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

Protesters in the breakaway Georgia region of Abkhazia have stormed parliament and the presidential complex after the government planned to approve a controversial pro-Russia bill.

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

Russian peacekeepers are deployed along the border of Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia.

From The 1995 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency