Ochamchire ოჩამჩირე, Очамчы́ра | |
|---|---|
town | |
 Fountain in Ochamchire | |
 Location of Ochamchire within Abkhazia | |
  Ochamchire Location of Ochamchire in Georgia Show map of Georgia Ochamchire Ochamchire (Abkhazia) Show map of Abkhazia | |
| Coordinates:42°43′00″N41°28′00″E / 42.71667°N 41.46667°E /42.71667; 41.46667 | |
| Country |  Georgia |
| Partially recognized independent country |  Abkhazia[1] |
| District | Ochamchire |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 5,280 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (MSK) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+4 |
Ochamchire orOchamchira (Georgian:ოჩამჩირე,[otʃʰamtʃʰiɾe]ⓘ;Abkhaz:Очамчыра,Ochamchyra;Russian:Очамчира,Ochamchira) is a seaside city on theBlack Sea coast ofAbkhazia,[3]Georgia, and a center of aneponymous district.
According to the1989 Soviet population census, Ochamchire had 20,078 residents. After theGeorgian-Abkhaz conflict of 1992–93, Ochamchire experienced a significantpopulation decline due toethnic cleansing of Georgians. Most of the displaced persons affected by the conflict have yet to return to the city. Ochamchire lies along the left bank of theGhalidzga River where it enters the sea. The city is located 53 kilometres (33 miles) southeast of the Abkhazian capital ofSokhumi.
Ochamchire's climate ishumid subtropical, with mild 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 1,552 mm (61 in).
Ochamchire evolved as a town from a small maritime settlement, which was a scene of fighting between theRussians andTurkish-Abkhaz forces in 1877.[4]
Theancient Greek colony ofGyenos (Greek:Γυένος) is supposed to have been located near Ochamchire, though the identification can't be considered as definitive because of doubts as to the actual location and the very poor preservation of the archaeologic site itself.[5] The archaeological evidence demonstrates the influence of the Greek culture, if not necessarily Greek settlement starting from 6th century BC.[6]
According toItar Tass, in 2009, Russia began discussing plans to construct a new naval base for itsBlack Sea Fleet (as of 2009[update] based atSevastopol) in Ochamchire.[7] Theinvasion of Ukraine and the attacks on the Russian fleet inCrimea provided new impetus to those plans in October 2023.[8] AfterAslan Bzhania met withVladimir Putin in Moscow in October 2023, he told the newspaperIsvestiya that a treaty about the establishment of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire had been signed. As the town is notionally in neutral Georgia, if the prospective base were to be built, it would be considered to be relatively safe from Ukrainian attacks.[9][10]
In January 2024,Russia signed an agreement with Abkhazia to host the Ochamchire Russian naval base. Some Abkhazians believe the agreement is principally a manifestation of political and information war conflict between pro-Russian and more independence-oriented Abkhazians, but have allowed that, at minimum, if the base is built, it would be a vital refueling port facility for the Russian Navy. However, nodeepwater port facilities exist around the beaches of Ochamchire as of 2023.[11]
The former Georgian Soviet footballerVitaly Daraselia was from Ochamchire.[citation needed]
Ochamchire is twinned with the following cities:
Ochamchire travel guide from Wikivoyage
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