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Abkhazia (capital: Sukhumi) and the autonomous republic of Adjara, breakaways from the land called Georgia.
World Factbook: " Economically tied to Russia, including tourism. Currency is the Russian ruble. Fertile land produces an abundance of agricultural products. Russians are investing capital in Abkhazia."
Since the year 2000 Russia has paid retirement pensions and other monetary benefits to the people of Abkhazia. Abkhazians do not pay Russian taxes, or serve in the Russian Army.
Population
2006 estimate: between 157,000 and 190,000.
Ethnicities
2003 census: 43.8% Abkhazians, 21.3% Georgians, 20.8%t Armenians, 10.8% Russians and 0.7% Greeks.
On the Black Sea, neighboring Russia and Georgia. 8,600 square kilometers (3,320 square miles.) Equivalent to an area 93 by 93 kilometers (58 by 58 miles). Mountainous. Mild and sub-tropical climate.
President: Sergei Bagapsh, elected February 12, 2005.
Parliament: People's Assembly, consisting of 35 elected members.
Declared an autonomous Soviet republic by the Soviet Union in 1931.
Following the break up of the Soviet Union, a war for independence in 1992-93 against claims of inclusion by Georgia. Some Georgians forced to flee. Independence declared in 1992 but not recognized by the United Nations and others.
Copyright © 2009-2011 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.