Abkhazia

Abkhazia rests on the southeast shores of the Black Sea.   More than 80% of the land is mountainous.   Some of the mountains have permanent snow cover.  However, the coastal plains and lowlands have a subtropical climate.   It is often warm and sunny and some areas do not ever or rarely have freezing temperatures.  Agricultural goods include tobacco, citrus fruits and cattle. 

Abkhazia has about 200,000 people.  The capital and largest city is Sukhom.  It sits on the coast in central Abkhazia.  The primary tourist region runs from south of the border with Russia at Gagra to Pitsunda.  Novy Afon is a major shrine of Orthodox Christianity.  

Due to its dramatic beauty with the Caucasus Mountains extending down to the sea and warm climate, Abkhazia has been a major tourist destination.  During Soviet times, it was regarded as the number one destination for vacationers in the entire Soviet Union.  Stalin had 5 country homes (dachas) built there, most with sweeping sea or lakeside views.  Khrushchev had 4 and Gorbachev had 1, also.