








































Georgian Geographical Journal 

 

Administrative-Territorial Organisation of the States 
in the Caucasus Region in the 20th Century and the 
Beginning of the 21st Century 
Givi Tavadze1  
1Department of the Human Geography, TSU, Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute 
of Geography, Tbilisi, Georgia 
* Corresponding author: givi.tavadze@tsu.com  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Introduction 

Despite numerous cultures in the Caucasus and the political-geographic separation of the region, the 
various physical-geographic, historical-geographic, and ethnic facts, as well as the political and 
economic facts, help us to determine it as the entire region. Even though political geography owns the 
main role when we speak about the state and the internal regional frontiers. The political geography of 
the Caucasus changed in the 20th and the beginnings of the 21st centuries. The basis for these changes 
was formed in the very beginning of the 19th century when Russia’s state adamantly based itself in 
the North and South Caucasus. Despite many successful conflicts, the Russian Empire could not 
occupy the entire ethnic and historical-geographic region of the Caucasus, so it was divided among 
three empires at the beginning of the 20th century. The Russian geopolitical terms “кавказ” and 
“закавказье” occupied only Russia’s territory of the Caucasus. “The North Caucasus” and “the South 
Caucasus”, which replaced those two terms, also occupy only Russia’s Caucasian territory and the 
Caucasian territory liberated from this state. As a result, the Caucasian lands of the Persian 
Empire/Iran and the Ottoman Empire/Türkiye remained out of the native region (Ismaylov & Papava, 
2007). They occupy the historical “Adarbadagan”, which name is one of the steps in the forming of 
the toponymy “Azerbaijan”, whereas the land is unofficially known as “the South Azerbaijan” or 
“Iran’s Azerbaijan”. They also occupy the historical Georgian and the Armenian lands, a part of 
which remained in the Ottoman Empire at first, and then an even larger part was given to the Republic 
of Türkiye by 1921 year’s agreements in Kars and Moscow (Metreveli, The History of Caucasus – 
part 1, 2023). 

The February Revolution in 1917 in Russia led to the formation or restoration of new states in the 
Caucasus. Their administrative and territorial organisation was based on the laws of the Russian 
Empire. The multicultural region became the centre for the different interests and the mutual and the 
internal conflicts, which were successfully used by Soviet Russia, and the Caucasus remained divided 
among three states once again in 1921. The administrative and territorial organisation of the Soviet 

Georgian Geographical Journal, 2025, 5(1) 88-109 
© The Author(s) 2025 

 
This article is an open access article distributed under 
the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons 
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// 
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). 
DOI: https://journals.4science.ge/index.php/GGJ 

Citation: Tavadze, G. Administrative-
Territorial Organisation of the States in the 
Caucasus Region in the 20th Century and 
the Beginning of the 21st Century. 
Georgian Geographical Journal 2025, 
5(1), 88-109. 
https://doi.org/10.52340/ggj.2025.05.01.09 

Abstract 
Eurasia comprises numerous self-sufficient and, in many ways, important 
regions. One of the most polyethnic, polyconfessional and, as a result, 
culturally varied Caucasus, on the border of Europe and Asia, is one such 
place. The region is divided into two political-geographic parts: “North 
Caucasus” and “South Caucasus”. These terms represent the modern 
geopolitical transformation of the Russian terms "кавказ" and "закавказье," 
which were formed in the 19th century. It is important that these two terms 
did not occupy the whole area of the Caucasus and separate about ¼ part of 
the territory from the region; according to modern political geography, this 
land is part of the Middle East. Though, according to the various physical-
geographic, historical-geographic and ethno-geographic sources, this land is 
part of the Caucasus. Eldar Ismailov, an Azerbaijani scientist, and Vladimer 
Papava, a Georgian scientist, defined the Caucasus region and developed a 
theory that divides it into three parts. The determination of the internal 
political-geographic structure during the close past and the modern time is 
the main goal of this article. 

Keywords: North Caucasus, Central, Caucasus, South Caucasus, Region, 
Province 

mailto:givi.tavadze@tsu.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-5355


Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

Caucasus remained under the influence of the Russian imperial order for a long time and was 
gradually rearranged in the new Soviet system. This Soviet system became the base for the modern 
administrative-territorial organisation when the Caucasus comprised six states, in 1991. This research 
aims to identify the situation that best illustrates the structure of the Caucasus as a complete 
geographic region, along with its historical context and modern political organisation. 
Methods and Materials 

The main sources for the theory of this article are Eldar Ismailov’s and Vladimer Papava’s 
monograph: “Central Caucasus: Essays on Geopolitical Economy” and two-volume edition of the 
Georgian National Academy of Science: The History of Caucasus. Besides, the various important 
issues like the frontiers of the states and regions or their changing during the years have the own 
Georgian and foreign sources. The analysis of the maps is widely used in the article too 
(Gachechiladze, 2023). 
Results 
Frontiers 

The geography of the frontiers in the Caucasus Region (fig. 1), including the internationally 
admitted ones, is complex and varied. The dispute and the conflicts about the state frontiers form the 
important problems for the countries of the Caucasus. As for the borders of the entire region, they 
may be drawn as on the physical-geographic as on the political-geographic lines. These lines 
coincided with each other or not on the various parts of the entire border. 

