In Soviet times Abkhazia was an autonomous republic within Georgia, and ethnic Georgians made up almost half of its population. In the 1992–1993 war, Abkhaz separatists, backed by Russian forces and North Caucasian fighters, drove out Georgian government forces. Over 200,000 ethnic Georgians were forced to flee, and the OSCE condemned it as ethnic cleansing.
What makes it different
Georgia's northwestern Black Sea coast. Only four UN member states (as of 2026) recognize it as 'independent'; the rest of the world recognizes it as part of Georgia.
Occupied since: 2008
This territory is part of Georgia. It has been outside Georgian government control since 1993 and under Russian military occupation since the August 2008 war. In 2021 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia exercises effective control over it.
Visitor note: Planning to visit? Under Georgian law, foreigners may enter Abkhazia only from the Georgian side, via the Enguri bridge near Zugdidi.
Read the full occupation facts →