Samtskhe-Javakheti

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Samtskhe-Javakheti სამცხე-ჯავახეთის მხარე Samtskhe-Javakhetis mkhare

General info
Region ISO 3166 code:	GE-SJ
Area:	6,413 km²
Population:	208,000 (2002)
Unemployment:	4.6%^[1]
Poverty:	60%^[2]
Average salary:	$46 per month^[3]
Subdivision:	6 regions
Capital:	Akhaltsikhe
Governor:	Giorgi Khachidze

Samtskhe-Javakheti (Georgian: სამცხე-ჯავახეთი) is a region in southern Georgia, with Akhaltsikhe as its capital. Samtskhe-Javakheti comprises six administrative districts: Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Aspindza, Borjomi, Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda. There are 5 municipal, 6 settlement (small town), 67 community and village Sakrebulos, and totally 268 villages in the region. It is bordered by Guria and Imereti to the north, Kartli (Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli) to the north-east and to the east, Armenia and Turkey to the south, Ajara to the west. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline passes through this region.

1 Javakheti Armenians
2 Tourist attractions
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Javakheti Armenians

Ethnic groups in the Caucasus region.

The majority of the population of the region's southeastern portion, Javakheti (Georgian: ჯავახეთი, Javakheti; Armenian: Ջավախք, Javakhk), is Armenian, the third largest ethnic minority in Georgia (about 267,000 in all Georgia). Armenians number 113 347 or 54.4% of the population, Georgians 89 995 or 43%, small communities of Russians, Ossetians, Greeks, and Ukrainians account for the remainder.[1] A significant part of the Armenian population depends on the employment in the Russian 62nd military bases in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts, and the announced 2008 Russian withdrawal aggravates the socio-economic tensions in the region. More than half of the Armenian population regularly makes seasonal trips to Russia for work. Principal economic activities in this region are subsistence agriculture and livestock.

An expected improvement is the planned construction of the highway (financed by the US Millennium Challenge Account) to link the region with the rest of Georgia. Also, a railroad is planned to run from Kars, Turkey to Baku, Azerbaijan via the area, but the Armenian population of Javakhk are opposed to this rail link because it excludes and isolates Armenia. There is already another railroad linking Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, which is the Kars-Gyumri-Akhalkalaki railroad line. The existing line is in working condition and could be operational within weeks, but due to Turkish blockade of Armenia since 1993 the railroad is not operational. Most of the countries including European Union and United States have said they will not assist in promoting or developing the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad. Due to Turkish and Azeri pressure to isolate Armenia from regional projects the railroad excludes Armenia, which was the same reasons why Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline avoided passing through Armenia.

Armenians are underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially government, and a lack of dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination and alienation.^[4] There have been demonstrations, alleged police brutality and killings in this region during the past two years.^[5] Many Armenians claim they are treated as second-class citizens. The local Armenian civic organization, United Javakhk Democratic Alliance calls for local autonomy, comparable with the one promised to Abkhazians and Ossetians.

[edit] Tourist attractions

Vardzia's church and bell tower

One of the the major tourist attraction in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia is the Vardzia (which was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185) and Vanis Kvabebi (which dates from 8th century) cave monasteries. They are located near the town of Aspindza, Georgia.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Governmental Website
Friends at Dinner, Foes at Politics (about socio-economic problems of the region)
Obstacles Impending the Regional Integration of the Javalkheti Region, an ECMI working paper (PDF format)

	Subdivisions of Georgia
Autonomous Republics: Abkhazia¹ \| Adjara
Regions: Guria \| Imereti \| Kakheti \| Kvemo Kartli \| Mtskheta-Mtianeti \| Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti \| Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Samtskhe-Javakheti \| Shida Kartli²
City with special status: Tbilisi³ Notes: (1) A self-proclaimed republic which is de jure part of Georgia; (2) Officially includes also the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia; (3) Capital of Georgia

	Historical regions of Georgia
Abkhazia \| Adjara \| Guria \| Hereti \| Imereti \| Javakheti \| Kartli \| Kakheti \| Khevsureti \| Lechkhumi \| Mtiuleti \| Meskheti \| Pshavi \| Racha \| Samegrelo \| Tao-Klarjeti \| Tusheti