# Pitsunda

> town in Georgia

**Wikidata**: [Q211318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitsunda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pitsunda

## Summary
Pitsunda is a town located in the Gagra Municipality of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia. Situated on the coast of the Black Sea, it serves as a significant settlement within the region, known historically as Pityus. The town has a recorded population of approximately 4,107 residents as of 2019 and operates on UTC+03:00 time zone.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Instance of a city (large human settlement).
- **Location**: Georgia, Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Gagra Municipality (since 1992).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.159166666666664, Longitude 40.33972222222222.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+03:00.
- **Population**: 4,107 (2019, preferred value); 4,198 (2011); 11,030 (1989 census, historical peak).
- **Official Languages**: Abkhaz, Georgian.
- **Native Names**: Пицунда (Russian), ბიჭვინთა (Georgian).
- **Historical Entity**: Replaces the ancient entity known as Pityus.
- **License Plate Code**: ABH.
- **Twin Towns**: Dmitrov (Russia) and Kursk (Russia) (twinned since 2008).

## FAQs
**Where is Pitsunda located?**
Pitsunda is a town in the Gagra Municipality of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia within the country of Georgia. It is geographically positioned at 43.16°N latitude and 40.34°E longitude.

**What are the demographic trends in Pitsunda?**
The town experienced a population decline from a peak of 11,030 in 1989 to roughly 4,100 residents in the 2010s. The population has remained relatively stable in the last decade, fluctuating between 4,088 (2020) and 4,198 (2011).

**What is the historical significance of the town?**
Historically known as Pityus, the town has been documented in major encyclopedic works such as the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Sytin Military Encyclopedia. It contains a "Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire" identifier (21794), indicating its relevance in classical geography.

**What are the administrative details of Pitsunda?**
The town's official languages are Abkhaz and Georgian. From 1931 to 1992, it was part of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. As of 1992, it has been administratively located in the Gagra Municipality.

## Why It Matters
Pitsunda serves as a distinct geopolitical and historical landmark within the Abkhazia region of Georgia. Its significance is underscored by its long history, stretching back to the Roman era (associated with the entity Pityus), making it a subject of study in classical atlases and major historical encyclopedias like Brockhaus and Efron. The town's administrative transitions—from the Soviet era structure (1931–1992) to its current status in the Gagra Municipality—reflect the broader complex political changes in the Caucasus region. Furthermore, its maintenance of international town twinning relations with Russian cities like Kursk and Dmitrov highlights its ongoing regional connectivity.

## Notable For
- **Historical Continuity**: Succeeds the ancient settlement of Pityus and is recorded in the Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
- **Encyclopedic Recognition**: Described by authoritative sources including the Great Russian Encyclopedia portal, Brockhaus and Efron, and the Sytin Military Encyclopedia.
- **Demographic Shift**: Notable for a significant population decrease from 11,030 residents in 1989 to approximately 4,100 in recent years.
- **Multilingual Identity**: Possesses official status for both Abkhaz and Georgian languages, with native names reflecting both cultural influences.
- **Global Digital Presence**: Holds extensive digital identifiers across platforms, including VIAF, GND, Geonames, and Wikipedia (56 sitelinks across languages including Abkhaz, Arabic, Chinese, German, French, and others).

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Pitsunda is geographically situated at coordinates 43.159166666666664, 40.33972222222222. It falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Gagra Municipality, a status it has held since 1992. Prior to this, from February 19, 1931, until 1992, it was part of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. The town operates within the UTC+03:00 time zone. Vehicles registered in the region utilize the "ABH" license plate code.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Pitsunda has undergone substantial changes over the last fifty years.
- **Soviet Era Growth**: The population grew from 7,698 in 1970 to a peak of 11,030 by the 1989 census.
- **Post-Soviet Decline**: A significant drop occurred by 2003, with the population recorded at 3,842.
- **Recent Stability**: In the 2010s, the population stabilized around the 4,100 mark, with specific counts of 4,198 (2011), 4,186 (2012), and 4,180 (2014). The preferred statistical value for 2019 is 4,107, while 2020 data indicates 4,088 residents.

### Linguistics and Etymology
The town is officially bilingual, recognizing both Abkhaz and Georgian as official languages.
- **Native/Official Names**: The town is locally known as **Пицунда** (Russian) and **ბიჭვინთა** (Georgian).
- **Aliases**: It has been referenced historically and internationally by various names including Bichvinta, Pityos, Bitschwinta, Pitiunt (Питиунт), and Pityus.
- **Translations**: The Wikipedia entry exists in over 50 languages, including Japanese (ピツンダ), Chinese (比奇温塔), and Arabic (بيتيوس), indicating broad global recognition.

### Historical and Academic Documentation
Pitsunda is extensively cataloged in academic and military literature. It is described by the **Sytin Military Encyclopedia** and the **Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary** (and its smaller edition). The town also has a dedicated portal ID in the **Great Russian Encyclopedia**. Its historical roots are confirmed by its inclusion in the **Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire** with ID 21794.

### International Relations
Pitsunda maintains international municipal relationships.
- **Dmitrov**: A town twinning relationship exists with Dmitrov.
- **Kursk**: A twinning agreement was established with Kursk in 2008.

### Digital and Cultural Identifiers
The entity possesses a wide array of unique identifiers across library and knowledge systems:
- **Library Identifiers**: VIAF ID 139549292; GND ID 4046187-7; Library of Congress Authority ID n80025739; National Library of Israel ID 987007561925905171.
- **Encyclopedia IDs**: Georgian Encyclopedia ID 24190; Online PWN Encyclopedia ID 3956693; Grove Art Online ID T008766.
- **Wikimedia**: The town has a dedicated Commons category, a locator map image, and a page banner available via Wikimedia Commons.
- **Categories**: Associated Wikipedia categories include "Category:Pitsunda," "Category:Personalities:Pitsunda," and specific categories for people born in or deceased in the town.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.kurskadmin.ru/node/911)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/gagra11.html)
5. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-cities.htm)
6. GeoNames