Abkhazia

[edit] Guide Note

The ethnic minority that resided in Abkhazia, declared their independence from Georgia in 1992. The break away republic has yet to be recognized by the world powers.

[edit] Fast Facts

[edit] Government of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia

1. Capital: Sukhumi, (de facto) Ckkhalta
2. Government: presidential representative democratic republic
3. Chairman Cabinet of Ministers: Malkhaz Akishbaia
4. Chairman Supreme Council: Temur Mzhavia
5. Population: 2,000
6. Currency:Georgian Iari
7. Current Rate of Exchange
8. Official Language: Abkhazia, Georgian
9. Independence from Soviet Union April 9, 1991
10. Independence recognized December 25, 1991
11. Current Weather and Time

[edit] Governement of Republic of Abkhazia

1. Capital: Sukhumi
2. Government: (defacto) independent republic
3. President: Sergei Bagapsh
4. Prime Minister: Alexander Ankvab
5. Population: (2006)
6. Currency: Russian Ruble
7. Current Rate of Exchange
8. Official Langauge: Abkhazia, Russia
9. Independence from Georgia July 23, 1992 (not recognized)
10. Current Weather and Time

[edit] Abkhazia-Georgia Conflict

There was an armed conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia 1992-1993. The cease fire in 1994 has not resolved the issues between Georgia and the separatist movement in Abkhazia, despite a Russian Peacekeeping presence and UN monitoring. The region is currently divided with the separatist's controlling 83% and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (Georgia) controlling only 17% of the area. Russia is backing the separatist efforts and this has resulted in a great deal of tension between Russia and Georgia.

[edit] Early Abkhazia

Earliest known humans inhabited the area now known as Georgia between 1.6 and 1.8 million years ago. In Abkhazia the first permanent primitive settlements were found to have existed over 200,000 years ago. Much later in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, Melisian Greeks began settling in the coastal area on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. The ancient city of Dioscuri is said to have later developed into Sukhumi of today. In the Roman and Byzantine era, the area became known as Sebastopoles.

[edit] The Russian Influence

Much later, in 1810 this area became a part of Russian. In October of 1917 the Bolshevik Revolution began, followed by the Russian Civil War. The conflict caused several areas of the South Caucasus to join together. Then November 8, 1917 the Abkhuzia Peoples Council formed their own post-revoluntionary government. They soon became involved in more civil unrest as they could not decide which of four factions to a line themselves with. Several short lived republics claimed this area but finally May 26, 1918 Democratic Republic of Georgia came into existence. Even though in 1920 a treaty of nonaggression was signed the Russians invaded and took over Georgia. Russia kept control over Georgia, until April 9, 1991 when Georgia sought their independence, December 25, 1991 their independence was recognized by the world powers. Not long after their independence from Russia, Abkhazia sought their own independence from Georgia on July 23, 1992, but sixteen years later their independence has yet to be recognized. Only Russia backs the Republic of Abkhazia against the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.

[edit] Travel Concerns

American citizens traveling in Georgia are strongly recommended by the U.S. Embassy not to travel into the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They also recommend that any time you are near these two regions that you be aware of your surroundings at all times. Even though the open warfare in the region has ceased for the time being, political instability in the region could change that at a moments notice. When traveling in Georgia, the U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that you keep them aware of where you are residing and how you can be contacted, so that given an emergency situation they will be able to contact you, to make you aware of the situation and insure your safety.