Crimea or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is an autonomous republic of Ukraine. It is situated on the northern coast of the Black Sea and on the western coast of the Sea of Azov and occupies a peninsula of the same name. The capital of Crimea is Simferopol.
The name Crimea comes from the name of a city of Qırım (today's Stary Krym) which was the capital of the Crimean province of the Golden Horde. Crimea in the language of Crimean Tatars, an ethnic minority whose homeland is Crimea, means "my hill". The Greek historian Herodotus mentions that Hercules plowed that land using a huge ox ("taurus"), that’s why the ancient Greeks called Crimea Tauris (later Taurica).
The territory of Crimea was conquered many times through its history. Cimmerians, Greeks, Iranians, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Khazars, Mongols, Russian Empire ruled here.
The unique climate of the Crimea is formed due to joint of subtropical vegetation with vicinity of the sea and Crimean mountains. Ionized, oxygenated and crystal clean air is salubrious and very good for the health. During the years of Soviet rule, the resorts and cottages of this coast served as the prime perquisites of the politically loyal.
Crimea is a fabulous place. Numerous Crimean Tatar villages, monasteries, mosques, palaces of the Russian imperial family and nobles, picturesque ancient Greek and medieval castles, vineyards and fruit orchards, bays and beaches, amazing mountains and tender sea – wherever you look or go. You don’t have to choose weather you go on vacation to the seaside or to the mountains. Just go to Crimea and you will combine both. Here you feel like you came back to your sweet home, you will find yourself in a fairy tale that became real.
Those who visited this land only once always come back again. Crimea is the best place for rest and pacification.