Women bathe on the Black Sea coast. Situated between the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains, Abkhazia was once popular as a holiday destination for the Soviet elite. In October, people in Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from their territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This was the first international recognition after Abkhazia's unilateral declaration of independence nearly a decade earlier.

People line the streets during a parade in the capital. In October, people in Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from their territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

A country wedding. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

A girl stands at the roadside during a parade in the capital. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

People greet the de facto Abkhaz president during an October parade. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

A Georgian tomb near Gali, a region once populated largely by Georgians. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

A farm. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

An abandoned house in Gali, a region once populated largely by Georgians. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

Men sit in a coffee bar in the capital. In October, Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from its territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their independence, announced in August. This first international recognition of the country's claim came in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia over a second breakaway state, South Ossetia.

The Kodori Valley in the north of Abkhazia was one of the last areas of the territory to remain in Georgian hands, with Abkhazian forces fully taking over only after August 2008. In October, people in Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from their territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their claim to independence, the first international recognition of this status.

An Abkhazi militia commander. The Kodori Valley in the north of Abkhazia was one of the last areas of the territory to remain in Georgian hands, with Abkhazian forces fully taking over only after August 2008. In October, people in Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from their territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their claim to independence, the first international recognition of this status.

The Kodori Valley in the north of Abkhazia was one of the last areas of the territory to remain in Georgian hands, with Abkhazian forces fully taking over only after August 2008. In October, people in Abkhazia marked the 15th anniversary of the ejection of Georgian troops from their territory. At the same time they celebrated Russian recognition of their claim to independence, the first international recognition of this status.

Daily Life,Honorable mention