Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti
Encyclopedia
Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti are ethnic Armenians
of Georgian nationality living in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of Georgia
, which borders the Republic of Armenia
to the south and where ethnic Armenians form the great majority of the population with minority Georgians
and populations of Russians
and others.
There have been several protests and clashes with police about the treatment of the Armenians of Samtskhe-Jevakheti.
The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline
which passed through the region, has met opposition from local Armenians, as well as the planned Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway as it isolates Armenia.
The local Armenian United Javakhk Democratic Alliance
has proposed a local autonomy for Javakheti within Georgia. The organization also proposed to hold a referendum on autonomy or secession of Javakheti in 1998.
Some Armenian political groupings of the Republic of Armenia
and the Armenian diaspora
, amongst them most notably the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) claim that Javakhk
(Armenian name for Javakheti) should belong to Armenia, United Armenia shall include all territories designated as Armenia by the Treaty of Sèvres
as well as the regions of Artsakh
(Nagorno-Karabakh
), Javakhk (Armenian name for Javakheti), and Nakhchivan.
However, Javakhk (Javakheti) is not officially claimed by the government of Armenia.
and Ninotsminda
districts. At the beginning of 1918 in Akhalkalaki region had 120,000 population, from which Armenians
were 89,000 (74%), Meskhetian Turks were 8,000 (7%), representatives of other nationalities 23,000 (19%) During this period in Ahalkalak district there were 111 villages from which 66 were Armenian, 24 Turkish, 9 Russian
, 10 Georgian
(including former Armenian villages Vargav and Hzabavra, the population of which had assimilated with Georgians), and one village with the Armenian-Georgian mixed population. Today, native Armenian population of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka
somehow tries to resist against the anti-Armenian policy of Georgian government. In the first years of Soviet system ruling in Georgia, on the territory of today's Samtskhe-Javakheti region lived 200,402 persons. The region had following national structure:
Thus, Armenians made overwhelming majority in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Meskhetian Turks were 1/4 of the total population and Georgians
- obvious minority.
In 1944 by decision of a government of the Soviet Union
the Meskhetian Turkish population of Samtskhe-Javakheti (approximately 100,000 person) has been exiled to Central Asia
(Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan
). Their former residences have been populated by Georgians from Imereti
. From 120 villages left by Meskhetian Turks 115 were in Adigen, Akhaltskha
and Aspindza
administrative areas from which 65 have been resettled by the alien Georgian population from Imereti
. Other villages became basically thrown. Only 5 villages (Sagamo, Khavet, Erindja, Davnia, Karsep) were in Akhalkalaki (4) and Bogdanovka (1) areas which in a consequence have been populated by Armenians. The Georgian local government forbade Armenian population to settle the thrown villages, and has agreed on it only when has seen, that the Georgian newcomers have flatly refused to settle and live there in these severe climatic conditions.
Today, there are numerous debates about returning the Meskhetian Turks on former places of residing. It is necessary to note, that from those left 120 villages in 65 lives Georgians, about 50 settlements are thrown and now have already ruined, and only in 5 villages belonged Meskhetian Turks, now live Armenians.
Deportation nearby 100,000 Meskhetian Turks has noticeably changed demographic picture of Samtskhe-Javakheti. According to census of 1979 the population of region had approximately 190,000 person. Armenians
were 124,000 (65.3%), Georgians
44,000 (23.2%), and others Russians
, Ukrainians
, Greeks
, Jews
, etc.
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
of Georgian nationality living in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
, which borders the Republic of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
to the south and where ethnic Armenians form the great majority of the population with minority Georgians
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
and populations of Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
and others.
Background
Armenians in Samtskhe-Jаvakheti believe they are victims of a policy to shift the region’s demographic balance as a number of Georgian families were settled there. Armenians also say they are underrepresented in the government and discriminated against. Most of the Armenians in the region immigrated from the province of Erzerum in the Ottoman Empire after the area became part of Russia in 1829 while most of the Muslims (Meskhetian Turks and Adjaris) in the region emigrated to the Ottoman Empire. More Armenians came to region later on as a result of Turkish massacres and the Armenian genocide.There have been several protests and clashes with police about the treatment of the Armenians of Samtskhe-Jevakheti.
The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline
South Caucasus Pipeline
South Caucasus Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline to transport natural gas from the Shah Deniz gas field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Turkey...
which passed through the region, has met opposition from local Armenians, as well as the planned Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway as it isolates Armenia.
The local Armenian United Javakhk Democratic Alliance
United Javakhk Democratic Alliance
The United Javakhk Democratic Alliance is a non-government organization composed of ethnic Armenians living in Samtskhe-Javakheti province of Georgia. It has, at various times, called for local autonomy for predominantly ethnic Armenian area of Javakheti known in Armenian as Javakhk; whence the...
has proposed a local autonomy for Javakheti within Georgia. The organization also proposed to hold a referendum on autonomy or secession of Javakheti in 1998.
Some Armenian political groupings of the Republic of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
and the Armenian diaspora
Armenian diaspora
The Armenian diaspora refers to the Armenian communities outside the Republic of Armenia and self proclaimed de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic...
, amongst them most notably the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
(ARF) claim that Javakhk
Javakheti
Javakheti is a historical region of the nation of Georgia, in the southeastern part of the country's Samtskhe-Javakheti province. Today it comprises the Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda municipal territories. It was historically bordered in the west with both sides of the Mtkvari river, in the north,...
(Armenian name for Javakheti) should belong to Armenia, United Armenia shall include all territories designated as Armenia by the Treaty of Sèvres
Treaty of Sèvres
The Treaty of Sèvres was the peace treaty between the Ottoman Empire and Allies at the end of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles was signed with Germany before this treaty to annul the German concessions including the economic rights and enterprises. Also, France, Great Britain and Italy...
as well as the regions of Artsakh
Artsakh
Artsakh was the tenth province of the Kingdom of Armenia from 189 BC until 387 AD and afterwards a region of Caucasian Albania from 387 to the 7th century. From the 7th to 9th centuries, it fell under Arab control...
(Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
), Javakhk (Armenian name for Javakheti), and Nakhchivan.
However, Javakhk (Javakheti) is not officially claimed by the government of Armenia.
History
Ethnic Armenians are chiefly concentrated in AkhalkalakiAkhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki is a small city in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 60,975. Akhalkalaki lies on the edge of the Javakheti Volcanic Plateau. The city is located about 30 km from the border with Turkey. 90 percent of the city's population are ethnic Armenians...
and Ninotsminda
Ninotsminda
Ninotsminda is a town and a rayon located in Georgia's southern district of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The rayon has a population of 34,305 according to 2002 Census. The Armenians number 32,856, Georgians 476 and Russians 943...
districts. At the beginning of 1918 in Akhalkalaki region had 120,000 population, from which Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
were 89,000 (74%), Meskhetian Turks were 8,000 (7%), representatives of other nationalities 23,000 (19%) During this period in Ahalkalak district there were 111 villages from which 66 were Armenian, 24 Turkish, 9 Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
, 10 Georgian
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
(including former Armenian villages Vargav and Hzabavra, the population of which had assimilated with Georgians), and one village with the Armenian-Georgian mixed population. Today, native Armenian population of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka
Tsalka
- Population :The district had a population of 22,000. According to the 2002 census 55% of its population is Armenian, 22% Greek, 12% Georgian, and 9.5% Azerbaijanis...
somehow tries to resist against the anti-Armenian policy of Georgian government. In the first years of Soviet system ruling in Georgia, on the territory of today's Samtskhe-Javakheti region lived 200,402 persons. The region had following national structure:
| 1. | Armenians Armenians Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian.... |
109, 748 (54.8%) | 2. | Meskhetian Turks (combined with all Muslims Islam Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~... ) |
57,079 (28.5%) | 3. | Georgians Georgians The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America.... |
18,536 (9.2%) | 4. | Other nationalities | 15,040 (7.5%) |
Thus, Armenians made overwhelming majority in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Meskhetian Turks were 1/4 of the total population and Georgians
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
- obvious minority.
In 1944 by decision of a government of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
the Meskhetian Turkish population of Samtskhe-Javakheti (approximately 100,000 person) has been exiled to Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
(Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
and Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
). Their former residences have been populated by Georgians from Imereti
Imereti
Imereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
. From 120 villages left by Meskhetian Turks 115 were in Adigen, Akhaltskha
Akhaltsikhe
Akhaltsikhe is a small city in Georgia's southwestern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is situated on the both banks of a small river Potskhovi, which separates the city to the old city in the north and new in the south. The name of the city translates from Georgian as "new fortress".- History...
and Aspindza
Aspindza
Aspindza is a town in southern Georgia's region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 13,010, mostly ethnic Georgians. It is located at around .-History:The word "Aspindza" derives from a Persian word, which meant "a hotel on a big road"...
administrative areas from which 65 have been resettled by the alien Georgian population from Imereti
Imereti
Imereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
. Other villages became basically thrown. Only 5 villages (Sagamo, Khavet, Erindja, Davnia, Karsep) were in Akhalkalaki (4) and Bogdanovka (1) areas which in a consequence have been populated by Armenians. The Georgian local government forbade Armenian population to settle the thrown villages, and has agreed on it only when has seen, that the Georgian newcomers have flatly refused to settle and live there in these severe climatic conditions.
Today, there are numerous debates about returning the Meskhetian Turks on former places of residing. It is necessary to note, that from those left 120 villages in 65 lives Georgians, about 50 settlements are thrown and now have already ruined, and only in 5 villages belonged Meskhetian Turks, now live Armenians.
Deportation nearby 100,000 Meskhetian Turks has noticeably changed demographic picture of Samtskhe-Javakheti. According to census of 1979 the population of region had approximately 190,000 person. Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
were 124,000 (65.3%), Georgians
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
44,000 (23.2%), and others Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
, Ukrainians
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
, Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
, etc.
Demographics
This table is a comparing table of Armenian population of Samtskhe-Javakheti in 1939, 1989, 2002.| |
|
|
|||||||
| Total | Armenians | Armenian % | Total | Armenians | Armenian % | Total | Armenians | Armenian % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akhalkalaki Akhalkalaki Akhalkalaki is a small city in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 60,975. Akhalkalaki lies on the edge of the Javakheti Volcanic Plateau. The city is located about 30 km from the border with Turkey. 90 percent of the city's population are ethnic Armenians... |
64,655 | 54,081 | 83.6 | 62,977 | 57,209 | 90.8 | 60,975 | 57,516 | 94.3 |
| Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe is a small city in Georgia's southwestern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is situated on the both banks of a small river Potskhovi, which separates the city to the old city in the north and new in the south. The name of the city translates from Georgian as "new fortress".- History... |
55,490 | 16,454 | 29.7 | 50,430 | 25,753 | 51 | 46,134 | 16,879 | 36.6 |
| Ninotsminda Ninotsminda Ninotsminda is a town and a rayon located in Georgia's southern district of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The rayon has a population of 34,305 according to 2002 Census. The Armenians number 32,856, Georgians 476 and Russians 943... |
34,575 | 27,376 | 79.2 | 32,064 | 27,090 | 84.5 | 34,305 | 32,857 | 95.8 |
| Adigeni Adigeni Adigeni is a district in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. Covering an area of about . As of 2002 it had a population of 20,752 people.- External links :* *... |
41,314 | 942 | 2.3 | 19,598 | 1,627 | 8.3 | 20,753 | 698 | 3.4 |
| Borjomi Borjomi Borjomi is a resort town in south-central Georgia with a population estimated at 14,445. It is one of the districts of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is situated in the northwestern part of the region in the picturesque Borjomi Gorge on the eastern edge of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park... |
37,437 | 3,946 | 10.5 | 32,422 | 3,124 | 9.6 | |||
| Tsalka Tsalka - Population :The district had a population of 22,000. According to the 2002 census 55% of its population is Armenian, 22% Greek, 12% Georgian, and 9.5% Azerbaijanis... |
40,286 | 11,726 | 29.1 | 44,438 | 12,671 | 28.4 | 20,888 | 11,484 | 55 |
| Aspindza Aspindza Aspindza is a town in southern Georgia's region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 13,010, mostly ethnic Georgians. It is located at around .-History:The word "Aspindza" derives from a Persian word, which meant "a hotel on a big road"... |
32,644 | 1,741 | 5.3 | 11,265 | 2,068 | 18.4 | 13,01 | 2,273 | 17.5 |
| TOTAL | 306,401 | 116,266 | 37.9 | 220,772 | 126,418 | 57.3 | 228,487 | 124,831 | 54.6 |