ua/textdoc/ru/6/act/1702pr.pdf|title='Приложение 1 к Постановлению Верховной Рады Автономной Республики Крым от 6 марта 2014 года No 1702-6/14|publisher=rada.crimea.ua|date=7 March 2014|access-date=7 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="KyivRefQ">{{cite news|last=Gorchinskaya|first=Katya|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/two-choices-in-crimean-referendum-yes-and-yes-338745.html|title=Two choices in Crimean referendum: yes and yes|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=7 March 2014|access-date=22 September 2017}}</ref> However, support for the second question would have restored the republic's autonomous status within Ukraine.<ref name="iccrimea.org"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Sasse|first=Gwendolyn|author-link=Gwendolyn Sasse|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/03/crimean-autonomy-a-viable-alternative-to-war|title=Crimean autonomy: A viable alternative to war?|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=3 March 2014|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref> The official turnout for the referendum was 83%, and the overwhelming majority of those who voted (95.5%)<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|title=Crimea referendum: Voters 'back Russian union'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26604222 |publisher=BBC News |date=16 March 2014|access-date=16 March 2014}}</ref> supported the option of rejoining Russia. However, a BBC reporter claimed that a huge number of Tatars and Ukrainians had abstained from the vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: Do Crimea referendum figures add up?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26608083|access-date=17 March 2014 |publisher=BBC News |date=17 March 2014}}</ref>
]" at the ] in Crimea: ], ] and ]]]
On 18 May 1944, the entire population of the ] was forcibly deported in the "]" (Turkish (Crimean Tatar) for exile) to Central Asia by ]'s ] government as a form of ], on the grounds that they had collaborated with the ] occupation forces and formed anti-Soviet ].<ref name="Subtelny"/> An estimated 46% of the deportees died from hunger and disease.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rummel|first=R. J.|title=Lethal Politics: Soviet Genocides and Mass Murders Since 1917|publisher=Transaction Publishers|page=181|url=http://books.google.co.il/books?id=sK5CJFpb2DAC&pg=PA181&dq=deportation+death+crimean+tatars&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YlgYU82rGom6ygOA14KYDA&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=deportation%20death%20crimean%20tatars&f=false}}</ref> On 26 June of the same year, the Armenian, Bulgarian, and Greek population was also deported to Central Asia. By the end of summer of 1944, the ] of Crimea was complete. In 1967, the Crimean Tatars were rehabilitated, but they were banned from legally returning to their homeland until the last days of the Soviet Union. The Crimean ASSR was abolished on 30 June 1945 and transformed into the ] (]) of the ].


Following the referendum, the members of the Supreme Council voted to rename themselves the ] and also formally appealed to Russia to accept Crimea as part of the Russian Federation.<ref> New York Times, accessed 26 December 2014</ref> This was granted and on 18 March 2014 the self-proclaimed ] signed a ]<ref>{{cite news|title=Kremlin: Crimea and Sevastopol are now part of Russia, not Ukraine|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/|access-date=18 March 2014|newspaper=CNN|date=18 March 2014}}</ref> though the accession was granted separately for each of the former regions that composed it: one accession for the ], and another for Sevastopol as a ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine: Putin signs Crimea annexation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26686949|newspaper=BBC.co.uk|date=21 March 2014|access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref> On 24 March 2014 the Ukrainian government ordered the full withdrawal of all of its armed forces from Crimea and two days later the last Ukrainian military bases and ] ships were captured by Russian troops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/24/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/ |date=24 March 2014 |access-date=24 March 2014 |title=Ukraine orders Crimea troop withdrawal as Russia seizes naval base |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="140326_RcCb">{{in lang|uk}} , ] (26 March 2014)</ref>{{efn|(Also) on 24 March 2014, the ] stated that approximately 50% of the Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea had defected to the Russian military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://un.ua/eng/article/500186.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326090516/http://un.ua/eng/article/500186.html|archive-date=26 March 2014 |title=Defense Ministry: 50% Of Ukrainian Troops in Crimea Defect To Russia |publisher=Ukrainian News Agency|date=24 March 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Jonathan Marcus |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26713727 |title=Ukrainian forces withdraw from Crimea |publisher=BBC News |date=24 March 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>}}
On 19 February 1954, the Presidium of the ] of the Soviet Union issued ] transferring the Crimean Oblast from the ] to the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soviethistory.org/index.php?page=subject&SubjectID=1954crimea&Year=1954 |title="The Gift of Crimea". |publisher=www.macalester.edu |date= |accessdate=2014-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.istpravda.com.ua/articles/4d61ab91438ae/ |title="Подарунок Хрущова". Як Україна відбудувала Крим |publisher=Istpravda.com.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> The transfer of the ] to Ukraine has been described as a "symbolic gesture," marking the 300th anniversary of Ukraine becoming a part of the ].<ref name=Gesture>{{cite news|last=Arutunyan|first=Anna|title=Russia testing the waters on Ukraine invasion|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/03/02/ukraine-crimea-russia-putin/5944117/|accessdate=2 March 2014|newspaper=USA Today|date=2 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Calamur>{{cite news|last=Calamur|first=Krishnadev|title=Crimea: A Gift To Ukraine Becomes A Political Flash Point|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/02/27/283481587/crimea-a-gift-to-ukraine-becomes-a-political-flash-point|accessdate=2 March 2014|newspaper=NPR|date=27 February 2014}}</ref> The General Secretary of the Communist Party in Soviet Union at the time was Ukrainian native ].


Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to claim Crimea as its territory and in 2015 the ] designated 20 February 2014 as the (official) date of the start of "the temporary occupation of Crimea."<ref name="10404918crimea">, ] (11 January 2019)<br />{{in lang|uk}} , ] (20 March 2016)</ref> On 27 March 2014 100 ] ] voted for ] affirming the ]'s commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders while 11 member states voted against, 58 abstained and 24 member states absented.<ref name="cnn20140318UNga">{{cite news|title=Kremlin: Crimea and Sevastopol are now part of Russia, not Ukraine|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/|publisher=CNN|date=18 March 2014}}</ref> Since then six countries (], ], ], ], ], and ]) have publicly recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea while ] have stated support for the 16 March 2014 Crimean referendum.<ref name="BIRaC31M16">, '']'', 31 May 2016.</ref>
In post-war years, Crimea thrived as a prime tourist destination, built with new attractions and ]s for tourists. Tourists came from all over the Soviet Union and neighbouring countries.<ref name="blacksea-crimea/hist" /> Crimea's infrastructure and manufacturing was also developed, particularly around the sea ports at ] and Sevastopol and in the oblast's landlocked capital of Simferopol.


==Government and administration==
Following a referendum on 20 January 1991, the ] was upgraded to that of an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic on 12 February 1991 by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/1991/499101.shtml |title=Day in history - 20 January |accessdate=August 6, 2007 |date=January 8, 2006 |work=]|language=Russian |archiveurl = //web.archive.org/web/20070930034959/http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/1991/499101.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = September 30, 2007}}</ref>
{{further|Politics of Crimea|Administrative divisions of Crimea}}


Executive power in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was exercised by the ], headed by a ], appointed and dismissed by the ], with the consent of the ].<ref name=Mohyliov> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606144111/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/84850/ |date=6 June 2012 }}, ] (7 November 2011)</ref> Though not an official body, the ] could address grievances to the ], the ], and international bodies.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ziad|first1=Waleed|author2=Laryssa Chomiak|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0220/p09s02-coop.html|title=A lesson in stifling violent extremism|publisher=]|date=20 February 2007|access-date=26 March 2007}}</ref>
====In Independent Ukraine====
{{missing information|section|the details regarding the referendums promoted by the Crimean parliament in 1992 and 1994, the tensions these created in Kiev, Kiev's reasons to deter them, the required ] for the referendums, and Tatar repatriation and population distribution at the time|date=March 2014}}
With the ], Crimea became part of the newly independent ], which led to tensions between ] and Ukraine.{{#tag:ref|In a summer 2013 poll by ] where respondents in Russia were asked what they consider Russian territory 56% claimed that Crimea was part of Russia.<ref>{{uk icon}} , ] (10 September 2013)</ref>|group=nb}} With the ] based on the peninsula, worries of armed skirmishes were occasionally raised. Crimean Tatars began returning from exile and resettling in Crimea.


An administrative reform, enacted by the '']'' on 17 July 2020, envisages redivision of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea into 10 enlarged raions (districts), into which cities (municipalities) of republican significance will be absorbed. Originally the reform was delayed until return of the peninsula under Ukrainian control,<ref></ref><ref> Про портал «Децентралізація»</ref><ref> 17 липня 2020 року № 807-IX</ref> but it came into effect on 7 September 2023.<ref name="zakon.rada.gov.ua">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-23 |title=Про внесення змін до деяких законодавчих актів України щодо вирішення окремих питань адміністративно-територіального устрою Автономної Республіки Крим |url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/3334-20 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України |language=uk}}</ref> Since the reform, the following are the subdivisions of the republic:
], near Yalta.]]
#Bakhchysarai Raion ({{lang|crh|Bağçasaray rayonı}}) — composed of Bakhchysarai Raion and parts of territory that earlier was subordinated to the Sevastopol municipality (without the Sevastopol city proper and also without Balaklava as such that exists within the Sevastopol city limits within the framework of Ukrainian legislation),
On 26 February 1992, the ]<!-- in 1992-1995 this name, it was a big conflict point about the name when --> (the Crimean parliament) renamed the ASSR the Republic of Crimea and proclaimed self-government on 5 May 1992<ref>{{cite web|url=http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=1359-7566&volume=12&issue=2&spage=65 |title= Catching up with 'Europe'? Constitutional Debates on the Territorial-Administrative Model in Independent Ukraine |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |author= |last=Wolczuk |first=Kataryna |date=August 31, 2004 |work=Taylor & Francis Group }}<br>{{cite web|url=http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/157181104322784826 |title= The Crimea Conundrum: The Tug of War Between Russia and Ukraine on the Questions of Autonomy and Self-Determination |author= |last=Wydra |first=Doris |date=November 11, 2004 |work= }} </ref><ref name="Constitution of Crimea ref2">, ], 2003, ISBN 1857431871 (page 540)</ref> (which was yet to be approved by a referendum held 2 August 1992<ref name="5 May 1992 in Crimea"/>){{clarify|post-text=Did the referendum happen, or was it cancelled?|date=March 2014}} and passed the first ] the same day.<ref name="5 May 1992 in Crimea"> by ], ], 1995, ISBN 0253329175 (page 194)</ref> On 6 May 1992 the same parliament inserted a new sentence into this constitution that declared that Crimea was part of Ukraine.<ref name="5 May 1992 in Crimea"/>
#Bilohirsk Raion ({{lang|crh|Qarasuvbazar rayonı}}) — composed of Bilohirsk and Nyzhniohirsk raions,
#Dzhankoi Raion ({{lang|crh|Canköy rayonı}}) — composed of Dzhankoi Raion and former Dzhankoi municipality,
#Yevpatoria Raion ({{lang|crh|Kezlev rayonı}}) — composed of Saky and Chornomorske raions and former Yevpatoria and Saky municipalities,
#Kerch Raion ({{lang|crh|Keriç rayonı}}) — composed of Lenine Raion and former Kerch municipality,
#Kurman Raion ({{lang|crh|Qurman rayonı}}) — composed of Krasnohvardiysky and Pervomaisk raions,
#Perekop Raion (Or {{lang|crh|Qapı rayonı}}) — composed of Krasnoperekopsk and Rozdolne raions, former Armiansk and Krasnoperekopsk municipalities,
#Simferopol Raion ({{lang|crh|Aqmescit rayonı}}) — composed of Simferopol Raion and former Simferopol municipality,
#Feodosia Raion ({{lang|crh|Kefe rayonı}}) — composed of Kirovske and Sovietskyi raions, former Feodosia and Sudak municipalities,
#Yalta Raion ({{lang|crh|Yalta rayonı}}) — composed of former Yalta and Alushta municipalities.


{{Image label begin|image=Crimea AR regions 2020.png|width={{{width|500}}}|float={{{float|none}}}}}
On 19 May, Crimea agreed to remain part of Ukraine and annulled its proclamation of self-government but Crimean Communists forced the ] to expand on the already extensive autonomous status of Crimea.<ref name="Subtelny"/>{{rp|587}} In the same period, ] ] and ] ] agreed to divide the former ] between Russia and the newly formed ].<ref>, '']'', June 15, 1992</ref>
{{Image label small|x=0.35|y=0.02|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=''{{colored link|#48A3B5|Kherson Oblast}}''}}

{{Image label small|x=0.12|y=0.54|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=''{{colored link|#48A3B5|Sevastopol}}''}}
On 14 October 1993, the Crimean parliament established the post of ] and agreed on a quota of Crimean Tatars represented in the Council of 14. However, political turmoil continued. Amendments{{Clarify|date=September 2008}} to the constitution eased the conflict,{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} but on 17 March 1995, the ] intervened, scrapping the Crimean Constitution and removing ] (the President of Crimea) along with his office for his actions against the state and promoting integration with ].<ref>{{Cite Ukrainian law|type=]|number=93/95-вр|law=92%2F95%2D%E2%F0|name=On the termination of the Constitution and some laws of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|date=1995-03-17}}</ref> After an interim constitution, the current constitution was put into effect, changing the territory's name to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
{{Image label small|x=0.945|y=0.365|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=''{{colored link|#48A3B5|Krasnodar Krai}}''}}

{{Image label small|x=0.7|y=0.15|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=''{{colored link|#3399cc|Sea of Azov}}''}}
Following the ratification of the May 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership on friendship and division of the ], international tensions slowly eased. However, in 2006, ] broke out on the peninsula.<ref>, ] (8 June 2006)</ref> In September 2008, the ] ] accused Russia of giving out ]s to the population in the Crimea and described it as a "real problem" given Russia's declared policy of military intervention abroad to protect Russian citizens.<ref>. ]. September 6, 2008.</ref>
{{Image label small|x=0.7|y=0.55|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=''{{colored link|#3399cc|Black Sea}}''}}

{{Image label small|x=0.3|y=0.51|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Bakhchysarai<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Raion}}
On 24 August 2009, anti-Ukrainian demonstrations were held in Crimea by ethnic Russian residents. ] (of the ]<ref></ref> and then deputy speaker of the ]<ref></ref>) said then that he hoped that Russia would treat the Crimea the same way as it had treated ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/europe/28crimea.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss |title=Russia and Ukraine in Intensifying Standoff |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2009-08-28 |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> Chaos in the Ukrainian parliament erupted during a debate over the extension of the lease on a ] on 27 April 2010 after Ukraine’s parliament ratified ] that extends ]'s lease on naval moorings and shore installations in port of ] and other locations in Crimea until 2042 with optional five-year renewals. Along with ], the treaty was ratified by the Russian ] as well.<ref>, '']'' (April 27, 2010)</ref>
{{Image label small|x=0.45|y=0.37|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Bilohirsk<br />Raion}}

{{Image label small|x=0.43|y=0.12|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Dzhankoi<br />Raion}}
====2014 Crimean crisis and Russian military intervention====
{{Image label small|x=0.37|y=0.3|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Kurman<br />Raion}}
]
{{Image label small|x=0.25|y=0.125|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Perekop<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Raion}}
{{main|2014 Crimean crisis|2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|Crimean referendum, 2014}}
{{Image label small|x=0.77|y=0.35|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Kerch Raion}}
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{Image label small|x=0.18|y=0.3|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Yevpatoria<br />Raion}}
{{Rewrite section|date=March 2014}}
{{Image label small|x=0.3|y=0.41|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Simferopol<br />Raion}}
{{summarize|to|2014 Crimean crisis|date=March 2014}}
{{Image label small|x=0.58|y=0.45|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Feodosia Raion}}
}}
{{Image label small|x=0.4|y=0.6|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=Yalta Raion}}
On 26 February 2014, following the ], ] in front of the parliament building in ]. The pretext of the clash has been the abolition, on 23 February 2014, of the ] of minorities, including Russian.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/0228/Is-it-too-late-for-Kiev-to-woo-Russian-speaking-Ukraine |title= Is it too late for Kiev to woo Russian-speaking Ukraine? |date=February 28, 2014 | work=] |first=Sabra |last=Ayres}}</ref> This decision, that would make Ukrainian the sole state language, has not been upheld by the interim president.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lecourrierderussie.com/2014/03/olexandre-tourtchinov-loi-linguistique/?utm_source=lien&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sur%20le%20m%C3%AAme%20sujet|title=Olexandre Tourtchinov refuse de signer l’abrogation de la loi sur la politique linguistique}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=
{{Image label small|x=0.01|y=0.65|scale={{{width|500}}}|text=This Crimea's division has entered into force in 2023.<ref name="zakon.rada.gov.ua" />}}
http://www.lecourrierderussie.com/2014/02/olexandre-tourtchinov-statut-langues-ukraine/|title=Olexandre Tourtchinov demande d’urgence une nouvelle loi sur le statut des langues en Ukraine}}</ref>
{{Image label end}}

