Adjara: Difference between revisions
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| ethnic_groups_year = 2014<ref>{{Cite web|title=census – Demographic and social characteristics|url=http://census.ge/en/results/census1/demo|access-date=2021-02-14|website=census.ge|archive-date=2019-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815124343/http://census.ge/en/results/census1/demo|url-status=dead}}</ref> | | ethnic_groups_year = 2014<ref>{{Cite web|title=census – Demographic and social characteristics|url=http://census.ge/en/results/census1/demo|access-date=2021-02-14|website=census.ge|archive-date=2019-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815124343/http://census.ge/en/results/census1/demo|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| religion = 54.5% [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christianity]]<br>39.8% [[Islam]]<br>2.8% [[Irreligion|None]]<br>0.3% [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]<br>1.3% Other<br>1.3% No answer | | religion = 54.5% [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christianity]]<br>39.8% [[Islam]]<br>2.8% [[Irreligion|None]]<br>0.3% [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]<br>1.3% Other<br>1.3% No answer | ||
|religion_year= 2014<ref name="pop"> | |religion_year= 2014<ref name="pop">{{Cite web|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-religion2014b.htm|title=Religious composition of Georgia 2014|website=pop-stat.mashke.org}}</ref> | ||
| capital = [[Batumi]] | | capital = [[Batumi]] | ||
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|39|N|42|0|E|type:city}} | | coordinates = {{Coord|41|39|N|42|0|E|type:city}} | ||
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| percent_water = negligible | | percent_water = negligible | ||
| population_census = 401,100 | | population_census = 401,100 | ||
| population_census_year = 2024<ref>{{ | | population_census_year = 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://census2024.geostat.ge/en/results|title=Census 2024|website=census2024.geostat.ge}}</ref> | ||
| population_density_km2 = 139.3 | | population_density_km2 = 139.3 | ||
| population_density_rank = | | population_density_rank = | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
{{main|History of Adjara}} | {{main|History of Adjara}} | ||
Adjara was a part of Georgian polities, [[Colchis]] and [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Caucasian Iberia]], since ancient times.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morritt |first=Robert D. |date=2017 |title=Stones that Speak |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1EaBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA140 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publisher |isbn=9781443821766 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref>Ronald G. Suny - The Making of the Georgian Nation. Indiana University Press. Page 8</ref> Colonized by [[Greeks]] in the 5th century BC, the region fell under Rome in the 2nd century BC. It became part of the kingdom of [[Lazica]] before being incorporated into the [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]] in the 8th century AD, the latter led [[Kingdom of Georgia#Unification of the Georgian State|unification of Georgian monarchy]] in the 11th century. | Adjara was a part of Georgian polities, [[Colchis]] and [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Caucasian Iberia]], since ancient times.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morritt |first=Robert D. |date=2017 |title=Stones that Speak |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1EaBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA140 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publisher |isbn=9781443821766 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref>Ronald G. Suny - The Making of the Georgian Nation. Indiana University Press. Page 8</ref> Colonized by [[Greeks]] in the 5th century BC, the region fell under [[Rome]] in the 2nd century BC. It became part of the kingdom of [[Lazica]] before being incorporated into the [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]] in the 8th century AD, the latter led [[Kingdom of Georgia#Unification of the Georgian State|unification of Georgian monarchy]] in the 11th century. | ||
Adjaria was occupied by several empires: the [[Achaemenid Empire|First Persian Empire]] (500 BC), [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuks]] (11th century), [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]] (13th century), and [[Timurid Empire|Timurids]] (14th century).{{sfn|George|2009|p=99}} | Adjaria was occupied by several empires: the [[Achaemenid Empire|First Persian Empire]] (500 BC), [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuks]] (11th century), [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]] (13th century), and [[Timurid Empire|Timurids]] (14th century).{{sfn|George|2009|p=99}} | ||
=== Ottoman period === | === Ottoman period === | ||
The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] conquered the area in 1614. Although, the [[Millet (Ottoman Empire)|Ottoman millet system]] allowed its subjects extensive self-governance and [[religious freedom]], many Adjarians gradually chose to convert to [[Islam]] during the 200 years of Ottoman presence.{{sfn|George|2009|pp=99–100}}<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bennigsen|first1=Alexandre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nO0NAQAAMAAJ|title=Muslims of the Soviet Empire: A Guide|last2=Wimbush|first2=S. Enders|date=1986|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-33958-4|pages=207|language=en}}</ref> Despite this, the population never abandoned its native Georgian tongue and avoided demographic | The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] conquered the area in 1614. Although, the [[Millet (Ottoman Empire)|Ottoman millet system]] allowed its subjects extensive self-governance and [[religious freedom]], many Adjarians gradually chose to convert to [[Islam]] during the 200 years of Ottoman presence.{{sfn|George|2009|pp=99–100}}<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bennigsen|first1=Alexandre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nO0NAQAAMAAJ|title=Muslims of the Soviet Empire: A Guide|last2=Wimbush|first2=S. Enders|date=1986|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-33958-4|pages=207|language=en}}</ref> Despite this, the population never abandoned its native Georgian tongue and avoided demographic influence from the Ottomans.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gachechiladze|first=Revaz|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_New_Geo1rgia/hGVuBwAAQBAJ|title= The New Georgia: Space, Society, Politics|date=2014|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn= 9781317762560|page=25}}</ref> The [[Nobility of Georgia (country)|nobility]] converted to Islam first.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=249}} Adjarians were fully Islamized by the end of the eighteenth century.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=249}} | ||
=== Russian Empire === | === Russian Empire === | ||
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In 1918, Georgia regained its independence as a [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|democratic republic]] and Adjara became part of it. However, in April 1918, the [[Ottoman Empire]] invaded Georgia and captured Batumi. The operation was conducted on 13–14 April 1918, with the 37th Division entering Batumi under the command of Colonel [[Kâzım Karabekir]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gürbüz|first=Musa|date=2009|title=Turkish Military Activities in the Caucasus Following the 1917 Russian Revolution: The Battle of Sardarabad and its Political Consequences|journal=Review of Armenian Studies|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/777679|volume=19–20}}</ref> | In 1918, Georgia regained its independence as a [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|democratic republic]] and Adjara became part of it. However, in April 1918, the [[Ottoman Empire]] invaded Georgia and captured Batumi. The operation was conducted on 13–14 April 1918, with the 37th Division entering Batumi under the command of Colonel [[Kâzım Karabekir]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gürbüz|first=Musa|date=2009|title=Turkish Military Activities in the Caucasus Following the 1917 Russian Revolution: The Battle of Sardarabad and its Political Consequences|journal=Review of Armenian Studies|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/777679|volume=19–20}}</ref> | ||
On 4 June 1918, the [[Treaty of Batum]] was signed, under which Georgia was forced to cede Adjara to the Ottoman Empire.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Varshalomidze|first=Archil|date=2019|title=South-Western Georgia (Ajara) within the Geostrategic Interests of the Ottoman Empire in the First Quarter of XX Century|journal=Herald of Oriental Studies|url=https://hos.openjournals.ge/index.php/hos/article/download/2805/2955}}</ref> However, due to the Ottoman defeat in the First World War and the [[Treaty of Mudros]], the Ottomans soon withdrew the territory.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Saparov|first=Arsène|date=March 2012|title=Why Autonomy? The Making of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region 1918–1925|journal=Europe-Asia Studies|volume=64|issue=2|page=284|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41478346|doi=10.1080/09668136.2011.642583|jstor=41478346 |s2cid=154783461 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The British warship {{HMS|Liverpool|1909|6}}) troops in entered Batumi in 1918,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Rose|first=John D.|date=April 1980|title=Batum as Domino, 1919–1920: The Defence of India in Transcaucasia|journal=The International History Review|volume=2|issue=2|page=266|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40105753|doi=10.1080/07075332.1980.9640214|jstor=40105753 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and Adjara was temporarily placed under the British Military Governor [[James Cooke-Collis]], who established the Council for the Administration of Batoum and its Region to administer the region in December 1918. The British withdrew in 1920 and Adjara rejoined the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]].<ref>{{cite news|date=7 July 2020|title=Batumi: Travails of the City|website= | On 4 June 1918, the [[Treaty of Batum]] was signed, under which Georgia was forced to cede Adjara to the Ottoman Empire.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Varshalomidze|first=Archil|date=2019|title=South-Western Georgia (Ajara) within the Geostrategic Interests of the Ottoman Empire in the First Quarter of XX Century|journal=Herald of Oriental Studies|url=https://hos.openjournals.ge/index.php/hos/article/download/2805/2955}}</ref> However, due to the Ottoman defeat in the First World War and the [[Treaty of Mudros]], the Ottomans soon withdrew the territory.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Saparov|first=Arsène|date=March 2012|title=Why Autonomy? The Making of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region 1918–1925|journal=Europe-Asia Studies|volume=64|issue=2|page=284|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41478346|doi=10.1080/09668136.2011.642583|jstor=41478346 |s2cid=154783461 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The British warship {{HMS|Liverpool|1909|6}}) troops in entered Batumi in 1918,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Rose|first=John D.