The Crimean Tatar people are a Turkic ethnic group native to the Crimea region in Ukraine. They have a rich cultural heritage, including their own language, Crimean Tatar, which belongs to the Turkic language family. Historically, they were known for their nomadic lifestyle and played a significant role in the history of the Crimean Khanate. In the 20th century, the Crimean Tatars faced significant hardships, including mass deportation by the Soviet government in 1944. Many were forced to leave their homeland, leading to a diaspora. Since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Crimean Tatar community has sought to reclaim their rights and cultural identity.