According to Biotionary, Abkhazia is located on the Black Sea coast. The resorts of the republic are very popular among tourists because of the healing microclimate, clean mountain and sea air, beautiful mountain landscapes, and also because of the presence of mineral water sources, on the basis of which numerous sanatoriums and health centers have been created. The mineral waters of Abkhazia were known in ancient times, when the Romans came to the local coast. From those times, the ruins of ancient cities have been preserved on the territory of Abkhazia. The mountains surrounding the coast amaze with their landscapes and vegetation – picturesque waterfalls and lakes, deep gorges and numerous caves are located here.
In Abkhazia, it is best to relax from May to October, when the weather is comfortable and sunny.
The official language of the republic is Abkhazian. The Abkhaz language belongs to the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of North Caucasian languages. In addition, the Russian language is used in the business sphere, and the locals understand Russian perfectly well.
Geography in Abkhazia
Abkhazia is located in the northwestern part of Transcaucasia on the territory of Georgia. The total area of the republic is 8.6 thousand square meters. km. In the north and northeast, Abkhazia borders on Russia, in the west it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.
70% of the entire territory of Abkhazia is occupied by ridges and spurs of the Greater Caucasus mountain system, which border the republic from the north and northeast. The highest point of Abkhazia is Mount Dombay-Ulgen (4046 m). On the territory of the republic there is the deepest cave in the world – the Crow’s Cave. According to the latest estimates, its depth is 2158 m. In the southeast of Abkhazia, the Colchis lowland stretches in a narrow strip along the coast.
The largest rivers of Abkhazia – Kodor (Kudry), Bzyb, Kyalasur and Gumista. All of them originate in the mountains and flow into the Black Sea. The largest lakes of the republic are Ritsa, Amtkyal, Inkit, Goluboe and Bebeisirbd.
Climate in Abkhazia
The subtropical Mediterranean type of climate prevails on the territory of Abkhazia. From the north and north-west, the republic is protected from cold continental winds by mountain ranges, and warm south-west winds from the sea soften the climate. Winter in Abkhazia begins at the end of December, and at the beginning of March spring already begins. Even in winter, the air temperature here rarely drops below 0 degrees, frosts occur only high in the mountains. On average in the republic in winter during the daytime, the air warms up to 7..9 degrees Celsius, and at night it cools down to +2..+4 degrees. During the summer time during the day the air temperature rises to 26..28 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to +19..+21 degrees.
During the year on the territory of Abkhazia falls from 1300 mm (coastal) to 3500 mm (mountains) of precipitation per year. Most of them are in autumn and winter.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Abkhazia is between May and October, when the weather is comfortable and sunny.
ECOTOURISM
The Ritsa National Relic Park and the Pitsundo-Myusser Reserve are located on the territory of Abkhazia.
Pitsundo-Myussersky Reserve is located near the resort of Pitsunda on the coast of the Black Sea. It stretches along the coastline for 7 km and covers an area of 200 hectares. About 27 thousand unique Pitsunda pines grow in the reserve. These trees are relic, as they grew in these places 2 million years ago. Pitsunda pine is found only on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and nowhere else in the world. The Pitsunda resort owes its popularity to the reserve, because the pines fill the air with ozone, which has a healing effect on the human body. Next to it is a boxwood grove, which is also popular among tourists as a place for walking and relaxing.
The Ritsa National Relic Park is located south of Lake Ritsa. It was founded in 1930 to protect the Colchis mountain forests. The area of the park is 16 thousand hectares. Tours live here, roe deer, Caucasian chamois, endangered Caucasian red deer, brown bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, jackals, wild Caucasian cats and martens. On the territory of the park in the valley of the Avadhara River there are healing springs of mineral water.
LAKES
Lake Ritsa
Lake Ritsa is located in the northern part of Abkhazia at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. They get to it through the Bzyb Gorge, along the bottom of which the Bzyb River flows. On the way to the lake you can see several waterfalls. Waterfall “Women’s Tears”, which flows down the steep cliffs, waterfall “Men’s Tears”, which was named so because it is very difficult to see the level where the water flows from, because it is located too high, and Geg waterfall, which gives rise to the river Gega, bursting out of the center of the rock. Also, before reaching Lake Ritsa, you can see the Blue Lake, the water in which is actually blue. The water temperature in the lake is only +4 degrees. Lake Ritsa is known for the fact that above it at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level is the Avadkhara mineral spring, which is located on the territory of the Ritsa National Relic Park. The park was created to protect the Colchis mountain forests. Lake Inkit is located on Cape Pitsunda. Inkit is a small lake, its area is 0.6 sq. km. It feeds on the waters of the Bzyb River. There is a legend that during the time of the Roman Empire, an ancient temple stood on the site of the lake, but as a result of the lowering of the banks of the Inquita, the temple found itself under water.
RAFTING
For those who love thrills, Abkhazia offers rafting on the Bzyb River. This is one of the most full-flowing and turbulent rivers of the republic. It originates at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level on the slopes of the Main Caucasian Range. The river carved a deep gorge in the mountains, along which the route passes. From May to June, the course of the river becomes rough and swift, and in July it becomes calmer.
EXCURSIONS
Abkhazia has a rich history. Many peoples lived on the territory of the republic, each of which left its mark on the culture of the Abkhaz people. The local excursion program includes visiting the ruins of ancient ancient cities, sights of the main cities of Abkhazia and trips to mountainous regions.
