# Azhara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality - URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality - Type: municipality - Region: Abkhazia - Status: currently outside the control of the Georgian government ## History The Azhara Municipality, known since 2006 as **Upper Abkhazia**, is a de jure municipality of the **Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia**, Georgia, covering the **upper Kodori gorge** in the high Caucasus. The valley lies at about 1,300 m and rises to peaks of almost 4,000 m, including the Chkhalta ridge and the approaches to the Marukhi pass. The **Kodori River**, formed by the Sakeni and Gvandra, flows from here towards the Black Sea. Under Georgian law, the territory is occupied and is not under the control of the Georgian government. The upper Kodori was traditionally inhabited by **Svans**, and its mountain villages — such as Azhara, Chkhalta and Sakeni — kept close ties with neighbouring Svaneti. In 2002 about 2,000 people lived in the gorge, the vast majority of them Georgians (Svans). After the war of 1992–1993, the upper Kodori was the only part of Abkhazia that remained under Georgian control. In July **2006** a Georgian police operation restored central government control over the gorge, and on 27 September 2006 the area was renamed **Upper Abkhazia**. The legitimate Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia was based in **Chkhalta** from 2006 to 2008. During the **August 2008 war**, on 9–12 August, Abkhaz and Russian forces took the upper Kodori gorge, and about 2,000 residents fled; only a small number later returned. Since then the territory has been occupied, and the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia works from Tbilisi. The international community, including the EU and the UN General Assembly, supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and the right of displaced persons to return. Visiting information: the upper Kodori gorge is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory, and many governments advise against travel to the region. This page presents the history of Upper Abkhazia for reference; the neighbouring high mountains of Svaneti (Mestia Municipality) offer similar landscapes and are open to visitors. ## FAQ **1) Where is Upper Abkhazia located?** In the upper Kodori gorge of the Greater Caucasus, in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia. **2) What is the status of the territory?** Under Georgian law it is occupied territory, not controlled by the Georgian government since August 2008. **3) Why is it called Azhara?** Azhara is the historical name of the de jure municipality; it was renamed Upper Abkhazia on 27 September 2006. **4) Who traditionally lived in the upper Kodori?** Mainly Svans; in 2002 about 2,000 people lived in the gorge. **5) What happened in 2006?** A Georgian operation restored government control, and Chkhalta became the seat of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. **6) What happened in 2008?** On 9–12 August 2008 Abkhaz and Russian forces took the gorge, and about 2,000 residents fled. **7) What is Chkhalta?** A village in the upper Kodori that served as the seat of the Abkhazian government in 2006–2008. **8) Which river flows through the gorge?** The Kodori, formed by the Sakeni and Gvandra rivers. **9) Can Upper Abkhazia be visited?** It is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory; many governments advise against travel. **10) Where can I find official information?** On the website of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. ## Sources - [Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia](https://abkhazia.gov.ge/) - [Upper Abkhazia (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Abkhazia) - [Kodori Valley (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodori_Valley) - [Chkhalta (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chkhalta) - [2006 Kodori crisis (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Kodori_crisis) - [Battle of the Kodori Valley (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Kodori_Valley) ## Settlements - [Adzgara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/adzgara): Discover Adzgara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Bramba](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/bramba): Discover Bramba, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Buchuquri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/buchukuri): Discover Buchuquri, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Budzuguri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/budzuguri): Discover Budzuguri, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Chkhalta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/chkhalta): Discover Chkhalta, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gvandra](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/gvandra): Discover Gvandra, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Khetskvara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/khetskvara): Discover Khetskvara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Khutia](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/khutia): Discover Khutia, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kvapchara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/kvapchara): Discover Kvapchara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kvemo Azhara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/kvemo-azhara): Discover Kvemo Azhara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kvemo Omarishara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/kvemo-omarishara): Discover Kvemo Omarishara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Geor... - [Kvemo Zima](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/kvemo-zima): Discover Kvemo Zima, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Marjvena Gentsvishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/marjvena-gentsvishi): Discover Marjvena Gentsvishi, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore G... - [Marjvena Ptishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/marjvena-ptishi): Discover Marjvena Ptishi, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georg... - [Martskhena Gentsvishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/martskhena-gentsvishi): Discover Martskhena Gentsvishi, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore... - [Martskhena Ptishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/martskhena-ptishi): Discover Martskhena Ptishi, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Geo... - [Nahari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/nahari): Discover Nahari, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sakeni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/sakeni): Discover Sakeni, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Shapatkvara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/shapatkvara): Discover Shapatkvara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsentraluri Azhara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/tsentraluri-azhara): Discover Tsentraluri Azhara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Ge... - [Tvibrasheri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/tvibrasheri): Discover Tvibrasheri, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zemo Azhara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/zemo-azhara): Discover Zemo Azhara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zemo Omarishara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/zemo-omarishara): Discover Zemo Omarishara, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georg... - [Zemo Zima](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/abkhazia/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality/zemo-zima): Discover Zemo Zima, a village in Adjara (Upper Abkhazia) Municipality, Abkhazia. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. ## This page in other languages - [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality) - [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/azhara-upper-abkhazia-municipality)