:Sukhumi

In Georgian, the city is known as Sokhumi (სოხუმი), amongst Samurzakanians in Megrelian the city is sometimes referred to as Aqujikha (აყუჯიხა),Otar Kajaia, 2001–2004, [http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etca/cauc/megr/kajaia/kajai.htm Megrelian-Georgian Dictionary] (entry aq'ujixa).[http://www.abkhazworld.com/Pdf/Abkhaz_Loans_in_Megrelian_Chirikba.pdf Abkhaz Loans in Megrelian], p. 65 and in Russian as Сухум (Sukhum) or Сухуми (Sukhumi). The toponym Sokhumi derives from the Georgian word Tskhomi/Tskhumi (ცხომი/ცხუმი), which in turn is supposed to be derived from Svan tskhum (ცხუმ) meaning "hornbeam tree".{{cite book |title= Assays from the history of Georgia. Abkhazia from ancient times to the present day |year=2011 |url=http://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/handle/1234/10253 |language=en|location=Tbilisi, Georgia |publisher=Intelect |isbn=978-9941-410-69-7}} In Abkhaz, the city is known as Aqwa (Аҟәа) which is believed to derive from a-qwara (а-ҟәара), meaning "stony seashore". According to Abkhaz tradition Aqwa (Аҟәа) signifies water.{{cite web|url=http://www.safarmer.com/Indo-Eurasian/Pontic-horse.pdf|title=More Pontic: Further Etymologies between Indo-European and Northwest Caucasian|last=Colarusso|first=John|author-link=John Colarusso|page=54|access-date=22 August 2009}}

Medieval Georgian sources knew the town as Tskhumi (ცხუმი).[http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/cauc/ageo/gh/gh039.htm Vita Sanctae Ninonis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005152820/http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/cauc/ageo/gh/gh039.htm |date=5 October 2012 }}. TITUS Old Georgian hagiographical and homiletic texts: Part No. 39[http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/cauc/ageo/gh/gh041.htm Martyrium David et Constantini] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005152847/http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/cauc/ageo/gh/gh041.htm |date=5 October 2012 }}. TITUS Old Georgian hagiographical and homiletic texts: Part No. 41[http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcs/cauc/ageo/kcx1/kcx1233.htm Kartlis Cxovreba: Part No. 233]. TITUS Later, under Ottoman control, the town was known in Turkish as Suhum-Kale ({{langx|ota|صخوم قلعه}}), which was derived from the earlier Georgian form Tskhumi or read to mean "Tskhumi fortress".{{cite book|last=Goltz|first=Thomas|title=Georgia Diary|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|location=Armonk, New York / London, England|date=2009|edition=Expanded|page=56|chapter=4. An Abkhazian Interlude|isbn=978-0-7656-2416-1}}{{Cite web|url=https://abkhazeti.info/ethno/EkplpAVElyHNzaIaLX2.php|title=Путеводитель по городу Сухуму и Сухумскому Округу с историко-этнографическим очерком|website=Путеводитель по городу Сухуму и Сухумскому Округу с историко-этнографическим очерком}}

The ending -i in the above forms represents the Georgian nominative suffix. The town was officially called Сухум (Sukhum) in Russian until 16 August 1936, when this was changed to Sukhumi (Сухуми).{{cite journal |last1=Заяц |first1=Д.В. |title=Изменение административно-территориального деления союзных республик |journal=География |date=2001 |volume=28 |url=https://geo.1sept.ru/article.php?ID=200102809 |access-date=10 March 2022 |language=ru}} This remained so until 4 December 1992, when the Supreme Council of Abkhazia restored the previous version.{{cite book |url=http://www.rrc.ge/law/dadg_1992_12_04_R.htm?lawid=719&lng_3=ru |title=Сборник законодательных актов Республики Абхазия, выпуск 3 |publisher =www.rrc.ge |location=Сухум |date=1995 |pages=94–95 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522151230/http://www.rrc.ge/law/dadg_1992_12_04_R.htm?lawid=719&lng_3=ru |archive-date=22 May 2013}} Russia also readopted its official spelling in 2008,{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsru.com/russia/13nov2008/colors.html|title=Абхазию и Южную Осетию на картах в РФ выкрасят в "негрузинские" цвета|date=13 November 2008|website=NEWSru.com}} though Сухуми is also still being used.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

In English, the most common form today is Sukhumi,{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} although Sokhumi is increasing in usage and has been adopted by sources including United Nations,{{cite web |title=Geospatial, location information for a better world |url=https://www.un.org/geospatial/content/georgia |website=United Nations |publisher=UN Geospatial |access-date=14 July 2021}} Encyclopædia Britannica,"Sokhumi". (2006). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 6 November 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9070213 Britannica.com] MSN Encarta,"Sokhumi". (2006). In Encarta. Retrieved 6 November 2006: [http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761584388/Sokhumi.html Encarta.msn.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230011021/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761584388/Sokhumi.html |date=30 December 2007 }} Esri{{cite news|title=Esri ArcGis WebMap|url=http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html|access-date=2 May 2016|work=Esri}} and Google Maps.{{cite news|title=Google Maps changes Sukhumi to Sokhumi following Georgia's request|url=http://agenda.ge/news/29597/eng|access-date=22 February 2015|work=Agenda.ge|date=10 February 2015|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222152225/http://agenda.ge/news/29597/eng|url-status=dead}}

File:Colchis coin.jpg) of Dioscuri surmounted by stars; reverse: Thyrsos, ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΙΑΔΟΣ|left]]The history of the city began in the mid-6th century BC when an earlier settlement of the second and early first millennia BC, frequented by local Colchian tribes, was replaced by the Milesian Greek colony of Dioscurias ({{langx|el|Διοσκουριάς}}).{{Cite web|url=https://el.wikisource.ecnu.cf/wiki/%CE%A0%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82_%CE%95%CF%85%CE%BE%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%A0%CF%8C%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85|title=Περίπλους Ευξείνου Πόντου – Βικιθήκη|website=el.wikisource.ecnu.cf}}{{cite book |last1=King |first1=Charles |author1-link=Charles King (professor of international affairs) |title=The Black Sea. A history. |date=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-924161-3 |chapter=The Expedition of Flavius Arrianus}} The city is said to have been founded{{Cite web |url=https://topostext.org/work/206#275 |title=ToposText 206#275 |website=topostext.org}}{{Cite web |url=https://topostext.org/work/145#1.111 |title=ToposText 145#1.111 |website=topostext.org}} and named by the Dioscuri, the twins Castor and Pollux of classical mythology. According to another legend it was founded by Amphitus and Cercius of Sparta, the charioteers of the Dioscuri.{{Cite web |url=https://topostext.org/work/493#22.8.24 |title=ToposText 493#22.8.24 |website=topostext.org}}{{Cite web |url=https://topostext.org/work/747#15.17 |title=ToposText 747#15.17 |website=topostext.org}} The Greek pottery found in Eshera, further north along the coast, predates findings in the area of Sukhumi bay by a century suggesting that the centre of the original Greek settlement could have been there.{{cite book |last1=David |first1=Braund |title=Georgia in Antiquity. A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia 550 BC AD 562 |date=1994 |publisher=Calendon Press |isbn=0-19-814473-3 |pages=107–108}}

It became busily engaged in the commerce between Greece and the indigenous tribes, importing salt{{cite book |last1=David |first1=Braund |title=Georgia in Antiquity. A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia 550 BC AD 562 |date=1994 |publisher=Calendon Press |isbn=0-19-814473-3 |page=58}} and wares from many parts of Greece, and exporting local timber, linen, and hemp. It was also a prime center of slave trade in Colchis.{{cite book |title= An inquiry into the state of slavery amongst the Romans|last= Blair|first= William|year= 1833|publisher= T. Clark|page= 25}} The city and its surroundings were remarkable for the multitude of languages spoken in its bazaars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/44885/44885-h/44885-h.htm|title=The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Geography of Strabo Vol. II., translated By H. C. Hamilton.|website=www.gutenberg.org}}

Although the sea made serious inroads upon the territory of Dioscurias, it continued to flourish and became one of the key cities in the realm of Mithridates VI of Pontus in the 2nd century BC and supported his cause until the end. Dioscurias issued bronze coinage around 100 BC featuring the symbols of the Dioskuri and Dionysus.{{cite book |last1=David |first1=Braund |title=Georgia in Antiquity. A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia 550 BC AD 562 |date=1994 |publisher=Calendon Press |isbn=0-19-814473-3 |pages=158–159}} Under the Roman emperor Augustus the city assumed the name of Sebastopolis ({{langx|el|Σεβαστούπολις}}).[https://books.google.com/books?id=MNOHKnF1nl8C Hewitt, George (1998) The Abkhazians: a handbook] St. Martin's Press, New York, p. 62, {{ISBN|0-312-21975-X}} But its prosperity was past, and in the 1st century Pliny the Elder described the place as virtually deserted though the town still continued to exist during the times of Arrian in the 130s.Dioscurias. A Guide to the Ancient World, H.W. Wilson (1986). Retrieved 20 July 2006, from [http://www.xreferplus.com/entry/5073174 Xreferplus.com]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The remains of towers and walls of Sebastopolis have been found underwater; on land the lowest levels so far reached by archaeologists are of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. According to Gregory of Nyssa there were Christians in the city in the late 4th century.{{cite SSRN |last1= Vinogradov|first1= Andrey | author-link=Andrey Vinogradov| date= 2014|title= Some Notes On The Topography Of Eastern Pontos Euxeinos In Late Antiquity And Early Byzantium|ssrn=2543458}} In 542 the Romans evacuated the town and demolished its citadel to prevent it from being captured by Sasanian Empire. In 565, however, the emperor Justinian I restored the fort and Sebastopolis continued to remain one of the Byzantine strongholds in Colchis until being sacked by the Arab conqueror Marwan II in 736.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Afterwards, the town came to be known as Tskhumi.Room, A. (2005), Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features and Historic Sites. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, {{ISBN|0-7864-2248-3}}, p. 361 Restored by the kings of Abkhazia from the Arab devastation, it particularly flourished during the Georgian Golden Age in the 12th–13th centuries, when Tskhumi became a center of traffic with the European maritime powers, particularly with the Republic of Genoa. The Genoese established their trading port in Tskhumi in the end of 13th century{{cite web |last1=Comai |first1=Georgio |title=The Genoese in Abkhazia |url=https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Abkhazia/The-Italian-maritime-republics-and-slave-trade-from-the-Caucasus-213053 |website=Balcanicaucaso |access-date=30 October 2023}} and a Catholic bishopric existed there which is now a titular see.{{cite journal |last1=Alasania |first1=Giuli |title=Level of Independence in Georgia Throughout the 14th Century |journal=Journal of Literature and Art Studies |date=August 2016 |volume=6 |issue=8 |page=974|url=http://www.academia.edu/download/47689003/Journal_of_Literature_and_Art_Studies_Vol.6_Issue_8_August_2016.pdf|quote=As it is known, a Catholic bishopric existed in Sukhumi as early as in 1318 and Bernard Morre was appointed as the bishop. Peter Gerald was appointed to the same position in 1330}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} A Genoese consulate was established in 1354 with the consul dispatched from Caffa. In spite of occasional conflicts with the locals, the consulate functioned until 1456. The city of Tskhumi became the summer residence of the Georgian kings. According to Russian scholar V. Sizov, it became an important "cultural and administrative center of the Georgian state.{{Cite web|url=https://iberiana.wordpress.com/afxazeti/unfalsified-history/|title=• Papaskiri- ABKHAZIA – UNFALSIFIED HISTORY|date=18 April 2010}} A Later Tskhumi served as capital of the Odishi — Megrelian rulers, it was in this city that Vamek I ({{Circa}} 1384–1396), the most influential Dadiani, minted his coins. File:Gamba - view of sukhumi fortress.JPGDocuments of the 15th century clearly distinguished Tskhumi from Principality of Abkhazia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.amsi.ge/istoria/div/m.lordkiPaniZe_abkh.html|title=მარიამ ლორთქიფანიძე – აფხაზები და აფხაზეთი|website=www.amsi.ge}} The Ottoman navy occupied the town in 1451, but for a short time. Later contested between the princes of Abkhazia and Mingrelia, Tskhumi finally fell to the Turks in the 1570s. The new masters heavily fortified the town and called it Sohumkale, with kale meaning "fort" but the first part of the name of disputed origin. It may represent Turkish su ({{langx|ota|صو}}), "water", and kum ({{langx|ota|قوم}}), "sand", but is more likely to be an alteration of its earlier Georgian name.

File:Botanical garden.Sukhum.jpg]]At the request of the pro-Russian Abkhazian prince, the town was stormed by the Russian Marines in 1810 and turned, subsequently, into a major outpost in the North West Caucasus. (See Russian conquest of the Caucasus). Sukhumi was declared the seaport in 1847 and was directly annexed to the Russian Empire after the ruling Shervashidze princely dynasty was ousted by the Russian authorities in 1864. During the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878, the town was temporarily controlled by the Ottoman forces and Abkhaz-Adyghe rebels. After its annexation, Sukhumi became the administrative center of the Sukhumi Okrug of the Kutais Governorate.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:On quay. Sukhum.jpg

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the town and Abkhazia in general were engulfed in the chaos of the Russian Civil War. A short-lived Bolshevik government was suppressed in May 1918 and Sukhumi was incorporated into the Democratic Republic of Georgia as a residence of the autonomous People's Council of Abkhazia and the headquarters of the Georgian governor-general. The Red Army and the local revolutionaries took the city from the Georgian forces on 4 March 1921, and declared Soviet rule. Sukhumi functioned as the capital of the "Union treaty" Abkhaz Soviet Socialist Republic associated with the Georgian SSR from 1921 until 1931, when it became the capital of the Abkhazian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Georgian SSR. By 1989, Sukhumi had 120,000 inhabitants and was one of the most prosperous cities of Georgia. Many holiday dachas for Soviet leaders were situated there.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:Suhumi Prokudin-Gorskii.jpg]]

Beginning with the 1989 riots, Sukhumi was a centre of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, and the city was severely damaged during the 1992–1993 War. During the war, the city and its environs suffered almost daily air strikes and artillery shelling, with heavy civilian casualties.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Georgia2.htm |title=The Human Rights Watch report, March 1995 Vol. 7, No. 7 |publisher=Hrw.org |access-date=4 July 2010}} On 27 September 1993 the battle for Sukhumi was concluded by a full-scale campaign of ethnic cleansing against its majority Georgian population (see Sukhumi Massacre), including members of the pro-Georgian Abkhazian government (Zhiuli Shartava, Raul Eshba and others) and mayor of Sukhumi Guram Gabiskiria.

Although the city has been relatively peaceful and partially rebuilt, it is still suffering the after-effects of the war, and it has not regained its earlier ethnic diversity. A relatively large infrastructure reconstruction program was launched in 2019–2020 focusing on the renovation of the waterfront, rebuilding city roads and cleaning city parks.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Its population in 2017 was 65,716, compared to about 120,000 in 1989. During summer holidays season its population usually doubles and triples with a large inflow of international tourists.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnabkhazia.html|title=население абхазии|website=www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru}}

In 2021, there was unrest in the city leading to the resignation of President Aslan Bzhani.{{Cite news|title=Opposition Protests In Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia Turn Violent|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-abkhazia-opposition-protests/31620013.html|access-date=2021-12-22|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=21 December 2021 |language=en}}

Historic population figures for Sukhumi, split out by ethnicity, based on population censuses:

• The Abkhazians were collectively deemed guilty of the 1877 insurrection, leading to restrictions that forbade them from settling near the coast (except for members of the upper classes) or living in Sukhumi. The devastated central part of Abkhazia, modern-day Sukhumi and Gulripshi districts, between the rivers Psyrtskha and Kodori became a colonised land-fund of the imperial administration. A buffer-zone was thus established between the Gudauta and Ochamchira Abkhazians. Abkhazians had no right to settle in this part of their own country. Meanwhile, thousands of Armenians, Mingrelians, Greeks, Russians, Estonians, Germans, and Moldovans were resettled there starting from 1879.{{Cite web|url=https://abkhazworld.com/aw/history/617-thirty-years-of-guilt-1877-1907-by-stanislav-lakoba|title=Thirty years of "guilt" (1877–1907), by Stanislav Lakoba|first=Abkhaz|last=World|website=Abkhaz World | History, Culture & Politics of Abkhazia|date=14 March 2013 }}

Most of the inhabitants belong to the Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches, Islam and the Abkhaz traditional religion.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Sukhumi theatres which offer classical and modern performances, with the theatre season lasting from September to June. Several galleries and museums exhibit modern and historical Abkhaz visual art. Sukhumi Botanical Garden was established in 1840 and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Caucasus.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:Beslet bridge.JPG over the Besletka river known as the Queen Tamar Bridge.]]

Sukhumi houses a number of historical monuments, notably the Besleti Bridge built during the reign of queen Tamar of Georgia in the 12th century. It also retains visible vestiges of the defunct monuments, including the Roman walls, the medieval Castle of Bagrat, several towers of the Kelasuri Wall, also known as Great Abkhazian Wall, constructed between 1628 and 1653 by Levan II Dadiani to protect his fiefdom from the Abkhaz tribes;Ю.Н. Воронов (Yury Voronov), "Келасурская стена" (Kelasuri wall). Советская археология 1973, 3. {{in lang|ru}} the 14th-century Genoese fort and the 18th-century Ottoman fortress. The 11th century Kamani Monastery ({{convert|12|km|0|abbr=off}} from Sukhumi) is erected, according to tradition, over the tomb of Saint John Chrysostom. Some {{convert|22|km|0|abbr=on}} from Sukhumi lies New Athos with the ruins of the medieval city of Anacopia. The Neo-Byzantine New Athos Monastery was constructed here in the 1880s on behest of Tsar Alexander III of Russia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Northward in the mountains is the Krubera Cave, one of the deepest in the world, with a depth of 2,140 meters.[http://www.showcaves.com/english/misc/caves/Voronya.html Voronya Peshchera]. Show Caves of the World. Retrieved on 29 July 2008.

The city hosts a number of research and educational institutions, including the Abkhazian State University, the Sukhumi Open Institute and about half a dozen of vocational education colleges. From 1945 to 1954 the city's electron physics laboratory was involved in the Soviet program to develop nuclear weapons. Additionally, the Abkhaz State Archive is located in the city.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Until 19th century young people from Abkhazia usually received their education mainly at religious schools (Muslims at Madrasas and Christians at Seminaries), although a small number of children from wealthy families had opportunity to travel to foreign countries for education.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

The first modern educational institutions (both schools and colleges) were established in the late 19th-early 20th century and rapidly grew until the second half of the 20th century. For example, the number of college students grew from few dozens in the 1920s to several thousands in the 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