|date=April 1980|title=Batum as Domino, 1919–1920: The Defence of India in Transcaucasia|journal=The International History Review|volume=2|issue=2|page=266|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40105753|doi=10.1080/07075332.1980.9640214|jstor=40105753 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and Adjara was temporarily placed under the British Military Governor [[James Cooke-Collis]], who established the Council for the Administration of Batoum and its Region to administer the region in December 1918. The British withdrew in 1920 and Adjara rejoined the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]].<ref>{{cite news|date=7 July 2020|title=Batumi: Travails of the City|website=Civil Georgia|url=https://civil.ge/archives/358559|access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Rose|first=John D.|date=April 1980|title=Batum as Domino, 1919–1920: The Defence of India in Transcaucasia|journal=The International History Review|volume=2|issue=2|page=286|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40105753|doi=10.1080/07075332.1980.9640214|jstor=40105753 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The British administration ceded the region to the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]] on July 20, 1920.<ref name=experiment>{{cite book|access-date=2022-09-05|date=2017|edition=1st|first1=Eric|isbn=978-1-78699-092-1|last1=Lee|location=[[London]]|pages=135|publisher=ZED Books|title=The Experiment: Georgia's Forgotten Revolution 1918-1921|url=https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/the-experiment-georgia-s-forgotten-revolution-19181921/}}</ref> It was granted autonomy under the Georgian constitution adopted in February 1921 when the [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|Red Army invaded Georgia]].<ref name=constitution1921>{{Cite web| url=https://matiane.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/constitution-of-georgia-1921/ | title=Constitution Of Georgia (1921), Article 107| date=4 September 2012|publisher=Matiane |access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> Turkey reinvaded Adjara in March 1921, although Georgians defeated Turks in the [[Battle of Batumi]] and [[Ankara]]'s government ceded the territory to Georgia under Article VI of [[Treaty of Kars]] on the condition that autonomy be provided for the [[Islam|Muslim]] population, while Turkish commodities were guaranteed free transit through the port of [[Batumi]].{{sfn|George|2009|p=100}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}}<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.deutscharmenischegesellschaft.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Vertrag-von-Kars-23.-Oktober-1921.pdf | title=Treaty of Kars (Treaty of Friendship between Turkey, the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia, the Azerbaijan Socialist Soviet Republic, and the Socialist Soviet Republic of Georgia) |date=1921-10-23 | accessdate=2022-03-03 }}</ref> The Soviets established in 1921 the [[Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] within the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic]] in accord with this clause, thus Adjara remained part of Georgia. The autonomous republic was the only autonomous unit in the USSR based solely on religion.{{efn|The other autonomous unit based on an ethnoreligious factor was the [[Jewish Autonomous Oblast]].}}<ref name=coene>{{cite book |last1=Coene |first1=Frederik |date=2010 |title=The Caucasus, an introduction |edition=1st |publisher=Routledge |location=[[London]] |pages=162 |isbn=9780415666831| url=https://www.routledge.com/The-Caucasus---An-Introduction/Coene/p/book/9780415666831 |access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> However, Stalin's definition of what constituted a nation was based on language. Without their own language, Adjars did not develop a strong sense of national identity, separate from Georgian.{{sfn|Kaufman|2001|p=124}} Moreover, the Soviet atheist ideology dampened religious practice.{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}} In the 1920s, the Ajars rebelled against the Soviet anti-Islamic activities, as well as against the collectivization reforms.{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}} The armed uprising began in the mountainous regions of Adjara in April 1929. Soviet troops were deployed in response and swiftly quelled the revolt.<ref>Peter Malcolm Holt, Ann K. S. Lambton, Bernard Lewis (1977), The Cambridge history of Islam, p. 639. [[Cambridge University Press]], {{ISBN|0-521-29136-4}}</ref> | ||
===Independent Georgia=== | ===Independent Georgia=== | ||
After Georgian independence, [[Aslan Abashidze]] became the chairman of Adjaria's parliament, the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. Abashidze was initially appointed by the first Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adjara Celebrates Abashidze's Departure |date=6 May 2004 |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105875}}</ref> However, he later took advantage of the [[Georgian Civil War|civil war]] in the country and turned Adjara into the personal fiefdom, although it remained relatively prosperous enclave in an otherwise rather chaotic country.<ref name="Abash">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3683629.stm|title=Aslan Abashidze|publisher=BBC|language=English|date=4 May 2004|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> During the [[1991–1992 Georgian coup d'état]] which ousted Gamsakhurdia from power, Abashidze declared a [[state of emergency]] in Adjara, closing its borders and shutting down the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. In response to pressure from the Adjarian opposition led by [[Republican Party of Georgia]], Georgia's new leader [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] met Aslan Abashidze in Batumi and persuaded him to resume the Supreme Soviet sessions in May 1992. However, the opposition failed to oust Abashidze. While Shevardnadze could easily sway certain members of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet against Abashidze, he did not do so. Being brought to power through the coup launched by the militia leaders [[Jaba Ioseliani]] and [[Tengiz Kitovani]], Shevardnadze saw Abashidze as a useful counterweight against these warlords.<ref name="wheatley"/> | After Georgian independence, [[Aslan Abashidze]] became the chairman of Adjaria's parliament, the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. Abashidze was initially appointed by the first Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adjara Celebrates Abashidze's Departure |date=6 May 2004 |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105875}}</ref> However, he later took advantage of the [[Georgian Civil War|civil war]] in the country and turned Adjara into the personal fiefdom, although it remained relatively prosperous enclave in an otherwise rather chaotic country.<ref name="Abash">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3683629.stm|title=Aslan Abashidze|publisher=BBC|language=English|date=4 May 2004|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> During the [[1991–1992 Georgian coup d'état]] which ousted Gamsakhurdia from power, Abashidze declared a [[state of emergency]] in Adjara, closing its borders and shutting down the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. In response to pressure from the Adjarian opposition led by [[Republican Party of Georgia]], Georgia's new leader [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] met Aslan Abashidze in Batumi and persuaded him to resume the [[Supreme Soviet]] sessions in May 1992. However, the opposition failed to oust Abashidze. While Shevardnadze could easily sway certain members of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet against Abashidze, he did not do so. Being brought to power through the coup launched by the militia leaders [[Jaba Ioseliani]] and [[Tengiz Kitovani]], Shevardnadze saw Abashidze as a useful counterweight against these warlords.<ref name="wheatley"/> | ||
Further exploiting the instability, at this time brought by the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)|War in Abkhazia]], Abashidze moved to further consolidate his power. During the summer of 1992, Abashidze appointed a seven-member Presidium of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet, made up of his supporters, and ruled by decree through this body. The Supreme Soviet, on the other hand, practically ceased to convene. Abashidze unilaterally took power without formal agreement and started to withhold tax revenue and capture Adjara's considerable wealth.{{sfn|George|2009|p=121}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=123}} However, he managed to prevent various paramilitary groups from entering Adjara's territory, and preserved peace through [[authoritarianism]], which brought him considerable popularity.<ref name="wheatley"/> | Further exploiting the instability, at this time brought by the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)|War in Abkhazia]], Abashidze moved to further consolidate his power. During the summer of 1992, Abashidze appointed a seven-member Presidium of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet, made up of his supporters, and ruled by decree through this body. The Supreme Soviet, on the other hand, practically ceased to convene. Abashidze unilaterally took power without formal agreement and started to withhold tax revenue and capture Adjara's considerable wealth.{{sfn|George|2009|p=121}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=123}} However, he managed to prevent various paramilitary groups from entering Adjara's territory, and preserved peace through [[authoritarianism]], which brought him considerable popularity.<ref name="wheatley"/> | ||
After the end of Georgia's civil war, Abashidze reached agreement with the Georgian president [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] to stay in power.<ref name="Abash"/> Shevardnadze, who had yet to cement his power in Georgia, ignored Abashidze's authoritarian rule and even appreciated that it brought stability to the region.<ref name="wheatley">{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|pages=70–71}}</ref> The central government in Tbilisi had very little say in what went on in Adjara. Elections in Adjara were not [[Free and fair election|free and fair]], Abashidze controlled the media and captured customs revenue for his personal enrichment.{{sfn|George|2009|p=129}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=137}} Abashidze instituted | After the end of Georgia's civil war, Abashidze reached agreement with the Georgian president [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] to stay in power.<ref name="Abash"/> Shevardnadze, who had yet to cement his power in Georgia, ignored Abashidze's authoritarian rule and even appreciated that it brought stability to the region.<ref name="wheatley">{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|pages=70–71}}</ref> The central government in Tbilisi had very little say in what went on in Adjara. Elections in Adjara were not [[Free and fair election|free and fair]], [[Abashidze]] controlled the media and captured customs revenue for his personal enrichment.{{sfn|George|2009|p=129}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=137}} Abashidze instituted border control with the rest of Georgia and created armed paramilitaries.<ref>{{cite web|title= Aslan Abashidze, a Man of Feudal Loyalty and Pride|date=21 December 2002 |url=https://civil.ge/archives/106959}}</ref> However, he asserted that Adjara wasn't separatist.{{sfn|George|2009|p=121}}{{sfn|George|2009|pp=122–123}} Adjara is the only autonomous region in the [[Southern Caucasus]] which has not been involved in the secessionist conflict with the central government since the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]]. While [[Adjarians]], a subgroup of [[ethnic Georgians]], adopted [[Islam]] during the centuries of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman imperial rule]] over Adjara, which differentiated them from the rest of Georgian subethnicities who adhere to [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]], Adjarians at the same time retained many cultural similarities with Christian Georgians and never developed a separate "Adjarian identity", remaining accepted within the definition of Georgian nation. This provided insufficient base for a strong [[Nationalism|nationalist]] or excessively [[Regionalism (politics)|regionalist]] movement in Adjara. Moreover, a considerable power and resources allowed Abashidze to politically and financially establish a national political role throughout whole Georgia, and the Union for the Revival took part in the [[Elections in Georgia (country)|nationwide Georgian elections]].<ref name="world">{{cite journal|last= Cornell|first=Svante|url=http://www.cornellcaspian.com/pub2/54.2cornell.pdf|title= Autonomy as a source of conflict: Caucasian conflicts and theoretical perspective |publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press|journal=World Politics|volume=54|issue=2|date=January 2002|pages=274–275}}</ref> | ||
