Adjara is an autonomous republic within Georgia, located in the southwestern part of the country along the Black Sea coast. It is known for its lush green landscapes, subtropical climate, vibrant culture, and the port city of Batumi, its capital.
Key Facts About Adjara:
Capital: Batumi (a major tourist and economic hub)
Official Language: Georgian (with Adjaran dialect variations)
Government: Autonomous republic within Georgia
Population: ~350,000 (as of recent estimates)
Religion: Predominantly Georgian Orthodox Christianity, with a historical Muslim minority (mostly Sunni)
Geography & Climate:
Located between the Black Sea and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
Features a humid subtropical climate, making it one of the wettest regions in Georgia.
Famous for its tea plantations, citrus orchards, and forests.
Economy & Tourism:
Batumi is a major tourist destination, known for its modern architecture, beaches, casinos, and nightlife.
Important sectors include tourism, shipping (Batumi Port), agriculture (tea, citrus fruits), and energy (hydropower).
The Batumi Botanical Garden is one of the largest in the former Soviet Union.
Culture & Identity:
Adjara has a distinct cultural identity within Georgia, influenced by both Georgian traditions and historical Ottoman rule.
The region was under Ottoman control from the 16th century until 1878 (Treaty of Berlin) when it was ceded to the Russian Empire.
After a brief period of independence (1918–1921), it became part of Soviet Georgia and later independent Georgia (1991).
Political Status:
Adjara is an autonomous republic under Georgian law, with its own local government but subordinate to Tbilisi.
Notable Places in Adjara:
Batumi (with its iconic Alphabetic Tower, Batumi Boulevard, and Europe Square)
Gonio Fortress (an ancient Roman-Byzantine site)
Makhuntseti Waterfall & Bridge
Mtirala National Park ("Crying Mountain" due to heavy rainfall)
Chakvi (famous for tea plantations)
Adjara is a unique blend of Georgian traditions, coastal tourism, and mountainous beauty, making it one of the most diverse and dynamic regions in Georgia.
