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Adjara

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Adjara is an autonomous republic located in the southwestern corner of Georgia.

Adjara-gov-logo
Adjara-gov-logo

This political-administrative region sits on the coast of the Black Sea. It is positioned near the foot of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The territory lies just north of the country of Turkey. As an autonomous republic, it possesses specific rights to self-governance. This status is officially guaranteed under article 6 of the Treaty of Kars. The region serves as a major destination for tourists. It is home to approximately 401,100 people. The capital city is Batumi, which is Georgia's second most populous city.

Old Batumi
Old Batumi

The people living in this region are known as Adjarians. They are a regional subgroup of the larger Georgian ethnic group. Throughout history, Adjara has been part of various ancient polities. These included Colchis and Caucasian Iberia. In the 5th century BC, Greeks colonized the area. Later, the region fell under Roman control during the 2nd century BC. It eventually became part of the kingdom of Lazica. By the 8th century AD, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Abkhazia. This kingdom later led the unification of the Georgian monarchy in the 11th century.

Many different empires occupied the territory over the centuries. The First Persian Empire held the land in 500 BC. Later, the Seljuks arrived in the 11th century. The Mongols occupied the region in the 13th century. The Timurids followed in the 14th century. The Ottoman Empire conquered the area in 1614. Under the Ottoman millet system, subjects enjoyed religious freedom and self-governance. However, many Adjarians converted to Islam during the 200 years of Ottoman rule. The nobility were the first to convert. By the end of the 18th century, the population was fully Islamized. Despite this, they kept their native Georgian language.

In 1878, the Ottoman Empire ceded Adjara to the Russian Empire. This change happened under the Treaty of Berlin. The treaty allowed many Adjarians to emigrate to Turkey. This movement of people is known as Muhacir. At the same time, many Christians from Kakheti moved into the region. This shifted the religious landscape of the area. The Russian authorities built mosques and madrassas to win local loyalty. Within the Russian administrative system, the area was called the Batumi okrug. It was part of the Kutaisi Governorate.

Gonio, Batumi, Georgia
Gonio, Batumi, Georgia

The 20th century brought rapid political shifts to the region. In 1918, Georgia became an independent democratic republic. However, the Ottoman Empire invaded and captured Batumi in April 1918. The Treaty of Batum forced Georgia to cede the territory. After the Ottoman defeat in World War I, they withdrew. British troops entered Batumi in late 1918. A British military governor named James Cooke-Collis administered the region. The British withdrew in 1920, and Adjara rejoined Georgia. In 1921, the Red Army invaded Georgia. This led to the creation of the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. This was the only autonomous unit in the USSR based on religion.

After the Soviet Union dissolved, a leader named Aslan Abashidze took power. He became the chairman of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet in 1991. Abashidze turned the region into a personal fiefdom during the Georgian civil war. He ruled with an authoritarian style and controlled the media. He also captured customs revenue and wealth for himself. He used funds from the Sarpi border and an oil refinery in Batumi. His regime survived by maintaining stability and avoiding secessionist conflicts. However, he faced a major crisis following the Rose Revolution in 2003. The central government under Mikheil Saakashvili sought to reclaim authority. This led to clashes between paramilitaries and the Georgian army. In May 2004, Abashidze resigned and fled to Moscow.

Council of Ministers of Adjara
Council of Ministers of Adjara

Today, Adjara remains a vital part of the Georgian state. The central government has redefined the terms of its autonomy. Batumi continues to serve as a major economic and political hub. In 2007, the seat of the Georgian Constitutional Court moved to Batumi. The region maintains its unique cultural identity. This identity is shaped by its history of religious change and its Georgian roots. It remains a key link between Georgia and the Black Sea coast.

Council of Ministers of Adjara
Council of Ministers of Adjara
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File:Adjara-gov-logo.JPG
Adjara-gov-logo.JPG
File:Council of Ministers of Adjara.jpg
Council of Ministers of Adjara.jpg
File:Gonio, Batumi, Georgia.jpg
Gonio, Batumi, Georgia.jpg
File:Old Batumi.jpg
Old Batumi.jpg
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