Abashidze's regime survived on receiving funds from the customs control in [[Sarpi, Georgia|Sarpi]] at [[Georgia–Turkey border]], contraband of cigarettes and allegedly also weapons and narcotics, an oil refinery in Batumi and selling of ships stationed in Adjara without Georgian government's approval.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=115}}</ref> Even though Shevardnadze often complained about Abashidze's aggressive autonomous strategy, they had good relationships and supported each other when they needed public support.{{sfn|George|2009|p=129}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=141}} Initially Abashidze's [[Democratic Union for Revival]] and Shevardnadze's [[Union of Citizens of Georgia]] worked together in [[Parliament of Georgia|Georgian Parliament]] and Adjarian Supreme Council following new elections in 1995–1996. However, a series of disputes with UCG in 1997 concerning limits of Abashidze's power in Adjara and defections of his party deputies to UCG led Abashidze to view the UCG and especially its 'reformists' faction with suspicions and he withdrew into opposition, establishing a powerful anti-CUG bloc which took part in the [[1999 Georgian parliamentary election]] and garnered around 25 per cent of the vote.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=124}}</ref> | Abashidze's regime survived on receiving funds from the customs control in [[Sarpi, Georgia|Sarpi]] at [[Georgia–Turkey border]], contraband of cigarettes and allegedly also weapons and narcotics, an oil refinery in Batumi and selling of ships stationed in Adjara without Georgian government's approval.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=115}}</ref> Even though [[Eduard Shevardnadze|Shevardnadze]] often complained about Abashidze's aggressive autonomous strategy, they had good relationships and supported each other when they needed public support.{{sfn|George|2009|p=129}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=141}} Initially Abashidze's [[Democratic Union for Revival]] and Shevardnadze's [[Union of Citizens of Georgia]] worked together in [[Parliament of Georgia|Georgian Parliament]] and Adjarian Supreme Council following new elections in 1995–1996. However, a series of disputes with UCG in 1997 concerning limits of Abashidze's power in Adjara and defections of his party deputies to UCG led Abashidze to view the UCG and especially its 'reformists' faction with suspicions and he withdrew into opposition, establishing a powerful anti-CUG bloc which took part in the [[1999 Georgian parliamentary election]] and garnered around 25 per cent of the vote.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=124}}</ref> | ||
In 2000, by withdrawing his candidacy from the [[2000 Georgian presidential election|presidential elections in Georgia]], Abashidze managed to get Shevardnadze to change Georgian constitution to increase Adjara's status. From 1997 to 2001, Abashidze passed several amendments to Adjara's constitution to strengthen his power. He established the post of a directly elected Head of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara with powers to control any movement of military on Adjara's territory, and was elected on this position in November 2001 while being the only candidate.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=116}}</ref> | In 2000, by withdrawing his candidacy from the [[2000 Georgian presidential election|presidential elections in Georgia]], Abashidze managed to get [[Eduard Shevardnadze|Shevardnadze]] to change Georgian constitution to increase Adjara's status. From 1997 to 2001, Abashidze passed several amendments to Adjara's constitution to strengthen his power. He established the post of a directly elected Head of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara with powers to control any movement of military on Adjara's territory, and was elected on this position in November 2001 while being the only candidate.<ref>{{cite book |last= Wheatley|first=Jonathan|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dGqLAAAAMAAJ|title= Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution |date=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn= 9780754645030|page=116}}</ref> | ||
The situation changed following the [[Rose Revolution]] of 2003 when Shevardnadze was deposed in favor of the reformist opposition leader [[Mikheil Saakashvili]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105112 |title=Saakashvili's Vows Improvements with Drastic Measures|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-25 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> Adjaran leader [[Aslan Abashidze]], being in strong opposition to the [[Rose Revolution]], declared a state of emergency immediately after [[Eduard Shevardnadze]]'s ousting on 23 November 2003.{{refn| name=icgpage6|International Crisis Group, 2004, page 6.<ref name=icg-ajara1>{{cite report |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/saakashvilis-ajara-success-repeatable-elsewhere-georgia | title=Saakashvili's Ajara Success: Repeatable Elsewhere in Georgia?|id=ICG Europe Briefing 34| publisher=[[International Crisis Group]] |date=2004-08-18|accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref>}} He intensified a crackdown on opposition, with dozens being injured as a result of clashes between protesters and police in the southern Adjaran village of [[Gonio (settlement)|Gonio]] in January 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105077 |title=Adjarian Police Foiled Protest Rally|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-19 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> Soon after his inauguration as president in January 2004, Saakashvili took aim at Abashidze with strong [[anticorruption]] reforms.{{sfn|George|2009|pp=172–173}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105123 |title=Georgia Has a New President|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-25 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> In the wake of Abashidze's visit to [[Moscow]], the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Russian Foreign Ministry]] issued a statement on January 20 backing Abashidze's policy and condemning his opposition as "extremist forces".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/104987 |title=Moscow Backs Abashidze, Slams "Extremist" Forces in Adjara|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-21 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> In spring 2004, a major [[2004 Adjara crisis|crisis in Adjara]] erupted as the central government sought to reimpose its authority on the region. It led to several encounters between Abashidze's paramilitaries and the [[Defence Forces of Georgia|Georgian army]].{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} However, Saakashvili's ultimate and mass protests in [[Batumi]] against Abashidze's autocratic rule forced the Adjaran leader to resign in May 2004. Facing charges of [[embezzlement]] and murder, Abashidze destroyed the bridges between Adjara and the rest of Georgia to delay the advance of Georgian troops in Batumi and then fled to Moscow.{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} Even Abashidze's former ally, Haji Mahmud Kamashidze, sided with Saakashvili.{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} Saakashvili wanted Adjara to keep a significant autonomy.{{sfn|George|2009|p=176}} A new law was therefore introduced to redefine the terms of Adjara's autonomy. [[Levan Varshalomidze]] succeeded Abashidze as the chairman of the government.<ref name="icg-ajara">{{cite report |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/saakashvilis-ajara-success-repeatable-elsewhere-georgia | title=Saakashvili's Ajara Success: Repeatable Elsewhere in Georgia?|pages=6–11|id=ICG Europe Briefing 34| publisher=[[International Crisis Group]] |date=2004-08-18|accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> | The situation changed following the [[Rose Revolution]] of 2003 when Shevardnadze was deposed in favor of the reformist opposition leader [[Mikheil Saakashvili]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105112 |title=Saakashvili's Vows Improvements with Drastic Measures|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-25 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> Adjaran leader [[Aslan Abashidze]], being in strong opposition to the [[Rose Revolution]], declared a state of emergency immediately after [[Eduard Shevardnadze]]'s ousting on 23 November 2003.{{refn| name=icgpage6|International Crisis Group, 2004, page 6.<ref name=icg-ajara1>{{cite report |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/saakashvilis-ajara-success-repeatable-elsewhere-georgia | title=Saakashvili's Ajara Success: Repeatable Elsewhere in Georgia?|id=ICG Europe Briefing 34| publisher=[[International Crisis Group]] |date=2004-08-18|accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref>}} He intensified a crackdown on opposition, with dozens being injured as a result of clashes between protesters and police in the southern Adjaran village of [[Gonio (settlement)|Gonio]] in January 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105077 |title=Adjarian Police Foiled Protest Rally|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-19 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> Soon after his inauguration as president in January 2004, Saakashvili took aim at Abashidze with strong [[anticorruption]] reforms.{{sfn|George|2009|pp=172–173}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/105123 |title=Georgia Has a New President|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-25 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> In the wake of Abashidze's visit to [[Moscow]], the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Russian Foreign Ministry]] issued a statement on January 20 backing Abashidze's policy and condemning his opposition as "extremist forces".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/104987 |title=Moscow Backs Abashidze, Slams "Extremist" Forces in Adjara|work=Civil Georgia |date=2004-01-21 |accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> In spring 2004, a major [[2004 Adjara crisis|crisis in Adjara]] erupted as the central government sought to reimpose its authority on the region. It led to several encounters between Abashidze's paramilitaries and the [[Defence Forces of Georgia|Georgian army]].{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} However, Saakashvili's ultimate and mass protests in [[Batumi]] against Abashidze's autocratic rule forced the Adjaran leader to resign in May 2004. Facing charges of [[embezzlement]] and murder, Abashidze destroyed the bridges between Adjara and the rest of Georgia to delay the advance of Georgian troops in Batumi and then fled to Moscow.{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} Even Abashidze's former ally, Haji Mahmud Kamashidze, sided with Saakashvili.{{sfn|George|2009|p=175}} [[Mikheil Saakashvili|Saakashvili]] wanted Adjara to keep a significant autonomy.{{sfn|George|2009|p=176}} A new law was therefore introduced to redefine the terms of Adjara's autonomy. [[Levan Varshalomidze]] succeeded Abashidze as the chairman of the government.<ref name="icg-ajara">{{cite report |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/saakashvilis-ajara-success-repeatable-elsewhere-georgia | title=Saakashvili's Ajara Success: Repeatable Elsewhere in Georgia?|pages=6–11|id=ICG Europe Briefing 34| publisher=[[International Crisis Group]] |date=2004-08-18|accessdate=2022-09-05}}</ref> | ||