The demonstrations followed the ousting of the Ukraine President ] on 22 February 2014, and a push by pro-Russian protesters for Crimea to secede from Ukraine and seek assistance from Russia.<ref name="CrimeaProtests">{{cite news|title=Putin orders military exercise as protesters clash in Crimea|url=http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/220244696/scat/723971d98160d438/ht/Putin-orders-military-exercise-as-protesters-clash-in-Crimea|accessdate=February 27, 2014|publisher=''Russia Herald''}}</ref>

On 28 February 2014, ] occupied airports and other strategic locations in Crimea.<ref name="CrimeaRussiaOccupation">{{cite news|title=This is what it looked like when Russian military rolled through Crimea today (VIDEO)|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140228/video-on-the-ground-crimea-ukraine-russia-tanks-armed-men|accessdate=February 28, 2014|publisher=''UK Telegraph''}}</ref> The interim Government of Ukraine described the events as an invasion and occupation of Crimea by Russian forces.<ref name="CrimeaRussiaOccupation2">{{cite news|title=UPDATE 2-U.N. Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Ukraine crisis|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/ukraine-crisis-un-idUSL6N0LX3QA20140228?feedType=RSS&feedName=marketsNews|accessdate=February 28, 2014|publisher=''Reuters''}}</ref><ref>Higgons, Andrew, '''', New York Times, February 28, 2014, page A1; reporting was contributed by David M. Herszenhorn and Andrew E. Kramer from Kiev, Ukraine; Andrew Roth from Moscow; Alan Cowell from London; and Michael R. Gordon from Washington; with a graphic presentation of linguistic divisions of Ukraine and Crimea</ref> However, Russian troops have been stationed in Crimea for over a decade under an agreement with Ukraine,<ref>http://rt.com/news/russian-troops-crimea-ukraine-816/ Russia is allowed to have 25,000 troops in Crimea...and other facts you didn’t know</ref> although the number of forces present in late February 2014 constituted a violation of Ukrainian-Russian treaty agreements.{{CN|date=March 2014}} Gunmen, either armed militants or Russian special forces, occupied the Crimean parliament. Under armed guard and with the doors locked, members of parliament apparently elected ] as the new Crimean Prime Minister. De facto Prime Minister ] said he asserted sole control over Crimea's security forces and appealed to Russia "for assistance in guaranteeing peace and calmness" on the peninsula. The central Ukrainian government does not recognize the Aksyonov administration and considers it illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/crimean-pm-claims-control-of-forces-asks-putin-for-help/article5739708.ece|title=Crimean PM claims control of forces, asks Putin for help|agency=The Hindu|date=March 1, 2014|accessdate=March 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26403996|title=Ukraine army on full alert as Russia backs sending troops
|agency=BBC|date=March 1, 2014|accessdate=March 1, 2014}}</ref> Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich sent a letter to Putin asking him to use military force in Ukraine to restore law and order.<ref>http://rt.com/news/churkin-unsc-russia-ukraine-683/ Yanukovich sent letter to Putin asking for Russian military presence in Ukraine</ref> The Russian foreign ministry stated that ''"movement of the Black Sea Fleet armored vehicles in Crimea (...) happens in full accordance with basic Russian-Ukrainian agreements on the Black Sea Fleet"''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rt.com/news/russian-vehicles-crimea-comply-agreements-227/|title="Movement of Russian armored vehicles in Crimea fully complies with agreements - Foreign Ministry"|date=February 28, 2014|accessdate=March 1, 2014|publisher=Russia Today}}</ref>

On 1 March, the Russian parliament granted President ] the authority to use military force in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kremlin Clears Way for Force in Ukraine; Separatist Split Feared|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/europe/ukraine.html|accessdate=1 March 2014|newspaper=New York Times|date=1 March 2014}}</ref> The move was condemned by many Western and Western-aligned nations. On the same day, the acting president of Ukraine, ] decried the appointment of the ] as unconstitutional.<ref></ref> Russia established de facto control of the territory.

On 3 March, it was reported that the head of Russia's Black Sea Fleet gave the Ukraine a deadline of dawn on the 4th to surrender their control of the Crimea, or face an assault by Russian troops occupying the area.<ref name="BBC1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26424738|title=Russia 'demands surrender' of Ukraine's Crimea forces|publisher=BBC News|date=March 3, 2014|accessdate=March 3, 2014}}</ref>
However, Interfax news agency later quoted a fleet spokesman who denied that any ultimatum had been issued.<ref name="BBC1"/> Nothing came to pass at the deadline.

On 4 March, several Ukrainian bases and navy ships in Crimea reported being intimidated by Russian forces but vowed non-violence. In one particular display, Ukrainian soldiers at Belbek airbase marched unarmed from their barracks to the Russian lines, where they were stopped by sentries who fired warning shots and surrounded them. Journalists recorded the encounter.<ref name="YoutubeCrimeaWarning">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhylL2RB6RQ&feature=youtu.be|title='Invasion of Ukraine: Russian troops shoots on Ukrainian soldiers|publisher=Kyiv Post|date=March 4, 2014|accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref> Ukrainian warships were also effectively blockaded in their port of Sevastopol.<ref name="KyivPostWarning">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/so-why-arent-they-shooting-is-putins-question-ukrainians-say-338389.html|title='So why aren't they shooting?' is Putin's question, Ukrainians say|publisher=Kyiv Post|date=March 4, 2014|accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBCcrimeablockade">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26440668|title=Ukraine resistance proves problem for Russia|publisher=BBC Online|date=March 4, 2014|accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref>

On 6 March, MPs of the Crimean Parliament asked the Russian Government for the region to become a subject of the ] with a referendum on the issue set for the Crimean region for March 16th. The Ukrainian central government, EU and US disputed the legitimacy of the request and referendum. Article 73 of the Constitution of Ukraine states: "Alterations to the territory of Ukraine shall be resolved exclusively by the All-Ukrainian referendum."<ref name="TwitterShip">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/elizapalmer/status/441587420220624896|title='another view of the Ochakov - scuttled by Russian forces Wed night to block mouth of Donuzlav inlet|publisher=Twitter@elizapalmer|date=March 6, 2014|accessdate=March 6, 2014}}</ref> International monitors arrived in Ukraine to assess the situation in Crimea but were halted by armed militants at the Crimean border. <ref name="BBCCrimRef">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26465962|title='Ukraine crisis: Crimea parliament asks to join Russia|publisher=BBC|date=March 6, 2014|accessdate=March 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBCcrimref2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26475508|title='Ukraine crisis: 'Illegal' Crimean referendum condemned
|publisher=BBC|date=March 6, 2014|accessdate=March 6, 2014}}</ref> Russian forces scuttled a Russian Kara-class Cruiser ] near ], ] on the west coast of Crimea to blockade Ukrainian navy ships in their port on ].<ref name="UAConst">{{cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/en/content/chapter03.html|title='Constitution of Ukraine - Title III|publisher=Government of Ukraine|date=NA|accessdate=March 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="UPvdLake">{{cite web|url=http://iwpr.net/report-news/russians-scuttle-another-ship-block-ukrainian-fleet|title='Russians Scuttle Another Ship to Block Ukrainian Fleet|publisher=Ukrainian Pravda|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref>

On 7 March, Russian forces scuttled a second ship, a diving support vessel, to further block the navy port at ].<ref name="UPvdLake">{{cite web|url=http://iwpr.net/report-news/russians-scuttle-another-ship-block-ukrainian-fleet|title='Russians Scuttle Another Ship to Block Ukrainian Fleet|publisher=Ukrainian Pravda|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref>

The Crimean Parliament released the Ballot Questions for the 16 March referendum. The referendum questions are:

# "Do you support rejoining Crimea with Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation?"
# "Do you support restoration of the 1992 ] and Crimea's status as a part of Ukraine?"
Only the ballots with exactly one positive response were considered valid. There was no option on the 16 March ballot to maintain the status quo. Ukrainian outlets considered the questions as equivalent to "join Russia immediately or declare independence and then join Russia."<ref name="CrmRada1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rada.crimea.ua/textdoc/ru/6/act/1702pr.pdf|title='Приложение 1 к Постановлению Верховной Рады Автономной Республики Крым от 6 марта 2014 года No 1702-6/14|publisher=www.rada.crimea.ua|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref><ref name="KyivRefQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/two-choices-in-crimean-referendum-yes-and-yes-338745.html|title='Two choices in Crimean referendum: yes and yes|publisher=Kyiv Post|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref> The current ] came into effect in 1999 and Article 135 of the ] provides that the Crimean Constitution must be approved by the Ukrainian parliament.

On 18 March, the ] in Russia claimed that Crimea is now part of the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kremlin: Crimea and Sevastopol are now part of Russia, not Ukraine|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/|accessdate=18 March 2014|newspaper=CNN|date=18 March 2014}}</ref> Ukraine's government, the European Union, and the USA all disagree with the Kremlin <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/</ref>.

