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{{Infobox settlement
|name          = Otapi
|native_name            = {{langx|ab|Уатаҧ}}, {{lang-ka|ოტაფი}}
|other_name             =
|settlement_type        = Village and municipality
|image_skyline          =
|image_caption          =
|image_map              = Otap.PNG
|map_caption            = Municipal location within Ochamchira District (shaded orange)
|pushpin_map            = Georgia Abkhazia#Georgia (country)
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location of Otapi
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{Flag|Georgia}}
|subdivision_type1      = Partially recognized <br/>independent country <!--Country-->
|subdivision_name1      = {{flag|Abkhazia}}<ref name="Abk">{{Abkhazia-note}}</ref>
|subdivision_type2      = [[administrative divisions of Abkhazia|District]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Ochamchira District|Ochamchira]]
|leader_title           = District head (as of 2010)
|leader_name            = [[Murman Dzhopua]]
|established_title      =
|established_date       =
|area_total_km2         =
|population_as_of       = 2010
|population_footnotes   =
|population_total       = Approx. 150
|population_density_km2 =
|timezone               = [[Moscow Time|MSK]]
|utc_offset             = +3
|timezone_DST           =
|utc_offset_DST         = +4
|coordinates            = {{coord|42|55|18|N|41|32|43|E|region:GE-AB<!--ABK-->|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    =
|elevation_m            =
|website                =
|footnotes              =
}}
''' Otapi''' ({{langx|ab|Уатаҧ}}, {{lang-ka|ოტაფი}}) is a village and municipality in [[Ochamchira District]], [[Abkhazia]], a partially-recognized state claimed by [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. The village lies on the [[Otapi River]]. Otapi is noted for its [[karst cave]], [[Abrskil Cave]], which is a tourist attraction in the area.
==Etymology==
Otapi is also known by several other names such as Atap-Tsarakhmul, Tskar-Khumul, Tskarkhumuli and Tskhar-Khumul.
==Geography==
[[File:Abkhazia detail map2.png|left|250px]]
Otapi is in the northwestern part of Georgia and in the central-eastern part of Abkhazia. Within Ochamchira district it is in the central-northern area, to the northwest of [[Tkvarcheli]] and to the southeast of [[Tsebelda]] ([[Lata (village)|Lata]]).<ref>{{cite map|title=[[Google Maps]]|publisher=Google<!--|access-date=November 3, 2010-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite map|title=[[Bing Maps]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] and [[Harris Corporation]] Earthstar Geographics LLC<!--|access-date=November 3, 2010-->}}</ref> Populated towns within {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} distance from  the Otapi are the Mramba ({{convert|3.1|km|mi|abbr=on}}), the Akhyvaa ({{convert|3.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}), the Aymara ({{convert|4.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}) and the Androu ({{convert|4.8|km|mi|abbr=on}}).<ref name=Otap/>
The town is situated in a very mountainous terrain in the [[Greater Caucasus]] at an elevation of {{convert|255|m|ft}}. It experiences snowfall for a considerable duration of the year. The climate is cold and harsh during the winter months.
