Abkhazia (pronounced /æbˈkeɪʒə/ or /æbˈkɑziə/, Abkhaz: Аҧсны Apsny, Georgian: აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti, Russian: Абха́зия Abhazia) is a region in the Caucasus. It is a independent republic . It is located within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and borders the Russian Federation to the north. Under Georgia's official subdivision, it is an autonomous republic (Georgian: აფხაზეთის ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა, Abkhaz: Аҧснытәи Автономтәи Республика), with Sukhum as its capital, bordering the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti to the east.

A secessionist movement of the Abkhaz ethnic minority in the region led to the declaration of independence from Georgia in 1992 and the Georgian-Abkhaz armed conflict from 1992 to 1993 which resulted in the Georgian military defeat and the mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of Georgian population from Abkhazia. In spite of the 1994 ceasefire accord and the ongoing UN-monitored and Russian-dominated CIS peacekeeping operation, the sovereignty dispute has not yet been resolved and the region remains divided between the two rival authorities, with over 83 percent of its territory governed by the Russian-backed Sukhum-based separatist government and about 17 percent governed by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, recognized by Georgia as the legal authority of Abkhazia, located in the Kodori Valley, part of Georgian-controlled Upper Abkhazia. This dispute remains a source of serious tension between Georgia and Russia.

Abkhazia - "heavenly spot" on the Earth. The azure warm sea, the tender sun give health, pleasure, a youth to many people. Since May till November the swimming season lasts here. Sunny days in a year to 220. Already in the end of February the premessenger of spring - a mimosa magnificently blossoms, on wood edges there are gentle violets. The spring in Abkhazia comes in the middle of April. Begins remarkable it is time nature flowerings, it is time holidays.

Value of Abkhazia as health resorts is invaluable. Sukhum, Gagry, Pitsunda, New Athos, Ritsa To whom these names are not known! But not only the coast of Black sea is attractive to travellers. Aбхазия - the mountain country occupying southern spurs of the Main Caucasian ridge. Certainly, the Caucasian mountains, as well as Black sea, play the big role in creation of a favorable climate. Mountains block a way to northern cold winds, moderate летню heat, do warm autumn, soften winter.

The most part of a tourist infrastructure of Abkhazia, numbering 12 000 hotel places, being thrown, only starts to revive recently gradually. A number of sanatoria of Abkhazia is filled practically completely, has earned a private sector. There were some accumulation for a reconstruction of a former infrastructure of rest and sanatorium treatment of Abkhazia.

The Abkhazian wine «Apsny» of firm «Fault and waters of Abkhazia» is awarded a gold medal at the international exhibition «Wine. Vodka - 2002», taken place in a city of Sochi from September, 5 till September, 8th. The silver medal of an exhibition notes the Abkhazian wine «Lyhny», bronze - «Chegem»,

Also remember - to visitors in Abkhazia are glad! Gagra, Suhum, Pitsunda, Gudauta, New Athos wait for you on rest!