Crime'a (Tartar Krym, anciently the Tauric Chersonese), a peninsula of South Russia, comprising five of the eight districts of the government of Taurida, between the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, joined to the continent of Russia by the Isthmus of Perekop, 18½ miles long by 5½ miles broad at its narrowest part (for a proposed canal across the isthmus, see CANAL). The peninsula is about 200 miles from east to west, by 125 miles from north to south, with about 625 miles of coast-line, and an area of about 10,000 sq. m. In shape it is an irregular quadrilateral, projecting eastwards into the peninsula of Kertch, which terminates at the Strait of Yenikalé. Along the Siwash or Putrid Sea on the north, and the Sea of Azov, the coasts are flat and open. To the west of the wide bay of Kaffa or Theodosia the south coast becomes rocky and elevated, and forms a succession of capes and small gulfs. Balaklava, and more especially Sebastopol, have fine harbours.
In the character of its surface, the north, and much the larger part of the Crimea, is only a continuation of the South Russian steppe. The southern part, from Cape Chersonese to the Strait of Yenikalé, only about one-fifth of the whole peninsula, is highland, traversed by a mountain-chain, the continuation of the Caucasus—a region geologically, climatically, and botanically distinct from the rest of Russia. The limestone mountains from Cape Chersonese to Baffa Bay show deep erosion, presenting the ruins of a vast tableland, sloping gently northwards into the steppe, but hanging in abrupt precipices southwards. Chatir Dagh or Tent Mount (anciently Mons Trapezus or Table Mount), 5450 feet, is a quadrilateral mass of over 8 sq. m., isolated on all sides, and seems to be exceeded in height by Roman Kosh. In the hilly district about Kertch are thermal and naphtha springs, and mud volcanoes. There are some fifty small rivers and rivulets, all fordable except after the melting of the snows and heavy rains. There are about four hundred salt lakes, rich in salt. The climate is healthy, and generally mild. But in winter the steppe is exposed to cold winds, frost, and snowstorms, while the south coast is sheltered and warm. The steppe, though not fertile, yet grazes innumerable herds of cattle, and yields porphyries and various coloured marbles. The northern mountain-slopes are laid out in pastures, thickets, orchards, and gardens watered from the rivers. In the uplands are still magnificent forests of oak, beech, elm, ash, willow, &c. On the southern slopes grow sea-pine; lower down is an Italian vegetation of laurel, pomegranate, fig, arbutus, and vine. Here are famous health-resorts, with Livadia and other imperial residences. Good wine is largely produced, and some exported. Though the Crimea was once famous for its corn, it has suffered much from drought, and much good land is now uncultivated. The fauna is not rich. Of wild quadrupeds are the hare, fox, and small rodents. All the domestic animals of the Russian steppe have been introduced, as also the two-humped camel. The Crimea has a highly prized oyster. The limestone mountains contain porphyry, diorites, and greenstone. Good coal is mined; an extensive field was opened in 1888.
The population numbers about 250,000, of whom 80,000 are Tartars, 130,000 Russians, and 40,000 Greeks, Jews, Bulgarians, Germans, &c. The capital is Simferopol (q.v.), the old Tartar capital being Bakchiserai (q.v.). The Crimea is connected by railway with Russia, the main line running from Alexiejeva to Sebastopol. In the Black Sea, between Europe and Asia, of fine climate and rich in products, the Crimea has from earliest times been a bone of contention for successive nations, and the double or more manifold names of many places, Greek, Tartar, Turk, Russian, record the dominations they have successively undergone. For the early history of the Crimea, see BOSPORUS. In the 13th century came the Tartars, the last of the Ghirei dynasty abdicating in favour of Russia, 1787. See J. B. Telfer, The Crimea and Transcaucasia (1876).