In July 2007, the seat of the [[Constitutional Court of Georgia|Georgian Constitutional Court]] was moved from Tbilisi to Batumi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constcourt.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=13 |title=Constitutional Court of Georgia – Brief History |work=constcourt.ge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721030206/http://www.constcourt.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=13 |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> In November 2007 Russia ended its two-century military presence in the region by withdrawing from the [[12th Military Base]] (the former 145th Motor Rifle Division) in Batumi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia closes last military base in Georgia|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-russia-bases-idUSL1387605220071113|work=Reuters|date=13 November 2007|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016070905/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/13/us-georgia-russia-bases-idUSL1387605220071113|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=16321 Russia Hands Over Batumi Military Base to Georgia]. Civil Georgia, Tbilisi. 2007-11-13.</ref> | In July 2007, the seat of the [[Constitutional Court of Georgia|Georgian Constitutional Court]] was moved from Tbilisi to Batumi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constcourt.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=13 |title=Constitutional Court of Georgia – Brief History |work=constcourt.ge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721030206/http://www.constcourt.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=13 |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> In November 2007 Russia ended its two-century military presence in the region by withdrawing from the [[12th Military Base]] (the former 145th Motor Rifle Division) in Batumi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia closes last military base in Georgia|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-russia-bases-idUSL1387605220071113|work=Reuters|date=13 November 2007|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016070905/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/13/us-georgia-russia-bases-idUSL1387605220071113|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=16321 Russia Hands Over Batumi Military Base to Georgia]. Civil Georgia, Tbilisi. 2007-11-13.</ref> | ||
Turkey still has noticeable economic and religious influence in Adjara, making some Georgians wary of the Turkish presence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Georgians Wary of Turkey's Rising Influence in Batumi|date=2017-03-09|url=https://eurasianet.org/georgians-wary-of-turkeys-rising-influence-in-batumi|publisher=Eurasianet|quote=While the government does not release figures on the levels of Turkish investment in Ajara, it represents roughly 80–90 percent of the total foreign investment in the region, a former regional government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Balci|first1=Bayram|title=Strengths and Constraints of Turkish Policy in the South Caucasus|url=http://carnegieendowment.org/2014/06/18/strengths-and-constraints-of-turkish-policy-in-south-caucasus|publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|date=18 June 2014|quote=Turkish religious influence is notable, not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Muslim regions of Georgia (in the region of Adjara and the border areas of Azerbaijan).|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922021604/https://carnegieendowment.org/2014/06/18/strengths-and-constraints-of-turkish-policy-in-south-caucasus|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Islam in Georgia |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295315/March_14_Islam_in_Georgia_final.doc |format=Word document |website=gov.uk |publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom]] |quote=Turkey’s influence in the region remains strong, in part through funding provided by Ankara for local mosques}}</ref> | Turkey still has noticeable economic and religious influence in Adjara, making some Georgians wary of the Turkish presence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Georgians Wary of Turkey's Rising Influence in Batumi|date=2017-03-09|url=https://eurasianet.org/georgians-wary-of-turkeys-rising-influence-in-batumi|publisher=Eurasianet|quote=While the government does not release figures on the levels of Turkish investment in Ajara, it represents roughly 80–90 percent of the total foreign investment in the region, a former regional government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Balci|first1=Bayram|title=Strengths and Constraints of Turkish Policy in the South Caucasus|url=http://carnegieendowment.org/2014/06/18/strengths-and-constraints-of-turkish-policy-in-south-caucasus|publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|date=18 June 2014|quote=Turkish religious influence is notable, not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Muslim regions of Georgia (in the region of Adjara and the border areas of Azerbaijan).|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922021604/https://carnegieendowment.org/2014/06/18/strengths-and-constraints-of-turkish-policy-in-south-caucasus|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Islam in Georgia |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295315/March_14_Islam_in_Georgia_final.doc |format=Word document |website=gov.uk |publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom]] |quote=Turkey’s influence in the region remains strong, in part through funding provided by Ankara for local mosques}}</ref> In the early 2020s, Turkish influence was again supplanted by the Russians, who returned to the region in large numbers, also causing anxiety among some locals.<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-russian-businesses-black-sea-resort/32556083.html 'You Can't Even Speak Georgian In Georgia Anymore': Russian Businesses Roil Black Sea Resort], [[Radio Free Europe]], August 20, 2023 Quote: "At one point, a right-wing party, the Alliance of Patriots, had erected campaign billboards depicting Adjara as "occupied" by Turkey...Now, it is the Russians."</ref> | ||
== Law and government == | == Law and government == | ||
[[File:Adjara-gov-logo.JPG|thumb|Logo of the Cabinet of Ministers.]] | [[File:Adjara-gov-logo.JPG|thumb|Logo of the Cabinet of Ministers.]] | ||
[[File:Council of Ministers of Adjara.jpg|thumb|Government building in [[Batumi]].]] | [[File:Council of Ministers of Adjara.jpg|thumb|Government building in [[Batumi]].]] | ||
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The status of the Adjaran Autonomous Republic is defined by Georgia's law on Adjara and the region's new constitution, adopted following the ousting of Aslan Abashidze. The local legislative body is the [[Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara|Supreme Council]]. The head of the region's government—the Council of Ministers of Adjara—is nominated by the [[President of Georgia]] who also has powers to dissolve the assembly and government and to overrule local authorities on issues where the constitution of Georgia is contravened. [[Tornike Rizhvadze]] was head of the Adjaran government until 2025.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 April 2025|title=Tornike Rizhvadze resigns as head of the Autonomous Government of Adjara|website=OC Media|url=https://oc-media.org/tornike-rizhvadze-resigns-as-head-of-the-autonomous-government-of-adjara/|access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> In April 2025 the Supreme Council approved Sulkhan Tamazashvili as head of the Adjaran government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=The Supreme Council of Adjara has approved Sulkhan Tamazashvili's candidacy for the position of Prime Minister – the Council also supported his Cabinet of Ministers |url=https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/138881-the-supreme-council-of-adjara-has-approved-sulkhan-tamazashvilis-candidacy-for-the-position-of-prime-minister-the-council-also-supported-his-cabinet-of-ministers/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.interpressnews.ge |language=en}}</ref> | The status of the Adjaran Autonomous Republic is defined by Georgia's law on Adjara and the region's new constitution, adopted following the ousting of Aslan Abashidze. The local legislative body is the [[Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara|Supreme Council]]. The head of the region's government—the Council of Ministers of Adjara—is nominated by the [[President of Georgia]] who also has powers to dissolve the assembly and government and to overrule local authorities on issues where the constitution of Georgia is contravened. [[Tornike Rizhvadze]] was head of the Adjaran government until 2025.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 April 2025|title=Tornike Rizhvadze resigns as head of the Autonomous Government of Adjara|website=OC Media|url=https://oc-media.org/tornike-rizhvadze-resigns-as-head-of-the-autonomous-government-of-adjara/|access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> In April 2025 the Supreme Council approved Sulkhan Tamazashvili as head of the Adjaran government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=The Supreme Council of Adjara has approved Sulkhan Tamazashvili's candidacy for the position of Prime Minister – the Council also supported his Cabinet of Ministers |url=https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/138881-the-supreme-council-of-adjara-has-approved-sulkhan-tamazashvilis-candidacy-for-the-position-of-prime-minister-the-council-also-supported-his-cabinet-of-ministers/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.interpressnews.ge |language=en}}</ref> | ||
On 24 October 1997, Adjara became a full member of the [[Assembly of European Regions]] (AER).{{ | On 24 October 1997, Adjara became a full member of the [[Assembly of European Regions]] (AER).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aer.eu/directory/|title=Members and Partners Directory}}</ref> | ||
=== Administrative divisions === | === Administrative divisions === | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== Geography | == Geography== | ||
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}} | {{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}} | ||
[[File:Gonio, Batumi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|[[Gonio (settlement)|Gonio]], a [[Black Sea]] resort near [[Gonio Fortress]].]] | [[File:Gonio, Batumi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|[[Gonio (settlement)|Gonio]], a [[Black Sea]] resort near [[Gonio Fortress]].]] | ||
Adjara is on the southeastern coast of the Black Sea and extends into the wooded foothills and mountains of the [[Caucasus Mountains|Lesser Caucasus]]. It has borders with the region of [[Guria]] to the north, [[Samtskhe-Javakheti]] to the east and Turkey to the south. Most of Adjara's territory either consists of hills or mountains. The highest mountains rise more than {{convert|3,000|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Around 60% of Adjara is covered by forests. Many parts of the [[Meskheti Range]] (the west-facing slopes) are covered by [[temperate rain forests]]. | Adjara is on the southeastern coast of the [[Black Sea]] and extends into the wooded foothills and mountains of the [[Caucasus Mountains|Lesser Caucasus]]. It has borders with the region of [[Guria]] to the north, [[Samtskhe-Javakheti]] to the east and Turkey to the south. Most of Adjara's territory either consists of hills or mountains. The highest mountains rise more than {{convert|3,000|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Around 60% of Adjara is covered by forests. Many parts of the [[Meskheti Range]] (the west-facing slopes) are covered by [[temperate rain forests]]. | ||
Adjara is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude. | Adjara is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude. | ||
| Line 154: | Line 153: | ||
===Climate=== | ===Climate=== | ||
Adjara is well known for its humid climate (especially along the coastal regions) and prolonged rainy weather, although there is plentiful sunshine during the spring and summer months. Adjara receives the highest amounts of precipitation both in Georgia and in the [[Caucasus]]. It is also one of the wettest temperate regions in the [[ | Adjara is well known for its humid climate (especially along the coastal regions) and prolonged rainy weather, although there is plentiful sunshine during the spring and summer months. Adjara receives the highest amounts of precipitation both in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and in the [[Caucasus]]. It is also one of the wettest temperate regions in the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. No region along Adjara's coast receives less than {{convert|2200|mm|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation per year. The west-facing ([[windward]]) slopes of the [[Meskheti Range]] receive upwards of {{convert|4500|mm|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation per year. The coastal lowlands receive most of the precipitation in the form of rain (due to the area's subtropical climate). September and October are usually the wettest months. Batumi's average monthly rainfall for the month of September is {{convert|410|mm|2|abbr=on}}. The interior parts of Adjara are considerably drier than the coastal mountains and lowlands. Winter usually brings significant snowfall to the higher regions of Adjara, where snowfall often reaches several meters. Average summer temperatures are between {{convert|22|and|24|°C}} in the lowland areas and between {{convert|17|and|21|°C}} in the highlands. The highest areas of Adjara have lower temperatures. Average winter temperatures are between {{convert|4|and|6|°C}} along the coast while the interior areas and mountains average around {{convert|-3|to|2|°C}}. Some of the highest mountains of Adjara have average winter temperatures of {{convert|-8|to|-7|°C}}. | ||
== Economy == | == Economy == | ||
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2023}} | {{More citations needed section|date=September 2023}} | ||
Adjara has good land for growing tea, citrus fruits and tobacco. Mountainous and forested, the region has a subtropical climate, and there are many health resorts. Tobacco, tea, citrus fruits, and avocados are leading crops; livestock raising is also important. Industries include tea packing, tobacco processing, fruit and fish canning, oil refining, and shipbuilding. | Adjara has good land for growing tea, citrus fruits and tobacco. Mountainous and forested, the region has a subtropical climate, and there are many health resorts. [[Tobacco]], tea, citrus fruits, and avocados are leading crops; livestock raising is also important. Industries include tea packing, tobacco processing, fruit and fish canning, oil refining, and shipbuilding.<ref>https://caucasustravelguide.com/sites/travel/capital-and-regions/black-sea-coast.html</ref> | ||
The regional capital, [[Batumi]], is an important gateway for the shipment of goods heading into Georgia, [[Azerbaijan]] and landlocked [[Armenia]]. The port of Batumi is used for the shipment of oil from [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Turkmenistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Description |url=https://www.batumioilterminal.com/about-company |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=www.batumioilterminal.com}}</ref> Its oil refinery handles [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] oil from Azerbaijan which arrives by pipeline to [[Supsa]] port and is transported from there to Batumi by rail. The Adjaran capital is a center for shipbuilding and manufacturing. | The regional capital, [[Batumi]], is an important gateway for the shipment of goods heading into Georgia, [[Azerbaijan]] and landlocked [[Armenia]]. The port of Batumi is used for the shipment of oil from [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Turkmenistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Description |url=https://www.batumioilterminal.com/about-company |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=www.batumioilterminal.com}}</ref> Its oil refinery handles [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] oil from Azerbaijan which arrives by pipeline to [[Supsa]] port and is transported from there to Batumi by rail. The Adjaran capital is a center for shipbuilding and manufacturing.<ref><http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3520322.stm</ref> | ||
Adjara is the main center of Georgia's coastal tourism industry, having displaced the northwestern province of [[Abkhazia]] since that region's ''de facto'' secession from Georgia in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geostat.ge/media/53289/Inbound-Tourism-Statistics-%28I-Quarter%2C-2023-year%29.pdf|title=Inbound Tourism Statistics in Georgia (I-Quarter, 2023-year)|website=geostat.ge|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> | Adjara is the main center of Georgia's coastal tourism industry, having displaced the northwestern province of [[Abkhazia]] since that region's ''de facto'' secession from Georgia in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geostat.ge/media/53289/Inbound-Tourism-Statistics-%28I-Quarter%2C-2023-year%29.pdf|title=Inbound Tourism Statistics in Georgia (I-Quarter, 2023-year)|website=geostat.ge|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> | ||
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}} | }} | ||
The [[Adjarians]] (Ajars) are an ethnographic group of the [[Georgian people]] who speak a group of local dialects known collectively as [[Adjaran dialect|Adjarian]]. The written language is [[Georgian alphabet|Georgian]].{{ | The [[Adjarians]] (Ajars) are an ethnographic group of the [[Georgian people]] who speak a group of local dialects known collectively as [[Adjaran dialect|Adjarian]]. The written language is [[Georgian alphabet|Georgian]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Khazanov|first=Anatoly Michailovich |author-link=Anatoly Khazanov|year=1995|chapter=People with Nowhere To Go: The Plight of the Meskhetian Turks|title=After the USSR: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Politics in the Commonwealth of Independent States | ||
| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LhtWbiXOzLcC&q=turkified&pg=PA192 |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|isbn=978-0-299-14894-2 |page=195}}</ref> Adjarians have been known as "Muslim Georgians".{{sfn|George|2009|p=23}} They were officially referred as such until the 1926 Soviet [[census]] which listed them as "Ajars" and counted 71,000 of them. Later, they were simply classified under a broader category of Georgians as no official Soviet census asked about religion.<ref name=Toft2003>{{Cite book |last=Toft |first=Monica Duffy|author-link= Monica Toft|url=http://ndl.ethernet.edu.et/bitstream/123456789/2171/1/32.pdf.pdf |title=The Geography of Ethnic Violence: Identity, Interests, and the Indivisibility of Territory |date=2003 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-12383-7 |language=en|page=108}}</ref> In independent Georgia, censuses do not include an "Adjarian" category, nor do they distinguish between ethnic Georgian Muslims and other Muslims, such as [[Azerbaijanis in Georgia|Azerbaijanis]].{{sfn|George|2009|pp=101–102}} | |||
Ethnic minorities include [[Laz people|Laz]], [[Russians]], [[Armenians]], [[Pontic Greeks]], and [[Abkhaz people|Abkhaz]].<ref name="Adjarastat">{{Cite web|url=http://adjarastat.com/Docs/EROVNEBA.doc|title= | Ethnic minorities include [[Laz people|Laz]], [[Russians]], [[Armenians]], [[Pontic Greeks]], and [[Abkhaz people|Abkhaz]].<ref name="Adjarastat">{{Cite web|url=http://adjarastat.com/Docs/EROVNEBA.doc|title=国产精品精品国产_四虎永久在线免费观看_人人澡人人爽欧美一区国产午夜精_麻豆国产在线视频|website=adjarastat.com}}</ref> | ||
=== Religion === | === Religion === | ||
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|color4 = Silver | |color4 = Silver | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Christianity]] spread to Adjara in the first century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Burford|first1=Tim|last2=Chuang|first2=Nancy|title=Georgia|date=2024|url=https:// | [[Christianity]] spread to Adjara in the first century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Burford|first1=Tim|last2=Chuang|first2=Nancy|title=Georgia|date=2024|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Georgia/oSwYEQAAQBAJ|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=9781804690710|page=293}}</ref> [[Andrew the Apostle]], who is believed to be a missionary of the [[Mother of God]] to Georgia and founder of the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]], entered Georgia from Adjara region and first preached [[Christianity]] there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2015/1036#gsc.tab=0|title=Orthodox Georgians celebrate the day of Andrew the Apostle|location=Tbilisi, Georgia|work=Agenda.ge |date=12 May 2015|access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgiatoday.ge/st-andrews-day-celebrated-in-georgia/|title=St. Andrew's Day Celebrated in Georgia|location=Tbilisi, Georgia|work=Georgia Today|date=12 May 2023|access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref> | ||
After Adjara was ceded to the [[Russian Empire]] in 1878 under the [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Treaty of Berlin]], those [[Adjarians]] who were Muslim were allowed to leave for Turkey.{{sfn|Hoch|Kopeček|2011|p=7}} While the Russian authorities supported the [[Russian Orthodox Church]]'s missionary efforts, they also tried to win the loyalty of Adjarians by building mosques and madrassas and supporting the local Muslim clergy.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=250}} As a result, many Adjarians emigrants, called [[Muhacir]], came back to Adjara.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=250}} | |||
Although Adjara's political and religious autonomy was guaranteed by the 1921 [[Treaty of Kars]],{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=100}} the [[Soviet anti-religious legislation|Soviet atheist ideology]] dampened religious practice in the region.{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}} | Although Adjara's political and religious autonomy was guaranteed by the 1921 [[Treaty of Kars]],{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}}{{sfn|George|2009|p=100}} the [[Soviet anti-religious legislation|Soviet atheist ideology]] dampened religious practice in the region.{{sfn|George|2009|p=105}} After Adjara was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1878 under the [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Treaty of Berlin]], Adjarians, who were Muslims, were allowed to leave for Turkey.{{sfn|Hoch|Kopeček|2011|p=7}} This was followed by an influx of Christians from [[Kakheti]], resulting in a change of the religious landscape.{{sfn|Hoch|Kopeček|2011|p=7}} | ||
