Аҧсны აფხაზეთი Абхазия Apsny / Apkhazeti / Abhazia Abkhazia
Location of Abkhazia (dark green, circled) within Georgia (lighter green)
Area
-	Total	8,432 km²  3,256 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2006 estimate	157,000-190,000 (International Crisis Group) 177,000 (Encyclopædia Britannica)
-	2003 census	216,000 (disputed)
-	Density	29/km²  75.1/sq mi
Time zone		MSK (UTC+3)

Abkhazia (pronounced /æbˈkeɪʒə/ or /æbˈkɑziə/, Abkhaz: Аҧсны Apsny, Georgian: აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti, Russian: Абха́зия Abhazia) is an autonomous region of Georgia in the Caucasus. It is a de facto independent^[1][2][3][4] republic,^[5][6] with no international recognition. It is located within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia. Abkhazia is located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, bordering the Russian Federation to the north. Within Georgia, it borders the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti to the east. Map of Abkhazia Adapted from http://www. ... Image File history File links LocationAbkhazia2. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy. ... The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries not observing daylight saving Moscow Time (Russian: ) is the time zone for the city of Moscow, Russia and most of western Russia, including Saint Petersburg, Russia. ... UTC redirects here. ... Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language spoken mainly in Abkhazia[1] and Turkey. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Caucasus Mountains. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... For other uses, see Black Sea (disambiguation). ... Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is a region in western Georgia (country) which includes the historical Georgian provinces of Samegrelo (Mingrelia) and Zemo Svaneti (i. ...

Abkhazia's independence is not recognized by any country and it is recognized as an autonomous republic of Georgia (Georgian: აფხაზეთის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა, Abkhaz: Аҧснытәи Автономтәи Республика), with Sukhumi as its capital. The list of unrecognized countries enumerates those geo-political entities which lack general diplomatic recognition, but wish to be recognized as sovereign states. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... A significant number of autonomous republics can be found within the successor states of the Soviet Union, but the majority are located within Russia. ... Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language spoken mainly in Abkhazia[1] and Turkey. ... Destroyed shop in Sukhumi Sukhumi (Georgian: , Sokhumi; Abkhaz: , Aqwa; Russian: , Sukhumi) is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent republic, which is internationally recognized as being an autonomous republic within Georgia. ...

A secessionist movement of the Abkhaz ethnic minority in the region led to the declaration of independence from Georgia in 1992 and the Georgian-Abkhaz armed conflict from 1992 to 1993 which resulted in the Georgian military defeat and the mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of Georgian population from Abkhazia. In spite of the 1994 ceasefire accord and the ongoing UN-monitored and Russian-dominated CIS peacekeeping operation, the sovereignty dispute has not yet been resolved and the region remains divided between the two rival authorities, with over 83 percent of its territory controlled by the Russian-backed Sukhumi-based separatist government and about 17 percent governed by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, recognized by Georgia as the legal authority of Abkhazia, located in the Kodori Valley, part of Georgian-controlled Upper Abkhazia. The Abkhazians or Abkhaz (Abkhaz: , Georgian: აფხაზები, Turkish: Abhazlar) are a Caucasian ethnic group, mainly living in Abkhazia, de jure an autonomous republic of Georgia. ... “Minority” redirects here. ... A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. ... Combatants Abkhaz separatists Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus Russian Cossacks Russian Forces1 Georgian Interior and Defense Ministry forces Paramilitary groups and volunteer batallions Commanders Iysuph Soslanbekov, Musa Shanibov, Shamil Basaev, Beslan Barghandjia, Anri Djergenia Geno Adamia, Guram Gubelashvili, Gia Kharkharashvili, Davit Tevzadze, Soso Akhalaia Casualties ~2,500-4... Dead Georgian civilian with his dog on the streets of Sukhumi, September 27, 1993 The Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, also known as the Genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia (Georgian: , Russian: ) or the Massacre of Georgians in Abkhazia [1][2] — refers to the massacres [3] and forced mass expulsion... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war or any armed conflict, where each side of the conflict agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ...  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... Official languages Abkhaz, Georgian Location Upper Abkhazia (formerly known as Kodori Valley) Status Partially government in exile Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Malkhaz Akishbaia Chairman of the Supreme Council Temur Mzhavia The De jure Government of Abkhazia (Georgian: , Abkhaz: ) is the only body internationally recognized as a legal authority of... The Kodori Gorge of Upper Abkhazia The Kodori Valley (also known as the Kodori Gorge; Georgian: ) is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgias breakaway autonomous republic which serves as the de facto boundary between the Georgian government and the secessionist-controlled territories. ... The upper Kodori Gorge is a principal part of Upper Abkhazia. ...

Political status

Government of the Republic of Abkhazia
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Aiaaira
Capital		Sukhumi 43°00′N 40°59′E / 43, 40.983
Official languages		Abkhaz, Russian1
Government
-	President	Sergei Bagapsh
-	Prime Minister	Alexander Ankvab
De facto independence from Georgia
-	Declared	23 July 1992
-	Recognition	none
Currency		Russian ruble (RUB)
1	Russian has co-official status and widespread use by government and other institutions.

Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia
Flag Coat of arms
Capital		Sukhumi (de jure) Chkhalta (de facto)
Official languages		Abkhaz, Georgian
Government
-	Chairman, Cabinet of Ministers	Malkhaz Akishbaia
-	Chairman, Supreme Council	Temur Mzhavia
Autonomous republic of Georgia
-	Georgian independence from the Soviet Union Declared Recognised	9 April 1991 25 December 1991
Currency		Georgian lari (GEL)

Abkhazia's independence is not recognized by any country. The United Nations is urging both sides to settle the dispute through diplomatic dialogue and ratifying the final status of Abkhazia in the Georgian Constitution.^[7][8] However, the Abkhaz de-facto government considers Abkhazia a sovereign country, even though it is not recognized by any party in the world and is still populated with ethnic Georgians (who live in the Gali District and the Kodori Gorge). In 2005, the Georgian government offered Abkhazia a high degree of autonomy and possible federal structure within the borders and jurisdiction of Georgia. The Government of the Republic of Abkhazia governs the internationally unrecognised but de facto independent Republic of Abkhazia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Abkhazia. ... In the red canton, the open hand represents Abkhaz nationhood. ... The coat of arms of Abkhazia, an internationally unrecognized republic, was adopted by the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia on 23 July 1992, after it declared its secession from Georgia. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Destroyed shop in Sukhumi Sukhumi (Georgian: , Sokhumi; Abkhaz: , Aqwa; Russian: , Sukhumi) is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent republic, which is internationally recognized as being an autonomous republic within Georgia. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language spoken mainly in Abkhazia[1] and Turkey. ... List of de facto separatist Presidents of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba (1994 – 2005) Sergei Bagapsh (2005 – present) See also: List of Prime Ministers of Abkhazia, List of foreign ministers of Abkhazia President of the Republic of Abkhazia. ... Sergei Vasilyevich Bagapsh (Abkhaz: ) (born March 4, 1949, Sukhumi) is the president of the unrecognized de facto independent Republic of Abkhazia, which is recognized internationally as de jure part of Georgia. ... The position of Prime Minister in the de facto independent (though not internationally recognized) republic of Abkhazia is second to only that of President. ... Alexander (or Aleksandr) Zolotiskovich Ankvab (Abkhaz: Александр Анқәаб /anqwab/; born December 26, 1952, Sukhumi) is the de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, a breakaway republic of Georgia. ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... ISO 4217 Code RUB User(s) Russia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia Inflation 7% Source Rosstat, 2007 Subunit 1/100 kopek (копейка) Symbol руб kopek (копейка) к Plural The language(s) of this currency is of the Slavic languages. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Official languages Abkhaz, Georgian Location Upper Abkhazia (formerly known as Kodori Valley) Status Partially government in exile Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Malkhaz Akishbaia Chairman of the Supreme Council Temur Mzhavia The De jure Government of Abkhazia (Georgian: , Abkhaz: ) is the only body internationally recognized as a legal authority of... Image File history File links Flag_of_Georgia. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The official flag of Georgia is the five-cross flag, restored to official use on January 14, 2004 after a break of some 500 years. ... Georgias coat of arms was adopted on 1 October 2004. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Destroyed shop in Sukhumi Sukhumi (Georgian: , Sokhumi; Abkhaz: , Aqwa; Russian: , Sukhumi) is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent republic, which is internationally recognized as being an autonomous republic within Georgia. ... Chkhalta is a principal village in Upper Abkhazia (formerly known as the Kodori Valley), western Georgian autonomous republic of Abkhazia whose two third has been controlled by the Abkhaz separatist government in Sukhumi since 1993. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language spoken mainly in Abkhazia[1] and Turkey. ... Malkhaz Akishbaia is an ethnic Abkhaz and the Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of the de jure Government of Abkhazia in Kodori. ... Temur Mzhavia is the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the de jure Government of Abkhazia in Kodori. ... A significant number of autonomous republics can be found within the successor states of the Soviet Union, but the majority are located within Russia. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Georgian 1 lari Georgian 2 lari Georgian 5 lari Georgian 10 lari Georgian 50 lari Georgian 100 lari The lari (Georgian: ლარი ; ISO 4217:GEL) is the national currency of Georgia. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... This article is about negotiations. ... Gali district is largely in the UN security zone Gali district is a district of the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, de jure part of Georgia. ... The Kodori Gorge The Kodori Valley (also known as the Kodori Gorge) is a river valley in Abkhazia, Georgias breakaway autonomous republic which serves as the de facto boundary between the Georgian government and the secessionist-controlled territories. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up autonomy, autonomous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Meanwhile the Russian State Duma is urging to take into consideration the appeal made by Abkhaz de facto authorities which calls for recognition of its independence,^[9] while Russian state media produce numerous materials in support of the separatist regime.^[10] During the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, Russian authorities and military supplied logistical and military aid to the separatist side.^[7] Today, Russia still maintains a strong political and military influence over separatist rule in Abkhazia. Russia has also issued passports for the citizens of Abkhazia since 2000 (as the Abkhazian passports cannot be used for international travel) and subsequently paid retirement pensions and other monetary benefits. More than 80% of the Abkhazian population received Russian citizenship by 2006; however, Abkhazians do not pay Russian taxes, or serve in the Russian Army.^[11][12] About 53,000 Abkhazian passports have been issued as of May 2007.^[13] For other uses, see State Duma (disambiguation). ... Combatants Abkhaz separatists Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus Russian Cossacks Russian Forces1 Georgian Interior and Defense Ministry forces Paramilitary groups and volunteer batallions Commanders Iysuph Soslanbekov, Musa Shanibov, Shamil Basaev, Beslan Barghandjia, Anri Djergenia Geno Adamia, Guram Gubelashvili, Gia Kharkharashvili, Davit Tevzadze, Soso Akhalaia Casualties ~2,500-4... Categories: Wikipedia cleanup | Military of Russia | Russia-related stubs ...

On October 18, 2006, the People's Assembly of Abkhazia passed a resolution, calling upon Russia, international organizations, and the rest of the international community to recognize Abkhaz independence on the basis that Abkhazia possesses all the properties of an independent state.^[14] However, international organizations have confirmed their support for Georgian territorial integrity and outlined the basic principles of conflict resolution which call for immediate return of all expelled ethnic Georgian refugees (approximately 250,000) and the involvement of International Police to monitor the safety of all ethnic groups living in Abkhazia.^[15] About 60,000 Georgian refugees have spontaneously returned to Abkhazia's Gali district since 1994, but tens of thousands were displaced again when fighting resumed in the Gali district in 1998. Nevertheless from 40,000 to 60,000 refugees have returned to Gali district since 1998, including persons commuting daily across the ceasefire line and those migrating seasonally in accordance with agricultural cycles.^[16] The human rights situation remains precarious in the Georgian-populated areas of the Gali district. The United Nations and other international organizations have been fruitlessly urging the Abkhaz de facto authorities "to refrain from adopting measures incompatible with the right to return and with international human rights standards, such as discriminatory legislation… [and] to cooperate in the establishment of a permanent international human rights office in Gali and to admit United Nations civilian police without further delay."^[17] Key officials of the Gali district are virtually all ethnic Abkhaz, though their support staff are ethnic Georgian.^[11] is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Unicameral Speaker Nugzar Ashuba, independent since 2002 Deputy Speaker Members 35 Meeting place Sukhumi The Peoples Assembly of Abkhazia is the legislature of the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia. ... The International Police is the title used for an organization of Police Officers representing various countries throughout the world, brought together to assist in the training, organization, stabilization of a destabilized region, or creation of Police Forces primarily in war torn countries. ... Gali district is largely in the UN security zone Gali district is a district of the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, de jure part of Georgia. ...

Georgia accuses the Abkhaz secessionists of having conducted a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing, a claim supported by the OSCE and many Western governments.^[18] The UN Security Council has, however, avoided use of the term "ethnic cleansing", but has affirmed "the unacceptability of the demographic changes resulting from the conflict".^[19] Dead Georgian civilian with his dog on the streets of Sukhumi, September 27, 1993 The Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, also known as the Genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia (Georgian: , Russian: ) or the Massacre of Georgians in Abkhazia [1][2] — refers to the massacres [3] and forced mass expulsion...

Moscow hinted that it would recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia if the Western countries recognise the independence of Kosovo suggesting it created a precedent. Following Kosovo's declaration of independence the Russian parliament released a joint statement reading: "Now that the situation in Kosovo has become an international precedent, Russia should take into account the Kosovo scenario...when considering ongoing territorial conflicts."^[20] So far Russia has not recognised either of these republics. Anthem unknown Capital Tskhinvali Official languages Ossetian1 Government  -  President Eduard Kokoity  -  Prime Minister Yury Morozov De facto independence from Georgia  -  Declared November 28, 1991   -  Recognition none  Currency Russian ruble (RUB) Russian in widespread use by government and other institutions. ... For other uses, see Kosovo (disambiguation). ...

On March 28, 2008, the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili unveiled his government's new proposals to Abkhazia: the broadest possible autonomy within the framework of a Georgian state, a joint free economic zone, representation in the central authorities including the post of vice-president with the right to veto Abkhaz-related decisions.^[21] The Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh rejected these new initiatives as "propaganda", leading to Georgia's complaints that this skepticism was "triggered by Russia, rather than by real mood of the Abkhaz people."^[22] is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... The President of Georgia (ge: საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი) is the head of the state and commander-in-chief of Georgia. ... Mikheil Saakashvili (Georgian: ) (born December 21, 1967) is a Georgian politician and the current President of Georgia. ... A vice president is an officer in government or business who is next in rank below a president. ... Sergei Vasilyevich Bagapsh (Abkhaz: ) (born March 4, 1949, Sukhumi) is the president of the unrecognized de facto independent Republic of Abkhazia, which is recognized internationally as de jure part of Georgia. ...

Geography and climate

View from Pitsunda cape.

Main article: Geography and climate of Abkhazia

Abkhazia covers an area of about 8,600 km² at the western end of Georgia. The Caucasus Mountains to the north and the northeast divide Abkhazia from the Russian Federation. To the east and southeast, Abkhazia is bounded by the Georgian region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti; and on the south and southwest by the Black Sea. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Map of Abkhazia Abkhazia is a region in South Caucasus. ... The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas in the Caucasus region, usually considered the southeastern limit of Europe. ... Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is a region in western Georgia (country) which includes the historical Georgian provinces of Samegrelo (Mingrelia) and Zemo Svaneti (i. ...

Abkhazia is extremely mountainous. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range runs along the region's northern border, with its spurs – the Gagra, Bzyb and Kodori ranges – dividing the area into a number of deep, well-watered valleys. The highest peaks of Abkhazia are in the northeast and east and several exceed 4,000 meters (13,120 ft) above sea level. The landscapes of Abkhazia range from coastal forests and citrus plantations, to eternal snows and glaciers to the north of the region. Although Abkhazia's complex topographic setting has spared most of the territory from significant human development, its cultivated fertile lands produce tea, tobacco, wine and fruits, a mainstay of the local agricultural sector. Bzyb Range is a mountain range in Abkhazia on the Southern slope of the Western part of Caucasus Major, running in parallel to it. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Austrias longest glacier, the Pasterze, winds its 8 km (5 mile) route at the foot of Austrias highest mountain, the Grossglockner A glacier is a large, long-lasting river of ice that is formed on land and moves in response to gravity. ... For other uses, see Tea (disambiguation). ... Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. ... For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ...

