Abkhazia

Abkhasia , or Abhasia, a tract of Russian Caucasia, government of Kutais. The Caucasus mountains on the north and northeast divides it from Circassia; on the southeast it is bounded by Mingrelia; and on the southwest by the Black Sea. Though the country is generally mountainous, with dense forests of oak and walnut, there are some deep, well-watered valleys, and the climate is mild. The soil is fertile, producing wheat, maize, grapes, figs, pomegranates and wine. Cattle and horses are bred. Honey is produced; and excellent arms are made. This country was subdued (c. 550) by the Emperor Justinian, who introduced Christianity. Native dynasties ruled from 735 to the 15th century, when the region was conquered by the Turks and became Mahommedan. The Russians acquired possession of it piecemeal between 1829 and 1842, but their power was not firmly established until after 1864. Area, 2800 square miles. The principal town is Sukhum-kaleh. Pop. 43,000, of whom two-thirds are Mingrelians and one-third Abkhasians, a Cherkess or Circassian race. The total number of Abkhasians in the two governments of Kutais and Kuban was 72,103 in 1897; large numbers emigrated to the Turkish empire in 1864 and 1878.

It declared independence from Georgia on July 23, 1992. Though it was not internationally recognized. In 1995, Georgia set up the, Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.

• President: Vladislav Ardzinba[?] since 1994
• Prime Minister: Raul Khadjimba[?] since 2003

Pro Georgian Government in exile

• Chairman of the Supreme Council: Tamaz Nadareishvili[?] since 1995
• Prime Minister: Londer Tsaava[?] since 1998

From an old 1911 Encyclopedia