Sukhumi
 

Sukhumi (სოხუმი, Sojumi in Georgian Аҟəа, Aqua in Abkhaz Сухум (и), Sukhum (i) in Russian) is the capital and largest city of Abkhazia, a de facto independent state, recognized by Russia and claimed as autonomous republic belonging to Georgia. According to the census (1989), had a population of 121,406 inhabitants, but after the War of Abkhazia, its population was markedly reduced reaching 43,716 in 2003 according to the latest census.

 

etymology

In Abkhazia, the city is known as Аҟəа (AQWA) which according to tradition means agua.3En Georgia native, the city is known as სოხუმი (Sojumi) and Сухум Russian as (Sukhum) or Сухуми (Sukhumi). The etymology of these forms is discussed. The city was formerly known in Turkish as Suhum-Kale, which can be translated as "sea sand Fortress".

 

description

It is located in a wide bay of the Black Sea west of Georgia and serves as a port, railway station and a place to rest. It is known for its beaches, sanatoriums, mineral water spas and semitropical climate. It has a major airport, the airport Sukhumi Dranda. It contains a lot of hotels. It has historical botanical gardens, established in 1840. Until 1992 it was a multicultural city where nine different languages ​​were spoken. Today, the city is composed of 56% of Abkhazians, 17% of Russians and 13% of Armenians, according to the 2003 census.