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Zugdidi ( ka, ზუგდიდის მუნიციპალიტეტი) is a Municipality of
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
, in the region of
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti ( Georgian: სამეგრელო-ზემო სვანეთი) is a region (Mkhare) in western Georgia with a population of 308,358 (2021) and a surface of . The region has Zugdidi as its administrative center, ...
. Zugdidi Municipality is located in the central part of western Georgia (area - 692 sq. km). Its western border follows the
Black Sea The Black Sea is a marginal mediterranean sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. It is bounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Rom ...
coast ( Ganmukhuri,
Anaklia Anaklia () is a town and seaside resort in western Georgia. It is located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, at the place where the Enguri River flows into the Black Sea, near the border with Abkhazia. History The earliest settlement on ...
), the administrative strip of Abkhazia ( Gali district) in the northwest,
Tsalenjikha Municipality Tsalenjikha ( ka, წალენჯიხის მუნიციპალიტეტი, ''Ċalenjixis municiṗaliṫeṫi'') is a district of Georgia, in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Its main town is Tsalenjikha. Tsalenjikha Mun ...
in the north and northeast, and it borders Chkhorotsqu Municipality and
Khobi Municipality Khobi ( ka, ხობის მუნიციპალიტეტი, ''Xobis municiṗaliṫeṫi'') is a district of Georgia, in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Its main town is Khobi. The population was 30,548, as of the 2014 census. T ...
to the south.
Zugdidi Zugdidi ( ka, ზუგდიდი; xmf, ზუგდიდი or ზუგიდი) is a city in the western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kil ...
is the administrative center of both Zugdidi Municipality and Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti region. Between 2014 and 2017 the city of Zugdidi was separated from the municipality and was a so-called "self-governed" city (or kalaki), but this administrative and governance reform was deemed too inefficient and expensive.


History


Ancient History

The territory of Zugdidi municipality, due to its economic-geographical location, seems to have been inhabited since ancient times. Archaeological sites confirm that coastal wetlands originated in the recent geological past. It can be seen that during the flourishing of the
Colchis In Greco-Roman geography, Colchis (; ) was an exonym for the Georgian polity of Egrisi ( ka, ეგრისი) located on the coast of the Black Sea, centered in present-day western Georgia. Its population, the Colchians are generally though ...
culture in the fourth-third millennia of the old year the wetlands were significantly less. During the Hellenistic period, an important trade route passed through the territory of modern Zugdidi municipality from Svaneti, on the river. Along the Enguri stream, in the direction of the Black Sea and from there, trade goods were transported to the Hellenic world (direct evidence of the development of this trade route must be the ancient necropolis of the village Riki, with the tombs of socially advanced members), which is confirmed by numismatic materials. Zugdidi was an important city of ancient Georgia. Its etymology has been touched upon by many scholars, most of them suggest that Zugdidi // Zurgdidi // Zugdidi means a big hill in Megrelian. This was the name of the hill, which was later called Mantskhvarkarish Sukia (Hill of the Savior's Gate), after which the city built here took its name.http://zugdidi.mun.gov.ge/ge/zugdidis-municipalitetis-istoria


