Tkvarcheli

Tqwartscheli (Georgian ტყვარჩელი, Abkhaz Тҟәарчал / Tquartschal; Russian Ткварчели ) is a city in Georgia and in Abkhazia.

History

Tqwartscheli received city rights in 1942. During the Second World War, here operated since 1935, coal production grew in importance, especially the most important coal mining areas of the former Soviet Union were there in the Donbass region temporarily in German hands.

During the military conflict between Abkhaz and Georgian forces in the years 1992 and 1993 the city was besieged by the Georgians, but could the troops thanks to military and humanitarian assistance to withstand through Russia. Since 1995 Tqwartscheli is the capital of the newly formed Rajons same name.

Population

1989 were still alive almost 22,000 people in Tqwartscheli. About 40 % of the population belonged to the Abkhaz ethnic group, a quarter were Russians and Georgians quarter. Due to the military conflict in the early 1990s, the population declined dramatically. As in other regions of Abkhazia fled most Georgians in the under control of the government in Tbilisi Georgian territories. The conflict associated with the decline of coal mining led to the relocation of other inhabitants.

Economy

Coal production has been for decades the city's main industry. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the shafts were however closed. Today, the Abkhaz- Turkish society Tamsaş operates the above-ground mining of coal. Tamsaş contributes 75 % of municipal tax revenue of the city.

The construction of a cement factory is planned, the production is to be used for the construction of sports venues of the 2014 Winter Olympics in nearby Sochi.

Traffic

Tqwartscheli is located on the spur track Otschamtschire - Tqwartscheli along the Black Sea coast extending main route of the Abkhazian railroad. Rail traffic on this route is currently set.

Approximately parallel to the railway line runs a road that Tqwartscheli with the city Otschamtschire on the National Road S 1 Sukhumi -Tbilisi connects.