==Geography==
] on the northern shore of the ], currently used by the ].]]
Crimea is located on the northern coast of the ] and on the western coast of the ], bordering ] from the North. There are two rural communities of ] in Kherson Oblast that are physically located on the peninsula, on the smaller peninsula ], Shchaslyvtseve and Strilkove. Although located in the southwestern part of the Crimean peninsula, the city of ] has a special but separate ] within ]. Crimea's total land area is {{convert|26100|km²|sqmi|sp=us|0|abbr=on}}.

Crimea is connected to the mainland by the {{convert|5|–|7|km|mi|sp=us|1}} wide ]. At the eastern tip is the ], which is directly opposite the ] on the Russian mainland. Between the Kerch and Taman peninsulas, lies the {{convert|3|–|13|km|mi|sp=us|1}} wide ], which connects the waters of the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov. The peninsula consists of many other smaller peninsulas such as Arabat Spit, ], ], ] and many others. Crimea also features other headlands such as ], ],{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} ], ], ], ], ],{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} ], and many others.

Geographically, the peninsula is generally divided into three zones: steppes, mountains and southern coast.

] in the background and ] as seen from the ].]]
The southeast coast is flanked at a distance of {{convert|8|–|12|km|mi|sp=us|1}} from the sea by a parallel range of mountains, the ].<ref>The ] may also be referred to as the Yaylâ Dağ or Alpine Meadow Mountains.</ref> These mountains are backed by secondary parallel ranges. Seventy-five percent of the remaining area of Crimea consists of semiarid ] lands, a southward continuation of the ], which slope gently to the northwest from the foot of the Crimean Mountains. The main range of these mountains shoots up with extraordinary abruptness from the deep floor of the ] to an altitude of {{convert|600|–|750|m|ft|sp=us|0}}, beginning at the southwest point of the ], called ]. It was believed that this cape was supposedly crowned with the temple of ], where ] is said to have officiated as priestess.<ref>See the article "Crimea" in the ].</ref>

] ] on the south slope of the mountains is the highest in Ukraine.

Numerous ]s, or ]s, of the ancient ]ns are scattered across the Crimean steppes.

The terrain that lies beyond the sheltering Crimean Mountain range is of an altogether different character. Here, the narrow strip of coast and the slopes of the mountains are smothered with greenery. This "riviera" stretches along the southeast coast from capes ] and ], in the south, to Feodosiya, and is studded with summer sea-bathing resorts such as ], ], ], ], ], and ]. During the years of ] rule, the resorts and ]s of this coast served as the prime perquisites of the politically loyal.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}<sup>why here? and ref?</sup> In addition, vineyards and fruit orchards are located in the region. Fishing, mining, and the production of essential oils are also important. Numerous ] villages, ]s, ], and ]s of the Russian imperial family and nobles are found here, as well as picturesque ancient Greek and medieval castles.

{{disputed section|date=December 2012}}
The Crimean coastline is broken by several bays and harbors. These harbors lie west of the ] by the ]; on the southwest by the open ], with the ports of ] and ];{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}<sup>(not Sevastopol)</sup> on the north by the ] of the Isthmus{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}<sup>(nonsense)</sup> of ] or ]; and on the south by the Bay of Caffa{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}<sup>(name?)</sup> or ], with the port of Feodosiya. The natural borders between the Crimean peninsula and the Ukrainian mainland serve the saline ] (a unique shallow system of estuaries and bays).

<gallery>
Sevastopl View.jpg|] sunset
Eklizi-Burun-mountain.jpg|The mountain of Eklizi-Burun, near ]
Crimea.Yayla.Cliff-2.jpg|The ] near the city of ]
</gallery>

===Climate===
{{must include|section|a table tabulating Crimea's minimum, average, and maximum temperatures and rain fall|date=March 2014}}
Most of Crimea has a temperate continental climate, except for the south coast where it experiences a humid{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} subtropical climate, due to warm influences from the Black Sea. Summers can be hot ({{convert|28|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} Jul average) and winters are cool ({{convert|-0.3|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} Jan average) in the interior, on the south coast winters are milder ({{convert|4|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} Jan average) and temperatures much below freezing are exceptional. Precipitation throughout Crimea is low, averaging only {{convert|400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} a year. Because of its climate, the southern Crimean coast is a popular beach and sun resort for Ukrainian and Russian tourists.

===Biodiversity===
{{empty section|date=March 2014}}

==Government and politics==
{{main|Politics of Crimea}}
] near ] is one of the official residences of Ukraine]]
] on board the ]'s flagship, July 2001]]
Crimea is an ] within the ] of Ukraine, with the Presidential Representative serving as a governor and replacing once established post of ]. The legislative body is a 100-seat parliament, the ].<ref>The ] should not be confused with the national ].</ref>

The executive power is represented by the ], headed by a ] who is appointed and dismissed by the Verkhovna Rada, with the consent of the ].<ref name=Mohyliov>, ] (7 November 2011)</ref><ref name = "CMU"/> The authority and operation of the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers of Crimea are determined by the ] and other the laws of Ukraine, as well as by regular decisions carried out by the Supreme Council of Crimea.<ref name = "CMU"/>

Justice is administered by courts, as part of the ].<ref name = "CMU"/>

While not an official body controlling Crimea, the ] is a representative body of the Crimean Tatars, which could address grievances to the ] government, the ], and international bodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0220/p09s02-coop.html |title= A lesson in stifling violent extremism |accessdate=March 26, 2007 |author= |last=Ziad |first=Waleed | coauthors=Laryssa Chomiak |date=February 20, 2007 |work=] }}</ref>

During the ], Crimea largely voted for the presidential candidate ]. In both the ] and the ], the Yanukovych-led ] also won most of the votes from the region, as they did in the ].<ref name="SvobodawonthankstoYanu">, ] (October 4, 2010)</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
Crimea is subdivided into 25 regions: 14 ]s (]s) and 11 city municipalities, officially known as ''territories governed by city councils''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gska2.rada.gov.ua:7777/pls/z7502/A005?rdat1=24.02.2007&rf7571=2 |title=Infobox card&nbsp;– Avtonomna Respublika Krym |accessdate=February 23, 2007 |work=] |language= Ukrainian}}</ref> While the ] is located on the Crimean peninsula, it is administratively separate from the rest of Crimea and is one of two special municipalities of Ukraine. Sevastopol, while having a separate administration, is tightly integrated within the infrastructure of the whole peninsula.


=== Former divisions ===
The Autonomous Republic of Crimea had 25 administrative areas: 14 '']s'' (]s) and 11 ''mis'kradas'' and ''mistos'' (city municipalities), officially known as ''territories governed by city councils''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gska2.rada.gov.ua:7777/pls/z7502/A005?rdat1=24.02.2007&rf7571=2|script-title=uk:Автономна Республіка Крим|trans-title=Autonomous Republic of Crimea|language=uk|access-date=23 February 2007|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001015441/http://gska2.rada.gov.ua:7777/pls/z7502/A005?rdat1=24.02.2007&rf7571=2|archive-date=1 October 2007}}</ref>
{| style="width: 100%" {| style="width: 100%"
|- |-
| style="vertical-align: top" | '''Raions''' | style="vertical-align: top" | '''Raions'''
:1. ] :1. ]
:2. ] :2. ]
:3. ] :3. ]
:4. ] :4. ]
:5. ] :5. ]
:6. ] :6. ]
:7. ] :7. ]
:8. ] :8. ]
:9. ] :9. ]
:10. ] :10. ]
:11. ] :11. ]
Line 260: Line 155:
:14. ] :14. ]
| style="vertical-align: top" | '''City municipalities''' | style="vertical-align: top" | '''City municipalities'''
:15. ] :15. ]
:16. ] :16. ]
:17. ] :17. ]
:18. ] :18. ]
:19. ] :19. ]
:20. ] :20. ]
:21. ] :21. ]
:22. ] :22. ]
:23. ] :23. ]
:24. ] :24. ]
:25. ] :25. ]
| style="vertical-align: top" | ] | style="vertical-align: top" | ]
|} |}


Major centres of urban development:
]
]

{{col-list|colwidth=30em|
The largest city is ] with major centers of urban development including ] (heavy industry and fishing center), ] (transportation hub), ] (holiday resort) and others.
* ] ]

* ] ]
{{col-list|2|
* ] ]: capital * ] ]
* ] ]: ], important industrial, transport and tourist center * ] ]
* ] ]: major port, a rail hub, and resort city * ] ]
* ] ]: port and resort city * ] ]
* ] ]: one of the most important resorts in Crimea * ] ]
* ] ]: important railroad connection * ] ]
* ] ]: historical capital of the ] * ] ]
* ] ]: industrial city * ] ]
* ] ]: industrial city
* ] ]: resort city
}} }}

===Foreign and intergovernmental relations===
{{missing information|section|Crimea's liaison to the Ukrainian national government and Crimea's liaison to foreign entities|date=March 2014}}
Crimea is subject to the Constitution of Ukraine. At the local level it has its own constitution.

