Crimea

Crimea (Russian: Крым; Ukrainian: Крим) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe located on the northern coast of the Black Sea. It is located between Ukraine and Russia, to which it has been annexed since 2014. Crimea was part of Ukraine until March 18th, 2014 when Russian forces took control of the region following a referendum vote that supported joining with Russia.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years by various civilizations including Greeks who founded colonies here in antiquity and during medieval times by Tatars and Ukrainians. In 1783, Catherine II annexed Crimea from Turkey into what became known as “New Russia” or South-Western Territory, making it an autonomous republic within Russian Empire before becoming part of Soviet Union after 1917 October Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin.

Since then many ethnicities have lived together peacefully in this multi-ethnic region resulting in a rich cultural heritage still apparent today Arabic, Armenian Greek , Crimean Tatar German , Bulgarian Jews , Polish Roma etc.. Crimeans are mostly Orthodox Christians but also contain sizable Muslim minority populations due to migration waves over centuries . The official languages spoken include Russian Ukrainian Crimean Tatar all three having equal status under law enforcement regulations .

Since its reunification with Russia there have been several changes made such as lifting visa requirements for tourists development projects investments into infrastructure improvements educational reforms new laws regarding property rights tax breaks aimed at encouraging businesses relocation efforts aimed towards repatriating citizens living abroad back to their homeland amongst other initiatives taken promote economic growth stability across peninsula .

Despite being internationally unrecognized state recognized only few countries including Syria North Korea Venezuela Afghanistan Laos Nicaragua Tuvalu Vanuatu Nauru most United Nations members refusing recognize legitimacy annexation continue consider integral territory Ukraine based upon norms international law UN Charter Resolution 68/262 adopted 27 March 2014 condemned de facto authorities’ actions violating sovereignty territorial integrity country well human rights abuses against population subjected occupation military force troops stationed throughout region response overwhelming majority public opinion polls conducted show strong support unification among local residents even though some parties opposed decision Kiev never accepted situation disputed current day disputes involving NATO’s access right waters off Crimean shores remain source tension dispute lies largely unresolved date despite sanctions imposed Western governments diplomatic attempts resolve crisis around world stage political climate remains tense ever changing subject future resolution open debate while people live turbulent events unfold own homes bring uncertain fate closer each passing day