Ozurgeti (Georgian: ოზურგეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი, Ozurgetis munitsipalit'et'i) is a municipality of Georgia, in the region of Guria. Its main town is Ozurgeti.

Ozurgeti Municipality
ოზურგეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი
School in Ozurgeti
School in Ozurgeti
Flag of Ozurgeti Municipality
Official seal of Ozurgeti Municipality
Location of the municipality within Georgia
Location of the municipality within Georgia
Coordinates: 41°56′00″N 41°59′00″E / 41.9333°N 41.9833°E / 41.9333; 41.9833
Country Georgia
RegionGuria
CapitalOzurgeti
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
 • BodyOzurgeti Municipal Assembly
 • mayorAvtandil Talakvadze (GD)[1]
Area
 • Total
675 km2 (261 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
59,357
 • Density87.9/km2 (228/sq mi)
Population by ethnicity[2]
 • Georgians97.19 %
 • Armenians1.77 %
 • Russians0.59 %
 • Ukrainians0.17 %
Time zoneUTC+4 (Georgian Standard Time)
Area code+995 496
Websiteozurgeti.mun.gov.ge
Fridrich Dubois de Montpereux “Old Ozurgeti” in 1830s

Ozurgeti municipality is located on the territory of western Georgia. Its area is 675 km2 (261 sq mi). Ozurgeti municipality is bordered on the west by the Black Sea, on the south by the Adjara-Guria ridge, the Choloki River and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara; Chokhatauri municipalities in the east and Lanchkhuti municipalities in the north. Black earth-alluvial and earthen soils are spread in the territory of the municipality. Red earth soils are spread in the hilly strip of the municipality. Red alloys of alluvial secondary origin are developed on the terraces of rivers, sediments, and swamps, and swampy soils are developed in the coastal zone.[3]

History

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Until 1917, the territory of the municipality was included in Ozurgeti Mazra of Kutaisi Province, in 1930 it was formed as a separate territorial unit and was called Ozurgeti District. In 1934, the Makharadze district was renamed in honor of Philip Makharadze. In the early 1960s, the area of the district was reduced: part of the area near Gomismti was transferred to Kobuleti district, and part of the area around the river Supsa to Lanchkhuti district. In 1963–64, Chokhatauri district joined Makharadze district and the city of Makharadze was defined as the center. In 1990, the district was renamed Ozurgeti, and since 2006 - Ozurgeti Municipality. Between 2014 and 2017 the city of Ozurgeti, like others, was separated from the municipality and was a so-called "self-governed" city (or kalaki).[4]

Geography

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The territory of the municipality is flooded with rivers and valleys, the rivers belong to the Black Sea basin. The river Supsa flows in the territory of the municipality, to which the river Bakhvistskali joins the territory of the municipality. Also important are the sediments with tributaries: Bzhuzhi, Choloki, Bogila, and others. The rivers of the municipality are fed by lanyards, rains, soil water, and springs. At the confluence of the seas, they contribute to the marshes of the lowlands. The river Choloki separates Ozurgeti municipality from the territory of Kobuleti municipality. The rivers are rich in fish. Found in trout, barbel, salmon, sorrel. The highest points of the territory of the municipality are in the south-eastern part of its border. Here are the highest peaks of the municipality: Mount Sakornia (2,756 m [9,042 ft].) And Gunistavi (2,132 m [6,995 ft]). The south-western part of the municipality is a plain, which is a floodplain of the river Natanebi, with an average height of 20 metres (66 ft) above sea level. Achi water gorge North of Vake is the southwestern end of the Guria Mountains, where the average altitude is 120 metres (390 ft) above sea level. It is located here near Mount Jacob, which is 145 metres (476 ft) high.[5]

Climate

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The climate is characterized by a subtropical humid climate. Humidity is due to the proximity of the Black Sea and high ridges to the east. Humidity is especially high in summer. The average annual rainfall is 2,100 to 2,800 mm (83 to 110 in). The maximum precipitation falls in September, the minimum - in May. The average annual air temperature is 14.5 to −4 °C (58.1 to 24.8 °F), the coldest month is January (+5 to −5 °C [41 to 23 °F]), and the warmest is August (23 to 13 °C [73 to 55 °F]). The absolute minimum temperatures are −17 to −18 °C (1 to 0 °F) (coastal lowlands) and −30 to −32 °C (−22 to −26 °F) (high mountains). The absolute maximum ranges between 31 and 41 °C. The territory of the municipality is characterized by seasonal winds: south-east winds in winter and west winds in summer. The average wind speed is 3.2 m/s (10 ft/s). Knows fions in winter and spring, though they do less harm; Than in other parts of western Georgia. The territory of the municipality is in the 5-6 magnitude zone in terms of earthquake danger.[6]

Biodiversity

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Achistskali River

The forest occupies 17,021 hectares (42,060 acres) on the territory of the municipality. The vegetation is formed by chestnut, hornbeam, beech, dried fruit, in the form of undergrowth can be found blueberries, sage, watercress. Natural forests are preserved in the south-eastern highlands of the municipality. At 700 to 1,700 m (2,300 to 5,600 ft) above sea level, there is a deciduous forest (alder, hornbeam, beech), and at 1,700 to 2,100 m (5,600 to 6,900 ft) there is a coniferous forest (pine, fir, spruce). Bears, roe deer, marten, tortoises, lynxes, squirrels, wolves, ticks, hedgehogs, badgers, rabbits, rabbits are common in the forests. Among the birds common are dzera, kvavi, orbi, thrush, chkhartvi, wild duck, swamp hen, niblia, kodala, tavshava, heartworm, hawk. Migratory birds enter in spring: ghazo, jadon, quail, hoopoe, mullet.

