Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is a region in western Georgia with a population of 308,358 and a surface of. Zugdidi is the region’s administrative center, and Giorgi Guguchia has been the governor of the region since June 2021. Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is compiled of the historical Georgian provinces of Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti.
Subdivisions
The region has one self governing city and 8 municipalities with 143 administrative communities, totalling to 531 populated settlements:- Eight cities: Abasha, Khobi, Martvili, Poti, Jvari, Zugdidi, Senaki and Tsalenjikha.
- Two dabas: Mestia, Chkhorotsku
- Villages: 521
| Map | Municipality |
| - | |
| City of Poti | |
| Abasha Municipality | |
| Zugdidi Municipality | |
| Martvili Municipality | |
| Mestia Municipality | |
| Senaki Municipality | |
| Chkhorotsku Municipality | |
| Tsalenjikha Municipality | |
| Khobi Municipality |
Geography
The Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Mkhare can be split into two historical regions; Svaneti and Samegrelo. In the northern part of Samegrelo lies the Egrisi Mountains. The municipalities of Chkhorotsqu, Martvili, and Tsalenjikha are located right next to the Egrisi mountain range in Northern Samegrelo. In the south lies the Kolkheti valley, which is a mostly flat region. The municipalities that lie in the valley are Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Abasha, and the city of Poti. The west side of Samegrelo borders Apkhazeti right on the Enguri River and the east borders Imereti on the Tskhenistsqali River. The important Rioni River of West Georgia also passes through Samegrelo, flowing into the black sea in the city of Poti. The other region; Zemo Svaneti, is located right next to the Northern Caucasus Mountain Range. Its only municipality is Mestia. Svaneti has the tallest mountain in Georgia, Mt. Shkhara, at 5,193 meters, or 17,037 feet.Demographic
Ethnic groups
According to the Georgian census of 2014, 99.37% of the population is Georgian.Languages
Georgian is spoken by the entire population of the region and by the ethnic minorities like Russians and others.Mingrelian is a Kartvelian language spoken by the Mingrelians, a sub-group of Georgian people and native to Mingrelia.
Svan is also a Kartvelian language, spoken by the Svans, a sub-group of Georgian people native to Svaneti.