The [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]] and the re-establishment of Georgia's independence first led to an [[Islamic revival]].{{sfn|George|2009|p=121}} However, later Christianity has experienced a strong growth in Adjara, especially among the young.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=255}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Köksal |first1=Pınar |last2=Aydıngün |first2=Ayşegül |last3=Gürsoy |first3=Hazar Ege |title=Religious Revival and Deprivatization in Post-Soviet Georgia: Reculturation of Orthodox Christianity and Deculturation of Islam |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/abs/religious-revival-and-deprivatization-in-postsoviet-georgia-reculturation-of-orthodox-christianity-and-deculturation-of-islam/3733FD242B3627BF8509F501F522E0B3 |journal=Politics and Religion |year=2019 |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=317–345 |doi=10.1017/S1755048318000585 |s2cid=150339133 |issn=1755-0483|url-access=subscription |hdl=11511/41757 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Nevertheless, there still remain [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] communities in Adjara, mainly in the [[Khulo district]].{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=255}} The Turkish [[Directorate of Religious Affairs]] is active in Adjara.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=256}} According to [[Ghia Nodia]], many Adjarians are Muslims but they consider themselves [[Georgians|ethnic Georgians]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nodia |first1=Ghia |author-link=Ghia Nodia |url= https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/11871213.pdf |title=The Political Landscape of Georgia: Political Parties: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects |last2=Scholtbach |first2=Álvaro Pinto |date=2006 |publisher=Eburon Uitgeverij B.V. |isbn=978-90-5972-113-5 |language=en|page=10}}</ref> According to the 2014 census, 54.5% of Adjara's population is Orthodox Christian, while 39.8% is Muslim, the rest includes atheists, adherents of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] and others.<ref name="pop"/><ref name="religion" /> In the main city, [[Batumi]], out of 152,839 inhabitants, 68.7% is [[Eastern Orthodox Christian]], and they primarily adhere to the national [[Georgian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="pop" | The [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]] and the re-establishment of Georgia's independence first led to an [[Islamic revival]].{{sfn|George|2009|p=121}} However, later Christianity has experienced a strong growth in Adjara, especially among the young.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=255}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Köksal |first1=Pınar |last2=Aydıngün |first2=Ayşegül |last3=Gürsoy |first3=Hazar Ege |title=Religious Revival and Deprivatization in Post-Soviet Georgia: Reculturation of Orthodox Christianity and Deculturation of Islam |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/abs/religious-revival-and-deprivatization-in-postsoviet-georgia-reculturation-of-orthodox-christianity-and-deculturation-of-islam/3733FD242B3627BF8509F501F522E0B3 |journal=Politics and Religion |year=2019 |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=317–345 |doi=10.1017/S1755048318000585 |s2cid=150339133 |issn=1755-0483|url-access=subscription |hdl=11511/41757 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Nevertheless, there still remain [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] communities in Adjara, mainly in the [[Khulo district]].{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=255}} The Turkish [[Directorate of Religious Affairs]] is active in Adjara.{{sfn|Sanikidze|2018|p=256}} According to [[Ghia Nodia]], many Adjarians are Muslims but they consider themselves [[Georgians|ethnic Georgians]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nodia |first1=Ghia |author-link=Ghia Nodia |url= https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/11871213.pdf |title=The Political Landscape of Georgia: Political Parties: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects |last2=Scholtbach |first2=Álvaro Pinto |date=2006 |publisher=Eburon Uitgeverij B.V. |isbn=978-90-5972-113-5 |language=en|page=10}}</ref> According to the 2014 census, 54.5% of Adjara's population is Orthodox Christian, while 39.8% is Muslim, the rest includes atheists, adherents of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] and others.<ref name="pop"/><ref name="religion" /> In the main city, [[Batumi]], out of 152,839 inhabitants, 68.7% is [[Eastern Orthodox Christian]], and they primarily adhere to the national [[Georgian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="pop"/><ref name="geostat.ge">National Statistics Office of Georgia. [http://www.geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/census/2014/22_Population%20by%20regions%20and%20religion.xls Population Census 2014: Population by Regions and Religion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914035909/http://www.geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/census/2014/22_Population%20by%20regions%20and%20religion.xls |date=14 September 2016 }}, Retrieved: 6 May 2016</ref> [[Islam in Georgia (country)|Muslims]] make up 25.3% of population,<ref name="pop"/> while there are also [[Roman Catholicism in Georgia|Catholic]], [[Armenian Apostolic]], Jehovah's Witness, [[Seventh-day Adventist]], and Jewish communities.<ref name="geostat.ge"/> In the second largest [[Kobuleti Municipality]], 65.1% of the population in [[Orthodox Christian]], while 28.8% is [[Muslims|Muslim]]. Muslims make up majorities mostly in the mountainous districts, they make up 94.6% of the population in [[Khulo Municipality]], 74.4% in [[Shuakhevi Municipality]], 62.1% in [[Keda Municipality]] and 56.3% [[Khelvachauri Municipality]].<ref name="religion" /> | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
|+'''Religion by Adjara Municipalities (%)''' | |+'''Religion by Adjara Municipalities (%)''' | ||
| Line 280: | Line 283: | ||
===Shuamtoba=== | ===Shuamtoba=== | ||
Shuamtoba ("inter-mountain festival") is a traditional festival, which is held on the summer mountain pastures of two municipalities (Khulo and [[Shuakhevi]]), during the first weekend of every August. Horse racing, a folk handicraft exhibition and a concert involving folk ensembles are held as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=შუამთობა |url=https://www.nplg.gov.ge/wikidict/index.php/%E1%83%A8%E1%83%A3%E1%83%90%E1%83%9B%E1%83%97%E1%83%9D%E1%83%91%E1%83%90|access-date=28 October 2025 |website=The National Library of Georgia}}</ref> | |||
Shuamtoba ("inter-mountain festival") is a traditional festival, which is held on the summer mountain pastures of two municipalities (Khulo and [[Shuakhevi]]), during the first weekend of every August. Horse racing, a folk handicraft exhibition and a concert involving folk ensembles are held as well.<ref>{{ | |||
===Machakhloba=== | ===Machakhloba=== | ||
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{{Portal|Georgia (country)}} | {{Portal|Georgia (country)}} | ||
*[[Former countries in Europe after 1815]] | *[[Former countries in Europe after 1815]] | ||
*[[Merisi Mining District]] | *[[Merisi Mining District]] | ||
*[[Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)]] | *[[Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)]] | ||
| Line 320: | Line 321: | ||
* {{Cite journal |date=2011 |title=Transforming Identity of Ajarian Population |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=35267 |journal=ALPPI Annual of Language & Politics and Politics of Identity |language=English |volume=V |issue=5 |pages=57–72 |issn=1803-1757 |first1=Tomáš |last1= Hoch |first2= Vincent |last2=Kopeček}} | * {{Cite journal |date=2011 |title=Transforming Identity of Ajarian Population |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=35267 |journal=ALPPI Annual of Language & Politics and Politics of Identity |language=English |volume=V |issue=5 |pages=57–72 |issn=1803-1757 |first1=Tomáš |last1= Hoch |first2= Vincent |last2=Kopeček}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Kaufman |first=Stuart J. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt1tm7gbw |title=Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War |date=2001 |publisher=[[Cornell University Press]]|edition=1 |jstor=10.7591/j.ctt1tm7gbw |isbn=978-0-8014-3802-8 |oclc=1160511946}} | * {{Cite book |last=Kaufman |first=Stuart J. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt1tm7gbw |title=Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War |date=2001 |publisher=[[Cornell University Press]]|edition=1 |jstor=10.7591/j.ctt1tm7gbw |isbn=978-0-8014-3802-8 |oclc=1160511946}} | ||
* {{Cite journal |last=Sanikidze |first=George |date=2018 |title=Muslim Communities of Georgia: Old Problems and New Challenges |journal=Islamophobia Studies Journal |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=247–265 |doi=10.13169/islastudj.4.2.0247 |issn=2325-8381|doi-access=free }} | * {{Cite journal |last=Sanikidze |first=George |date=2018 |title=Muslim Communities of Georgia: Old Problems and New Challenges |url=https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/islastudj.4.2.0247 |journal=Islamophobia Studies Journal |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=247–265 |doi=10.13169/islastudj.4.2.0247 |issn=2325-8381|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }} | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{commons category}} | {{commons category}} | ||
*[http://adjara.gov.ge/Englistnews.aspx?pid=1446 Government of Adjara] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607160658/http://www.adjara.gov.ge/Englistnews.aspx?pid=1446 |date=2023-06-07 }} | *[http://adjara.gov.ge/Englistnews.aspx?pid=1446 Government of Adjara] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607160658/http://www.adjara.gov.ge/Englistnews.aspx?pid=1446 |date=2023-06-07 }} | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:07, 17 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use American English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox dependency Adjara (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang". Ach’ara Script error: No such module "IPA".) or Achara, officially known as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara (Georgian: Script error: No such module "Lang". Ach’aris Avt’onomiuri Resp’ublik’a Template:IPAc-ka), is a political-administrative region of Georgia. It is in the country's southwestern corner, on the coast of the Black Sea, near the foot of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, north of Turkey. It is an important tourist destination and includes Georgia's second most populous city of Batumi as its capital. About 401,100 people live on its Template:Cvt.
Adjara is home to the Adjarians, a regional subgroup of Georgians. The name can be spelled in a number of ways: Ajara, Ajaria, Adjaria, Adzharia, Atchara and Achara. Under the Soviet Union, Adjara was part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic as the Adjarian ASSR.[1] The autonomous status of Adjara is guaranteed under article 6 of the Treaty of Kars.[2]
History
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Adjara was a part of Georgian polities, Colchis and Caucasian Iberia, since ancient times.[3][4] Colonized by Greeks in the 5th century BC, the region fell under Rome in the 2nd century BC. It became part of the kingdom of Lazica before being incorporated into the Kingdom of Abkhazia in the 8th century AD, the latter led unification of Georgian monarchy in the 11th century.
