ABKHASIA, or ABHASIA  , a tract of Russian Caucasia, government of Kutais . The Caucasus mountains on the N. and N.E. divide it from Circassia; on the S.E. it is bounded by Mingrelia; 1 . 3and on the S.W. by the Black Sea . Though the country is generally mountainous, with dense forests of oak and walnut, there are some deep, well-watered valleys, and the climate is mild . The soil is fertile, producing wheat, maize, grapes, figs, pomegranates and wine . Cattle and horses are bred . Honey is produced; and excellent arms are made . This country was subdued (c . 55o) by the Emperor Justinian, who introduced Christianity . Native dynasties ruled from 735 to the 15th century, when the region was conquered by the Turks and became Mahommedan . The Russians acquired possession of it piecemeal between 1829 and 1842, but their power was not firmly established until after 1864 . Area, 2800 sq. m .

The

principal town is Sukhum-kaleh . Pop . 43,000, of whom two-thirds are Mingrelians and one-third Abkhasians, a Cherkess or Circassian race . The total number of Abkhasians in the two governments of Kutais and Kuban was 72,103 in 1897; large numbers emigrated to the Turkish empire in 1864 and 1878 .