According to the official statistical data, Abkhazia has 12 TVET colleges (as of 2019, est.) providing education and vocational training to youth mostly in the capital city, though there are several colleges in all major district centers. Independent international assessments suggest that these colleges train in about 20 different specialties attracting between 1200 and 1500 young people annually (aged between 16 and 29) (as of 2019, est.).{{Cite web|url=https://ugsra.org/ofitsialnaya-statistika.php?ELEMENT_ID=409|title=Государственный комитет Республики Абхазия по статистике|website=ugsra.org|access-date=20 December 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806133545/https://ugsra.org/ofitsialnaya-statistika.php?ELEMENT_ID=409|url-status=dead}} The largest colleges are as follows:{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

• Abkhaz Multiindustrial College (1959) (from 1959 to 1999 – Sukhumi Trade and Culinary School),
• Sukhumi State College (1904) (from 1904 to 1921 – Sukhumi Real School; from 1921 to 1999 – Sukhumi Industrial Technical School),
• Sukhumi Art College (1934) (from 1934 to 1966 – Sukhumi Art Studio). This college is also a home for a relatively large collection of local paintings and sculptures accumulated mainly during past 60 years.
• Sukhumi Medical College (1931)

Higher education in Sukhumi currently is represented by one university, Abkhazian State University,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tppra.org/en/news/abkhazian-state-university-6206.html|title=The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Abkhazia|website=www.tppra.org}} which has a special status in the education system in Abkhazia and it manages its own budget.{{Cite web |url=http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/state/culture/university.php |script-title=ru:Абхазский государственный университет |trans-title=Abkhazia State University |language=ru |access-date=2019-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515231642/http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/state/culture/university.php |archive-date=2008-05-15 }}

Abkhaz State University (1979), has its own campus which is a home for 42 departments organized into 8 faculties providing education to about 3300 students (as of 2019, est.).

Sukhumi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), that is almost cool enough in summer to be an oceanic climate (Cfb).

{{Weather box

|width= auto

|metric first= Yes

|single line= Yes

|location= Sukhumi

|Jan high C= 10.0

|Feb high C= 10.7

|Mar high C= 12.8

|Apr high C= 16.8

|May high C= 20.4

|Jun high C= 24.2

|Jul high C= 26.5

|Aug high C= 26.8

|Sep high C= 24.1

|Oct high C= 20.3

|Nov high C= 15.6

|Dec high C= 12.0

|Jan low C= 2.2

|Feb low C= 2.7

|Mar low C= 4.5

|Apr low C= 8.3

|May low C= 12.2

|Jun low C= 16.2

|Jul low C= 19.0

|Aug low C= 18.6

|Sep low C= 14.8

|Oct low C= 10.4

|Nov low C= 6.6

|Dec low C= 3.9

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation mm = 102

|Feb precipitation mm = 76

|Mar precipitation mm = 102

|Apr precipitation mm = 102

|May precipitation mm = 92

|Jun precipitation mm = 89

|Jul precipitation mm = 83

|Aug precipitation mm = 107

|Sep precipitation mm = 120

|Oct precipitation mm = 114

|Nov precipitation mm = 104

|Dec precipitation mm = 108

|Jan rain days= 17

|Feb rain days= 15

|Mar rain days= 16

|Apr rain days= 15

|May rain days= 12

|Jun rain days= 11

|Jul rain days= 10

|Aug rain days= 10

|Sep rain days= 10

|Oct rain days= 12

|Nov rain days= 16

|Dec rain days= 16

|source 1= climatebase.ru{{cite web|url=http://climatebase.ru/station/37260

| title=Sukhumi

| publisher=climatebase.ru

| access-date=2020-04-23}}

|source 2= Georgia Travel Climate Information{{cite web |url=http://www.travel-climate.com/georgia/data.php?cit=37260 |title=Georgia, Sukhumi climate information |publisher=Travel-climate.com |access-date=2016-06-26 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223306/http://www.travel-climate.com/georgia/data.php?cit=37260 }}

|date= March 2011}}

On 2 February 2000, President Ardzinba dismissed temporary Mayor Leonid Osia and appointed Leonid Lolua in his stead.{{cite news|title=СООБЩЕНИЯ АПСНЫПРЕСС|url=http://abkhazia-gov.narod.ru/apsnypress.html|access-date=21 January 2012|newspaper=Apsnypress|date=2 February 2000}} Lolua was reappointed on 10 May 2001 following the March 2001 local elections.{{cite web |title=Выпуск № 92 |script-website=ab:Абхазия - Страна Души|url=http://abkhazia.narod.ru/gb/1579|access-date=24 April 2016|date=10 May 2001}}

