The Shapsug were a very large tribe that occupied extensive territories of Black Sea coast and Kuban River. Different sources note that before the Caucasian war the number of Shapsug people was ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 people. The Shapsug had divisions of Big and Small Shapsug land, the latter being very close to the Natukhai tribe's land. The Shapsug took very active part in the Caucasian war. They had a reputation of invincible people and were one of the last to lay down their weapons under the pressure of tsarist troops in 1864. Some of Shapsug troops fought up to 1880s. After the end of the war the overwhelming majority of the Shapsug were forcefully evicted to Turkey and elsewhere in the Middle East. No more than 6,000 Shapsug people remained on their native land. Nowadays, they live on the territory of Krasnodarsky Krai and make about 20 villages. From 1924 to 1945, there was a Shapsug National District which was abolished during the time of repressions.