Samtskhe-Javakheti
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It has been suggested that Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2010. |
| Samtskhe-Javakheti სამცხე-ჯავახეთის მხარე Samtskhe-Javakhetis mkhare |
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|---|---|
| — Mkhare (region) — | |
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| Country |  Georgia |
| Seat | Akhaltsikhe |
| Subdivisions | 6 regions |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Lasha Chkadua |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6,413 km2 (2,476.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 208,000 |
| • Density | 32.4/km2 (84/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | GE-SJ |
Samtskhe-Javakheti (Georgian: სამცხე-ჯავახეთი) (formerly Meskheti) is a region in southern Georgia, with Akhaltsikhe as its capital. Samtskhe-Javakheti comprises six administrative districts: Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Aspindza, Borjomi, Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda. There are 5 municipalities, 6 townlets, 67 community and village sakrebulos (assemblies), and 268 villages in the region. It is bordered by Guria and Imereti to the north, Kartli (Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli) to the north-east and to the east, Armenia and Turkey to the south and Ajara to the west. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the South Caucasus natural gas pipeline pass through this region.
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[edit] Expulsion of Meskhetian Turks from Meshketi
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Meskhetian Turks. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2009. |
Meskhetian Turks (or simply Meskhetians) are the former Muslim inhabitants of Meskheti (now known as Samtskhe) in Georgia, along the border with Turkey. From November 15 to November 25, 1944, they were deported in cattle-trucks to Central Asia by order of Stalin and settled within an area that overlaps the boundaries of the modern nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Today, many are still dispersed across those countries. Of the 100,000 forcibly deported, a total of 10,000 perished.[1]
[edit] Population
The majority of the inhabitants is ethnically Armenian, with large Georgian minority.[2] They speak Georgian, Armenian and Russian.[3]
[edit] Politics
According to the 2002 census, ethnic Armenians (chiefly concentrated in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts), are the majority in the region, making up about 54% of the population.[4] They share the region with Pontian Greeks, Ossetians and Georgians. Currently, they are underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially government. Only three of the governor’s 26 staff members are Armenian (11 per cent)[citation needed]. The same is true for the territorial departments of the various ministries. For instance, only sixteen of 82 staff members (19.5 per cent) of the tax department in Samtskhe-Javakheti are Armenian.[5] Lack of dialogue between local Armenians and the national government in Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination and alienation.[6] There have been demonstrations, police brutality and killings in this region.[7]
[edit] Tourist attractions
Two of the major tourist attractions are the cave monasteries of Vardzia (which was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185) and Vanis Kvabebi (which dates from the 8th century). They are located near the town of Aspindza.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2003/apr/05/guardianobituaries.usa as retrieved on 29 Apr 2008 20:59:44 GMT
- ^ http://www.eurasianet.org/georgia/samtskhe/story.html
- ^ http://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/files/2009/1838/working_paper_25.pdf
- ^ Statistics Georgia
- ^ Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities, 22 November 2006 (free registration needed to view the full report)
- ^ Reuters AlertNet - Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities
- ^ Reuters Foundation; Alertnet, 22 Nov 2006, [Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ICG/a839b86ed70730cc9b32cbd9a898fc90.htm]
[edit] Other sources
[edit] External links
- Friends at Dinner, Foes at Politics (about socio-economic problems of the region)
- Obstacles Impeding the Regional Integration of the Javalkheti Region, an ECMI working paper (PDF format)
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