Editing Crimea (section)

==Geography==
{{Location map+|Crimea|relief=1|width=350|places=
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|44|23|14|N|33|44|17|E}}|label=[[Sarych]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|44|57|7|N|34|6|8|E}}|label=[[Simferopol]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|44|36|N|33|32|E}}|label=[[Sevastopol]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|45|21|43|N|36|28|16|E}}|label=[[Kerch]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|46|08|58|N|33|40|20|E}}|label=[[Isthmus of Perekop]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{Coord|45|22|58|N|36|38|43|E}}|label=[[Cape Fonar]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|45.40|32.48}}|label=[[Cape Priboiny]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|45|48|N|32|37|E}}|label=''[[Karkinit Bay]]''|mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|46|05|N|34|20|E}}|label=''[[Syvash]]''|mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|45|03|N|33|28|E}}|label=''[[Kalamita Bay]]''|position=left|mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|44.5|36.25}}|label=''[[Black Sea]]''|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|coordinates={{coord|46|36.25}}|label={{nowrap|''[[Sea of Azov]]''}}|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}
|caption = Geography of Crimea
}}
{{further|East European Plain|Black Sea Lowland}}
Covering an area of {{convert|27000|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, Crimea is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea and on the western coast of the [[Sea of Azov]]; the only land border is shared with Ukraine's [[Kherson Oblast]] on the north. Crimea is almost an island and only connected to the continent by the [[Isthmus of Perekop]], a strip of land about {{convert|5|–|7|km|mi|1}} wide.

Much of the natural border between the Crimean Peninsula and the Ukrainian mainland comprises the [[Syvash]] or "Rotten Sea", a large system of shallow lagoons stretching along the western shore of the Sea of Azov. Besides the isthmus of Perekop, the peninsula is connected to the Kherson Oblast's [[Henichesk Raion]] by bridges over the narrow [[Chonhar Strait|Chonhar]] and [[Henichesk Strait|Henichesk]] straits and over Kerch Strait to the [[Krasnodar Krai]]. The northern part of [[Arabat Spit]] is administratively part of Henichesk Raion in Kherson Oblast, including its two rural communities of [[Shchaslyvtseve]] and [[Strilkove]]. The eastern tip of the Crimean peninsula comprises the [[Kerch Peninsula]], separated from [[Taman Peninsula]] on the Russian mainland by the [[Kerch Strait]], which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, at a width of between {{convert|3|–|13|km|mi|1}}.

Geographers generally divide the peninsula into three zones: the [[Pontic steppe|steppe]], the [[Crimean Mountains]], and the [[Southern Coast (Crimea)|Southern Coast]].

===Places===
{{Location map+ | Crimea
| AlternativeMap = |Relief map of Crimea (disputed status).jpg|relief=1|float=right|width=350
| caption =Places in Crimea
| places  =
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=46.17|long=33.69|label=[[Perekop]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.50|long=32.70|label=[[Chornomorske]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.33|long=33.00|label=[[Donuzlav]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.19|long=33.37|label=[[Yevpatoria]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.60|long=33.53|label=[[Sevastopol]]|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.50|long=33.60|label=[[Balaklava]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.39|long=33.79|label=[[Foros, Crimea|Foros]]|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.42|long=34.04|label=[[Alupka]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.50|long=34.17|label=[[Yalta]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.55|long=34.29|label=[[Gurzuf]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.67|long=34.40|label=[[Alushta]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.85|long=34.97|label=[[Sudak]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.05|long=35.38|label=[[Feodosia]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.36|long=36.47|label=[[Kerch]]}}

{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.59|long=33.81|label=[[Mangup]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.75|long=33.86|label=[[Bakhchysarai]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=44.95|long=34.10|label=[[Simferopol]]}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.05|long=34.60|label=[[Bilohirsk|Karasu]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.03|long=35.09|label=[[Stary Krym|Stary<br />Krym]]|position=top}}
{{Location map~|Crimea|lat=45.71|long=34.39|label=[[Dzhankoy]]|position=bottom}}

}}
Given its long history and many conquerors, most towns in Crimea have several names.