On 5 November 2004, in the heated aftermath of the 2004 presidential election, president Vladislav Ardzinba appointed head of the Gulripshi District assembly Adgur Kharazia as acting mayor. During his first speech he called upon the two leading candidates, Sergei Bagapsh and Raul Khadjimba, to both withdraw.{{cite news|url=http://www.hri.org/cgi-bin/brief?/news/balkans/rferl/2004/04-11-10.rferl.html#21|title=MAYOR SUGGESTS ABKHAZ PRESIDENTIAL RIVALS SHOULD WITHDRAW|publisher=RFE/RL|date=10 November 2004|access-date=1 July 2008}}

On 16 February 2005, after his election as president, Bagapsh replaced Kharazia with Astamur Adleiba, who had been Minister for Youth, Sports, Resorts and Tourism until December 2004.{{cite news|url=http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/president/activities/decree/detail.php?ID=1498|title=Указ Президента Абхазии №5 от 16.02.2005|publisher=Администрация Президента Республики Абхазия|date=16 February 2005|access-date=1 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721061501/http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/president/activities/decree/detail.php?ID=1498|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}} In the 11 February 2007 local elections, Adleiba successfully defended his seat in the Sukhumi city assembly and was thereupon reappointed mayor by Bagapsh on 20 March.{{cite news|url=http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/march/20.htm|title=Президент Сергей Багапш подписал указы о назначении глав городских и районных администраций|publisher=Апсныпресс|date=20 March 2007|access-date=1 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026093918/http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/march/20.htm|archive-date=26 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}

In April 2007, while President Bagapsh was in Moscow for medical treatment, the results of an investigation into corruption within the Sukhumi city administration were made public. The investigation found that large sums had been embezzled and upon his return, on 2 May, Bagapsh fired Adleiba along with his deputy Boris Achba, the head of the Sukhumi's finance department Konstantin Tuzhba and the head of the housing department David Jinjolia.{{cite news|url= http://iwpr.net/report-news/abkhazias-anti-corruption-drive|title=Abkhazia's anti-corruption drive|publisher=Institute for War & Peace Reporting|date=20 March 2007|access-date=20 January 2012}} On 4 June Adleiba paid back to the municipal budget 200,000 rubels.{{cite news|url=http://www.regnum.ru/news/838958.html&tbb=1|title=Экс-мэр Сухуми вернул в бюджет двести тысяч рублей|publisher=REGNUM|date=5 June 2007|access-date=2 July 2008}} and on 23 July, he resigned from the Sukhumi city council, citing health reasons and the need to travel abroad for medical treatment.{{cite news|url=http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/president/press/news/detail.php?ID=7220|title=Экс-мэр Сухума намерен покинуть Столичное городское Собрание|publisher=Администрация Президента Республики Абхазия|date=23 July 2007|access-date=2 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721061529/http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/president/press/news/detail.php?ID=7220|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}

On 15 May 2007, president Bagapsh released Alias Labakhua as First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee and appointed him acting Mayor of Sukhumi, a post temporarily fulfilled by former Vice-Mayor Anzor Kortua. On 27 May Labakhua appointed Vadim Cherkezia as Deputy Chief of staff.{{cite news|title=Заместителем главы администрации столицы Абхазии назначен Вадим Черкезия|url=http://www.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/115078/|access-date=18 April 2012|newspaper=Caucasian Knot|date=27 May 2007}} On 2 September, Labakhua won the by-election in constituency No. 21, which had become necessary after Adleiba relinquished his seat. Adleiba was the only candidate and voter turnout was 34%, higher than the 25% required.{{cite news|url=http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/september/3.htm|title=АЛИАС ЛАБАХУА ИЗБРАН ДЕПУТАТОМ ГОРОДСКОГО СОБРАНИЯ СУХУМА|publisher=Апсныпресс|date=3 September 2007|access-date=2 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028013531/http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/september/3.htm|archive-date=28 October 2007}} Since Adleiba was now a member of the city assembly, president Bagapsh could permanently appoint him Mayor of Sukhumi on 18 September.{{cite news|url=http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/september/18.htm|title=СЕРГЕЙ БАГАПШ ПОДПИСАЛ УКАЗ О НАЗНАЧЕНИИ АЛИАСА ЛАБАХУА ГЛАВОЙ АДМИНИСТРАЦИИ ГОРОДА СУХУМ|publisher=Апсныпресс|date=18 September 2007|access-date=2 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031090433/http://www.apsnypress.info/news2007/september/18.htm|archive-date=31 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}