On 18 February 2009 the Verkhovna Rada of Crimea sent a letter to the ] and the President of Ukraine, in which it stated that it deemed it inexpedient to open a representative office of the United States in Crimea, and urged the Ukrainian leadership to give up this idea. The letter had passed in the Crimean parliament by a 77 to 9 roll-call vote with one abstention.<ref>, ] (18 February 2009)</ref> The letter was also sent to the ].

===Military===
{{main|Military of Crimea}}
{{multiple issues|section=yes|
{{empty section|date=March 2014}}
{{must include|section|information about Crimea's local state defense force, as well as Crimea's military integration with both Ukraine's and Russia's military|date=March 2014}}
}}

==Economy==
{{missing information|section|Crimea's GDP distribution by ]|date=March 2014}}
]
The main branches of the Crimean economy are ] and ].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Industrial plants are situated for the most part in the northern regions of the republic. Important industrial cities include ], housing a major railway connection, ] and ], among others.

The most important industries in Crimea include food production, chemical fields, mechanical engineering and metal working, and fuel production industries.<ref name = "CMU"/> Sixty percent of the industry market belongs to food production. There are a total of 291 large industrial enterprises and 1002 small business enterprises.<ref name = "CMU"/>

The main branches of vegetation production in the region include ]s, vegetable-growing, gardening, and ], particularly in the ] and ] regions. Other agricultural forms include cattle breeding, poultry keeping, and sheep breeding.<ref name="CMU">{{cite web|url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/printable_article?art_id=301361 |title=Autonomous Republic of Crimea – Information card |accessdate=February 22, 2007 |work=] }}</ref> Other products produced on the Crimean Peninsula include ], ], ], and ] (found around ]).<ref>{{Cite book| title=] | author=Bealby, John T. | publisher=] | year=1911 | page= 449}}</ref>

===Energy===
Crimea also possesses several ]s both ] and ], all connected to Ukraine's pipeline system.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/ukraine-crisis-gas-crimea-idUSL6N0M41R320140307 |title=Ukraine's Black Sea gas ambitions seen at risk over Crimea |date={{date|2014-03-07}} |accessdate={{date|2014-03-07}} |first=Henning |last=Gloystein |publisher=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eegas.com/ukraine.htm |title=East European Gas Analysis - Ukrainian Gas Pipelines |publisher=Eegas.com |date=2013-02-09 |accessdate=2014-03-08}}</ref> The inland fields are located in ] and ], while offshore fields are located in the western coast in the Black Sea and in the northeastern coast in the Azov Sea:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26387353 |title=Ukraine crisis in maps |date={{date|2014-03-05}} |accessdate={{date|2014-03-07}} |publisher=BBC }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Type
! Location
! Reserves
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.invest-crimea.gov.ua/news_body.php?news_id=504&locale=en |title=Investment portal of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea – investments in Crimea - "Chernomorneftegaz" presented a program of development till 2015 |publisher=Invest-crimea.gov.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-03-08}}</ref>
| ]
| ]
| 21 billion m<sup>3</sup>
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|
|}

The republic also possesses two ]s: one onshore, the ] in ], and one offshore, the ] in the Black Sea.

===Infrastructure===
{{lacking overview|section|date=March 2014}}
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Crimean 52 Simferopol-Alushta-Yalta inter-city trolleybus in Simferopol.jpg
| caption1 = Trolleybus in Simferopol
| image2 = Yalta Kanatka.JPG
| caption2 = The cableway in Yalta
}}
;Public transportation

Almost every settlement in Crimea is connected with another settlement with bus lines. Crimea contains the longest (96&nbsp;km or 59&nbsp;mi) ] in the world, stretching from Simferopol to Yalta.<ref name="Crimea">{{cite web|url=http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/Places/trolleybuses.html |title=The longest trolleybus line in the world! |accessdate=January 15, 2007 |work=blacksea-crimea.com }}</ref> The trolleybus line starts near ] through the mountains to ] and on to ]. The length of line is about 90&nbsp;km. It was founded in 1959.

] lines running through Crimea include ]—Kerch (with a link to Feodosiya), and ]—Sevastopol (with a link to Yevpatoria), connecting Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland.
;Highways
* ]/M18 - ] (bridge, starts), ], ] (bridge), ], ], ] (ends)
* ]/M17 - ] (starts), ], ], ], ] (ferry, ends)
* H05 - ], ] (access to the ])
* H06 - ], ], ]
* H19 - ], ]
* P16
* P23 - ], ]
* P25 - ], ]
* P27 - ], ] (completely within the city of Sevastopol)
* P29 - ], ], ]
* P34 - ], ]
* P35 - ], ]
* P58 - ], Port "Komysheva Bukhta" (completely within the city of Sevastopol)
* P59 (completely within the city of Sevastopol)
;Sea transport
The cities of Yalta, ], ], ], Chornomorske and ] are connected to one another by sea routes. In the cities of Yevpatoria and nearby ] Molochnoye are ] systems.

===Tourism===
] fortress of ]]]
The development of Crimea as a holiday destination began in the second half of the 19th century. The development of the transport networks brought masses of tourists from central parts of ]. At the beginning of the 20th century, a major development of palaces, villas, and dachas began—most of which remain. These are some of the main attractions of Crimea as a tourist destination. There are many ] about famous touristic places, which attract the attention of tourists.

A new phase of tourist development began when the Soviet government realized the potential of the healing quality of the local air, lakes and therapeutic muds. It became a "health" destination for Soviet workers, and hundreds of thousands of Soviet tourists visited Crimea. Nowadays Crimea is more of a get-away destination than a "health-improvement" destination. The most visited areas are the south shore of Crimea with cities of Yalta and Alushta, the western shore - Eupatoria and Saki, and the south-eastern shore - Feodosia and Sudak.

Crimea possesses significant historical and natural resources and is a region where it is possible to find practically any type of landscape; mountain ranges and plateaus, grasslands, caves. Furthermore, Saki poses unique therapeutic mud and Eupatoria has vast empty beaches with the purest quartz sand.<ref name=tourism>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimea.org.ua|title=Crimea Travel Guide|publisher=CrimeaTravel|accessdate=2012-12-25}}</ref>

According to ], Crimea was among the top 20 travel destinations in 2013.<ref>, ]</ref>

Places of interest include
{{col-list|3|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}

<gallery>
Koktebel - beach.jpg|Beach in ]
Livadia Palace Crimea.jpg|]
Палац «Ластівчине гніздо» 8.JPG|]
Симферополь. Пешеходная зона..JPG|]
Koreiz - beach3.jpg|Yalta municipality
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Crimea|Deportation of the Crimean Tatars}}
{{missing information|section|religion in Crimea, and its educational and healthcare systems|date=March 2014}}
{{multiple image
| image1 = Distribution of ethnic groups in Crimea 2001.png
| caption1 = Distribution of ethnicities in Crimea according to ]. Ethnic Russians comprise a majority at 58%.
| image2 = UkraineNativeLanguagesCensus2001detailed-en.png
| caption2 = Map of Ukraine by language in the ], with Russian (in red) dominant in Crimea.
| width2 = 320
}}
{{infobox demographics
| type = Age structure
| auto_percent = yes
| group1 = 0–14 years old
| pop1 = 291,848
| group2 = 15–64 years old
| pop2 = 1,377,276
| group3 = 65 years and over
| pop3 = 287,298
| source = {{cn|date=March 2014}}{{disputed-inline|date=March 2014}}
}}
{{infobox demographics
| type = ]
| group1 = Male
| pop1 = 36.2 years {{increase}}
| group2 = Female
| pop2 = 43.5 years {{increase}}
| group3 = Total
| pop3 = 39.9 years {{increase}}
| source = {{cn|date=March 2014}}
}}
According to the ], the population of Crimea was 2,033,700.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2001.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/regions/reg_crym/ |title= Regions of Ukraine / Autonomous Republic of Crimea |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |work=] }}</ref> As of 2013, however, the population decreased to 1,967,119.{{cn|date=March 2014}}