Lake Ritsa

Abkhazia is richly irrigated by small rivers originating in the Caucasus Mountains. Chief of these are: Kodori, Bzyb, Ghalidzga, and Gumista. The Psou River separates the region from Russia, and the Inguri serves as a boundary between Abkhazia and Georgia proper. There are several periglacial and crater lakes in mountainous Abkhazia. Lake Ritsa is the most important of them. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 594 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ritsa lake (from upper side) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 594 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ritsa lake (from upper side) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are... Location of the lake in Abkhazia Lake Ritsa Lake Ritsa (Abkhaz Риҵа, Georgian რიწა), located in the northern part of Abkhazia, Georgia, is a beautiful lake in Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by mixed mountain forests and subalpine meadows. ... For other uses, see River (disambiguation). ... The Kodori (, Kwydry; Georgian: , Kodori) is the second largest river of Abkhazia, de jure an autonomous republic of Georgia. ... Foto by Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Bzyb River is a river in Abkhazia, in Western Caucasus. ... Psou River (Russian: ) is a river in the West Caucasus. ... The Inguri River Gorge in Svaneti The Inguri (Georgian: ენგური/Enguri; Russian: Ингури/Inguri) is a river in western Georgia. ... Periglacial refers to places in the edges of glacial areas, normally those related to past ice ages rather than those in the modern era. ... A crater lake that simply goes by the name Crater Lake, in Oregon, USA Heaven Lake (Chonji / Tianchi), North Korea / China Cuicocha, Ecuador Lake formed after 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines Mount Katmai, Alaska, USA Mount Wenchi crater lake, Ethiopia Nemrut, Turkey Volcán Irazú, Costa Rica This page... For other uses, see Lake (disambiguation). ... Location of the lake in Abkhazia Lake Ritsa Lake Ritsa (Abkhaz Риҵа, Georgian რიწა), located in the northern part of Abkhazia, Georgia, is a beautiful lake in Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by mixed mountain forests and subalpine meadows. ...

Because of Abkhazia's proximity to the Black Sea and the shield of the Caucasus Mountains, the region's climate is very mild. The coastal areas of the republic have a subtropical climate, where the average annual temperature in most regions is around 15 degrees Celsius. The climate at higher elevations varies from maritime mountainous to cold and summerless. Abkhazia receives high amounts of precipitation, but its unique micro-climate (transitional from subtropical to mountain) along most of its coast causes lower levels of humidity. The annual precipitation vacillates from 1,100-1,500 mm (43-59 inches) along the coast to 1,700-3,500 mm (67-138 in.) in the higher mountainous areas. The mountains of Abkhazia receive significant amounts of snow. For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ...

There are two border crossings into Abkhazia. The southern border crossing is at the Inguri bridge, a short distance from the Georgian city of Zugdidi. The northern crossing ("Psou") is in the town of Gyachrypsh. Owing to the ongoing security situation, many foreign governments advise their citizens against travelling to Abkhazia.^[23] Zugdidi is a city in the Western Georgian historical province of Mingrelia (Samegrelo). ...

Administrative division

Main article: Administrative divisions of Abkhazia

In Soviet times Abkhaz ASSR was divided into 6 raions named after their centres: Gagra, Gudauta, Sukhumi, Ochamchire, Gulripsh and Gali. The de jure division of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic of Georgia remained the same (see here). ... A raion (or rayon) (Russian and Ukrainian: ; Belarusian раён; Azeri: rayon, Latvian: rajons, Georgian: , raioni) is one of two kinds of administrative subdivisions in languages of some post-Soviet states: a subnational entity and a subdivision of a city. ... Gagra, View from the Black Sea Gagra is a city in the Abkhazia region of western Georgia, sprawling for 5 km on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. ... Gudauta is a town in Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia. ... Destroyed shop in Sukhumi Sukhumi (Georgian: , Sokhumi; Abkhaz: , Aqwa; Russian: , Sukhumi) is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent republic, which is internationally recognized as being an autonomous republic within Georgia. ... Ochamchire (sometimes referred to as Ochamchira) is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, an autonomous republic in northwestern Georgia. ... Gulripsh (, Russian: ) is a town in Abkhazia, de facto independent republic within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia. ... Gali (, Gal) is a town in Abkhazia, Georgia’s breakaway region 77 km southeast to Sukhumi and bordering with the rest of Georgia. ... Motto ძალა ერთობაშია(Georgian) Strength is in Unity Anthem Tavisupleba Freedom Capital (and largest city) Tbilisi Official languages Georgian1 Demonym Georgian Government Semi-presidential unitary republic  -  President Mikheil Saakashvili  -  Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli Consolidation  -  Georgian kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia c. ...

The administrative division of the unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia is the same with one exception - a new Tkvarcheli raion was carved from the Ochamchire and Gali raions in 1995. Tkvarcheli (, Tkwarchal, Georgian: ) is a town in Abkhazia, de facto independent republic within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia. ...

