Yacht in Yalta bay
Yalta is a city in Crimea, on the north coast of the Black Sea. It is situated on a shallow bay facing south towards the Black Sea, surrounded by wooded mountains. It enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate.
In the 19th century, the town became a fashionable resort for the Russian aristocracy and gentry. The writers Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov spent their summers there; Yalta is the setting for Chekhov's short story "The Lady With the Pet Dog". The town was also closely associated with royalty. In 1889 Tsar Alexander III built the Massandra Palace a short distance to the north of Yalta and Nicholas II built the Livadia Palace in the south of the town in 1911.
During the 20th century Yalta was the principal holiday resort of the Soviet Union.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Yalta has struggled economically. The town's transport links have been significantly reduced with the end of almost all passenger traffic by sea. In recent years, Yalta has staged a recovery, as economic conditions have improved and tourists have returned. It is still almost entirely frequented by Russian and Ukrainian tourists, with relatively few visitors from western Europe.
Today, Yalta has a beautiful embankment along the Black Sea. People can be seen strolling there all seasons of the year, and it also serves as a place to gather and talk. There are several beaches along the embankment where people relax and go swimming. This embankment is also the site of several hotels, sanitoria, and amusement-park-like rides. In addition, the city has several movie theaters, and many restaurants and cafes.