From 1989 to 2001, Crimea's population declined by 396,795 people, representing 16.33% of the 1989 population, despite the return of displaced groups such as ]. From 2001–2005 the population declined once again by another 39,400 people, representing a decline from 2001 of 2%.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}<sup>(] was included in 1989)</sup>
The population of the ] as a whole has been consistently falling at a rate of 0.4% per year.<ref></ref> This is particularly apparent in both the Russian and Ukrainian ethnic populations, whose growth rate has been falling at the rate of 0.6% and 0.12% annually respectively. In comparison, the ethnic Crimean Tatar population has been growing at the rate of 0.9% per annum.<ref></ref>
The growing trend in the Crimean Tatar population has been explained by the continuing ] of ] mainly from ].{{cn|date=March 2014}}

Ethnic makeup comprised the following self-reported groups: ]: 58.5%; ]: 24.4%; ]: 12.1%; ]: 1.5%; ]: 0.5%; ]: 0.4%; ]: 0.2% and others.<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://2001.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/general/nationality/Crimea/ |title= Results / General results of the census / National composition of population |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |work=]}}</ref><ref>These figures do not include the area and population of the City of ]. Administratively, Sevastopol is a municipality excluded from the surrounding Autonomous Republic of Crimea</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! rowspan="2" | Ethnic<br />group
! colspan="2" | ]
! colspan="2" | 1939 census
! colspan="2" | 1959 census
! colspan="2" | 1979 census
! colspan="2" | 1989 census<ref name="census"/>
! colspan="2" | ]<ref name="census"/>
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| ]
| 180,963
|33.11%
|
|49.6%
|
|71.4%
|
|68.4%
|
|65.6%
| 1,180,441
|58.5%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| ]
| 64,703
|11.84%
|
|13.7%
|
|22.3%
|
|25.6%
|
|26.7%
| 492,227
|24.4%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| ]
| 194,294
|35.55%
|
|19.4%
|
|0%
|
|0.7%
|
|1.9%
| 243,433
|12.1%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

Other minorities are ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The number of ] was 45,000 in 1941, before being forcibly expelled, many to labor camps in Siberia because of the suspicion against any German in the Soviet Union during WWII. This was part of the 800,000 ] who were relocated within the Soviet Union during Stalinist times.<ref>"''. North Dakota State University Libraries.</ref> In 1944, 70,000 ] and 14,000 Bulgarians from the Crimea were deported to Central Asia and Siberia,<ref>"" (])</ref> along with 200,000 Crimean Tatars and other nationalities.<ref>"". The Jamestown Foundation. June 24, 2009.</ref>

] is the single ] countrywide, and is the sole language of government in Ukraine. According to the census mentioned, 77% of Crimean inhabitants named ] as their native language; 11.4% – Crimean Tatar; and 10.1% – Ukrainian.<ref name="ukrcensus.gov.ua">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/general/language/Crimea/ |title= Results / General results of the census / Linguistic composition of the population / Autonomous Republic of Crimea |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |work=] }}</ref> In Crimea government business is carried out mainly in ]. Attempts to ] in education and government affairs have been less successful in Crimea than in other areas of the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.pravda.com.ua/en/news/2007/3/3/7209.htm |title= Yushchenko Appeals to Crimean Authority Not to Speculate on Language |accessdate=March 25, 2007 |author= |last=Bondaruk |first=Halyna |date=March 3, 2007 |work=] }}</ref>

Two thirds of the migrants into Crimea are from other regions of Ukraine; every fifth migrant is from the former Soviet Union and every 40th from outside of it. Three quarters of those leaving Crimea move to other areas in Ukraine. Every 20th migrates to the West.<ref name="ukrcensus.gov.ua"/>

The number of Crimean residents who consider Ukraine their ] increased sharply from 32% to 71.3% from 2008 through 2011; according to a poll by ] in March 2011,<ref name=IamUkie/> although this is the lowest number in all Ukraine (93% on average across the country).<ref name=IamUkie>, ] (11 April 2011)</ref> Surveys of regional identities in Ukraine have shown that around 30% of Crimean residents claim to have retained a self-identified "] identity".<ref> by ] (23 August 2011)</ref>

A survey in May of 2013 by the ], sponsored by ], found that 59% of Crimeans were ethnic Russians and that 82% of Crimeans spoke the Russian language at home.<ref name=International Republican Institute></ref>

{{clear}}

==Culture==
{{lacking overview|section|date=March 2014}}
] music festival in 2007]]

]'s painting of the Black Sea (1881)]]
===Arts===
], the 19th century marine painter of Armenian origin, who is considered one of the major artists of his era was born in ] and lived there for the most part of his life. Many of his paintings depict the Black Sea. He also created battle paintings during the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rogachevsky|first=Alexander|title=Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900)|url=http://www.tufts.edu/programs/mma/fah189/2003/alex/aboutframeset.htm|publisher=]|accessdate=10 December 2013}}</ref>

===Media===
Almost 100 broadcasters and around 1,200 publications are registered in Crimea, although no more than a few dozen operate or publish regularly.<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea"/> Of them most use the ] only.<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea"/> Crimea's first Tatar-owned, Tatar-language TV launched in 2006.<ref name="BBCprofileCrimea"/>

===Sports===
].]]

Crimea figures prominently{{cn|date=March 2014}} in Ukrainian sports, especially the most popular: ]. The most successful Crimean ] is ] who won the inaugural ] title in ]. ] also currently competes in the top division. In the ], Crimea has been represented by clubs such as ], ] (from ] suburbs) and ].

Crimea has a ] federation.{{cn|date=March 2014}} Their{{what|date=March 2014}} chairman is Vice president of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukrbandy.org.ua/about_en.html |title=Ukrainian Bandy and Rink-bandy Federation |publisher=Ukrbandy.org.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref> In 2011 they for the first time organized the ] tournament Crimea Open.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukrbandy.org.ua/zmagannya_en.html |title=Ukrainian national and regional competition |publisher=Ukrbandy.org.ua |date= |accessdate=2014-02-28}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="220px" heights="170px">
File:Hansaray1.jpg|]
File:Dulber Palace.JPG|] Palace in ]
File:Комплекс споруд Воронцовського палацу.jpg|]
File:Yalta-catholic church.jpg|Catholic church in Yalta
File:St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, Chersones.jpg|], dedicated to the Heroes of Sevastopol (]).
</gallery>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Crimea|Ukraine}} {{Portal|Ukraine|Russia<!--For de facto rule since 2014-->}}
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]


==Notes== ==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=nb}} {{Reflist|group=nb}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}
* {{Cite book| title=Ukraine: A History | author=Subtelny, Orest | publisher=] | year=2000 | isbn=0-8020-8390-0 | page= 78 | authorlink= Orest Subtelny}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/printable_article?art_id=301361 |title=Autonomous Republic of Crimea – Information card|accessdate=February 22, 2007|work=]}}
* Crimea, terra di mille etnie, 1993 di ] in ''Il Diario del Cambiamento''. Urss 1990 – Russia 1993. Greco&Greco editori, Milano, 1998. pp.&nbsp;247–252. ISBN 88-7980-187-2 (The Diary of the Change. USSR 1990 – Russia 1993) Book in Italian.
* Crimea, la penisola regalata di ] in ''L’EuroSogno e i nuovi Muri ad Est''. L’Unione europea e la dimensione orientale. Greco&Greco editori, Milano, 2008. pp.&nbsp;99–107 ISBN 978-88-7980-456-1 (. The European Union and the Eastern dimension) Book in Italian.
* {{EB1911}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* {{Cite book | title=Ukraine: A History | author=Subtelny, Orest | publisher=] | year=2000 | isbn=0-8020-8390-0 | page= | author-link=Orest Subtelny | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/ukrainehistory00subt_0/page/78 }}
*{{de icon}} Stefan Albrecht, Michael Herdick: '' =A Pawn of the Powers- The Crimea in the Black Sea Region (VI-XV. Century).'' In: Stefan Albrecht, Falko Daim, Michael Herdick (Hg.): ''Die Höhensiedlungen im Bergland der Krim. Umwelt, Kulturaustausch und Transformation am Nordrand des Byzantinischen Reiches.'' RGZM, Mainz 2013, S. 25-56. ISBN 978-3-884-67220-4 (with an Englisch and Russian Summary)
*
*{{de icon}} Stefan Albrecht, Michael Herdick, Rainer Schreg: '' =New Researches on the Crimea. Synthesis: A Hypothetical Model of Competing Neighborhoods.'' In: Stefan Albrecht, Falko Daim, Michael Herdick (Hg.): ''Die Höhensiedlungen im Bergland der Krim. Umwelt, Kulturaustausch und Transformation am Nordrand des Byzantinischen Reiches.'' RGZM, Mainz 2013, S. 471-497. ISBN 978-3-884-67220-4 (with an Englisch and Russian Summary)
*{{ru icon}} Bazilevich Basil Mitrofanovich. (1914) (Из истории московско-крымских отношений в первой половине XVII века) at ] in ] and ] formats
*{{ru icon}} Bantysh-Kamensky Nikolay. (1893) (Реестр делам крымского двора с 1474 по 1779 год) at ] in ] and ] formats
*{{ru icon}} Berg Nikolai. (1858) (Севастопольский альбом Н. Берга) at ] in ] and ] formats
*{{ru icon}} Berezhkov Michael N. (План завоевания Крыма составленный в царствование государя Алексея Михайловича ученым славянином Юрием Крижаничем) at ] in ] and ] formats
*{{ru icon}} Berezhkov Michael N. (1888) (Русские пленники и невольники в Крыму) at ] in ] and ] formats
*{{ru icon}} Bogdanovich Modest I. (1876) (Восточная война 1853-1856 гг.) at ] in ] format
*{{ru icon}} Dubrovin Nikolai Fedorovich. (1900) (История Крымской войны и обороны Севастополя) at ] in ] format
*{{ru icon}} Dubrovin Nikolai Fedorovich. (1885–1889) (Присоединение Крыма к России) at ] in ] format


