|
|
 The Republic of Abkhazia covers 3,300 square miles between the eastern shores of the Black Sea and the crestline of the main Caucasus range; from the rivers Psou (in the North) and Ingur (In the south). To the north, Abkhazia is bordered by Russia and to the south by the Georgian provinces of Svanetia and Mingrelia. Around 74% of the territory is mountains or mountain approaches. The coastal valleys are humid and subtropical. At higher altitudes the weather ranges from moderately cold to such freezing temperatures that the snow never melts. The relatively small distance between seashore and mountains lends Abkhazia a strikingly contrasting landscape.
The area was best known by non-Abkhazia for its prime resorts for vacationers from all over the Soviet Union, as well as well as for its major cash crops of tea, tobacco and citrus fruits. There are two cities: the capital Sukhum, with a population of more than 100,000, and Tkwarchal, an industrial center. There are three urban resorts; Gagra, Gudauta, and Ochamchira; two rural spas : Pitsunda, and Novy Afon; and 575 villages. The Abkhazian language belongs to the northwest Caucasian family spoken by only a few other people in the world: the Abazins (or Abaza), Adyghey, Kabardians and Circassians, all of whom live in the north Caucasus. Historically these people and other related groups in the North Caucasus maintained close ties until they were divided by Soviet colonial policy. The closest neighbors of the Abkhazians (unrelated linguistically or ethnically) were the Mingrelians, Svans and Georgians. After Abkhazia was incorporated into Russia in 1810, large numbers of migrants came from other parts of the empire: primarily Russians, Armenians and Jews. These settlers were also joined by Greeks fleeing religious persecution in the Ottoman Empire and Iran. The Abkhazians are a West Caucasian people numbering about 100,000 in 1989 (Soviet census data), living chiefly on territory known under Soviet government as the Abkhazian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Union Republic of Georgia. Abkhazian culture is distinctly different from that of Georgians, their nearest neighbors and related only to the other peoples in the language group- the Abazins (or Abaza), Shapsugs, Adyghey, Kabardians and Cherkess who live in the North Caucasus and belong to the Confederation of the Peoples of the Caucasus, along with other North Caucasuans, who do not have related languages, but share cultural and historical similarities. Such groups are the Ossetians, Ingush, Chechen, Balkars, Karachais, Avars, Laks, Lezghins and other Daghestani peoples. According to Abkhazian legends, the people originated in prehistoric times on the territory they now occupy. Archeological evidence of proto-Abkhazian tribes in the Western Caucasus dates back to 4,000-3,000 BC. These tribes also lived along the Black Sea Coast when this area was under Greek, the Roman rule (Inal-Ipa 1965). Under Byzantine. s Justinian I (ca. 550) the early Abkhazians adopted Christianity. Between the 8th and 10th centuries the Kingdom of Abkhazia marked the unification of the Abkhazians and Georgians into a strong state (Lakoba 1990). In the 16th century the area came under the Ottoman Empire and bringing about the spread of Islam. In the middle of the 19th century the Abkhazians, along with other Caucasian mountain peoples, waged fierce and unequaled warfare against the Russian czarist forces. Abkhazia was ultimately annexed in 1864. As a result, around sixty per cent (60%) if the Abkhazian population emigrated to Turkey leaving whole villages and vast areas of Abkhazia vacant. This mass exodus was of enormous consequence to the Abkhazian and other recalcitrant mountain peoples forced out of their homelands. The vacated territories were settled by Russians, Georgians, Armenians, and other ethnic groups, thus dramatically reducing the Abkhazians to a minority in their country. This had made them culturally and politically vulnerable. The Russian Revolution brought Abkhazians a degree of political autonomy and cultural resurrection. This was short-lived however, because during the Stalin period Abkhazia was incorporated into Georgia as a so-called "autonomous" republic. Thousands of Abkhazians were executed in the purges and school instruction in their own language was forbidden. The Georgian language was introduced instead. Abkhazian geographic names were substituted by Georgian ones. The Krushchev Thaw brought the Abkhazians new opportunities for reviving their own culture, albeit no significant political autonomy. The immigration of Georgian ethnic groups further dwindled their percentage of the total population down the current seventeen percent (17%) (1989 census data). Our site of Insulation Materials and Elements has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Radio and TV Equipment, Circuit Breakers, Motors and Our site of Household Plastic Products has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Needlework, Bath and Toilet, Household Cleaning Tools, Um Our site of Lighting Accessories has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Ballasts, Lighting Fixtures, LED Flashlights, Residential Lighting. Our site of Business Bags and Cases has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Cosmetic Bags and Cases, Bag and Luggage Making Materials, Computer B Our site of Cast and Forged has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Metal Mineral, Steel Pipes, Ferroalloy and Products, Non-ferrous Metal. Our site of Calculator has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: File Folder, Calculator, Digital Photography, Shredders and Cutters. Our site of Agricultural Packaging has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Woven and Netting Bags, Industrial and Specialty Packaging, Paper an Our site of Books has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Tuner Module, Internet Service, Others, Radio and TV Equipment. Our site of Alarm has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Video Door Phone, Alarm, Iron Padlock, Roadway Safety. Our site of Golf has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Telescope and Binoculars, Joysticks and Game Controllers, Sportswear, Fencing and Shooting. Our site of Mobile Phone Accessories has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Wireless Communication, Fax Machines, Phone Cards, RF/M Our site of Household Textile Product has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Linen/Ramie/Hemp, Bedding, Industrial Fabrics, Silk. Our site of Pearls has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Semi-Precious Stones, Jewelry, Bangles and Bracelets, Synthetic Stones. Our site of Teddy Bear has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Toy Guns, Dolls, Stuffed and Plush Toys, PVC Ball. Our site of Others has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Traffic Cone, Aviation, Trains and Railroads, Passenger Elevator. Our site of farm machines and tools has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Nuts and Kernels, Aquaculture Equipment and Supplies, Frozen and Dried Fruit, Plant Seeds. Our site of children garment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Leisure Wear, Bathrobe, Footwear, Pants and Trousers. Our site of auto repair equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Special Transportation Equipment, Auto Accessories, Automobile Stocks, Engine Parts and Mounts. Our site of food service supplies has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Telecommunication Postal Services, Cargo and Storage, Service Equipment and Supplies, Food Service Supplies. Our site of fine chemicals has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Paint, Adhesives and Sealants, Dyestuffs, Pharmaceutical Chemicals. Our site of computer case, pc case has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: PDA, Computer Case, PC Case, Drives and Storage Devices, PC Camera. Our site of building ceramic has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Insulation Materials and Elements, Apartment, Villas, Building Facilities, Construction Machinery. Our site of electronic instrument has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Radio and TV Equipment, Contactors, Insulation Materials and Elements, Transformers. Our site of active components has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Sensors, Electronic Accessories, Resistors, Multilayer PCB. Our site of bitumen has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Paraffin, Bitumen, Electricity, Energy. Our site of cleaning equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Chemical Waste, Gas Disposal, Mineral Water Equipment, Water Treatment. Our site of furniture stocks has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Textile Stocks, Agriculture Product Stocks, Industrial Supplies Stocks, Paper Stocks. Our site of canned food has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Honey Products, Beverages, Food Processing, Sugar and Sweeteners. Our site of dining room furniture has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Dining Room Furniture, Folding Furniture, Hospital Furniture, Bathroom Cabinets. Our site of antique imitation crafts has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Natural Crafts, Bamboo and Wooden Crafts, Key Chain, Plastic Crafts. Our site of bath has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Medical Implements, Home Healthcare Equipment, Reading Glasses, Personal Care. Our site of air-conditioner has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Ultrasonic Cleaners, Audio and Video Equipment, Kitchen Appliances, Vacuum Cleaner. |
