Mingrelia - Mingrelien

Mingrelia, also სამეგრელო (Samegrelo) is a region in the northwest of Georgia and together with Upper Svaneti the administrative region (Mchare) Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (Mingrelien-Oberswanetien). Capital is Zugdidi.Megrelia borders in the northwest Abkhazia, in the north Svaneti, in the east Imereti, in the south Guria and in the west ans Black sea.

Regions

The region is roughly divided into three parts:

• The coastal area is largely formed by the Colchetian marshland, the most important places are the port city Potentiometer and the newly developed spa town Anaklia.
• The foothills of the Caucasus are partly fertile plains, partly hilly, and most of the larger towns are located there.
• The high mountains.

The region is bounded in the south by the Rioni River, numerous large rivers flow through the region from the Caucasus into the Black Sea or into the Rioni. From west to east the most important are: Enguri (Inguri), Tschaniszkali, Chobi, Ziwi, Techura, Abascha and Zcheniszkali.

places

Capital is Zugdidi (approx. 90,000 inhabitants), another important city is the port city Potentiometer (50,000 inhabitants). Other important cities and district centers are:

• Senaki
• Abasha
• Chobi
• Zalendjikha
• Chchorotzkhu
• Martvili

Other goals

• Karst caves Martvili
• Kolchetisches Wetlands and Paliastomi Lake at Potentiometer
• Enguri dam near Jvari
• Beach resort Anaklia
• Lebarde mountain health resort

background

language

In Megrelia, as in the rest of the country, Georgian is spoken, but partly in a local dialect (Mingrelian), which can also be incomprehensible to Eastern Georgians. The Svaneti language is also spoken in Svaneti, a language (or dialect) related to Georgian, but which differs completely from the standard language. Common foreign languages ​​are Russian and, to a lesser extent, English in some tourist centers.

getting there

• Nearest airports are in Kutaisi, Batumi and Tbilisi.
• The port city of Poti is with Ferries across the Black Sea from Chornomorsk (formerly Illitschiwsk; at Odessa) reachable.
• There are daily Night trains between Tbilisi and Zugdidi or Poti.
• The larger cities of the region (Zugdidi, Poti and Senaki) are connected several times a day by minibuses (marshrutkas) with other larger cities in the neighboring regions (Batumi, Kutaisi) and Tbilisi.
• By car from Tbilisi via the west-east connecting road ს 1 over Gori-Kutaisi-Senaki to Potentiometer or Zugdidi.
• The "Enguri" border crossing between core Georgia and Abkhazia is difficult to pass, the transit through Abkhazia from / to Russia is strictly forbidden by the Georgian authorities.
• Of the Turkey or Batumi by car directly to Poti via the trunk road ს 2.

mobility

Within the region, minibuses (marshrutkas) run between the most important places. Otherwise, your own car is the means of transport of choice, in the mountains an off-road vehicle is recommended. The road to Mestia but is now very well developed.

Tourist Attractions

• Dadiani Palace and botanical garden in Zugdidi
• Monastery complex Martvili-Chkondidi
• Nokalakewi - Ruined city near Senaki
• The world's largest Arch dam on the Enguri River Jvari
• The newly built Promenade of Anaklia
• Potentiometer: Newly built cathedral and extensive Port facilities.
• The State Theater of Senaki in neo-baroque style
• Paliastomi lake and Colchian marshland at Potentiometer

activities

• The upper reaches of the rivers are ideal for canoeing and rafting, there are numerous local providers of these white water sports.
• Bathing on Anaklia beach.

kitchen

nightlife

security

No major uncertainties compared to the rest of the country.

climate

In the mountains mountain climate. In the lowlands it is hot and humid in summer, and mild and humid in winter.

literature

Web links