Adjaria was occupied by several empires: the First Persian Empire (500 BC), Seljuks (11th century), Mongols (13th century), and Timurids (14th century).Template:Sfn
Ottoman period
The Ottomans conquered the area in 1614. Although, the Ottoman millet system allowed its subjects extensive self-governance and religious freedom, many Adjarians gradually chose to convert to Islam during the 200 years of Ottoman presence.Template:Sfn[5] Despite this, the population never abandoned its native Georgian tongue and avoided demographic influence from the Ottomans.[6] The nobility converted to Islam first.Template:Sfn Adjarians were fully Islamized by the end of the eighteenth century.Template:Sfn
Russian Empire
The Ottomans were forced to cede Adjara to the expanding Russian Empire in 1878 under the Treaty of Berlin.Template:Sfn The Berlin Treaty allowed Adjarians to leave for Turkey, keeping a provision of Section 6, article 21 of the Treaty of San Stefano.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Many Adjarians emigrated to Turkey.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn While the Russian authorities supported the Russian Orthodox Church's missionary efforts, they also tried to win the loyalty of Adjarians by building mosques and madrassas and supporting the local Muslim clergy.Template:Sfn As a result, many Adjarians emigrants, called Muhacir, came back to Adjara.Template:Sfn Within Russian imperial administrative division, Adjara was called Batumi okrug, comprising Kutaisi Governorate. After Adjara was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1878 under the Treaty of Berlin, Adjarians, who were Muslims, were allowed to leave for Turkey.Template:Sfn This was followed by an influx of Christians from Kakheti, resulting in a change of the religious landscape.Template:Sfn
Georgian Democratic Republic
In 1918, Georgia regained its independence as a democratic republic and Adjara became part of it. However, in April 1918, the Ottoman Empire invaded Georgia and captured Batumi. The operation was conducted on 13–14 April 1918, with the 37th Division entering Batumi under the command of Colonel Kâzım Karabekir.[7]
On 4 June 1918, the Treaty of Batum was signed, under which Georgia was forced to cede Adjara to the Ottoman Empire.[8] However, due to the Ottoman defeat in the First World War and the Treaty of Mudros, the Ottomans soon withdrew the territory.[9] The British warship Template:HMS) troops in entered Batumi in 1918,[10] and Adjara was temporarily placed under the British Military Governor James Cooke-Collis, who established the Council for the Administration of Batoum and its Region to administer the region in December 1918. The British withdrew in 1920 and Adjara rejoined the Democratic Republic of Georgia.[11][12] The British administration ceded the region to the Democratic Republic of Georgia on July 20, 1920.[13] It was granted autonomy under the Georgian constitution adopted in February 1921 when the Red Army invaded Georgia.[14] Turkey reinvaded Adjara in March 1921, although Georgians defeated Turks in the Battle of Batumi and Ankara's government ceded the territory to Georgia under Article VI of Treaty of Kars on the condition that autonomy be provided for the Muslim population, while Turkish commodities were guaranteed free transit through the port of Batumi.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn[15] The Soviets established in 1921 the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in accord with this clause, thus Adjara remained part of Georgia. The autonomous republic was the only autonomous unit in the USSR based solely on religion.Template:Efn[16] However, Stalin's definition of what constituted a nation was based on language. Without their own language, Adjars did not develop a strong sense of national identity, separate from Georgian.Template:Sfn Moreover, the Soviet atheist ideology dampened religious practice.Template:Sfn In the 1920s, the Ajars rebelled against the Soviet anti-Islamic activities, as well as against the collectivization reforms.Template:Sfn The armed uprising began in the mountainous regions of Adjara in April 1929. Soviet troops were deployed in response and swiftly quelled the revolt.[17]
Independent Georgia
After Georgian independence, Aslan Abashidze became the chairman of Adjaria's parliament, the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. Abashidze was initially appointed by the first Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia in 1991.[18] However, he later took advantage of the civil war in the country and turned Adjara into the personal fiefdom, although it remained relatively prosperous enclave in an otherwise rather chaotic country.[19] During the 1991–1992 Georgian coup d'état which ousted Gamsakhurdia from power, Abashidze declared a state of emergency in Adjara, closing its borders and shutting down the Adjarian Supreme Soviet. In response to pressure from the Adjarian opposition led by Republican Party of Georgia, Georgia's new leader Eduard Shevardnadze met Aslan Abashidze in Batumi and persuaded him to resume the Supreme Soviet sessions in May 1992. However, the opposition failed to oust Abashidze. While Shevardnadze could easily sway certain members of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet against Abashidze, he did not do so. Being brought to power through the coup launched by the militia leaders Jaba Ioseliani and Tengiz Kitovani, Shevardnadze saw Abashidze as a useful counterweight against these warlords.[20]
Further exploiting the instability, at this time brought by the War in Abkhazia, Abashidze moved to further consolidate his power. During the summer of 1992, Abashidze appointed a seven-member Presidium of the Adjarian Supreme Soviet, made up of his supporters, and ruled by decree through this body. The Supreme Soviet, on the other hand, practically ceased to convene. Abashidze unilaterally took power without formal agreement and started to withhold tax revenue and capture Adjara's considerable wealth.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn However, he managed to prevent various paramilitary groups from entering Adjara's territory, and preserved peace through authoritarianism, which brought him considerable popularity.[20]
After the end of Georgia's civil war, Abashidze reached agreement with the Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze to stay in power.[19] Shevardnadze, who had yet to cement his power in Georgia, ignored Abashidze's authoritarian rule and even appreciated that it brought stability to the region.[20] The central government in Tbilisi had very little say in what went on in Adjara. Elections in Adjara were not free and fair, Abashidze controlled the media and captured customs revenue for his personal enrichment.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Abashidze instituted border control with the rest of Georgia and created armed paramilitaries.[21] However, he asserted that Adjara wasn't separatist.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Adjara is the only autonomous region in the Southern Caucasus which has not been involved in the secessionist conflict with the central government since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. While Adjarians, a subgroup of ethnic Georgians, adopted Islam during the centuries of Ottoman imperial rule over Adjara, which differentiated them from the rest of Georgian subethnicities who adhere to Orthodox Christianity, Adjarians at the same time retained many cultural similarities with Christian Georgians and never developed a separate "Adjarian identity", remaining accepted within the definition of Georgian nation. This provided insufficient base for a strong nationalist or excessively regionalist movement in Adjara. Moreover, a considerable power and resources allowed Abashidze to politically and financially establish a national political role throughout whole Georgia, and the Union for the Revival took part in the nationwide Georgian elections.[22]
Abashidze's regime survived on receiving funds from the customs control in Sarpi at Georgia–Turkey border, contraband of cigarettes and allegedly also weapons and narcotics, an oil refinery in Batumi and selling of ships stationed in Adjara without Georgian government's approval.[23] Even though Shevardnadze often complained about Abashidze's aggressive autonomous strategy, they had good relationships and supported each other when they needed public support.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Initially Abashidze's Democratic Union for Revival and Shevardnadze's Union of Citizens of Georgia worked together in Georgian Parliament and Adjarian Supreme Council following new elections in 1995–1996. However, a series of disputes with UCG in 1997 concerning limits of Abashidze's power in Adjara and defections of his party deputies to UCG led Abashidze to view the UCG and especially its 'reformists' faction with suspicions and he withdrew into opposition, establishing a powerful anti-CUG bloc which took part in the 1999 Georgian parliamentary election and garnered around 25 per cent of the vote.[24]
In 2000, by withdrawing his candidacy from the presidential elections in Georgia, Abashidze managed to get Shevardnadze to change Georgian constitution to increase Adjara's status. From 1997 to 2001, Abashidze passed several amendments to Adjara's constitution to strengthen his power. He established the post of a directly elected Head of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara with powers to control any movement of military on Adjara's territory, and was elected on this position in November 2001 while being the only candidate.[25]
The situation changed following the Rose Revolution of 2003 when Shevardnadze was deposed in favor of the reformist opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili.[26] Adjaran leader Aslan Abashidze, being in strong opposition to the Rose Revolution, declared a state of emergency immediately after Eduard Shevardnadze's ousting on 23 November 2003.Template:Refn He intensified a crackdown on opposition, with dozens being injured as a result of clashes between protesters and police in the southern Adjaran village of Gonio in January 2004.[27] Soon after his inauguration as president in January 2004, Saakashvili took aim at Abashidze with strong anticorruption reforms.Template:Sfn[28] In the wake of Abashidze's visit to Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 20 backing Abashidze's policy and condemning his opposition as "extremist forces".[29] In spring 2004, a major crisis in Adjara erupted as the central government sought to reimpose its authority on the region. It led to several encounters between Abashidze's paramilitaries and the Georgian army.Template:Sfn However, Saakashvili's ultimate and mass protests in Batumi against Abashidze's autocratic rule forced the Adjaran leader to resign in May 2004. Facing charges of embezzlement and murder, Abashidze destroyed the bridges between Adjara and the rest of Georgia to delay the advance of Georgian troops in Batumi and then fled to Moscow.Template:Sfn Even Abashidze's former ally, Haji Mahmud Kamashidze, sided with Saakashvili.Template:Sfn Saakashvili wanted Adjara to keep a significant autonomy.Template:Sfn A new law was therefore introduced to redefine the terms of Adjara's autonomy. Levan Varshalomidze succeeded Abashidze as the chairman of the government.[30]
In July 2007, the seat of the Georgian Constitutional Court was moved from Tbilisi to Batumi.[31] In November 2007 Russia ended its two-century military presence in the region by withdrawing from the 12th Military Base (the former 145th Motor Rifle Division) in Batumi.[32][33]
Turkey still has noticeable economic and religious influence in Adjara, making some Georgians wary of the Turkish presence.[34][35][36] In the early 2020s, Turkish influence was again supplanted by the Russians, who returned to the region in large numbers, also causing anxiety among some locals.[37]
Law and government
The status of the Adjaran Autonomous Republic is defined by Georgia's law on Adjara and the region's new constitution, adopted following the ousting of Aslan Abashidze. The local legislative body is the Supreme Council. The head of the region's government—the Council of Ministers of Adjara—is nominated by the President of Georgia who also has powers to dissolve the assembly and government and to overrule local authorities on issues where the constitution of Georgia is contravened. Tornike Rizhvadze was head of the Adjaran government until 2025.[38] In April 2025 the Supreme Council approved Sulkhan Tamazashvili as head of the Adjaran government.[39]
On 24 October 1997, Adjara became a full member of the Assembly of European Regions (AER).[40]
Administrative divisions
Adjara is subdivided into six administrative units:[41]
| Name | Area (km2)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Population | Pop. Density (p/km2) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census (17 Jan 2002)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Census (2014)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Census
(2024) | |||
| City of Batumi | 64.9 | 121,806 | 152,839 | 183,200 | 2,822 |
| Keda Municipality | 452 | 20,024 | 16,760 | 16,300 | 36 |
| Kobuleti Municipality | 720 | 88,063 | 74,794 | 68,100 | 122 |
| Khelvachauri Municipality | 410 | 90,843 | 51,189 | 52,900 | 129 |
| Shuakhevi Municipality | 588 | 21,850 | 15,044 | 14,500 | 24 |
| Khulo Municipality | 710 | 33,430 | 23,327 | 28,300 | 39 |
Geography
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Adjara is on the southeastern coast of the Black Sea and extends into the wooded foothills and mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. It has borders with the region of Guria to the north, Samtskhe-Javakheti to the east and Turkey to the south. Most of Adjara's territory either consists of hills or mountains. The highest mountains rise more than Template:Convert above sea level. Around 60% of Adjara is covered by forests. Many parts of the Meskheti Range (the west-facing slopes) are covered by temperate rain forests.
Adjara is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.
Climate
Adjara is well known for its humid climate (especially along the coastal regions) and prolonged rainy weather, although there is plentiful sunshine during the spring and summer months. Adjara receives the highest amounts of precipitation both in Georgia and in the Caucasus. It is also one of the wettest temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. No region along Adjara's coast receives less than Template:Convert of precipitation per year. The west-facing (windward) slopes of the Meskheti Range receive upwards of Template:Convert of precipitation per year. The coastal lowlands receive most of the precipitation in the form of rain (due to the area's subtropical climate). September and October are usually the wettest months. Batumi's average monthly rainfall for the month of September is Template:Convert. The interior parts of Adjara are considerably drier than the coastal mountains and lowlands. Winter usually brings significant snowfall to the higher regions of Adjara, where snowfall often reaches several meters. Average summer temperatures are between Template:Convert in the lowland areas and between Template:Convert in the highlands. The highest areas of Adjara have lower temperatures. Average winter temperatures are between Template:Convert along the coast while the interior areas and mountains average around Template:Convert. Some of the highest mountains of Adjara have average winter temperatures of Template:Convert.
Economy
Template:More citations needed section Adjara has good land for growing tea, citrus fruits and tobacco. Mountainous and forested, the region has a subtropical climate, and there are many health resorts. Tobacco, tea, citrus fruits, and avocados are leading crops; livestock raising is also important. Industries include tea packing, tobacco processing, fruit and fish canning, oil refining, and shipbuilding.[42]
The regional capital, Batumi, is an important gateway for the shipment of goods heading into Georgia, Azerbaijan and landlocked Armenia. The port of Batumi is used for the shipment of oil from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.[43] Its oil refinery handles Caspian oil from Azerbaijan which arrives by pipeline to Supsa port and is transported from there to Batumi by rail. The Adjaran capital is a center for shipbuilding and manufacturing.[44]
Adjara is the main center of Georgia's coastal tourism industry, having displaced the northwestern province of Abkhazia since that region's de facto secession from Georgia in 1993.[45]
Demographics
According to the 2014 census, the population of Adjara is 333,953.[46]
Ethnic groups
The Adjarians (Ajars) are an ethnographic group of the Georgian people who speak a group of local dialects known collectively as Adjarian. The written language is Georgian.[47] Adjarians have been known as "Muslim Georgians".Template:Sfn They were officially referred as such until the 1926 Soviet census which listed them as "Ajars" and counted 71,000 of them. Later, they were simply classified under a broader category of Georgians as no official Soviet census asked about religion.[48] In independent Georgia, censuses do not include an "Adjarian" category, nor do they distinguish between ethnic Georgian Muslims and other Muslims, such as Azerbaijanis.Template:Sfn
Ethnic minorities include Laz, Russians, Armenians, Pontic Greeks, and Abkhaz.[49]
Religion
Template:Pie chart Christianity spread to Adjara in the first century.[50] Andrew the Apostle, who is believed to be a missionary of the Mother of God to Georgia and founder of the Georgian Orthodox Church, entered Georgia from Adjara region and first preached Christianity there.[51][52]
After Adjara was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1878 under the Treaty of Berlin, those Adjarians who were Muslim were allowed to leave for Turkey.Template:Sfn While the Russian authorities supported the Russian Orthodox Church's missionary efforts, they also tried to win the loyalty of Adjarians by building mosques and madrassas and supporting the local Muslim clergy.Template:Sfn As a result, many Adjarians emigrants, called Muhacir, came back to Adjara.Template:Sfn
Although Adjara's political and religious autonomy was guaranteed by the 1921 Treaty of Kars,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn the Soviet atheist ideology dampened religious practice in the region.Template:Sfn After Adjara was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1878 under the Treaty of Berlin, Adjarians, who were Muslims, were allowed to leave for Turkey.Template:Sfn This was followed by an influx of Christians from Kakheti, resulting in a change of the religious landscape.Template:Sfn
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the re-establishment of Georgia's independence first led to an Islamic revival.Template:Sfn However, later Christianity has experienced a strong growth in Adjara, especially among the young.Template:Sfn[53] Nevertheless, there still remain Sunni Muslim communities in Adjara, mainly in the Khulo district.Template:Sfn The Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs is active in Adjara.Template:Sfn According to Ghia Nodia, many Adjarians are Muslims but they consider themselves ethnic Georgians.[54] According to the 2014 census, 54.5% of Adjara's population is Orthodox Christian, while 39.8% is Muslim, the rest includes atheists, adherents of the Armenian Apostolic Church and others.[55][56] In the main city, Batumi, out of 152,839 inhabitants, 68.7% is Eastern Orthodox Christian, and they primarily adhere to the national Georgian Orthodox Church.[55][57] Muslims make up 25.3% of population,[55] while there are also Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh-day Adventist, and Jewish communities.[57] In the second largest Kobuleti Municipality, 65.1% of the population in Orthodox Christian, while 28.8% is Muslim. Muslims make up majorities mostly in the mountainous districts, they make up 94.6% of the population in Khulo Municipality, 74.4% in Shuakhevi Municipality, 62.1% in Keda Municipality and 56.3% Khelvachauri Municipality.[56]
| Municipalities | Orthodox Christians | Muslims | Irreligious | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| City of Batumi | 105,004 | 68.7 | 38,762 | 25.3 | 3,961 | 2.5 |
| Keda Municipality | 5,235 | 31.2 | 10,411 | 62.1 | 624 | 3.7 |
| Kobuleti Municipality | 48,696 | 65.1 | 21,573 | 28.8 | 2,728 | 3.6 |
| Khelvachauri Municipality | 18,618 | 36.3 | 28,841 | 56.3 | 1,816 | 3.5 |
| Shuakhevi Municipality | 3,532 | 23.4 | 11,193 | 74.4 | 76 | 0.5 |
| Khulo Municipality | 956 | 4.1 | 22,072 | 94.6 | 28 | 0.1 |
Traditional public festivals
Selimoba
Selimoba is held in the village of Bako, Khulo Municipality on June 3 and commemorates the life of Selim Khimshiashvili. A concert with the participation of local amateur groups of a folk handicraft products exhibition is held during the festival. It is supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara.[58]
Shuamtoba
Shuamtoba ("inter-mountain festival") is a traditional festival, which is held on the summer mountain pastures of two municipalities (Khulo and Shuakhevi), during the first weekend of every August. Horse racing, a folk handicraft exhibition and a concert involving folk ensembles are held as well.[59]
Machakhloba
Machakhloba is a Machakhela gorge festivity, held in the second half of September. It is a traditional holiday celebrated in Machakhela gorge, Khelvachauri Municipality. The festival begins at the Machakhela rifle monument (at the point of convergence of the rivers Machakhelistskali and Chorokhi), continues in the village Machakhlispiri and ends in the village Zeda Chkhutuneti.[60]
Kolkhoba
Kolkhoba is an ancient Laz festival. It is held at the end of August or at the beginning of September in Sarpi village, Khelvachauri District. The story of the Argonauts is performed on stage during the festival.[61]
Notable people
- Aslan Abashidze (born 1938), head of the Adjarian government 1991–2004
- Memed Abashidze (1873–1941), prominent political leader of Muslim Georgians
- Tbeli Abuserisdze (1190–1240), Georgian writer and scientist
- Fadiko Gogitidze (1916–1940), Adjara's first woman pilot
- Sopho Khalvashi (born 31 May 1986), Georgian singer
- Ahmed-Pasha Khimshiashvili (died 1836), Great Ottoman Pasha
- Selim Khimshiashvili (3 June 1815), Pasha (Minister) of Ottoman and Russia Political Affairs on 1802
- Zurab Nogaideli (born 1964), former Prime Minister of Georgia 2005–2007
- Levan Varshalomidze (born 1972), head of the Adjarian government 2004–2012
- Fyodor Yurchikhin (born 3 January 1959), cosmonaut
See also
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- Former countries in Europe after 1815
- Merisi Mining District
- Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)
Notes
References
Sources
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External links
Template:Countries and regions of the Caucasus Template:Administrative divisions of Georgia Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Stateless nationalism in Europe Template:Authority control
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- ↑ Ronald G. Suny - The Making of the Georgian Nation. Indiana University Press. Page 8
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- ↑ Peter Malcolm Holt, Ann K. S. Lambton, Bernard Lewis (1977), The Cambridge history of Islam, p. 639. Cambridge University Press, Template:ISBN
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- ↑ 'You Can't Even Speak Georgian In Georgia Anymore': Russian Businesses Roil Black Sea Resort, Radio Free Europe, August 20, 2023 Quote: "At one point, a right-wing party, the Alliance of Patriots, had erected campaign billboards depicting Adjara as "occupied" by Turkey...Now, it is the Russians."
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