Crimea
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Crimea. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) THE (anciently, Chersonēsus Taurica), a peninsula of southern Russia, government of Taurida, to the mainland of which it is attached by the Isthmus of Perekop; area, 10,000 square miles. On the W. and S. it is washed by the Black Sea, and on the E. by the Sea of Azof, a portion of which, shut off from the rest by a long and narrow strip of land, forms the Sivash or Putrid Sea. Three-fourths of the Crimea belongs to the region of steppes, but the other part, confined entirely to the S., and stretching along the coast from W. to E., abounds in beautiful mountain scenery. Here the valleys looking S. are luxuriant with vines and olive and mulberry plantations, while the N. slope gives a large yield in cereals and fruits. The climate, however, is unequal, and in winter is severe. The chief stream is the Salghir. Others of celebrity are the Tchernaya and the Alma. The most important of the productions, besides those already mentioned, are tobacco, of which a large quantity of excellent quality is produced, flax and hemp. The forests are of limited extent. There are large numbers of finewooled sheep and horned cattle and horses are reared in large numbers. Pop. about 500,000. The chief town and port is Sebastopol. The country was anciently associated with the Cimmerians, and in later times with various Greek settlements and minor kingdoms. After being for some time a dependency of Rome, it was overrun by successive bodies of barbarians, and in 1237 fell into the hands of the Mongols under Genghis Khan. About 1261 the Genoese were permitted to occupy and fortify Kaffa, and they rapidly extended their power in the formation of other settlements. They were expelled, who however, by Mahomet made it a dependent khanate. In 1783 of the the Russians took took possession country; and with the view of overawing the Turks the great naval arsenal of Sebastopol, occupying the most commanding position on the Black Sea, was begun by Catharine II. in 1786. Its military resources were steadily developed up to the time of the Anglo-French campaign of 1854, when it fell into the hands of the allies. Here, in November, 1920, the Anti-Bolshevist leader, General Baron Wrangel, and his forces suffered a great defeat from the red army.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
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