'''West:''' The [[Isthmus of Perekop]]/[[Perekop]]/[[Or Qapi]], about {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} wide, connects Crimea to the mainland. It was often fortified and sometimes garrisoned by the Turks. The [[North Crimean Canal]] now crosses it to bring water from the Dnieper. To the west [[Karkinit Bay]] separates the [[Tarkhankut Peninsula]] from the mainland. On the north side of the peninsula is [[Chernomorskoe]]/Kalos [[Liman (landform)|Limen]]. On the south side is the large [[Donuzlav]] Bay and the port and ancient Greek settlement of [[Yevpatoria]]/Kerkinitis/Gözleve. The coast then runs south to [[Sevastopol]]/[[Chersonesus]], a good natural harbor, great naval base and the largest city on the peninsula. At the head of [[Sevastopol Bay]] stands [[Inkermann]]/Kalamita. South of Sevastopol is the small [[Heracles Peninsula]].

[[File:Mountains by the sea, Горы на побережье, море, Судак, Крым, Crimea.jpg|thumb|Coastline between [[Sudak]] and [[Novy Svet]]]]

'''South:''' In the south, between the [[Crimean Mountains]] and the sea runs a narrow coastal strip which was [[Gazaria (Genoese colonies)|held by the Genoese]] and (after 1475) by the Turks. Under Russian rule it became a kind of [[riviera]]. In Soviet times the many palaces were replaced with [[dacha]]s and health resorts. From west to east are: [[Heracles Peninsula]]; [[Balaklava]]/Symbalon/Cembalo, a smaller natural harbor south of Sevastopol; [[Foros, Crimea|Foros]], the southernmost point; [[Alupka]] with the [[Vorontsov Palace (Alupka)]]; [[Gaspra]]; [[Yalta]]; [[Gurzuf]]; [[Alushta]]. Further east is [[Sudak]]/Sougdia/Soldaia with its Genoese fort. Further east still is Theodosia/Kaffa/[[Feodosia]], once a great [[slave market|slave-mart]] and a kind of capital for the Genoese and Turks. Unlike the other southern ports, Feodosia has no mountains to its north. At the east end of the {{convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} [[Kerch Peninsula]] is [[Kerch]]/[[Panticapaeum]], once the capital of the [[Bosporian Kingdom]]. Just south of Kerch the new Crimean Bridge (opened in 2018) connects Crimea to the [[Taman Peninsula]].

'''Sea of Azov:''' There is little on the south shore. The west shore is marked by the [[Arabat Spit]]. Behind it is the [[Syvash]] or "Putrid Sea", a system of lakes and marshes which in the far north extend west to the Perekop Isthmus. Road- and rail-bridges cross the northern part of Syvash.

'''Interior:''' Most of the former capitals of Crimea stood on the north side of the mountains. [[Mangup]]/Doros (Gothic, Theodoro). [[Bakhchysarai]] (1532–1783).
Southeast of Bakhchysarai is the cliff-fort of [[Chufut-Kale]]/Qirq Or which was used in more warlike times. [[Simferopol]]/Ak-Mechet, the modern capital. [[Karasu-Bazar]]/Bilohorsk was a commercial center. Solkhat/[[Stary Krym|Staryi Krym]] was the old Tatar capital. Towns on the northern steppe area are all modern, notably [[Dzhankoi]], a major road- and rail-junction.

'''Rivers:''' The longest is the [[Salhyr]], which rises southeast of Simferopol and flows north and northeast to the Sea of Azov. The [[Alma River (Crimea)|Alma]] flows west to reach the Black Sea between Yevpatoria and Sevastopol. The shorter [[Chornaya River (Crimea)|Chornaya]] flows west to Sevastopol Bay.

'''Nearby:''' East of the Kerch Strait the Ancient Greeks founded colonies at [[Phanagoria]] (at the head of [[Taman Bay]]), [[Hermonassa]] (later Tmutarakan and [[Taman, Russia|Taman]]), [[Gorgippia]] (later a Turkish port and now Anapa). At the northeast point of the Sea of Azov at the mouth of the Don River were [[Tanais]], Azak/[[Azov]] and now [[Rostov-on-Don]]. North of the peninsula the Dnieper turns westward and enters the Black Sea through the east–west [[Dnieper-Bug Estuary]] which also receives the Bug River. At the mouth of the Bug stood [[Olbia (Pontic)|Olvia]]. At the mouth of the estuary is [[Ochakiv]]. [[Odesa]] stands where the coast turns southwest. Further southwest is [[Tyras]]/Akkerman/[[Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi]].

===Crimean Mountains===
{{main|Crimean Mountains}}
[[File:Eclizee-burun-mountain.jpg|thumb|Eclizee-Burun Mountain]]
The southeast coast is flanked at a distance of {{convert|8|–|12|km|mi|1}} from the sea by a parallel range of mountains: the Crimean Mountains.<ref>The [[Crimean Mountains]] may also be referred to as the Yaylâ Dağ or Alpine Meadow Mountains.</ref> These mountains are backed by [[Cuesta|secondary parallel ranges]].

The main range of these mountains rises with extraordinary abruptness from the deep floor of the Black Sea to an altitude of {{convert|600|–|1545|m|ft|0}}, beginning at the southwest point of the peninsula, called [[Cape Fiolent]]. Some Greek myths state that this cape was supposedly crowned with the temple of [[Artemis]] where [[Iphigeneia]] officiated as priestess.<ref name="EB1911">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Crimea |volume= 07 |last1= Kropotkin |first1= Peter Alexeivitch|author1-link=Peter Kropotkin|last2= Bealby |first2= John Thomas | pages = 449–450; see line one |quote=...ancient Tauris or Tauric Chersonese, called by the Russians by the Tatar name Krym or Crim}}</ref>
[[Uchan-su (waterfall)|Uchan-su]], on the south slope of the mountains, is the highest waterfall in Crimea.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://extremetime.ru/en/tours/krim_3kaniona.aspx|publisher= extremetime.ru |title= Three canyons trekking (Chernorechensky Canyon, Uzunja Canyon and Grand Crimean Canyon). Journey by a mountainous part of Crimea.| access-date= 1 May 2016}}</ref>

===Hydrography===
{{redirect-distinguish|Crimea river|Cry Me a River (disambiguation){{!}}Cry Me a River}}
There are 257 rivers and major streams on the Crimean peninsula; they are primarily fed by rainwater, with snowmelt playing a very minor role. This makes for significant seasonal fluctuation in water flow, with many streams drying up completely during the summer.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaoshvili |first=Shalva |year= 2002 |title= The rivers of the Black Sea |location= Copenhagen |publisher= European Environment Agency |page= 15 |oclc= 891861999 |url= http://edz.bib.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-bn/eua/02/C__DOKUME~1_ZEFZEI_LOKALE~1_TEMP_plugtmp_tech71_en.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160310073738/http://edz.bib.uni-mannheim.de/daten/edz-bn/eua/02/C__DOKUME~1_ZEFZEI_LOKALE~1_TEMP_plugtmp_tech71_en.pdf |archive-date= 10 March 2016 |url-status= live}}</ref> The largest rivers are the [[Salhyr]] (Salğır, Салгир), the Kacha (Кача), the [[Alma (Crimea)|Alma]] (Альма), and the Belbek (Бельбек). Also important are the Kokozka (Kökköz or Коккозка), the Indole (Indol or Индо́л), the [[Chyornaya (Crimea)|Chorna]] (Çorğun, Chernaya or Чёрная), the Derekoika (Dereköy or Дерекойка),<ref>{{Cite web|title= Дерекойка, река |trans-title= Derekoika river |work= Путеводитель по отдыху в Ялте |url= http://jalita.com/big_yalta/yalta/derekoika.shtml}}</ref> the Karasu-Bashi (Biyuk-Karasu or Биюк-Карасу) (a tributary of the Salhyr river), the Burulcha (Бурульча) (also a tributary of the Salhyr), the [[Uchan-su (river)|Uchan-su]], and the Ulu-Uzen'. The longest river of Crimea is the Salhyr at {{convert|204|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}. The Belbek has the greatest average discharge at {{convert|2.16|m3/s|ft3/s}}.<ref>{{harvnb|Jaoshvili|2002|page= 34}}</ref> The Alma and the Kacha are the second- and third-longest rivers.<ref name="BSE">{{Cite encyclopedia|title= Alma, Kacha River |year= 2014 |editor= Grinevetsky, Sergei R. |encyclopedia= The Black Sea Encyclopedia|location= Berlin |publisher= Springer |page= [https://books.google.com/books?id=KFCqBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA38 38] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=KFCqBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA390 390]|isbn= 978-3-642-55226-7|display-editors= etal}}</ref>

[[File:Nord-Krim-Kanal.png|right|thumb|Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Ukraine blocked the [[North Crimean Canal]], which provided 85% of Crimea's drinking and agriculture water.<ref name = canal>{{cite news |title=Dam leaves Crimea population in chronic water shortage |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/1/4/dam-leaves-crimea-population-in-chronic-water-shortage |work=Al-Jazeera |date=4 January 2017}}</ref>]]

There are more than fifty salt lakes and [[Salt pan (geology)|salt pans]] on the peninsula. The largest of them is Lake Sasyk (Сасык) on the southwest coast; others include [[Aqtas Lake|Aqtas]], Koyashskoye, Kiyatskoe, Kirleutskoe, Kizil-Yar, Bakalskoe, and [[Donuzlav]].<ref>{{Cite journal|author= Mirzoyeva, Natalya |year= 2015 |title= Radionuclides and mercury in the salt lakes of the Crimea |journal= Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology |volume= 33 |issue= 6 |pages= 1413–1425 |doi= 10.1007/s00343-015-4374-5|bibcode= 2015ChJOL..33.1413M |s2cid= 131703200 |display-authors= etal|issn = 0254-4059}}</ref> The general trend is for the former lakes to become salt pans.<ref>{{Cite book|author= Kayukova, Elena |title= Thermal and Mineral Waters |year= 2014 |chapter= Resources of Curative Mud of the Crimea Peninsula |editor1= Balderer, Werner |editor2= Porowski, Adam |editor3= Idris, Hussein |editor4= LaMoreaux, James W. |pages= 61–72 |location= Berlin |publisher= Springer |isbn= 978-3-642-28823-4 |doi= 10.1007/978-3-642-28824-1_6}}</ref> [[Lake Syvash]] (Sıvaş or Сива́ш) is a system of interconnected shallow [[lagoon]]s on the north-eastern coast, covering an area of around {{convert|2560|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}. A number of dams have created reservoirs; among the largest are the Simferopolskoye, Alminskoye,<ref>{{Cite web |author1= Bogutskaya, Nina |author2= Hales, Jennifer |title= 426: Crimea Peninsula |work= Freshwater Ecoregions of the World |publisher= The Nature Conservancy |url= http://www.feow.org/ecoregions/details/crimea_peninsula |access-date= 10 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170116162528/http://www.feow.org/ecoregions/details/Crimea_Peninsula |archive-date= 16 January 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref> the Taygansky and the Belogorsky just south of [[Bilohirsk]] in [[Bilohirsk Raion]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= In Crimea has receded one of the largest reservoirs |date= 19 October 2015 |newspaper= News from Ukraine |url= http://en.reporter-ua.ru/in-crimea-has-receded-one-of-the-largest-reservoirs.html |access-date= 10 March 2016 |archive-date= 23 May 2016 |archive-url= http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160523160806/http://en.reporter-ua.ru/in-crimea-has-receded-one-of-the-largest-reservoirs.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> The [[North Crimean Canal|North Crimea Canal]], which transports water from the [[Dnieper]], is the largest of the man-made irrigation channels on the peninsula.<ref name=construction>Tymchenko, Z. ''[http://www.istpravda.com.ua/articles/2014/05/13/142692/ North Crimean Canal. History of construction]''. (Russian) [[Ukrainska Pravda]]. 13 May 2014 (Krymskiye izvestiya. November 2012)</ref> Crimea was facing an unprecedented [[water shortage]] crisis following the blocking of the canal by Ukraine in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pray For Rain: Crimea's Dry-Up A Headache For Moscow, Dilemma For Kyiv |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/pray-for-rain-crimea-s-dry-up-a-headache-for-moscow-dilemma-for-kyiv/30515986.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Crimea Drills For Water As Crisis Deepens In Parched Peninsula |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine--crimea-water-shortage-drought/30903039.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=25 October 2020}}</ref><ref name = canal/> After the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian invasion]], the flow of water was restored however the [[destruction of the Kakhovka Dam]] could lead to problems with water supply again.

===Steppe===
{{main|Pontic–Caspian steppe}}
Seventy-five percent of the remaining area of Crimea consists of semiarid [[prairie]] lands, a southward continuation of the Pontic–Caspian steppe, which slope gently to the northwest from the foothills of the Crimean Mountains. Numerous [[kurgan]]s, or [[burial mound]]s, of the ancient [[Scythia]]ns are scattered across the Crimean steppes.

===Southern Coast===
{{main|Southern Coast (Crimea)}}
[[File:Ялта Южный берег ДДима.jpg|thumb|The [[Crimean Mountains]] in the background and [[Yalta]] as seen from the [[Tsar's Path]].]]

The terrain that lies south of the sheltering Crimean Mountain range is of an altogether different character. Here, the narrow strip of coast and the slopes of the mountains are covered with greenery. This "riviera" stretches along the southeast coast from capes [[Cape Fiolent|Fiolent]] and [[Cape Aya|Aya]], in the south, to Feodosia. There are many summer sea-bathing resorts such as [[Alupka]], [[Yalta]], [[Gurzuf]], [[Alushta]], [[Sudak]], and [[Feodosia]]. During the years of Soviet rule, the resorts and [[dacha]]s of this coast were used by leading politicians<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Salem |first1=Harriet |last2=Makarova |first2=Ludmila |date=2014-03-28 |title=Crimean annexation brings dacha prize closer for Putin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/28/crimean-annexation-dacha-vladimir-putin-russian-president |access-date=2024-07-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and served as prime perquisites of the politically loyal.{{Citation needed|reason=''Politically loyal'', like whom? ''Served as prime perquisites'', according to whom?|date=December 2012}} In addition, vineyards and fruit orchards are located in the region. Fishing, mining, and the production of [[essential oil]]s are also important. Numerous Crimean Tatar villages, mosques, [[monastery|monasteries]], and palaces of the Russian imperial family and nobles are found here, as well as picturesque ancient Greek and medieval castles.

The Crimean Mountains and the southern coast are part of the [[Crimean Submediterranean forest complex]] ecoregion. The natural vegetation consists of scrublands, woodlands, and forests, with a climate and vegetation similar to the [[Mediterranean Basin]].

===Climate===
[[File:Novyi Svit IMG 2941 1725.jpg|thumb|Crimea's Southern Coast has a subtropical climate]]
Crimea is located between the [[temperate]] and [[subtropical climate]] belts and is characterized by warm and sunny weather.<ref name=crimeaclimate>{{cite web|url= http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=28&par=8&f=us |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100901153138/http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=28&par=8&f=us |archive-date= 1 September 2010 |title= Description of the Crimean Climate |publisher= Autonomous Republic of Crimea Information Portal |access-date= 1 October 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> It is characterized by diversity and the presence of microclimates.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The northern parts of Crimea have a moderate [[continental climate]] with short but cold winters and moderately hot dry summers.<ref name=crimeageography>{{cite web|url= http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=27&par=8&art=3&date=&f=us |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100903233704/http://old.crimea-portal.gov.ua/index.php?&v=8&tek=27&par=8&art=3&date=&f=us |archive-date= 3 September 2010 |title= Geographical Survey of the Crimean region |publisher= Autonomous Republic of Crimea Information Portal |access-date= 1 October 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> In the central and mountainous areas the climate is transitional between the continental climate to the north and the [[Mediterranean climate]] to the south.<ref name=crimeageography/> Winters are mild at lower altitudes (in the foothills) and colder at higher altitudes.<ref name=crimeageography/> Summers are hot at lower altitudes and warm in the mountains.<ref name=crimeageography/> A subtropical, Mediterranean climate dominates the southern coastal regions, is characterized by mild winters and moderately hot, dry summers.<ref name=crimeageography/>

The climate of Crimea is influenced by its geographic location, relief, and influences from the [[Black Sea]].<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The Southern Coast is shielded from cold air masses coming from the north and, as a result, has milder winters.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Maritime influences from the Black Sea are restricted to coastal areas; in the interior of the peninsula the maritime influence is weak and does not play an important role.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Because a high-pressure system is located north of Crimea in both summer and winter, winds predominantly come from the north and northeast year-round.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In winter these winds bring in cold, dry continental air, while in summer they bring in dry and hot weather.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Winds from the northwest bring warm and wet air from the Atlantic Ocean, causing precipitation during spring and summer.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> As well, winds from the southwest bring very warm and wet air from the subtropical latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea and cause precipitation during fall and winter.<ref name=crimeaclimate/>

Mean annual temperatures range from {{convert|10|°C|°F|1}} in the far north ([[Armiansk]]) to {{convert|13|°C|°F|1}} in the far south ([[Yalta]]).<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In the mountains, the mean annual temperature is around {{convert|5.7|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> For every {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr= on}} increase in altitude, temperatures decrease by {{convert|0.65|C-change|2}} while precipitation increases.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> In January mean temperatures range from {{convert|-3|°C|°F|1}} in Armiansk to {{convert|4.4|°C|°F|1}} in [[Myskhor]].<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Cool-season temperatures average around {{convert|7|°C|°F|1}} and it is rare for the weather to drop below freezing except in the mountains, where there is usually snow.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/climate.html |title= Climate in Crimea, Weather in Yalta: How Often Does it Rain in Crimea? |publisher= Blacksea-crimea.com |access-date= 10 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100303193251/http://www.blacksea-crimea.com/climate.html |archive-date= 3 March 2010 |url-status= usurped }}</ref> In July mean temperatures range from {{convert|15.4|°C|°F|1}} in [[Ai-Petri]] to {{convert|23.4|°C|°F|1}} in the central parts of Crimea to {{convert|24.4|°C|°F|1}} in Myskhor.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The frost-free period ranges from 160 to 200 days in the steppe and mountain regions to 240–260 days on the south coast.<ref name=crimeaclimate/>

Precipitation in Crimea varies significantly based on location; it ranges from {{convert|310|mm|in|1}} in [[Chornomorske]] to {{convert|1220|mm|in|1}} at the highest altitudes in the Crimean mountains.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The Crimean mountains greatly influence the amount of precipitation present in the peninsula.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> However, most of Crimea (88.5%) receives {{convert|300|to|500|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The plains usually receive {{convert|300|to|400|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year, increasing to {{convert|560|mm|in|1}} in the southern coast at sea level.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> The western parts of the Crimean mountains receive more than {{convert|1000|mm|in|1}} of precipitation per year.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Snowfall is common in the mountains during winter.<ref name=crimeageography/>

Most of the peninsula receives more than 2,000 sunshine hours per year; it reaches up to 2,505 sunshine hours in [[Qarabiy yayla]] in the Crimean Mountains.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> As a result, the climate favors recreation and tourism.<ref name=crimeaclimate/> Because of its climate and subsidized travel-packages from Russian state-run companies, the southern coast has remained a popular resort for Russian tourists.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-ukraine-update-crimea-attracts-more-4-million-tourists-despite-annexation-2141287|work= International Business Times |title= Russia-Ukraine Update: Crimea Attracts More Than 4 Million Tourists Despite Annexation| date= 14 October 2015| access-date= 1 May 2016}}</ref>

===Strategic value===
{{further|Black Sea Fleet}}
[[File:Varangian routes.png|thumb|Map of the [[Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks|historical trade route]] (shown in purple) connecting [[Uppsala]] with [[Constantinople]] via [[Chersonesus (Crimea)|Cherson]]. The major centers of [[Kievan Rus']] – [[Kyiv]] itself, [[Novgorod]] and [[Staraya Ladoga|Ladoga]] – arose along this route.]] The Black Sea ports of Crimea provide quick access to the [[Eastern Mediterranean]], [[Balkans]] and Middle East. [[History of Crimea|Historically]], possession of the southern coast of Crimea was sought after by most empires of the greater region since antiquity ([[Roman Crimea|Roman]], [[Cherson (theme)|Byzantine]], [[Gedik Ahmed Pasha|Ottoman]], [[Taurida Governorate|Russian]], [[Crimean War|British and French]], [[Siege of Sevastopol (1941–1942)|Nazi German]], [[Black Sea Fleet#Soviet Navy|Soviet]]).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10671066/What-is-the-Crimea-and-why-does-it-matter.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10671066/What-is-the-Crimea-and-why-does-it-matter.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= What is the Crimea, and why does it matter? |work= The Daily Telegraph|date=2 April 2014|access-date=10 April 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The nearby [[Dnieper River]] is a major waterway and transportation route that crosses the European continent from north to south and ultimately links the Black Sea with the [[Baltic Sea]], of strategic importance since the historical trade route [[Route from the Varangians to the Greeks|from the Varangians to the Greeks]]. The Black Sea serves as an economic thoroughfare connecting the [[Caucasus]] region and the [[Caspian Sea]] to central and Eastern Europe.<ref name="Crimea Annexation 'Robbery on International Scale'">{{cite news | url= http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Russias-Deputy-PM-Scoffs-at-US-Sanctions/ | title= Crimea Annexation 'Robbery on International Scale' | work= CBN News | date= 19 March 2014 | access-date= 19 March 2014 | agency= CBN News }}</ref>

According to the [[International Transport Workers' Federation]], {{as of | 2013 | lc = on}} there were at least 12 operating merchant seaports in Crimea.<ref name="Черное море признано">
{{cite news
 | url= http://www.blackseanews.net/read/64439
 | title= Черное море признано одним из самых неблагоприятных мест для моряков
 | trans-title = The Black Sea is recognized as one of the most unwelcoming places for sailors
 | work= [[International Transport Workers' Federation]] | date=27 May 2013
 | access-date= 20 September 2013 | agency= BlackSeaNews
}}
</ref>