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Adzharia is an autonomous Republic of Adzharia on the territory of Georgia located in the utmost southwest of Georgia. All year long buried in green forests and washed by the Black Sea this ancient land situated at the bottom of mountain ridges of Minor Caucasus is fabulously beautiful and original. Mild climate and majestic nature reign there. Sea beaches, mountain ridges, velvet woods, crystal waterfalls, stone gorges, bottomless lakes, foamy rivers and many other beautiful natural attractions are concentrated in this small nook of the earth. Well-known Adzharian resorts with their fine beaches attracting numerous tourists are especially picturesque. But it's not only the pleasures of nature that make Adzharia a popular vacation spot. There the holiday makers can experience the unique exotic flavor of this place expressed in the motley mix of eastern and western cultures try delicious national dishes, become eyewitnesses of traditional life of the Adzharians, take pleasure in sightseeing, and buy original souvenirs.
The tourist infrastructure in Adzharia is now on a roll. Great sanatoria and boarding houses are being renovated. It is planned to increase the number of hotel complexes and to expand their services. The republic has great opportunities for every possible entertainment and sport: rock-climbing, hunting, fishing, picnics, water sports and others. Adzharia is also well-known for its curative mineral springs. A vacation in Adzharia will impress everyone who will choose to spend unforgettable days in the sunny Adzharia .
General Information
Autonomous Republic of Adzharia within the structure of Georgia
Capital city Batumi
Language Georgian (dialect)
Monetary unit lari
Population about 400,000. National structure: Georgians, Adzharians, Russians, Armenians, Greeks, etc.
Administrative division 5 areas: Shuakhevsky, Kedsky, Kobuletsky, Helvachaursky, Hulojsky. Two cities: Batumi the capital and Kobuleti. Seven urban settlements Keda, Ochkhamuri, Chakvi, Shuakhevi, Khelvachauri, Makhindzhauri, Hulo.
State System
Adzharia is an Autonomous Republic on the territory of Georgia founded under the Karsky Treaty signed October, 13th, 1921 (formerly Adzharskaya ASSR). It was formed in accordance with religious factor; the Adzharians living there are mostly Moslems. The status of Adzharian Autonomous Republic was legalized by 1991 Constitution of independent Georgia.
Adzharia has the two-chamber Parliament consisting of the Chamber of the Republic and the Senate. In 2004 the post of the Head of the Autonomy was annulled. The Chairman of the Supreme Council (the Parliament) is the highest rank in Adzharia executive branch.
Geography
The area of Adzharia is 2.9 thousand km sq. From the west and the northwest Adzharia is washed by the Black Sea , in the south it borders on Turkey (121-km border). Depending on environmental conditions the territory of Adzharia is divided into maritime and mountainous. Cuisine
Adzharian cuisine is similar to national Georgian with slight differences in cooking ways. The best Adzharian dishes are spicy kharcho, tender satsivi, and juicy khinkali. Specially baked Adzharian khachapuri and achma (a puff pie with cheese) and borano (baked milk, suluguni cheese, butter and eggs).
History
Adzharia was one of the pivotal areas of ancient Colchis kingdom (6th-3rd centuries BC). The coastal cities of Adzharia - Pichvnari, Batumi , Apsaros (Honio)) and others played an important role in political and economic life of Colchis kingdom and later - Iberian state whose structure also included Adzharia. Read more...
Religion
In the 1 st century AD Christianity penetrated Adzharia . However, Turkey , which dominated there for almost three centuries, strenuously pursued Islamization of Christian population. Today the number of Moslems in Adzharia makes about 30 %. The live mostly part in the rural areas. They build and restore mosques. According to the latest statistic information there are 62 mosques in the Republic including the one in Batumi. Read more...
Nature
Provided that the territory of Adzharia is divided into mountainous and maritime its relief is very diverse. The mountainous part is dominated by the Minor Caucasus ridges with average heights of 2,000-2,500 m. The maritime one is occupied by lowlands Kobuletian, Kakhaberian and Goniya; elevations, ridges (Shuakhevsky, Arsian, Adzhara -Imeretin). The highest is Mount Kann (3,007 m above the sea level). Read more...
Culture
In the southwest, in Adzharia live aboriginals - Georgians, forcefully torn off their native land and turned Moslems in the days of Turkish domination. Nevertheless, Adzharians have preserved their national character and native Georgian language. Now they are hard to distinguish from Georgians, except for some traditional ways. Read more...
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