Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Abkhasia

ABKHASIA, a region between the south slope of Caucasus and the Black Sea, having an area of about 2,500 square miles. The country is mountainous and has dense forests of oaks and walnuts. Maize, figs, wines, and wheat are produced. Its chief town is Sukhum Kalé. Under the Byzantine emperors it was an independent state, called Abassia. In 1154, the Russian Grand Prince Islayif Mstislavitch married an Abkhasian princess. In the 15th century it became subject to Turkey. After the peace of Adrianople in 1829, the region was annexed to Russia, but was not fully pacified until 1864. The inhabitants differ from the Cherkess in character and appearance. Their principal occupations are agriculture, grazing, wine raising, and bee-keeping. After the Turko-Russian War, many of them emigrated to Turkey. They number about 21,000. Total pop. about 150,000.