Middle Ages up to early modern period

In written sources, Zugdidi is first mentioned by the narrator Beri Egnatashvili in 1572 in connection with the battle between Guria, the chief uncle of Guria, and George III, the chief of
Principality of Mingrelia The Principality of Mingrelia ( ka, სამეგრელოს სამთავრო, tr), also known as Odishi and as Samegrelo, was a historical state in Georgia ruled by the Dadiani dynasty. History The principality emerged out of ...
. In the first half of the 17th century, the chief of Samegrelo,
Levan II Dadiani Levan II Dadiani (also Leon; ka, ლევან ეონII დადიანი; 1597-1657) was a member of the House of Dadiani and ruler of the Principality of Mingrelia in western Georgia. Levan grew up in Kakheti under his grandfathe ...
, made
Zugdidi Zugdidi ( ka, ზუგდიდი; xmf, ზუგდიდი or ზუგიდი) is a city in the western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kil ...
his capital city. During the reign of Levan II Dadiani (1634-1657), the Odisha principality was the strongest among the kingdoms of western Georgia. Zugdidi, as the capital of this principality, has become a very important city. In order to develop trade in Zugdidi, in 1636
Levan II Dadiani Levan II Dadiani (also Leon; ka, ლევან ეონII დადიანი; 1597-1657) was a member of the House of Dadiani and ruler of the Principality of Mingrelia in western Georgia. Levan grew up in Kakheti under his grandfathe ...
deported the Chkhareli Armenian and Jewish merchants who had been taken to the ransom of King George Imereti. "We built the city of Chkhari, settled in Zugdidi and settled in Rukhi." Gray was considered a part of Zugdidi, so the construction of Gray Fortress should have started at this time, the main purpose of which was to protect the city. After the death of Levan II Dadiani (1657), the merchants who moved to Zugdidi were returned by King Alexander of Imereti to Chkhari, which significantly undermined the commercial profitability of Zugdidi. Moreover, the second half of the 17th century and the first quarter of the 18th century turned western Georgia into an arena of incessant civil feudal wars and
Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
raids, and Zugdidi itself was plundered many times. In 1662, King
Vakhtang V of Kartli Vakhtang V ( ka, ვახტანგ V), born Bakhuta Mukhranbatoni ( ka, ბახუტა მუხრანბატონი) (1618 – September 1675), was the King of Kartli (eastern Georgia) from 1658 until his death, who ruled as a vas ...
(1658–1675), enraged by the third Vamek III of Odisha, invaded Samegrelo and took Rukhi Fortress. This further weakened the princely state of Odisha. In the 1670s, the attacks of Abkhazians on Samegrelo and especially on Zugdidi became more frequent, their Marbelian detachments razed everything to the ground, looted temples, and completely destroyed Chirnakhuli. Similarly, from the end of the 17th century until the whole of the 18th century, Zugdidi and its environs were the victims of permanent raids by the Turks, during which the "purchase of captives" reached unprecedented proportions. At the end of 1779, a joint army of Abkhazians and
Turks Turk or Turks may refer to: Communities and ethnic groups * Turkic peoples, a collection of ethnic groups who speak Turkic languages * Turkish people, or the Turks, a Turkic ethnic group and nation * Turkish citizen, a citizen of the Republic ...
under the command of Zurab Shervashidze invaded Samegrelo. The second man of Samegrelo, II Dadiani, asked King Solomon of Imereti for help. The troops of all the flags of Imereti gathered in Bandza and the army was led by King Solomon himself. The enemy army, where there were 12,000 warriors divided into three divisions, crossed the river. Enguri and includes the united army of
Imereti Imereti ( Georgian: იმერეთი) is a region of Georgia situated in the central-western part of the republic along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni River. Imereti is the most populous region in Georgia. It consists of 11 munic ...
and Megrelians. The decisive battle took place near the Gray Fortress, in the Saralobegi Valley. The enemy army was severely defeated and western Georgia escaped another devastating invasion, the angry population of Mount Urta returned to their homes. This was the last expedition of the Abkhaz feudal lords against their ruler - the prince of Samegrelo.


