Abkhazia

American  

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

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

The Russian foreign ministry warned its citizens to not travel to Abkhazia and if already there "to exercise increased caution, not to approach places of unrest, and, if possible, to leave" the area.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Ethnic separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, poor governance, and Russian military bases deny the government effective control over the entirety of the state's internationally recognized territory.

From The 2002 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency