Abkhazia is an amazing country with a distinctive culture and ancient history. The people who inhabit this territory call their homeland like this: Apsny. Translated, this means "Country of Soul."
Location
Abkhazia on the world map occupies a significant territory along the Black Sea. It extends from the Psou River all the way to the Inguri River. The length of this truly paradise is two hundred twenty kilometers. Numerous vacationers are attracted to the country by the gentle sun, the azure sea and the healing air of the mountains. The nature of Abkhazia gives people not only the joy of life. She returns youth and health.
Abkhazia on the world map is located in the north-eastern region of the Caucasus. The country is occupied by the Black Sea region. In the north, it borders with Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria. In the southeast - with Georgia, in the northwest - with the Krasnodar Territory.
The territory occupied by Abkhazia represents an area of 8700 square kilometers. From west to east, its length is one hundred and sixty kilometers, and from south to north - fifty-four. The capital of Abkhazia is the city of Sukhum. There are seven districts in the country, as many cities, four villages and many villages.
History
The period of the emergence of the Abkhazian kingdom is the eighth century. From the second half of the 9th century it became part of Georgia. In the thirteenth century, the Mongol-Tatars conquered Abkhazia. From the 16th century it was ruled by the Turks. Abkhazia as part of Russia began its history in 1810. After the October Revolution, the Soviet state recognized the territory of Georgia up to the Psou River. In fact, Abkhazia was included in this democratic republic. 02/25/1921, a Bolshevik coup was carried out in Georgia. Already in March 1921, Soviet power was proclaimed in Abkhazia. Since December of that year, she began to be part of the Georgian SSR.
Throughout the Soviet period, the situation in Abkhazia was tense. Mass riots of the local population were observed in 1957, 1967 and in 1978. Abkhazians demanded secession from the Georgian Republic.
These relations were especially aggravated in 1989. On March 18, the Abkhaz people gathered for a thirty-thousand-strong rally, at which proposals were made to secede from Georgia. In June 1989, bloody clashes with Georgians occurred in Sukhumi. Their result was sixteen dead. The conflict was settled by the authorities.
War with Georgia
On August 25, 1990, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia adopted a declaration of sovereignty. The aggravation of the political situation occurred with the entry of Georgian troops into the territory of Abkhazia. In 1992, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia announced the termination of the constitution, adopted in 1978. The constitution of 1925 was recognized. This document recorded the pre-autonomous status of the territory. This was not recognized by Georgia. In parallel, a war was launched in Abkhazia. During the fighting, artillery, aircraft and other weapons were used.
Establishing control over parts of its territory, as well as maintaining the integrity of the country, is the goal Georgia has pursued. Abkhazia, however, strove to expand the rights of the autonomy it created, as well as to gain independence.
At the end of 1992, the war began to have an opposition character. None of the parties in this confrontation could win a victory. As a result, a number of documents were signed between Abkhazia and Georgia. They enshrined an agreement on the complete cessation of all hostilities. At the same time, heavy weapons and troops were supposed to leave the territory of the conflict.
After some lull, hostilities were resumed. In 1993, Sukhumi began to control the Abkhaz troops, which forced the Georgian National Guard to leave the territory of Abkhazia.
The war was a great test. During the fighting, about sixteen thousand people died on both sides. The damage caused to the economy of Abkhazia is estimated at almost eleven billion dollars.
Peacekeeping forces
The Russian side acted as an intermediary between the conflicting parties. In May 1994, an agreement was signed in Moscow on the separation of forces and a ceasefire. The CIS collective forces were introduced into the conflict zone, the task of which is to maintain the non-arming of the fire.
Peacekeeping troops, consisting of Russian troops, exercised control over a thirty-kilometer security zone between Georgia and Abkhazia.
UN action
The Georgian-Abkhaz Coordinating Council was established in 1997. This happened during the Geneva talks. The Council was attended by representatives of the UN, as well as the Russian Federation. However, in 2006, a new military operation began in the Kodori Valley. Georgia has carried out large-scale sweeps in villages along the Kodori. Official Tbilisi announced control of the Kodori Gorge.
In October 2006, the
UN Security Council adopted Resolution No. 1716. It called on the conflicting parties to stop any military actions that impede peace processes. The UN expressed concern about the Georgian side’s failure to comply with the agreement signed in Moscow, as well as other agreements.