==External links== ==External links==
{{Sister project links|commons=Category:Autonomous Republic of Crimea|voy=Crimea}} {{Sister project links|1=Crimea|commons=Crimea|voy=Crimea}}


; Official Official
* , the official portal of the Council of Ministers of Crimea {{en icon}} {{uk icon}} {{ru icon}} {{Crh icon}} * , website of the Presidential Representative in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea {{in lang|uk}}
* , the official web-site of the ''Verkhovna Rada'' of Crimea {{en icon}} {{uk icon}} {{ru icon}} {{Crh icon}} * , website of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea {{in lang|uk}}
* , the official web-site of the Permanent Presidential Representative in the Republic of Crimea {{uk icon}} {{ru icon}}


Historical
; History
* , website of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea {{in lang|uk|ru}}
* by ] {{en icon}}
* by the Independent Analytical Centre for Geopolitical Studies "Borysfen Intel"
* , ]


{{Crimea topics}} {{Crimea topics}}
{{2014 Crimean crisis}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Subdivisions of Crimea}} {{Subdivisions of Crimea}}
{{Administrative divisions of Ukraine}} {{Administrative divisions of Ukraine}}
{{States with limited recognition}}
{{Sovereign states of Europe}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = European topics
|list =
{{Europe topic|Demographics of|template=yes}}
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{{Authority control}}
]
{{Coord|45.3|34.4|scale:2000000|display=title}}
]

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] ]
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]

{{Link FA|sv}}

Latest revision as of 13:27, 24 December 2024

De jure autonomous republic of Ukraine This article is about the de jure Ukrainian government in Crimea. For the Soviet republic, see Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. For the disputed Russian de facto administration in Crimea, see Republic of Crimea (Russia).

Autonomous republic in Ukraine
Autonomous Republic of Crimea
  • Автономна Республіка Крим
  • Автономная Республика Крым
  • Qırım Muhtar Cumhuriyeti
Autonomous republic
Flag of Autonomous Republic of Crimea
FlagOfficial seal of Autonomous Republic of Crimea
Coat of arms
Anthem: "Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина" (Russian)
Nivy i gory tvoi volshebny, Rodina  (transliteration)
Your fields and mountains are magical, Motherland
  Autonomous Republic of Crimea within Ukraine
Location of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (light yellow) in the Crimean PeninsulaLocation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (light yellow)

in the Crimean Peninsula

Sovereign stateUkraine
Autonomy12 February 1991
Constitution21 October 1998
Russian occupation20 February 2014
Annexed by Russia18 March 2014
Capitaland largest citySimferopol
Official languagesUkrainian, Russian, Crimean Tatar
Ethnic groups (2001)
GovernmentAutonomous republic
• Presidential Representative Tamila Tasheva
LegislatureSupreme Assembly (suspended)
Area
• Total26,100 km (10,100 sq mi)
Population
• 2001 census2,033,700
• Density77.9/km (201.8/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeUA-43

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an administrative division of Ukraine encompassing most of Crimea that was unilaterally annexed by Russia in 2014. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies most of the peninsula, while the City of Sevastopol (a city with special status within Ukraine) occupies the rest.

The Cimmerians, Scythians, Greeks, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Khazars, Byzantine Greeks, the state of Kievan Rus', Kipchaks, Italians, and Golden Horde Mongols and Tatars each controlled Crimea in its earlier history. In the 13th century, it was partly controlled by the Venetians and by the Genoese, and in the late 15th century, it was partly under Polish suzerainty. They were followed by the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire in the 15th to 18th centuries, the Russian Empire in the 18th to 20th centuries, Germany during World War II, and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and later the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, within the Soviet Union during the rest of the 20th century until Crimea became part of independent Ukraine with the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

After the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014, Russian troops took control of the territory. Russia formally annexed Crimea on 18 March 2014, incorporating the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol as the 84th and 85th federal subjects of Russia. While Russia and 17 other UN member states recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, Ukraine continues to claim Crimea as an integral part of its territory, supported by most foreign governments and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262.

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an autonomous parliamentary republic within Ukraine and was governed by the Constitution of Crimea in accordance with the laws of Ukraine. The capital and administrative seat of the republic's government is the city of Simferopol, located in the centre of the peninsula. Crimea's area is 26,200 square kilometres (10,100 sq mi) and its population was 1,973,185 as of 2007. These figures do not include the area and population of the City of Sevastopol (2007 population: 379,200), which is administratively separate from the autonomous republic. The peninsula thus has 2,352,385 people (2007 estimate).

Crimean Tatars, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority who in 2001 made up 12.10% of the population, formed in Crimea in the late Middle Ages, after the Crimean Khanate had come into existence. The Crimean Tatars were forcibly expelled to Central Asia by Joseph Stalin's government. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Crimean Tatars began to return to the region. According to the 2001 Ukrainian population census 58% of the population of Crimea are ethnic Russians and 24% are ethnic Ukrainians. The region has the highest proportion of Muslims in Ukraine.

Background

Main article: History of Crimea

The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was established as part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1921, with the latter joining with other republics to form the Soviet Union. Following the end of Nazi occupation during World War II, indigenous Crimean Tatars were forcibly deported and the autonomous republic was abolished in 1945, replaced with an oblast-level jurisdiction. In 1954, Crimea Oblast was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian SSR. Shortly prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Crimea was granted the status of Autonomous Republic by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR following a state-sanctioned referendum held on January 20, 1991. When Ukraine became independent, Crimea remained a republic within the country, leading to tensions between Russia and Ukraine as the Black Sea Fleet was based on the peninsula.

History

Post-Soviet years

Since Ukrainian independence, more than 250,000 Crimean Tatars have returned and integrated into the region.

Between 1992 and 1995, a struggle about the division of powers between the Crimean and Ukrainian authorities ensued. On 26 February, the Crimean parliament renamed the ASSR the Republic of Crimea. Then on 5 May, it proclaimed self-government and twice enacted constitutions that the Ukrainian government and Parliament refused to accept on the grounds that it was inconsistent with Ukraine's constitution. Finally in June 1992, the parties reached a compromise: Crimea would be given the status of "autonomous republic" and granted special economic status, as an autonomous but integral part of Ukraine.

In October 1993, the Crimean parliament established the post of president of Crimea. Tensions rose in 1994 with election of separatist leader Yury Meshkov as Crimean president. On 17 March 1995, the parliament of Ukraine abolished the Crimean constitution of May 1992, all the laws and decrees contradicting those of Kyiv, and also removed Yuriy Meshkov, the then president of Crimea, along with the office itself. After an interim constitution, the 1998 Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was put into effect, changing the territory's name to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Formation of the autonomous republic

Following the ratification of the May 1997 Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty, in which Russia recognized Ukraine's borders and sovereignty over Crimea, international tensions slowly eased. However, in 2006, anti-NATO protests broke out on the peninsula. In September 2008, the Ukrainian foreign minister Volodymyr Ohryzko accused Russia of giving out Russian passports to the population in Crimea and described it as a "real problem" given Russia's declared policy of military intervention abroad to protect Russian citizens.

On 24 August 2009, anti-Ukrainian demonstrations were held in Crimea by ethnic Russian residents. Sergei Tsekov (of the Russian Bloc and then deputy speaker of the Crimean parliament) said then that he hoped that Russia would treat Crimea the same way as it had treated South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The 2010 Ukrainian–Russian Naval Base for Natural Gas treaty extended Russia's lease on naval facilities in Crimea until 2042, with optional five-year renewals.

Occupation and annexation by Russia

Main articles: Russian occupation of Crimea and Republic of Crimea (Russia) Further information: Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
Geopolitics of Crimea, March 2014.

