Ochamchire

Ochamchire (sometimes referred to as Ochamchira; Abkhaz: Очамчыра, Ochamchyra; Georgian: ოჩამჩირე; Russian: Очамчира) is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, the breakaway republic of Georgia, and a centre of the eponymous district.

According to the 1978 population census, Ochamchira had 18,700 residents. After the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict of 1992-93, Ochamchira experienced a significant population decline due to ethnic cleansing of Georgians. Most of the internally displaced persons which were affected by the conflict have yet to return to the city. Ochamchira lies along the left bank of the Ghalidzga (Aaldzga) River at an elevation of five meters above sea level. The city is located 53 kilometers southeast of Sukhumi and 351 kilometers to the northwest of Tbilisi. Ochamchira's climate is humid subtropical with relatively warm winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature is 13.6 degrees Celsius. January's average temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius while the average temperature in July is 23 degrees Celsius. Average annual precipitation is approximately 1300mm.

The ancient Greek colony of Gyenos was probably located near Ochamchira, though the identification cannot be considered as definitive because of doubts as to the actual location and the very poor preservation of the archaeologic site itself.

References

• Georgian State (Soviet) Encyclopedia. 1983. Book 7. p. 623.

42°42′N 41°27′E