The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has a population of about 3,500,000 people who live on 10,000 square miles. The peninsula is linked to the mainland by the Perekop Isthmus and is surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It’s capital is Simferopol and other major cities include Feodosia, Kerch, Sevastopol, Yalta and Yevpatoria. The Crimean coastline is one of the longest and untouched ones in Europe with a lot of rear flora and fauna. Along the northeast coast is a series of shallow lagoons known collectively as the Sivash or Putrid Sea. This sea is linked to the Sea of Azov by the Arabatskaya Strelka. At the south, is the Yaila Ridge with extensive meadows and forest running almost 100 miles from the west coast eastward. This Alpine-Himalayan belt of folded mountains consist three distinct parallel ridges: The Southern, The Internal and The External. The tallest peak, The Roman Kosh rises 5,034 feet above the sea level. Here the temperature is cool and humid. There is an international known observatory, The Crimean Astrophysical Observatory on Mt. Koshka. On the south side of this Crimean Ridge is the "Russian Riviera" with its subtropical climate and palm trees. At this area there are several vineyards, fruits orchards and several famous resorts and towns. Crimea’s rivers are divided into three groups: rivers of the north-eastern Crimea Mountain slopes; rivers of the northern slopes and rivers of the southern coast. The longest river in Crimea is the Salghir. The major industry for Crimea is fishing. Major fish species caught in the Black Sea are herring, tuna, shrimp, scallop, horse mackerel and khamsa. Crimean's mine clay, lime, salt, flux, gravel, limestone and marl.  At this fabulous peninsula at the Black Sea one can enjoy the nice beach and disco life as well. For a long time all of this was only possible for the high standard Russians because not everybody was allowed to enter Crimea and special Sevastopol. From April until October it's pleasant busy at the whole Crimean peninsula.