Politics

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Ozurgeti Municipal Assembly (Georgian: ოზურგეთის საკრებულო, Ozurgeti Sakrebulo) is a representative body in Ozurgeti Municipality, consisting of 45 members and elected every four years. The last election was held in October 2021.

Party 2017[7] 2021[8] Current Municipal Assembly
  Georgian Dream 36 30                                                            
  United National Movement 4 11                      
  For Georgia 4        
  Alliance of Patriots 2
  European Georgia 1
  Labour Party 1
  Independent 2
Total 46 45  

Population

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Ozurgeti City

By the start of 2021 the population was determined at 59,357 people,[9] a decline compared to the 2014 census.[11] There are 75 settlements in the municipality: 1 city, 4 urban-type settlements (daba) and 70 villages. The density is 87.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (228/sq mi).

97% of the residents are Georgians, mainly Gurians, as well as Adjarans. There are also Armenians (2%) and Russians (1%). The vast majority of the population is Orthodox Christian, a small portion is Muslim, and there are small groups of other religious denominations living in the municipality, such as Catholics, Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Population Ozurgeti Municipality
1897 1922 1926 1939 1959 1970 1979 1989 2002[12] 2014 2021
Ozurgeti Municipality - - - - 75,240   79,710   84,278   90,040   78,760 [11]  62,863   59,357
Ozurgeti 4,710   5,626   5,874   11,419   19,131   21,679   22,393   23,399   18,705   14,785   14,341
Laituri (daba) - - - - 5,018   3,398   5,327   3,854   3,556   2,697   3,369
Naruja (daba) - - - - - - - 2,219   1,295   2,148   1,514
Kveda Nasakirali (daba) - - - - - - 2,290   2,616   2,550   2,898   2,550
Ureki (daba) - - - - 1,736   1,249   1,486   1,758   1,422   1,166   1,481
Data: Population statistics Georgia 1897 to present.[13][14] Note:[12]

Historical sites

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Likhauri Church Belltower

The oldest historical monument on the territory of the municipality is the town of Vashnari. There are two castles on the territory of the municipality and both are named after Queen Tamar. These are the castles of Askani and Likhauri. Askani Castle Among the medieval church buildings are the Church of the Creator, which is the center of the Diocese of the Creator, and the Church of Jumat, which was the historic center of the Diocese of Jumat. Important monuments are the churches of Achi, Likhauri, and Baileti, where rare frescoes are preserved. In addition, hall and basilica type churches are located in Dvabzu, Vaniskedi, Kviriketi, Meria, Mtispiri, Konchkati and Khrialeti.[16]

Historical sites include:

Resorts and tourism

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Shekvetili Miniature Park

Ozurgeti Municipality has unique resorts both on the seaside and in the alpine zone. Of the four recreational status resorts in Georgia, Ureki is located in the municipality. The resorts of the municipality allow to host tourists from Georgia or abroad in winter and summer, which is one of the main preconditions for budget growth and employment of the population. Ureki, Shekvetili and Gomismta mountain resort are among the seaside resorts of the municipality.[17]

Resorts and Tourist sites include:

Twin towns – sister cities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Avtandil Talakvadze started acting as mayor" (in Georgian). 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  2. ^ "Ethnic composition of Georgia 2014". Population Statistics Eastern Europe and former USSR. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  3. ^ "Მუნიციპალიტეტის ძირითადი მონაცემები".
  4. ^ "Parliament Reduces Number of Self-Governing Cities".
  5. ^ "Მუნიციპალიტეტის ძირითადი მონაცემები".
  6. ^ "Მუნიციპალიტეტის ძირითადი მონაცემები".
  7. ^ "Protocol elected municipal council members and mayors 2017" (PDF) (in Georgian). CESKO Central Election Commission. p. 74-76. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  8. ^ "Protocol elected municipal council members and mayors 2021" (PDF) (in Georgian). CESKO Central Election Commission. p. 92-94. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  9. ^ "Population and Demography - Population by cities and boroughs (daba), as of 1 January". National Statistics Office of Georgia, Geostat. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  10. ^ "Main Results of the 2014 Census (Publication)" (PDF). Census.ge, National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) (in Georgian). 2016-04-28. pp. 49–50, 56–61. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  11. ^ a b Combined figures of the city municipality (kalaki) Ozurgeti and the municipality of Ozurgeti.[10]
  12. ^ a b The 2014 census found an inexplicable gap with the data from the national statistical office Geostat. UN-assisted research has found the 2002 census was inflated by about 8-9 percent. See,[15] "1. Introduction", Page 1.
  13. ^ "Population divisions of Georgia". Population Statistics Eastern Europe and former USSR. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  14. ^ "Population cities & towns of Georgia". Population Statistics Eastern Europe and former USSR. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  15. ^ "Population Dynamics in Georgia - An Overview Based on the 2014 General Population Census Data" (PDF). National Statistics Office of Georgia, Geostat. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  16. ^ "Ისტორია, ღირშესანიშნაობები".
  17. ^ "Ისტორია, ღირშესანიშნაობები".
  18. ^ "დაძმობილებული ქალაქები". guria.gov.ge (in Georgian). Guria Region. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  19. ^ "Міста-побратими". mistoboyarka.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). Boyarka. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
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