The path to independence
Is Abkhazia Russia or Not? Since 2001, the Caucasus Republic has been taking various actions, seeking entry into the CIS. She wants to unite with Russia, retaining the rights of an independent state. However, the official position of the Russian Federation is such that a great power does not accept such an opportunity. This was stated by Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili in 2003.
Internal passports in Abkhazia have been in circulation since 2005. They are issued from the age of fourteen.
Is Abkhazia currently Russia or not? No. However, the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin began to ensure that state entities in the post-Soviet territory were recognized as independent, similar to the status of the province of Kosovo. On this issue, the Russian Foreign Ministry held consultations with the President of Abkhazia, as well as Transnistria. They took place in 2006.
Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the same year signed an agreement "On mutual assistance, cooperation and friendship." Then a community of three republics was created, the aim of which was the struggle for the rights and democracy of peoples. The framework of this structure includes economic and political cooperation, as well as the creation of peacekeeping armed forces capable of replacing the Russian military.
Abkhazia today
This is currently a presidential republic. The attributes of its statehood are the anthem, flag and coat of arms. The highest legislative body is the National Assembly and Parliament. The executive branch is represented by the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.
Is Abkhazia Russia or Not? No. The Republic of Abkhazia is an independent state. De jure, its existence by the international community has not yet been recognized. Most Democrats whitewashed the aggressor, and the actions of the Russian Federation were classified as an attack on Georgia.
In 2008, the conflict intensified. The Georgian army attempted to capture South Ossetia. On the part of Russia, political steps have been taken. The Russian Federation recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At the same time, she called on other states to follow her example.
Abkhazia is not a part of Russia. It is considered a separate republic. Moreover, the majority of the country's population have Russian citizenship. It was provided to them many years ago.
Most of the Russians think that Abkhazia is part of Russia. When visiting this country, visas are not needed, and the banknotes in the republic are banknotes of the Russian Federation.
After the March 2014 referendum, Russia annexed Crimea. Abkhazia and South Ossetia intensified the discussion about their future status.
Countries that recognize the autonomous state
Throughout the history of the existence of Apsny was an unrecognized country. To date, it has received recognition from five UN member states. The first to do this was Russia. Nicaragua recognized Abkhazia in September 2008, Venezuela in September 2009, Nauru in December 2009, and Tuvalu in September 2011. Independence of the republic was also recognized by South Ossetia, Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh.
The border
Is Abkhazia Russia or Not? No. That is why in order to get into the republic, it is necessary to cross the border through the checkpoint. One of them - Psou - is located near Adler. Minibuses go to this checkpoint from the Sochi bus station every five to fifteen minutes. In order to get to Abkhazia, it is enough to have an internal ordinary passport with you. Children only need a birth certificate. Sometimes border guards may ask permission to leave a minor child from the Russian Federation, which must be notarized.
The capital and regions of Abkhazia
The administrative center of the republic is the city of Sukhum. A map of Abkhazia indicates its location. It is located in the central part of an independent state, on the shores of the Black Sea, on the coast of Sukhumi Bay. One hundred and seven kilometers from the city - the border with Russia. Has the status of the city of Sukhum since 1848.
From the north and east, the capital of Abkhazia is protected by mountain ranges. In this regard, the climate in this area is quite mild. Even when it is still very cold in the foothills of the republic, acacia, mimosa and roses bloom in Sukhum. Snow here is a very rare occurrence. During the year, there are about two hundred and twenty sunny days.
Back in 1898, Sukhum was recognized by the World Congress of Doctors as the best place in the world that contributes to the improvement of pulmonary patients. And all this thanks to the wonderful climate, subtropical vegetation, the sea and ionized air.
The map of Abkhazia introduces us to the regions of the republic. One of them is Gagra. Its administrative center is the city of Gagra. The largest settlements are Pitsunda, Bzyb, Gechripsh and Tsandripsh. The difference of this area is in high recreational potential. This area is located Lake Ritsa. It borders the area with the Russian Krasnodar Territory.
The resort city of Gagra (Abkhazia) is familiar to almost everyone. It is located on the Black Sea coast. This picturesque resort is located thirty-six kilometers from the Sochi airport. It is protected by mountains from cold winds. At the same time, marine warm air lingers on its territory. Located at various heights, the gorges of the mountains contribute to ventilation and the renewal of air masses in the city. Gagra is considered the driest and warmest place on the entire Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. Here, the average annual air temperature is fifteen degrees. Winters in the city are warm and mild. In the coldest period, the air warms up to seven degrees.