Following the May 2014 Revolution and the election of Raul Khajimba as president, he on 22 October dismissed Labakhua and again appointed (as acting Mayor) Adgur Kharazia, who at that point was Vice Speaker of the People's Assembly.{{cite news|title=Адгур Харазия назначен исполняющим обязанности главы администрации г. Сухум|url=http://apsnypress.info/news/13326.html|access-date=22 October 2014|agency=Apsnypress|date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022232815/http://apsnypress.info/news/13326.html|archive-date=22 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} Kharazia won the 4 April 2015 by-election to the City Council in constituency no. 3 unopposed,{{cite web|title=Итоги выборов|url=http://alhra.org/index.php/30-sostoyanie-vybornogo-protsessa-na-12-00-04-04-2015g|website=alhra.org|publisher=Избирательная комиссия по выборам в органы местного самоуправления г.Сухум|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208112518/http://alhra.org/index.php/30-sostoyanie-vybornogo-protsessa-na-12-00-04-04-2015g|archive-date=8 December 2015|df=dmy-all}} and was confirmed as mayor by Khajimba on 4 May.{{cite web|last1=Khajimba|first1=Raul|author-link=Raul Khajimba|title=УКАЗ О главе администрации города Сухум|url=http://presidentofabkhazia.org/upload/iblock/ab8/%D0%A3%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B7%20%D0%9E%20%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B5%20%D0%90%D0%B4%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8%20%D0%B3.%20%D0%A1%D1%83%D1%85%D1%83%D0%BC.pdf|website=presidentofabkhazia.org|access-date=19 September 2015}} The 6th convocation of the Sukhumi City Council was elected 13 April 2016.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:Railway station Suhum.jpg

Sukhumi is served by the Sukhumi Trolleybus, consisting of 3 Lines.{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-07-18 |title=Where does the Sukhumi Trolleybus go to? |url=https://abh-n.ru/kuda-vezet-suxumskij-trollejbus/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Нужная газета |language=ru-RU}}

There is a railway station in Sukhumi, that has a daily train to Moscow via Sochi.RZD, [https://www.rzd.ru/ru/9838/page/103290?id=17729] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531212907/https://www.rzd.ru/ru/9838/page/103290?id=17729|date=31 May 2021}}, 14.08.2020

Babushara Airport now handles only local flights due to the disputed status of Abkhazia.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Notable people who are from or have resided in Sukhumi:

• Anton Alikhanov (1986), Russian politician, governor of Kaliningrad Oblast{{Cite web |date=30 November 2016 |title=Что самый молодой глава региона РФ А. Алиханов рассказал о своих предках? |url=http://www.klg.aif.ru/politic/chto_samyy_molodoy_glava_regiona_rf_a_alihanov_rasskazal_o_svoih_predkah}}
• Alexander Ankvab (1952), Abkhaz politician and businessman, Prime Minister of Abkhazia.{{Cite web |url=https://www.myheritage.lt/names/alexander_ankvab |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=www.myheritage.lt |title=Alexander Ankvab šeimos istorija ir istoriniai įrašai }}
• Beslan Ajinjal (1974), former Russian footballer.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Otari Arshba (1955), Russian politician and member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-04 |title=Аршба Отари |url=https://www.forbes.ru//profile/259273-arshba |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=Forbes.ru |language=en-US}}
• Hadzhera Avidzba (1917–1997), Abkhazia's first professional pianist.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Meri Avidzba (1917–1986), Abkhaz female pilot who fought during the Great Patriotic War of 1942–1945.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Verdicenan Achba (1825–1889), seventh wife of Sultan Abdulmejid I of the Ottoman Empire.Tuna, Mahinur (2007). İlk Türk kadın ressam: Mihri Rasim (Müşfik) Açba : 1886. P23, 25. İstanbul-1954 New-York. As Yayın. ISBN 978-9-750-17250-2.
• Sergei Bagapsh (1949–2011), Second President of the Republic of Abkhazia{{cite news |date=11 January 2005 |title=Sergueï Bagapsh |url=http://www.caucaz.com/home/breve_contenu.php?id=147 |access-date=30 June 2008 |publisher=Caucaz.com}}
• Guram Gabiskiria (1947–1993), Mayor of Sukhumi and National Hero of Georgia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Demna Gvasalia (1981), Georgian fashion designer.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Fazil Iskander (1929–2016), Russian writer and poet.Christine Rydel. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vs0UAQAAIAAJ&q=Leili+Khasanovna Russian Prose Writers After World War II, Volume 302]. p 122. Thomson Gale, 2005 {{ISBN|0787668397}}{{cite news |last1=Coalson |first1=Robert |date=August 2016 |title=A Remembrance Of Fazil Iskander: 'We Have All Lost A Close Relative' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-fazil-iskander-remembrance/27893385.html |access-date=2023-07-20 |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |publisher=RFERL}}
• Irma Khetsuriani (1985), Georgian wheelchair fencing world champion.{{cite news |date=23 October 2015 |title=Georgian Female Fencer Takes World Championship Gold |url=http://cbw.ge/georgia/georgian-female-fencer-takes-world-championship-gold/ |accessdate=5 January 2019 |work=Caucasus Business Week}}{{cite news |last1=Akhalaia |first1=Ana |date=24 October 2015 |title=Georgian Fencer Wins Gold Medal at World Cup Competition |url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/1674/Georgian-Fencer-Wins-Gold-Medal-at-World-Cup-Competition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114094741/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/1674/Georgian-Fencer-Wins-Gold-Medal-at-World-Cup-Competition |archive-date=14 January 2016 |accessdate=5 January 2019 |work=Georgia Today}}
• Sergey Kiriyenko (1962), Russian politician, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia."[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/oil-and-banking-fuel-the-rise-of-russian-risk-taker-1.143298 Oil and banking fuel the rise of Russian risk-taker]". The Irish Times. 18 April 1998.
• Vera Kobalia (1981), Georgian politician.{{cite web |title=Official biography |url=http://www.economy.ge/?category=16&lang=eng&item=135 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202060104/http://www.economy.ge/?category=16&lang=eng&item=135 |archive-date=2011-02-02 |access-date=2010-07-31 |publisher=Government of Georgia website}}
• Daur Kove (1979), current Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.{{cite news |date=4 October 2016 |title=Даур Кове назначен министром иностранных дел Абхазии |url=http://apsnypress.info/news/daur-kove-naznachen-ministrom-inostrannykh-del-abkhazii/ |accessdate=15 November 2016 |agency=Apsnypress}}
• Kokkai Futoshi (1981), Georgian former professional sumo wrestler.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
• Siranush Gasparyan (1978), Armenian opera singer born in Sukhum.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Georgia (country)}}

Sukhumi is twinned with the following cities:

• {{flagicon|RUS}} Podolsk, Russia{{cite web |url=http://www.admpodolsk.ru/index.php?categoryid=126&p2_articleid=286 |title=Сайт Администрации г.Подольска – Побратимы |publisher=Admpodolsk.ru |date=2016-06-15 |access-date=2016-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710192607/http://www.admpodolsk.ru/index.php?categoryid=126&p2_articleid=286 |archive-date=10 July 2015 }}
• {{flagicon|RUS}} Arkhangelsk, Russia{{cite web|url=http://apsnypress.info/news/3422.html|title=Новости|publisher=Apsnypress.info|access-date=2016-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625144951/http://apsnypress.info/news/3422.html|archive-date=25 June 2011|df=dmy-all}}
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Sant'Antioco, Italy{{cite web |url=http://www.mfaapsny.org/news/index.php?ID=2314 |title=12 мая между городами Абхазии и Италии были подписаны Протоколы о дружбе и сотрудничестве |publisher=Mfaapsny.org |access-date=2016-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204055843/http://www.mfaapsny.org/news/index.php?ID=2314 |archive-date=4 December 2014 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.laprovinciadelsulcisiglesiente.com/wordpress/2014/05/il-sulcis-rafforza-il-legame-con-i-paesi-dellest-europeo-sottoscritto-questa-sera-un-protocollo-damicizia-con-labkhcazia/ |title=Il Sulcis rafforza il legame con i paesi dell'Est europeo, sottoscritto questa sera un protocollo d'amicizia con l'Abkhcazia |publisher=Laprovinciadelsulcisiglesiente.com |date=2013-04-09 |access-date=2016-06-26}}
• {{flagicon|TUR}} Side, Turkey{{cite web|url=https://abkhazworld.com/aw/diaspora/138-viacheslav-chirikba-our-goal-is-to-remove-abkhazia-from-international-isolation |title=Viacheslav Chirikba: Our goal is to remove Abkhazia from international isolation |publisher=Abkhaz World |date=2012-11-25 |access-date=2021-05-30}}
• {{flagicon|NIC}} Managua, Nicaragua{{cite web|url=https://amerika21.de/2021/11/255388/managua-suchum-staedtepartnerschaft |title=Managua mit neuer Städtepartnerschaft

|publisher=amerika21.de |date=2021-11-12 |access-date=2021-11-15}}

{{Portal|Georgia|Abkhazia}}

• Sokhumi Municipality
• Sukhumi District
• List of twin towns and sister cities in Georgia

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Sukhumi}}

• [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t1545.htm GigaCatholic for the titular see, linking to incumbent biographies]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080125115903/http://www.unomig.org/print_multimedia/photogallery/?gid=25 UNOMIG photo gallery of Sukhumi]}}

{{Coord|43|00|N|41|01|E|region:GE_type:city|display=title}}

{{Administrative divisions of Abkhazia}}

{{Cities and towns in Georgia (country)}}

{{List of Asian capitals by region}}

{{List of European capitals by region}}

{{Pontic colonies}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Milesian Pontic colonies

Category:Capitals in Asia

Category:Capitals in Europe

Category:Port cities in Asia

Category:Port cities in Europe

Category:Port cities of the Black Sea

Category:Greek colonies in Colchis

Category:Georgian Black Sea coast

Category:Sukhumi okrug

Category:Populated places in Abkhazia

Category:Populated places established in the 6th century BC

Category:Castor and Pollux