An infinite intercultural wealth
Over the course of its history, through its geographical position, Georgia has been enriched by many cultures. Landlocked between the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains, it is surrounded by four states.
To the north, on a common border of 723 km, begins the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation, of Orthodox faith, is composed of "Russian" regions or autonomous republics: Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. Next come Karbardino-Balkaria, Karachayevo-Cherkessia, the Adiguous Republic and finally the Krasnodar Krai. These confetti, autonomous republics all represent a rich ethnic diversity.
Georgia borders Azerbaijan to the south-west for 322 km, and to the south-west Armenia for 164 km and Turkey for 252 km.Nothing is simple!
In geopolitics, Georgia represents a highly strategic point. The country and the entire region, in terms of population diversity, evoke a real mosaic, a puzzle. Georgians, not without reason, say: "We are in the middle of everyone!
"Indeed, the country is at the heart of influences, cultures, political currents and interests that are often contrary. Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan are not far away, vectors of the Islamic religion. Georgia has volatile and complex relations with its neighbours. If we take into account the number of potential conflicts, the Caucasian world can be a real powder keg. At present, Georgia has very tense relations with its Russian neighbour. It was difficult but cordial relations with Armenia and cordial relations with Turkey. As for Azerbaijan, diplomatic relations had recently become strained.David Gareja, or a latent battle
Straddling Georgia and Azerbaijan, this monastery is a very sensitive geopolitical point. The demarcation of the border between these two neighbouring countries is a source of almost permanent conflict.
Indeed, the Georgians consider this site to be the melting pot of Christian culture, a holy place and a symbol of their cultural heritage. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, both Georgia and Azerbaijan belonged to the Soviet bloc. Since then, Azerbaijan believes that the borders have remained unchanged. Not so simple for Georgia. For it, the site is rightfully hers. The Azerbaijani authorities, who are Muslims, believe that the demarcation of a border cannot be imposed on religious grounds.
The situation was therefore tense. Recent accusations of "sacrilege" of the monastery perpetuated by the Azerbaijanis have also exacerbated tensions. Previously, an agreement between the two authorities allowed visitors to visit the site on the Azerbaijani side without a visa. This is no longer the case. A very shifting border, therefore, and a very conflictual one.A powder keg in the Caucasus?
A very volatile situation on all sides, therefore. On the Russian side, it's explosive. The recent 2008 war between Georgia and Russia is a significant reflection of that. In 2019, tensions are exacerbated by the recent anti-Russian demonstrations in Tbilisi. The Russian authorities have banned flights from Georgia. Given its sometimes very stormy relations with its neighbours, it is understandable that Georgia is thus turning resolutely towards Europe.
The administrative regions
The Soviet-era, sometimes later, arbitrary divisions of administrative entities for the purpose of political equilibrium gave the following result, from east to west
In the East/Southeast
-Kakhetia (Telavi) in the far east, including the mountains of Tuchetia
- Kvemo-Kartlie (Lower Kartlie), Rustavi, eastern Lesser Caucasus
..North/Central North
-Mtskheta-Mtianaetia (Mtskheta) in the north, including the mountains of the Central-Western and Greater Caucasus
- Chida-Kartli (Gori). This is the north-central part. It is the conflict zone between North Ossetia on the Russian side and South Ossetia, which is out of control, but Georgia includes it nominally in the region, with a capital, Tskhinvali.
- Tbilisi, the capital of the country.
To the West
- lmérétie (Koutaïssi). It is the second most important city of the country
- Ratcha-Letchkumi and Kvemo-Svanetia, in the north-west (Lower Svanetia, Ambrolaouri). It is a mountainous region, very sparsely inhabited
- Autonomous Republic of Adjaria (Batumi) on the Black Sea, to the south-west
-Gourie (Ozurguéti) on the Black Sea, to the west
-Samégrelo-Zemo Svanétie (Mingrelie-Upper Svanétie, Zugdidi), border area with
Abkhazia
-Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. On the Black Sea, in the far west, this separatist republic is effectively independent from Georgia
To the south
Samtskhe-Djavakhetia (Akhaltsikhe). In the Lesser Caucasus, the area includes the historic regions of Tori, Meskhetie and Djavakhetie.The relief
Moved, to say the least. Indeed, the region occupies the junction of three tectonic plates: Arabian, Eurasian and Anatolian. The mythical and magnificent Mount Ararat - actually a volcano - in Armenia, which can also be admired from the eastern border with Turkey, marks this meeting. The area is therefore seismic, prone to earthquakes, as in 1989, 1991 and 2002. The relief is therefore as rich as the country in all areas: seismic activity has sculpted a very tormented relief, like the Georgian environment, which is very varied. 10% of the territory belongs to the alpine or subalpine zone.
