About Ajara

Ajara is one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia with extraordinary nature, the historic Black Sea and mild warm sun as well as warm and friendly people, rich folklore traditions and cultural heritage. The diverse nature of Ajara includes picturesque mountainous landscapes, seascapes, parks and reserves. A distinctive and delicious cuisine and original traditions equally attract Georgian and foreign visitors alike.

Ajara is the site of a distinguished Botanic Gardens where a diverse range of plant species from various climatic and landscape zones around the world grow together. The richness of natural resources is also evident by the great number of protected areas. Mtirala National Park, Ispani mire, Kintrishi Reserve and Machakhela Transboundary Protected Area are the best places for ecotourism lovers.

Visitors can taste the wines prepared from the unique varieties of grapes in Ajara, get acquainted with Ajarian cuisine and folklore, visit the “Chkhaveri” vineyard, purchase items of local trade and participate in vintage. The unique Roman fortress in Gonio dating from the first century connects the region to the Antique and Byzantine ages. A few kilometers away is located the historical Petra fortress that connected Western Georgia to the Byzantine provinces, Iran and Armenia.

 Batumi, one of the most beautiful cities in Georgia, is located in Ajara. The city is represents modern Georgia in the best way with its old and new architecture and seaside boulevard.
 

General Information about Ajara

The Ajara Autonomous Republic is a constituent part of Georgia. The republic has its own flag and coat of arms. It consists of six administrative-territorial units: the city of Batumi as well as the municipalities of Keda, Kobuleti, Khelvachauri, Shuakhevi and Khulo.
 

Administrative:                      Center Batumi

Urban Population:                 48%

Area:                                      2,900 km² (4,2% of the country’s total area)

Total length of the border:   270 km, including 57 km along the coast

Population;                            approximately 400,000

Official language:                  Georgian

International code:                +995 422

Currency:                               Lari (GEL)

Time zone:                             UTC +4

Flag

Coat of arms
 

Population

There are 342 populated units in the territory of the Autonomous Republic including: the cities of Batumi and Kobuleti; seven small towns: Makhinjauri, Chakvi, Ochkhamuri, Keda, Khelvachauri, Shuakhevi, Khulo; and 333 villages.  Changes within the ethnic composition of the Ajara population occurred during the 19^th – 20^th centuries when Armenians, Russians, Greeks and Germans settled here from abroad or inland provinces of the Russian Empire. Today ethnic minorities comprise 16% of the location population with the majority being ethnic Georgians (82%).