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.
From an old 1911 Encyclopedia
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