Crimea voted strongly for the pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and his Party of Regions in presidential and parliamentary elections, and his ousting on 22 February 2014 during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution was followed by a push by pro-Russian protesters for Crimea to secede from Ukraine and seek assistance from Russia.

On 28 February 2014, Russian forces occupied airports and other strategic locations in Crimea though the Russian foreign ministry stated that "movement of the Black Sea Fleet armored vehicles in Crimea (...) happens in full accordance with basic Russian-Ukrainian agreements on the Black Sea Fleet". Gunmen, either armed militants or Russian special forces, occupied the Crimean parliament and, under armed guard with doors locked, members of parliament elected Sergey Aksyonov as the new Crimean prime minister. Aksyonov then said that he asserted sole control over Crimea's security forces and appealed to Russia "for assistance in guaranteeing peace and calmness" on the peninsula. The interim government of Ukraine described events as an invasion and occupation and did not recognize the Aksyonov administration as legal. Ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter to Putin asking him to use military force in Ukraine to restore law and order. On 1 March, the Russian parliament granted president Vladimir Putin the authority to use such force. Three days later, several Ukrainian bases and navy ships in Crimea reported being intimidated by Russian forces and Ukrainian warships were also effectively blockaded in Sevastopol.

On 6 March, the Crimean parliament asked the Russian government for the region to become a subject of the Russian Federation with a Crimea-wide referendum on the issue set for 16 March. The Ukrainian government, the European Union, and the US all challenged the legitimacy of the request and of the proposed referendum as article 73 of the constitution of Ukraine states: "Alterations to the territory of Ukraine shall be resolved exclusively by an all-Ukrainian referendum." International monitors arrived in Ukraine to assess the situation but were halted by armed militants at the Crimean border.

Ukrainian military base at Perevalne surrounded by Russian troops without military rank insignia or cockade on 9 March 2014.

The day before the referendum, Ukraine's national parliament voted to dissolve the Supreme Council of Crimea as its pro-Moscow leaders were finalising preparations for the vote.

The 16 March referendum required voters to choose between "Do you support rejoining Crimea with Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation?" and "Do you support restoration of the 1992 Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Crimea's status as a part of Ukraine?" There was no option on the ballot to maintain the status quo. However, support for the second question would have restored the republic's autonomous status within Ukraine. The official turnout for the referendum was 83%, and the overwhelming majority of those who voted (95.5%) supported the option of rejoining Russia. However, a BBC reporter claimed that a huge number of Tatars and Ukrainians had abstained from the vote.

Following the referendum, the members of the Supreme Council voted to rename themselves the State Council of the Republic of Crimea and also formally appealed to Russia to accept Crimea as part of the Russian Federation. This was granted and on 18 March 2014 the self-proclaimed Republic of Crimea signed a treaty of accession to the Russian Federation though the accession was granted separately for each of the former regions that composed it: one accession for the Republic of Crimea, and another for Sevastopol as a federal city. On 24 March 2014 the Ukrainian government ordered the full withdrawal of all of its armed forces from Crimea and two days later the last Ukrainian military bases and Ukrainian navy ships were captured by Russian troops.

Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to claim Crimea as its territory and in 2015 the Ukrainian parliament designated 20 February 2014 as the (official) date of the start of "the temporary occupation of Crimea." On 27 March 2014 100 United Nations member states voted for United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262 affirming the General Assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders while 11 member states voted against, 58 abstained and 24 member states absented. Since then six countries (Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Syria, Afghanistan, and North Korea) have publicly recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea while others have stated support for the 16 March 2014 Crimean referendum.

Government and administration

Further information: Politics of Crimea and Administrative divisions of Crimea

Executive power in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was exercised by the Council of Ministers of Crimea, headed by a Chairman, appointed and dismissed by the Supreme Council of Crimea, with the consent of the President of Ukraine. Though not an official body, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People could address grievances to the Ukrainian central government, the Crimean government, and international bodies.

An administrative reform, enacted by the Verkhovna Rada on 17 July 2020, envisages redivision of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea into 10 enlarged raions (districts), into which cities (municipalities) of republican significance will be absorbed. Originally the reform was delayed until return of the peninsula under Ukrainian control, but it came into effect on 7 September 2023. Since the reform, the following are the subdivisions of the republic:

  1. Bakhchysarai Raion (Bağçasaray rayonı) — composed of Bakhchysarai Raion and parts of territory that earlier was subordinated to the Sevastopol municipality (without the Sevastopol city proper and also without Balaklava as such that exists within the Sevastopol city limits within the framework of Ukrainian legislation),
  2. Bilohirsk Raion (Qarasuvbazar rayonı) — composed of Bilohirsk and Nyzhniohirsk raions,
  3. Dzhankoi Raion (Canköy rayonı) — composed of Dzhankoi Raion and former Dzhankoi municipality,
  4. Yevpatoria Raion (Kezlev rayonı) — composed of Saky and Chornomorske raions and former Yevpatoria and Saky municipalities,
  5. Kerch Raion (Keriç rayonı) — composed of Lenine Raion and former Kerch municipality,
  6. Kurman Raion (Qurman rayonı) — composed of Krasnohvardiysky and Pervomaisk raions,
  7. Perekop Raion (Or Qapı rayonı) — composed of Krasnoperekopsk and Rozdolne raions, former Armiansk and Krasnoperekopsk municipalities,
  8. Simferopol Raion (Aqmescit rayonı) — composed of Simferopol Raion and former Simferopol municipality,
  9. Feodosia Raion (Kefe rayonı) — composed of Kirovske and Sovietskyi raions, former Feodosia and Sudak municipalities,
  10. Yalta Raion (Yalta rayonı) — composed of former Yalta and Alushta municipalities.
Kherson Oblast Sevastopol Krasnodar Krai Sea of Azov Black Sea Bakhchysarai
     Raion Bilohirsk
Raion Dzhankoi
Raion Kurman
Raion Perekop
               Raion Kerch Raion Yevpatoria
Raion Simferopol
Raion Feodosia Raion Yalta Raion This Crimea's division has entered into force in 2023.

Former divisions

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea had 25 administrative areas: 14 raions (districts) and 11 mis'kradas and mistos (city municipalities), officially known as territories governed by city councils.

Raions
1. Bakhchysarai Raion
2. Bilohirsk Raion
3. Dzhankoi Raion
4. Kirovske Raion
5. Krasnohvardiiske Raion
6. Krasnoperekopsk Raion
7. Lenine Raion
8. Nyzhniohirskyi Raion
9. Pervomaiske Raion
10. Rozdolne Raion
11. Saky Raion
12. Simferopol Raion
13. Sovetskyi Raion
14. Chornomorske Raion
 City municipalities
15. Alushta Municipality
16. Armyansk Municipality
17. Dzhankoi Municipality
18. Yevpatoria Municipality
19. Kerch Municipality
20. Krasnoperekopsk Municipality
21. Saki municipality
22. Simferopol Municipality
23. Sudak Municipality
24. Feodosia Municipality
25. Yalta Municipality
 Subdivisions of Crimea

Major centres of urban development:

Map of Crimea with major cities

See also

Notes

  1. Annexed by Russia as the Republic of Crimea
  2. In 2015 the Ukrainian parliament officially set 20 February 2014 as the date of "the beginning of the temporary occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia."
  3. (Also) on 24 March 2014, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that approximately 50% of the Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea had defected to the Russian military.

References

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    (in Ukrainian) "Nasha" Poklonsky promises to the "Berkut" fighters to punish the participants of the Maidan, Segodnya (20 March 2016)
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Further reading

External links

Official

  • www.ppu.gov.ua, website of the Presidential Representative in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (in Ukrainian)
  • ark.gp.gov.ua, website of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (in Ukrainian)

Historical

Crimea articles
History Satellite image of Crimea
Geography
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Category
Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
Part of the Russo-Ukrainian War
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Autonomous Republic of Crimea Administrative divisions of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (before 2020)
Capital: Simferopol
Raions Coat of arms of Crimea
Municipalities
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Regional
District
Autonomous Republic of Crimea Administrative divisions of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (since 2020)
Capital: Simferopol
Raions
Cities and rural settlements
under the hromadas
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Rural settlements
Due to continued occupation, not yet implemented
Administrative divisions of Ukraine
Capital: Kyiv
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Claimed and controlled by Russia as the Republic of Crimea and the Federal City of Sevastopol
Claimed and partially controlled by Russia as the Republics Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic and Zaporozhye and Kherson oblasts
Partially claimed and partially controlled by Russia as a part of Kherson oblast
Partially controlled by Russia, but not claimed as its part.

45°18′N 34°24′E / 45.3°N 34.4°E / 45.3; 34.4

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