Mountains in this area of Abkhazia include [[Mount Achimedzmakh]], [[Eisirkhu]] ({{convert|1237|m|ft}}), [[Atvazhukhu]] ({{convert|895|m|ft}}) and [[Beduk]] ({{convert|392|m|ft}}).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GP8XAAAAIAAJ&q=otap+river|author=Shelley, Maryann|year=1956|title=Karst and caves in the Caucasus|publisher=Study (Field Research Projects)|page=30}}</ref><ref name=falling>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/GG/00/Otapi.html|title= Otap'i, Georgia Page|access-date=2010-11-04|publisher=Fallingrian.com}}</ref> Gora Atvazhu-Khu and Gora Beduk are the nearest mountains, which surround the town, within {{convert|3|km|mi}} distance.<ref name=Otap>{{Cite web|url=http://travelingluck.com/Asia/Georgia/Abkhazia**/_612545_Otap%27i.html#local_map|title=Otap'i, Abkhazia, Georgia|access-date=2010-11-04|publisher=Travelingluck}}</ref> Ablaskira Cave lies at an altitude of {{convert|600|-|700|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
The Otapi River flows through the village and continues south. [[Mokva River]] is another river that flows through this part of Abkhazia. Approximately {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} to {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the village is the greater [[Kodori River]], which eventually flows into the [[Black Sea]]. Two other small rivers which flow close to the town are the Ulys and the Dzhandzhali-Kvara Rivers.<ref name=Otap/>
==Population==
Before the [[1992-1993 Georgian-Abkhaz war|1992–1993 Georgian-Abkhaz war]], up to 125 families lived in Otapi.<ref name="gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.abkhaziagov.org/en/news/detail.php?ID=31767|title=President Sergey Bagapsh Promised to Help Village of Otapi Restore Unique Tourist Route to Abrskila Cave|publisher=Government of Abkhazia|date=June 10, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327142006/http://www.abkhaziagov.org/en/news/detail.php?ID=31767|archive-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref> The population of the village has declined considerably due to conflict in the region. As of 2010, Otapi contains about 50 houses and buildings.
==Transportation==
The nearest railroad is Stantsiya, Gupi, which is {{convert|11.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the town. The nearest airport is at Sukhumi dranda(SUI) {{convert|18|mi|km|abbr=on}} and Georgia is {{convert|41.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} away.<ref name=Otap/><ref name=falling/>
==Abrskila Cave==
There are two caves of note in the immediate region: Abrskila and Achkityzga.
Abrskil Cave (or "Abrskila") is a notable landmark in the area and it is named after the hero of the Abkhazian national epos, [[Abrskil]]. According to Prof. Shalwa Inal-yipa, it is the biggest cave in Caucasia.<ref name="circassianworld">{{cite web|url=http://www.circassianworld.com/Abriskil.html|title=Regarding The Myth of "Abriskil''|last=Shinkuba|first=Bagrat|access-date=4 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530214734/http://www.circassianworld.com/Abriskil.html|archive-date=30 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Characteristics of the cave include interior walls that reach a height of 30–40 meters and this karstic cave reaches a length of about {{convert|2|km|mi}},<ref name="gov"/> although only {{convert|1500|-|1700|m|ft}} are accessible to tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advantour.com/georgia/ochamchira/abrskil-cave.htm|title=Ochamchira Landmarks – Abrskil Cave in Otapi |publisher=Advantour|access-date=November 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720063958/http://www.advantour.com/georgia/ochamchira/abrskil-cave.htm|archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> The Achwats stream flows out of the cave and into the Duab River. The part of the cave which is open to tourists consists of four halls with [[stalactite]]s and [[stalagmite]]s. At the cave entrance, tourists can view a waterfall, as well as the [[Kelasuri Wall|Great Abkhazian Wall]] towers.<ref name="advantour">{{cite web|url=http://www.advantour.com/georgia/ochamchira/abrskil-cave.htm|title=Ochamchira Landmarks – Abrskil Cave in Otapi|access-date=4 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720063958/http://www.advantour.com/georgia/ochamchira/abrskil-cave.htm|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> On June 6, 2010, President [[Sergey Bagapsh]] visited the village of Otapi and the Abrskil Cave with MP [[Zaur Adleiba]] and the Ochamchira district governor [[Murman Dzhopua]] and pledged to provide the assistance needed to restore a tourist route to Abrskil cave.<ref name="gov"/> The villagers of Otapi rely heavily on tourists visiting this cave for their livelihoods and selling locally produced farm goods to them.<ref name="gov"/> The Abkhaz state-owned company, [[Chernomorenergo]], has been responsible for providing the cave with electricity to light up the tunnels and attract more tourists to fuel the local economy.<ref name="gov"/>
Peshchera Achkityzga Cave is situated on the side of a cliff within {{convert|1|km|mi}} distance from the town of Otapi.<ref name=Otap/>
==See also==
* [[Ochamchira District]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.tageo.com/index-e-gg-v-02-d-135125.htm Otap'i]
[[Category:Populated places in Ochamchira District]]