The nature of Abkhazia is its main attraction and wealth. The exceptionally diverse, full of all possible colors, sounds and flavors, it is truly fabulous and cannot leave anyone indifferent. The natural beauties of the republic delight the eyes of both local residents and guests.

Geography

Abkhazia is located in the northwestern part of the Transcaucasia between the rivers of Psou and Ingur, in the southwest it is washed by the Black Sea. The length of the coastline is more than 210 kilometers. In the north and northeast, the Republic of Abkhazia borders with Russia and in the southeast and south with Georgia.

The spurs of the main Caucasian ridge occupy most of the territory of Abkhazia (about 75%). They border Abkhazia from the north and are called Gagra, Bzyb, Abkhazian and Kodor. Klukhorsk (2781 meters) and Marukhsk (2739 meters) passes lead through the main ridge to Abkhazia.

From the southeast, the Colchis lowland enters, gradually narrowing into Abkhazia. Its strip stretches along the coast north-west of the Kodor River. Between the mountains and lowlands is the belt of hilly foothills.

The rivers of Abkhazia are quite short; they all flow into the Black Sea. The most multi-water ones are Kodor (Kudry), Bzyb, Kyalasur, Gumista. The shortest is the Reproa River - the world record holder in this indicator - is passing through the Gagra region. Its length is only 18 meters.

Climate

The climate of Abkhazia determines its position by the sea, coupled with the presence of high -mountain ridges. On the coast, the climate is humid subtropical. The average annual temperature is +15 °C.

Flora

Flora of Abkhazia has more than 3,500 species of plants. Of these, 180 species are shrubs and trees, the rest are grassy plants. About 400 species grow only within the Caucasus, more than 100 types of endemic are found only in Abkhazia. Forests cover more than half of the area of ​​the republic. A grove of relict of Pitsunda pine was preserved at Cape Pitsunda.

A significant part of the territory of Abkhazia is occupied by mountains; therefore, many tourist attractions are associated with them. Abkhazia’s visiting cards are located in the mountains - Lakes Ritsa and Amtkel. The Gega Waterfall, where many famous movies were shot, is a very picturesque place, quite inaccessible, but popular and visited by many tourists. In the Gagra district, not far from Gagra, there is a deepest karst cave of the world - the Cave of Kruber-Voronya. Its depth is 2080 meters. A picturesque mountain of Mamzyshkha is also located near Gagra, in 6 kilometers.

Fauna

Among forest animals, there are bears, wild boars, lynx, red deers, roe deers, chamois and caucasian grouses in highlands and jackals on lowlands. In rivers and lakes, there are trouts, salmons, carps, pikeperch and other types of fish.

Reserve

In Abkhazia, there are three specially protected natural reserves, which occupy about 10 % of the territory of the republic. This is the only Pitsundo-Musser reserve in the coastal zone with the reserve area of ​​3.761 thousand hectares, created in 1885; Ritsa relic National Park with an area of ​​39 thousand hectares, located on the southern slope of the main Caucasian ridge (founded in 1996 on the basis of the Ritsa reserve, created in 1930); Pskhu-Gumista reserve with an area of ​​40.018 thousand hectares in the central part of the highland Abkhazia (Gumista part became a reserve in 1946, later the Skurcha part and the forestry of Pskhu also became a reserve). Most species of plants and animals that are found in these reserves are listed in the Red Book.

Attractions

There is a Novy Afon Cave in Novy Afon - one of the largest in the world. It is located on Iverskaya Mountain. In the cave, one can see stalactites and stalagmites, as well as an underground lake with an area of ​​100 square meters.

In the villages of Primorsk and Kyndyg there are hot springs with highly mined water, which hits a fountain from the ground.

In the capital of Abkhazia, there is a famous botanical garden, founded in 1838, in which unique plants grow. In the same place, in Sukhum, on the territory of the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy, there is monkey nursery.

Among the most beautiful places in Abkhazia are Lake Ritsa, Malaya Ritsa, Mzy, Amtkel, Adueda, the Blue Lake, the Maiden Tears Falls, the Gega and Shakuran Waterfalls, the Yupshara and Khashpsy Canyon (according to Viacheslav Chirikba’s Book of the Toponyms), the Novy Afon Cave, the Abraskil Cave.