The resort that Abkhazia is proud of today (see photo below) was founded by a relative of Nicholas I - Prince A.P. Oldenburg. He took part in turning the city into a full-fledged recreation area. A telegraph, a water supply system, and a climate station were built. The park, laid on the seashore, was decorated with agaves, orange and lemon trees, palm trees and cypresses. The first tourists arrived in the city in 1911.
Another famous seaside climate resort is the city of Pitsunda. It is located twenty-five kilometers south of Gagra. The climate in Pitsunda is similar to Sochi. It is subtropical and humid. The resort is famous for its truly unique pine grove - the remnant of the Crimean-Caucasian ancient vegetation. Now this is the territory of the state reserve. The mixture of sea and mountain air with ozone from relict pines makes the microclimate of this area truly healing.
The next unit of administrative division is the Gudauta district. The center of the district is in the city of Gudauta. In addition to it, the largest settlements are New Athos and Lykhny. Gudauta district was the only one in the republic, which during the military conflict with Georgia was completely controlled by the Abkhaz government.
Gudauta is considered a seaside resort. The climate here is humid, subtropical. Winter is very mild. The holiday season in the city lasts year-round. Gudauta is famous for its orchards, where fruit and citrus plantations grow. On an elevated area near the sea is a city park. From the north and northeast to Gudauta adjoins the mountain range of the Caucasian ridge, the peaks of which are covered with snow for almost seven months a year.
The resort is located on the shore of the sea bay. Here the beaches are gravel, only in the east are they replaced by sandy ones. The swimming season begins in mid-May and lasts until October. The resort is recommended for patients with pathologies of the respiratory system, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as metabolic disorders.
In the Sukhumi region, in addition to the capital, large settlements are Pskhu and Yashthua. In Gulrypsh - Gulrypsh, Azhara and Tsabal.
To the south of the Kodori Range, the population of the Ochamchyr District lives.
The main settlement of Tkuarchal district, which is not in the documents of Georgia, is Tkuarchal. The main source of finance to the district budget is the Turkish company Tamsash. She is engaged in open-pit coal mining. Not far from the capital of the region is Mount Lashkendar. It is considered one of the seven Abkhaz shrines. In Abkhazia there is another district - Galsky. Its main population is Mingrelian.
Nature
Georgia, Abkhazia, Ossetia ... A map of these three Transcaucasian states can tell about the main attractions of the region and its nature.
If you decide to visit Abkhazia, you can see that this is a country of mountains. They begin already a kilometer from the sea. A little further - steep cliffs, harsh canyons with rare roads.
Thanks to the turbulent rivers, mountain peaks, sea open spaces and subtropical plants, Abkhazia is an extremely picturesque region. The relief of the territory of the republic is distinguished by the spurs of the main mountain range of the Caucasus. Their list includes Abkhaz, Kodori, Gag and Bzyb. The highest point in Abkhazia is Mount Dombay-Ulgen. Its height is 4048 m.
In the southeast of the republic is the Colchis Lowland. Between it and the mountains are hilly foothills. There are many caves in Abkhazia. The deepest of all that is on our planet is Krubera-Voronya. It is located near Gagra. The depth of the cave is 2080 m.
The rivers flowing through the territory of the republic belong to the Black Sea basin. The largest of them are Kialasup and Kodor, Gumista and Bzyb. All of them are full of water. Moreover, their hydropower potential is very high. The food of the rivers of Abkhazia is usually rain or snow. The shortest river in the world flows in the Gagra region. Its length is only eighteen meters. Such reservoirs as Lake Ritsa and Gegsky Falls are known.
The flora of Abkhazia is very diverse. There are more than three and a half thousand species of plants. Almost half of the country's area is covered by forests. Broad-leaved trees grow in them - oak, hornbeam, chestnut, etc. There are a lot of fir and spruce forests in the middle mountains. At heights of more than two kilometers are alpine meadows and crooked forests. Even higher are eternal snows or rocky-gravelly plants.
Among the large mammals that are found in the forest zones of Abkhazia, lynxes and bears, roe deer and red deer, wild boars and jackals. Trout and salmon, zander and other fish species live in the water bodies.