ABKHAZIA

also spelled Abkhaziya, republic in northwestern Georgia, between the Black Sea (south) and the crest line of the Greater Caucasus range (north). Bordering the eastern shores of the Black Sea, the republic consists of a narrow coastal lowland broken by mountain spurs, followed by a hilly foreland zone of eroded marine and river terraces that merge into the steep slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. The sharp relief in close proximity to the sea gives Abkhazia a wet climate. Near-subtropical conditions prevail in the lowland, where the average January temperature remains above freezing point and annual rainfall is 47 to 55 inches (1,200 to 1,400 mm). On the mountain slopes, climatic conditions are more severe and rainfall is heavier. Wide areas of the lowland and foreland zones have been cleared of the forests of oak, beech, and hornbeam that once covered Abkhazia. The Abkhaz were vassals of the Byzantine Empire when they became Christian under Justinian I (c. 550). In the 8th century the independent kingdom of Abkhazia was formed. Later a part of Georgia, it secured its independence in 1463 only to come under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Islam subsequently replaced Christianity in parts of the region. In 1810 a treaty with Russia was signed acknowledging a protectorate. Russia annexed Abkhazia in 1864, and the Soviet authorities proclaimed its autonomy as a region in 1919 and raised it to the status of a republic in 1921. It became an autonomous republic within the Georgian republic in 1930, and it remained part of Georgia when the latter attained independence in 1991. In 1992, however, secessionists in Abkhazia staged an armed revolt against the Georgian central government in a bid to obtain Abkhazian independence. The rebels established control over Abkhazia in 1993, and the following year they declared an independent sovereign republic, though this was opposed by Russia as well as Georgia. Prior to the rebellion, ethnic Georgians had made up almost half of Abkhazia's population, while ethnic Abkhaz had accounted for less than one-fifth; Armenians and Russians made up the remainder. In 1993, however, most Georgians and some Russians and Armenians fled Abkhazia for other parts of Georgia. The majority of the population is concentrated in the coastal lowland, where the larger settlements are located-the capital, Sokhumi (q.v.), Och'amch'ire, and the resort centres of Gagra and Novy Afon. Although the amount of arable land is small, agriculture constitutes the predominant economic activity in the republic. In the foreland zone an excellent tobacco is grown; the coastal zone is noted for its tea, silk, and fruits. Oil is extracted from the nut of the tung tree, which is widely grown together with eucalyptus and bamboo. Grapes have been cultivated in the area since ancient times. Inland, on the higher slopes, timber production is the major occupation. Coal mining centres on Tqvarch'eli, the largest inland city. Power is supplied by several hydroelectric plants. The coastal resorts and Lake Ritsa are popular holiday and convalescent centres. The main line of communication in the republic is the electrified railway along the coast, with a branch to Tqvarch'eli. Roads also parallel the coast and lead inland. Area 3,343 square miles (8,660 square km). Pop. (1993 est.) 516,600.