Geography and Climate

According to the scheme of tectonic zones, the territory of Zugdidi Municipality is included in the Kolkheti subzone of the western subsidence zone of the Georgian Belt. According to the geomorphological features, it consists of three parts: 1. Accumulated Odisha lowland with flat surface (west and south-western part of the municipality up to the Black Sea), 2. Sloping Vake-Odisha plateau (east and north-east part of the municipality and flooded rivers and With a network of gorges), 3. Foothills and Urta mountain (on the border of Khobi municipality, height 469 m.), the northern slope of which is located in the territory of Zugdidi municipality. The whole territory of Zugdidi Municipality is located in the humid subtropical climate of the sea, the plain and hilly strip are characterized by humid warm climate, snowless winters and hot summers. The proximity of the Black Sea has a great influence on the nature of the climate. High radiation balance leads to a high thermal regime. The average perennial air temperature near the land surface is over 14 degrees. The coldest month is January, the temperature is positive in the plain part and at this time it is 6-7 degrees on average, while in the upper part it is negative. The warmest months are July and August, with average monthly temperatures exceeding 22 degrees. The average absolute maximum air temperature is 34-36 degrees in the Black Sea coast, up to 38 degrees in the plains. The humid air masses rising from the sea cause high air humidity throughout the year. The partial pressure of water vapor is high in the Black Sea zone. The territory of Zugdidi municipality is characterized by high cloudiness and heavy rainfall, the total cloudiness varies in the range of 60-70% during the year, and the cloudiness of the lower tier reaches 40-35%. The maximum of cloudiness in the annual course is observed in late winter and early spring, and the minimum in autumn. Annual precipitation varies between 1400 and 3000 mm. Uneven terrestrial heating, the presence of mountainous terrain and the proximity of the relatively warm Black Sea lead to the formation of winds of different directions and strengths. East winds prevail in the cold season of the year, while west (sea) winds prevail in the warm season. The number of foggy days varies from 10 to 50, with an average of 30-40 thunderstorm days. Agro-climatic conditions are very favorable for the creation of multidisciplinary and highly profitable agricultural production, especially for the development of such fields as mesimindeoba, mechaieoba, production of subtropical crops (citrus, laurel, kiwi, feijoa, etc.), fruit and berry production. Many of the water bodies in the territory of Zugdidi Municipality are rivers, swamps and springs, which have played an important role in the economic and traffic relations of the local population since time immemorial. Of the great rivers, the
Enguri The Enguri ( ka, ენგური, tr, xmf, ინგირი, ingiri, ab, Егры, ''Egry'' russian: Ингури, ''Inguri'') is a river in western Georgia. It is long, and has a drainage basin of . Zugdidi Municipal Assembly (
Georgian Georgian may refer to: Common meanings * Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country) ** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group ** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians **Georgian scripts, three scrip ...
: ზუგდიდის საკრებულო, Zugdidi Sakrebulo) is a representative body in Zugdidi Municipality, consisting of 45 members which are elected every four years. The last election was held in October 2021. Mamuka Tsotseria of
Georgian Dream Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia ( ka, ქართული ოცნება – დემოკრატიული საქართველო, ''Kartuli ocneba – Demok’rat’iuli Sakartvelo'') is a social democratic political ...
(GD) was elected mayor after a hotly contested second round against a candidate of United national Movement (UNM). Zugdidi was one of only seven municipalities where the ruling GD party failed to secure a majority in the city council. The opposition party UNM became the largest party in Zugdidi, but was one seat short of an absolute majority, after a recount. This led to protests later in the month, and a tense atmosphere around the second round of the mayoral election and afterwards. After several attempts, the opposition parties UNM and For Georgia agreed to a chairman of the Sakrebulo, four months after the elections. Georgian Dream boycotted the vote.


Subdivisions of Zugdidi

The municipality consists of 30 administrative communities (temi) with a total of 58 villages. There is one city,
Zugdidi Zugdidi ( ka, ზუგდიდი; xmf, ზუგდიდი or ზუგიდი) is a city in the western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kil ...
. Among the 58 villages in Zugdidi Municipality are: Kolkhida (village), Tchitatskari,
Narazeni Narazeni ( Georgian and xmf, ნარაზენი) is a village in the Zugdidi Municipality of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of western Georgia. Situated 17 km east of the city Zugdidi. History The village was on the transit route in th ...
, Tsatskhvi, Darcheli, Rukhi, Urta, Sintsa, Didi nedzi, Jikhashkari, Qulishkari, Odishi (village), Kortskheli, Bashi, Didobera, Ergeta, Tkaia, Kakhati, Ganarjiis Mukhuri, Shamgona, Tsaishi,
Abastumani Abastumani ( ka, აბასთუმანი) is a small town ('' daba'') and climatic spa in Adigeni Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia. It is located on the southern slopes of the Meskheti Range (Lesser Caucasus), in the small rive ...
, Chkhoria, Grigolishi, Riqe, Zeda etseri, Tchkaduashi, Ingiri, Akhalkakhati,
Anaklia Anaklia () is a town and seaside resort in western Georgia. It is located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, at the place where the Enguri River flows into the Black Sea, near the border with Abkhazia. History The earliest settlement on ...
, Oktomberi, Orulu, Onaria, Orsantia, Akhalsopheli, Koki (village), Khurcha (village). The city of Zugdidi was separated in 2014 from the municipality and was a so-called "self-governed" city (or kalaki). This administrative and governance reform was deemed too inefficient and expensive and was thus revoked in 2017. Since then, the city of Zugdidi has been part of the general municipality again.


Population

By the start of 2021 the population was determined at 99,542 people, a decline of 6% compared to the 2014 census. The city of Zugdidi lost 3% of its population in this period, and los its position of 6th largest city in Georgia to
Poti Poti ( ka, ფოთი ; Mingrelian: ფუთი; Laz: ჶაში/Faşi or ფაში/Paşi) is a port city in Georgia, located on the eastern Black Sea coast in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti in the west of the country. Built near t ...
. The population density of the municipality is . The population consists for 99.6% of Georgians, mainly Mingrelians. There are a few hundred
Russians , native_name_lang = ru , image = , caption = , population = , popplace = 118 million Russians in the Russian Federation (2002 '' Winkler Prins'' estimate) , region1 = , pop1 ...
(0.2%) and smaller numbers of ethnic minorities such as
Ukrainians Ukrainians ( uk, Українці, Ukraintsi, ) are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine. They are the seventh-largest nation in Europe. The native language of the Ukrainians is Ukrainian. The majority of Ukrainians are Eastern Ort ...
, Bosha,
Armenians Armenians ( hy, հայեր, '' hayer'' ) are an ethnic group native to the Armenian highlands of Western Asia. Armenians constitute the main population of Armenia and the ''de facto'' independent Artsakh. There is a wide-ranging diasp ...
, Assyrians, Abkhazians,
Ossetes The Ossetians or Ossetes (, ; os, ир, ирæттæ / дигорӕ, дигорӕнттӕ, translit= ir, irættæ / digoræ, digorænttæ, label=Ossetic) are an Iranian ethnic group who are indigenous to Ossetia, a region situated across the n ...
and
Greeks The Greeks or Hellenes (; el, Έλληνες, ''Éllines'' ) are an ethnic group and nation indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions, namely Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and, to a lesser extent, oth ...
. The vast majority of the population is Orthodox Christian (98%), while the only other religious minorities detected through the census are roughly 350 Jehovah's Witnesses who predominantly live in the city of Zugdidi, and a few dozen Muslims. The historic Zugdidi Uyezd, that existed until 1930 and contained the modern municipalities
Tsalenjikha Tsalenjikha ( ka, წალენჯიხა, also transliterated as Tsalendjikha and Tzalenjikha) is a town in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of western Georgia (country), Georgia with the population of 3,847 (2014). It is located on the river Cha ...
,
Chkhorotsku Chkhorotsqu ( ka, ჩხოროწყუ, Mingrelian for "nine springs") is a townlet in western Georgia, located in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and functioning as the administrative center of the homonymous district. Its population was ...
and the majority of
Khobi Khobi ( ka, ხობი) is a town in western Georgia with a population of 4,242. The settlement of Khobi acquired the status of a town in 1981 and currently functions as an administrative center of the Khobi District within the Samegrelo-Zem ...
, had a population of 114,869 in 1897.


Historical sites

* Dadiani Palace * Chakvinji fortress * Tsaishi cathedral * Kolkheti National Park * Zugdidi Botanical Garden * Rukhi Fortress * Anaklia Fortress * Church of St. George in Tkaia


Gallery

image:Dadiani Palazzio.png, Dadiani Palace image:Dadiani Palace Gruzia 2019 1.jpg, Dadiani Summer Palace image:Anaklia.JPG,
Anaklia Anaklia () is a town and seaside resort in western Georgia. It is located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, at the place where the Enguri River flows into the Black Sea, near the border with Abkhazia. History The earliest settlement on ...
File:Tkaia church.jpg, Tkaia church File:კორცხელის ყოვლადწმინდა ღვთისმშობლის სახელობის ტაძარი 2013-10-01 16-29.jpg, Kortskheli Virgin Church


See also

*
List of municipalities in Georgia (country) A municipality ( ka, მუნიციპალიტეტი, tr) is a subdivision of Georgia, consisting of a settlement or a group of settlements (community, თემი, ''temi''), which enjoy local self-government. A total of 69 municipal ...


References

{{coord, 42.5000, N, 41.8500, E, source:wikidata, display=title Municipalities of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti