Crimea

kri-me'a, a peninsula of southwestern Russia included between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It contains an area of 10,000 square miles, with varying surface features from steppes to mountains. The steppes are, for the greater part, pasture land. The southern slopes of the mountains produce grapes, olives, and mulberries. The northern slopes produce orchard fruits or grain. The metropolis and seaport is Sebastopol, with a population of 54,000.

The peninsula is noted as the seat of the Crimean War of 1853-6. In pursuance of designs on Turkey, including the control of Constantinople and the Bosporus, the Russians fortified the heights of Sebastopol, converting the port into a fortress second among Mediterranean towns to Gibraltar only. In 1852 Russia deemed the time propitious to make demands on the Porte, this time for the right to protect Christians within the Turkish dominions. The demand was refused. The Russians advanced on Constantinople. The English and French, sinking national antipathy, hastened, not so much to defend the Turks, as to drive back the Russians. Joined by Sardinia, eager for a seat at the council board of nations, the allies dispatched a force of soldiers and a fleet far surpassing the famous Spanish Armada. The Crimea was invaded September, 1854. The famous battles of Alma, Balaklava, and Inkerman were fought. The Russian defense of Sebastopol is comparable with that of Port Arthur in the Russian-Japanese war. Not until September 8th of the following year did "the flags of the Allies wave from the tower of Malakoff." For the famous charge of the Light Brigade, see BALAKLAVA.

In the treaty of peace that followed, Russia was forbidden the use of war ships on the Black Sea. The passage of war ships through the straits of Dardanelles was also forbidden. In 1871, when France was prostrate before Germany, Russia gave notice that she would no longer regard the first restriction; but the straits are still closed to the passage of war vessels without the permission of the Porte.

See Sebastopol