Economy

The economy of Abkhazia is heavily integrated with Russia and uses the Russian ruble as its currency. Tourism is a key industry and the Abkhaz de facto authorities claim that the organized tourists (mainly from Russia) numbered more than 100,000 in recent years, compared to about 200,000 in the 1990 before the war.^[24] The number of visitors in 2006 was estimated by Abkhazian authorities to have been approximately 1.5 million.^[25] Although Russia has established a visa regime with Georgia, Russian passport-holders do not require a visa to enter Abkhazia. Holders of European Union passports require an Entry Permit Letter issued by the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sukhumi, against which a visa will be issued upon presentation of the Letter to the MFA.^[26] ISO 4217 Code RUB User(s) Russia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia Inflation 7% Source Rosstat, 2007 Subunit 1/100 kopek (копейка) Symbol руб kopek (копейка) к Plural The language(s) of this currency is of the Slavic languages. ...

Abkhazia's fertile land and abundance of agricultural products, including tea, tobacco, wine and fruits (especially tangerines), have secured a relative stability in the sector. Electricity is largely supplied by the Inguri hydroelectric power station located on the Inguri river between Abkhazia and Georgia proper and operated jointly by Abkhaz and Georgians. For other uses, see Tea (disambiguation). ... Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. ... For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Citrus reticulata Blanco For other uses, see Tangerine (disambiguation). ... The Inguri Dam (Ingurskaya) is a hydroelectric dam on the Inguri River in Georgia. ...

Many Russian entrepreneurs, including the Mayor of Moscow, Yury Luzhkov, have invested or plan to do so in Abkhazia. Both Abkhaz and Russian officials have announced their intentions to exploit Abkhazia's facilities and resources for the Olympic construction projects in Sochi, as the city will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Government of Georgia has warned against such actions, however, and has threatened to ask foreign banks to close accounts of Russian companies and individuals that buy assets in Abkhazia.^[27] For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sochi (Russian: , IPA: [soʨɪ]) is a Russian resort city, situated in Krasnodar Krai just north of the southern Russian border. ... The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXII Olympic Winter Games, is an international winter multiple sports event that will be celebrated from February 7 to February 23, 2014. ...

The region continues to suffer considerable economic problems owing to widespread corruption, the control by criminal organizations of large segments of the economy, and the continuing effects of the war.^[28]

The CIS economic sanctions imposed on Abkhazia in 1996 are still formally in force although Russia announced on March 6, 2008 that it would no longer participate in them, declaring them "outdated, impeding the socio-economic development of the region, and causing unjustified hardship for the people of Abkhazia". Russia also called on other CIS members to undertake similar steps.^[29]  Member state  Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders  -  Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

Demographics

According to the Family Lists compiled in 1886 (published 1893 in Tbilisi) the Sukhumi District's population was 68,773, of which 30,640 were Samurzaq'anoans, 28,323 Abkhaz, 3,558 Mingrelians, 2,149 Greeks, 1,090 Armenians, 1,090 Russians and 608 Georgians^{[citation needed]} (including Imeretians and Gurians). Samurzaq'ano is a present-day Gali district of Abkhazia. Most of the Samurzaq'anians must be thought to have been Mingrelians, and a minority Abkhaz.^[30][31] Abkhaz is an agglutinative Georgia (in the autonomous republic of Abkhazia) and Turkey. ... The Mingrelians (Megrelians, Mingrels, Megrels; Megrelebi or მეგრელები in Georgian) are an ethnographic group of Georgians that mostly live in Samegrelo (Mingrelia) region of Georgia. ... Gali district is largely in the UN security zone Gali district is a district of the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, de jure part of Georgia. ...

According to the 1897 census there were 58,697 people in Abkhazia who listed Abkhaz as their mother tongue.^[32] The population of the Sukhumi district (Abkhazia) was about 100,000 at that time. Greeks, Russians and Armenians composed 3.5%, 2% and 1.5% of the district's population.^[33] Russian Empire Census of 1897 was the first and the only census carried out in the Imperial Russia. ...

According to the 1917 agricultural census organized by the Russian Provisional Government, Georgians and Abkhaz composed 41.7% (54,760) and 30,4% (39,915) of the rural population of Abkhazia respectively.^[34] At that time Gagra and its vicinity weren't part of Abkhazia. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The following table summarises the results of the other censuses carried out in Abkhazia. The Russian, Armenian and Georgian population grew faster than Abkhaz one due to the large-scale migration.^[35]