Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti ( ; ; Svan: ) is a region (Mkhare) in western Georgia with a population of 308,358 (2021) and a surface of . Zugdidi is the region’s administrative center, and Giorgi Guguchia has been the governor of the region since June 2021. Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is compiled of the historical Georgian provinces of Samegrelo (Mingrelia) and Zemo Svaneti (i.e., Upper Svaneti).

Subdivisions The region has one self governing city (Poti) and 8 municipalities with 143 administrative communities (temi), totalling to 531 populated settlements: Eight cities: Abasha, Khobi, Martvili, Poti, Jvari, Zugdidi, Senaki and Tsalenjikha. Two dabas: Mestia, Chkhorotsku Villages: 521

Map Municipality City of Poti Abasha Municipality Zugdidi Municipality Martvili Municipality Mestia Municipality Senaki Municipality Chkhorotsku Municipality Tsalenjikha Municipality Khobi Municipality

Geography The Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Mkhare can be split into two historical regions; Svaneti and Samegrelo. In the northern part of Samegrelo lies the Egrisi Mountains. The municipalities of Chkhorotsqu, Martvili, and Tsalenjikha are located right next to the Egrisi mountain range in Northern Samegrelo. In the south lies the Kolkheti valley, which is a mostly flat region. The municipalities that lie in the valley are Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Abasha, and the city of Poti. The west side of Samegrelo borders Apkhazeti right on the Enguri River and the east borders Imereti on the Tskhenistsqali River. The important Rioni River of West Georgia also passes through Samegrelo, flowing into the black sea in the city of Poti. The other region; Zemo Svaneti, is located right next to the Northern Caucasus Mountain Range. Its only municipality is Mestia. Svaneti has the tallest mountain in Georgia, Mt. Shkhara, at 5,193 meters, or 17,037 feet.

Demographic Population development of the region Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti 1959 1970 1979 1989 2002* 2002** 2014 2021 Abasha Municipality 30,286 30,416 29,246 28,219 28,707 - 22,341 19,560 Khobi Municipality 31,280 37,653 38,092 38,939 41,240 - 30,548 27,806 Martvili Municipality 47,777 49,167 47,797 46,009 44,627 - 33,463 31,495 Mestia Municipality 16,311 17,801 17,442 14,776 14,248 - 9,316 9,447 City of Poti 48,117 45,979 48,508 50,922 47,149 - 41,465 41,536 Senaki Municipality 47,553 50,336 50,774 52,681 52,112 - 39,652 34,315 Tsalenjikha Municipality 29,019 37,813 39,477 38,643 40,133 - 26,158 23,296 Chkhorotsku Municipality 27,647 30,784 31,404 29,840 30,124 - 22,309 21,361 Zugdidi Municipality 96,643 112,241 120,217 125,444 167,760 - 105,509 99,542 Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti 374,633 412,190 422,957 425,473 466,100 416,349 330,761 308,358* Research after 2014 census showed the 2002 census was inflated by 8-9 percent.**Corrected data based on retro-projection 1994–2014 in collaboration with UN

Ethnic groups According to the Georgian census of 2014, 99.37% of the population is Georgian.

Languages Georgian is spoken by the entire population of the region and by the ethnic minorities like Russians and others. Mingrelian is a Kartvelian language spoken by the Mingrelians, a sub-group of Georgian people and native to Mingrelia.

Svan is also a Kartvelian language, spoken by the Svans, a sub-group of Georgian people native to Svaneti.

Religion About 99% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian.

See also Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)

References

External links

Official web-site Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti