Territory, the capital and the population of Abkhazia

Abkhazia is a small country but with a very interesting history and a rich heritage.

Where

The Territory of a state located in the North-West Caucasus. It has borders with two countries-Georgia and Russia. Between the rivers Psou and Ingur stretches of Abkhazia. The sea washes the shores of this country in the South. The geographical coordinates of the country: 43 degrees North latitude and 41 degrees East longitude. The North side are the spurs of the Main ridge of the Caucasus mountains, southwest of the plain is the sea coast.

Brief history

The Indigenous population of Abkhazia are descended from the ancient peoples of the Western Caucasus. In the Assyrian inscriptions of the reign of king Tiglath-pileser they were referred to as Abella, in ancient sources that the tribes of the abazgas and apsils. In ancient times even before our era the territory of modern Abkhazia appeared in Greek colonies. Due to the influence of Greece there had been an acceleration of socio-economic development. Then establish the supremacy of Rome, which was an active trade. Where is the city of Sukhum, there was an ancient centre of Abkhazia of those times – Sebastopolis.

In the 4th century ad on the territory formed three principalities: Apsilia, Abazgia, and Sanigiya. A failed attack by Arab forces led to their Union. So there was an early feudal state-the Abkhaz Kingdom.

Since Ancient times there was a developed metallurgy. For example, in the upper reaches of the Bzyb river (district of Backupcare) was found a copper mine, which was developed before our era. In those days, mastered the production of iron. Throughout the country find a variety of metal products of bronze age.

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In 1810, Abkhazia became part of Russia. There is a script, created on the basis of Russian. When the Soviet Union was formed, it became an Abkhazian SSR.

Capital

The state Capital is the city of Sukhum. It is located in the Centre of Abkhazia on the black sea coast plain between the rivers Gumista and Kelasur. There is a small Sukhumi Bay. Currently, the city covers an area of 23 square kilometers.

The Town is very ancient, its history began before our era. It arose thanks to the Greek colonists. It was founded by Greek merchants from Miletus. Originally the town was called dioskuria. He appeared out of nowhere, here existed ancient settlements.

During the reign of the Romans the city was called Sebastopolis. For protection against external enemies there was built a fortress. Then came the name of Tskhum, and then the Turks renamed it Sukhum-Kale (16th century). In the late 18th century, the Turks were defeated, and the city began to belong to the Abkhaz. In the early 19th century, Abkhazia became part of the Russian Empire, and the city of Sukhum-Kale in the middle of the century became known simply Sukhum. When Abkhazia became part of Georgia, the city has evolved in Sukhumi. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and independence again became known as Sukhum.

In the capital of Abkhazia there are many historical monuments: the remains of the ancient Greek city, the bridge of Queen Tamara, Naberezhnaya makhadzhir (Mikhailovsky) castle of Bagrat and Markul (mineral source). In the city's architecture can be traced to the legacy of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Many old fine homes and mansions combined with Soviet blocks. The cosmopolitan city, the inhabitants belong to different religious faiths. For Christians there is a unique place of pilgrimage-temple of Kamany (10-12 century), associated with Saint John Chrysostom.

Abkhazia became an independent

After the collapse of the Soviet Union Abkhazia wished to build with Georgia, which has long depended, equal relationship. However, the Georgian authorities didn't agree that was the beginning of a military conflict. Georgian troops invaded Abkhazia in 1992, the indigenous population of Abkhazia strongly forced out, destroyed the monuments of material and spiritual culture. As a result, began a bloody war. In result, the armed forces of Abkhazia had driven the Georgians from the territory. Has not done here without the help of volunteers from the South of Russia. The war finally ended in 1994, it adopted a new Constitution. Many years later, Abkhazia became a sovereign state. Its independence is recognized, Russia and many other countries.

Population

The Population of Abkhazia is comparable in magnitude with the number, for example, of a small town. Before the collapse of the USSR (in 1989) there are about 500 thousand people. The majority were Georgians, and only in second place were Abkhazians. Then came the Armenians, Russians and Greeks. For 14 years the population fell to 320 thousand (according to 2003). The census conducted in 2011 showed that the population of Abkhazia already has 242 thousand people. A large part of its population living in rural areas. Today, the population of Abkhazia according to ethnic composition is divided in the following way: Abkhazians (the majority), Armenians, Georgians, Russians and Greeks. This country is considered a multinational, besides these peoples, there live Ukrainians, Estonians, Jews and Turks.

The Population of Abkhazia is distributed in different areas:Gagra (leader in number), Gudautsky, Sukhumi, Gulripshi, Ochamchira, Tkvarchelsky, Gali.

National flag

The Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia is represented by a rectangle with alternating horizontal green and white stripes. In the upper right corner is a purple rectangle, which shows the palm and the 7 stars (7 historic districts).

The coat of Arms is divided into two halves green and white. Also, it depicts a horseman galloping on a horse and blowing in a sky arrow. Green symbolizes life, white-spirit. The story, illustrated on the emblem, associated with the heroic epic of Abkhazia. Under the rider is the star, symbolizing rebirth, the other two stars above the rider – East and West.

Nature

Abkhazia is in the northwestern part of the Caucasus. Most of the country is mountainous. The highest point of the country – mount Dombay-Ulgen (4046 m), located on the border of Abkhazia and Karachay-Cherkess Republic (Russia).

The Nature here is beautiful: the snow-capped high mountains, caves and pristine forests combined with the sea coast. It is famous for Abkhazia. The sea is warm and its coastline stretches for 210 kilometers. From the mountains flow rivers, they carry their own clean water to the sea. The largest of them: the Bzyb and Kodor. In the mountains there is a picturesque lake-Ritsa and Amtkel. The foothills and the mountain slopes are covered with forests, where the forests are a rare breed & ndash; boxwood and mahogany. The vegetation of Abkhazia includes 2 thousand species. There are 400 endemic species of the Caucasus, more than 100 is found only in this area. At Cape Pitsunda grows relict Pitsunda pine.

Climate

There has a humid subtropical climate. Weather in Abkhazia is mostly warm even in the coldest month the temperature does not drop below zero, the minimum is 4 degrees. In summer, the temperature a comfortable +22...+24 degrees. As the territory is mostly occupied by mountains, is a well-expressed altitudinal zonality. Weather in Abkhazia is different in different areas. To the level of 1500 meters above sea level is warm and temperate-humid climate. Higher precipitation increases, it becomes colder. At the height of 2800 meters begins the area where the snow lies all year round and does not melt.