Sukhumi regime preliminary results of census

The statistical service of the so called separatist Abkhazia published preliminary results of the census on March 28, 2011. The census was carried out in February. According to the results, there are 242 826 people in Abkhazia. In the census of 2003, there were 214 000 people registered in Abkhazia. The information about the size of the population in Abkhazia was always controversial and almost certainly not correct. Different sources gave different figures varying from 180 000 to 220 000. The International Crisis Group, based on the 2005 elections in Abkhazia, assessed that the Abkhazian population should be between 157 000 and 190 000. The Abkhazian statistical service made the statement that the final results of the census, including the ethnic representation of the population will be known by the end of this year. In the preliminary data it is shown that in Sokhumi there are 64 478 people, in Gali region 30 437, in Gagra region 39 342, in Gudauta region 37 143, in Ochamchire region 25 235, in Gulripshi region – 18 146, in Tkvarcheli region 16 000.