The Crimea.

These southern territories were annexed in the late XVII th century by Katherine the Great. And nowadays Novorossiysk is one of the largest Russian ports.

At the foothills of huge mountains there are a lot of hotels and places for having rest. Thousands of Soviet people attracted by the Black Sea to come here as vacationers could buy a putyovka, a trade union certificate for room and board. People could buy it for a small percentage of its actual cost. That's why most of the Soviet people could enjoy their holidays at the seashore.

Fishermen can still be found here. They don't have a large catch in summer. During a high tourist season they have enough fish only to feed themselves. The catch is better in winter, only then they can sell their fish. But even in summer they enjoy going into the sea and admire its beauty.

Fruit trees flourish on fertile soils of this region. Fruits are picked up, canned and sent to other regions of Russia where the growing season is not long enough to let fruit ripen.

The lime-rich soil is especially favourable for growing grapes that are used in the production of sparkling wine. Champaign almost tops the list of favourite alcoholic beverages drunk by Russian people, especially on festive occasions. The champagne making process is rather long. First of all the wine is left to ferment, it may age from 18 months to 5 years. The top of the bottle where the sediment lies is frozen, then the bottle is opened and once the sediment is out, the bottle is recouped and secured with wire.

Alexander V. Myskin, gr. 2o1