Sevastopol, Crimea

This is my first postcard received from Crimea since Russia occupied the area, so the stamps are Russian. I always thought Russian Post was really slow, but this arrived in 13 days, which is pretty standard in my experience for mail from Ukraine. I like the dreamy feel of this picture. ...and again wish I lived a bit closer to the sea. :P

  UA-1265549   Sevastopol is a city located in the southwestern region of the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea. The city is currently a subject of territorial dispute, as a result of annexation of Crimea, between Ukraine, which considers Sevastopol as a city with special status, and Russia, which itself considers it a federal city within the Crimean Federal District.

Sevastopol has a population of 342,451, concentrated mostly near the Bay of Sevastopol and surrounding areas. The location and navigability of the city's harbours have made Sevastopol a strategically important port and naval base throughout history. The city has been a home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which is why it was considered as a separate city in Crimea of significant military importance.

Although relatively small at 864 square kilometres, Sevastopol's unique naval and maritime features provide the basis for a robust economy. The city enjoys mild winters and moderate warm summers; characteristics that help make it a popular seaside resort and tourist destination, mainly for visitors from the former Soviet republics. The city is also an important centre for marine biology; in particular, dolphins have been studied and trained in the city since the end of World War II.

This postcard shows the Monument to the ships scuttled during the siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War by Amandus Adamson.