Pitsunda, Abkhazia

Here's the second card I received from Yulia, and a bit of a treat, too.



The card shows Pitsunda in Abkhazia. Abkhazia is a bit of a confusing place. It is a political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus whose status is disputed. It considers itself an independent state (the Republic of Abkhazia). This is recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, South Ossetia and Transnistria (the last two are entities with a limited recognition).

The Georgian government and the majority of the world's governments consider Abkhazia a part of Georgia's territory. In Georgia's official subdivision it is an autonomous republic, whose government sits in exile in Tbilisi. On 28 August 2008, the Parliament of Georgia passed a resolution declaring Abkhazia a "Russian-occupied territory".

Abkhazia has its own stamps, but they are only valid in Abkhazia.