The western border of the Caucasus Region is situated along the coast of the Azov and the Black 
seas from the town of Yeysk in the north to the Trabzon city in the south. Though, the different source 
widens this part of the frontier from the estuary of the Don River in the north to the Ordu city in the 
south. According to the opinion of the author, Trabzon City may be included in the Caucasus Region, 
as the physical-geographic, historical-geographic, and ethnic facts give us such a possibility. On the 
other hand, there is room for debate regarding the relocation of the borders to the Don River and the 
Ordu city. Besides, the writing sources do not confirm these borders. 

The eastern border starts at the estuary of the Kuma River in the Caspian Sea and continues along 
the coast until the Talish Mountains and the Iranian part of the Mughan Plain. Various sources suggest 
that the western part of the Alborz Mountains moves this frontier to the southeast. Physical-
geographic and historical-geographic facts allow the entire territory of the Mughan Plain to enter the 
Caucasus Region. It is important that this plain was the land which had been used for the controlling 
of the Caucasus by the various empires that owned Iran during many centuries. In contrast, the Alborz 
Mountains and their inhabitants lack a direct physical, historical, or ethnic connection to the Caucasus 
Region and its people. This moved border is not confirmed by the writing sources. 

The northern border of the Caucasus Region starts at the town of Yeysk on the coast of the Azov 
Sea and continues to the east by the Eya, Yegorlik, West Manich and East Manich rivers; also, the 
Manich Lake and the lower basin of the Kuma River till the Caspian Sea. According to the different 
source, the frontier is slightly moved to the north and draws the border line on the lower basin of the 
Don River, the Manich River, the Kuma-Manich Depression and the lower basin of the Kuma River. 
Numerous maps show us that only the autonomous republics of “the North Caucasus"—the”members 
of the Russian Federation, comprise this region. But this idea banishes “the Krasnodar Kray” – the 
basin of the Kuban River – and “the Stavropol Kray” – the basin of the Kuma River – from the 
Caucasus Region. 

The southern border is situated along the East Pontus Mountains, the Armenian Highlands, and the 
Anti-Caucasus Mountains east of Lake Van; the region also comprises the Karadag Ridge and the 
Iranian part of the Mughan Plain. Though the southern frontier of the Caucasus is problematical (there 
are not such clear physical-geographic lines in this direction as in others,) another physical-
geographic fact is important. The entire basins of the Mtkvari (Kura,) Aras and Chorokhi rivers are 
parts of the Caucasus, whereas the basin of the Euphrates River is not, though the East Euphrates or 
Murat River starts in the Anti-Caucasus Mountains too. 

It is important that the physical map in “the Geopolitical Atlas of the Caucasus” [Relief, page 12] 
formed by Jean Radvanyi and Nikoloz Beruchashvili mainly coincide with the frontiers told in “the 
History of the Caucasus” with one important difference. This map does not comprise the Caucasian 
territories of the Republic of Türkiye and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Radvanyi & Beruchashvili, 
2009). 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

 
Figure 1. The Physical-Geographic Map of the Caucasus Region (Caucasus, 2018) 

According the written information, the Caucasus Region mainly comprises Georgia, Azerbaijan and 
Armenia; the administrative-territorial parts of the Russian Federation: the Adygea, Karachay-
Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and the Dagestan autonomous 
republics, the Krasnodar and the Stavropol krays; the ostans of the Islamic Republic of Iran: West 
Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardebil and Gilan; the Ills of the Republıc of Türkiye: Artvin, Rize, 
Trabzon, Ardahan, Kars, Igdir and the northern part of Erzurum. Though, there can be the different 
ideas about the Caucasian territories of Russia, Iran and Türkiye (fig. 2). 

 
Figure 2. Territory of the Caucasus Region and Its Sovereign States 

The state frontiers in the Caucasus are as complex and varied as the borders of the entire region. 
They are based as much on the orographic as on the hydrographical objects. The de jure and the de 
facto frontiers have been often changed during the 20th-21st centuries, which forms the important 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

internal and the foreign problems. The republics of Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as the 
Russian Federation, are neighbours of Georgia. The length of Georgia’s frontier with Türkiye 
comprises 240.8 km, with Armenia – 194.4 km, with Azerbaijan – 402.2 km, and with Russia – 915 
km. The neighbours of Azerbaijan are not only Georgia but also the Russian Federation, the republics 
of Armenia and Türkiye, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The length of Azerbaijan’s frontier with 
Russia is 390.3 kilometres, with Türkiye – 9 km, with Armenia – 1007.1 km, and with Iran – 765 km. 
Türkiye and Iran are the neighbours of Armenia, with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Armenia shares a 
frontier of 311 km with Türkiye and 44 km with Iran. Türkiye and Iran share a long state frontier that 
measures 499 kilometres. Interestingly, Türkiye’s section of the Caucasian frontier with Iran is quite 
short, located only within the territory of the Igdir Ill. In contrast, the entire frontier between Iran and 
Türkiye is located in the Caucasus Region, specifically within the territory of West Azerbaijan Ostan 
(Goishvili & Chkheidze, 2001). 

