city, capital of Abkhazia, Georgia. It lies on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Dioscurias on the Black Sea coast. Sokhumi's seaside location, beaches, and warm climate made it a popular Black Sea resort, with many sanatoriums and holiday camps. Local industries include fruit canning and wine making; there are also foundries and electrical-equipment plants. The city is the site of Sokhumi Botanical Garden, as well as a teacher-training institute and an institute of subtropical agriculture. Sokhumi was heavily damaged in 1993 during fighting between Abkhazian separatists and Georgian military forces holding the city. Pop. (2002) 43,716.