Abkhazia

American  

[ab-key-zhuh, -zee-uh, uhb-khah-zyi-yuh] / æbˈkeɪ ʒə, -zi ə, ʌbˈxɑ zjɪ jə /

Or Abkhasia

noun

1. an autonomous republic in the Georgian Republic, on the E coast of the Black Sea. 3,360 sq. mi. (8,600 sq. km). Sukhumi.

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Abkhazia British  

/ æbˈkɑːzɪə /

noun

1. Also called: Abkhaz Autonomous Republic.  a disputed region of NW Georgia, between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains: a subtropical region, with mountains rising over 3900 m (13 000 ft); Abkhazian separatists seized control of the region in 1993; Russia formally recognized it as an independent republic following the Russian-Georgian war of 2008, although Georgia still claims the region as part of its territory. Capital: Sukhumi. Pop: 220 600 (2006 est). Area: 8600 sq km (3320 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

Moscow recognises the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent, while most of the world recognises them as Georgian territory.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

Abkhazia declared its independence in 1999, and Russia recognised it as an independent state after the Georgian-Russian war in 2008.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024

In 2008, Russian forces routed the Georgian army and took over two of its breakaway regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2024

Moscow then recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and beefed up its military presence there.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Since 1990, widespread conflicts, e.g., in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Mengrelia, severely aggravated the economic crisis resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet command economy in December 1991.

From The 1994 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency