D. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Crimea became part of an independent Ukraine. Before the Soviets, Crimea was ruled by the Russian Empire. Earlier it was ruled by the Cimmerians, Bulgars, Greeks, Scythians, Goths, Huns, Khazars, Kievan Rus', Byzantine Greeks, Kipchaks, Ottoman Turks, Golden Horde Tatars and the Mongols.

Q: What is the dominant ethnic group in Crimea?

A. Armenians

B. Russians

C. Ukrainians

D. Tartars

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B. According to 2001 Ukrainian Census, 58.37 percent of Crimea's 2 million people identified themselves as Russians; followed by Ukrainians: 24.32%; Crimean Tatars: 12.1%; Belarusians: 1.44%; Tatars: 0.54%; Armenians: 0.43%; Jews: 0.22%, Greeks: 0.15% and others.

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Q: What connects Crimea to the Ukraine?

A. Isthmus

B. Delta

C. Headland

D. Ridge

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A. The 4-mile-wide Isthmus of Perekop connects the Crimean Peninsula to the mainland. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, usually with water on either side.

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Q: Russian forces have occupied Crimea since the end of February. Earlier, Russia sent troops into another former Soviet republic. What is the name of this nation on the eastern shore of the Black Sea?

A. Armenia

B. Bulgaria

C. Georgia

D. Romania

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C. Russia sent troops into Georgia in 2008 to back regions trying to secede. Russia's moves into Georgia and now the Ukraine have raised worries about the sovereignty of other nations that emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

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