Krasnodar Krai, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya, 
and the Dagestan autonomous republics are the bordering territories of the Russian Federation in the 
Caucasus. All of them are the neighbours of Georgia’s one or more administrative territorial regions, 
and only Dagestan A.R. is the neighbour of Azerbaijan’s two unofficial administrative regions. The 
Krasnodar Krai has the frontier with the occupied Abkhazia Autonomous Republic, Georgia. The 
Karachay-Cherkessia A.R. has the frontier with the Abkhazia A.R. and the Samegrelo – Upper 
Svaneti Region, whereas the Kabardino-Balkaria A.R. has the frontier with the Samegrelo – Upper 
Svaneti region and the Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti regions. North Ossetia has the frontier 
with the Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Region, the Occupied Tskhinvali Region and the 
Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region. The Ingushetia A.R. has the frontier with the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region; 
the Chechnya A.R. has the frontier with the Mtskheta-Mtianeti and the Kakheti regions, whereas the 
Dagestan A.R. has the frontier with only the Kakheti Region. 

The administrative-territorial districts (provinces) of Azerbaijan are collected in wider “economic 
regions”. Russia’s Dagestan Autonomous Republic has the frontier with two of them: Shaki-Zaqatala 
and Quba-Khachmaz. 

The Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti regions and the Adjara Autonomous Republic are the 
bordering territories of Georgia too. These regions and Kakheti have a state border with the various 
regions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Türkiye. Kakheti bordered the Shaki-Zaqatala and the Ganja-
Dashkasan economic regions of the Azerbaijan Republic; Kvemo Kartli – with the Kazakh-Tovuz 
economic region. The Kvemo Kartli Region also shares a border with the Tavush, Lori, and Shirak 
"marzes" (regions) of the Armenian Republic. Samtskhe-Javakheti is bordered by the Shirak Marz 
too. This region of Georgia also has the frontier with Türkiye’s Ardahan Ill. The Adjara Autonomous 
Republic has the frontier with the Ardahan and Artvin provinces, both bordering regions of Türkiye 
with Georgia. 

The republics of Armenia and Turkey, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, are the neighbours of the 
Azerbaijan Republic, along with Georgia and Russia. 8 economic regions of Azerbaijan have borders 
with the various regions of these states. Four economic units, namely the Kazakh-Tovuz, Ganja-
Dashkasan, East Zangezur regions, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, share a state border 
with six marzes of Armenia: Tavush, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Ararat, and Armavir. The 
Nakhchivan A.R. has the shortest border with the Republic of Türkiye. The same autonomous 
republic, also the East Zangezur, Karabakh, Mil-Mughan, Shirvan-Salyian and the Lankeran-Astara 
economic regions, have the state frontier with the ostans of the Islamic Republic of Iran: West 
Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardebil and Gilan. 

Four marzes of the Republic of Armenia—Shirak, Aragatsotn, Armavir, and Ararat—share a state 
border with various provinces of the Republic of Türkiye. Shirak has the border with the Ardahan and 
Kars ills, Aragatsotn – with only the Kars ill, Armavir – with the Kars and the Igdir ills, Ararat – with 
only the Igdir ill. The Syunik Marz of the Armenian Republic has a state border with the East 
Azerbaijan Ostan of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

4 ills of the Republic of Türkiye: Igdir, Agri, Van and Hakkari have the state frontier with the only 
ostan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, West Azerbaijan. Among these regions, Türkiye’s Igdir and 
Iran’s West Azerbaijan are part of the Caucasus. 

The establishment of state frontiers and internal borders became a long-term process. It lasted for 
about two centuries and became painful for the various states of the Caucasus Region. Regrettably, we 
have not yet completed this challenging process. 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

Administrative-Territorial Organisation of the Caucasus Region in the Beginnings of the 20th 
Century 

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian, Ottoman, and Persian empires divided the 
Caucasus Region. “The Caucasian Viceroyalty” of the Russian Empire comprised 13 various 
governorates, oblasts and the okrugs. Besides, the Caucasus Region comprised the Stavropol 
Governorate, which was not part of “the Caucasian Viceroyalty”, and also the Trabzon and the 
Erzurum vilayets of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the Azerbaijan and the Gilan khanates of the 
Persian Empire (Metreveli, The History of Caucasus – part 2, 2023). 

The large administrative-territorial regions of Russia—the governorates and the oblasts (regions)—
were divided into smaller provinces: the uezds, okrugs, districts, and "otdels". They were also 
subdivided into “the police districts”. “The North Caucasus” comprised the Stavropol and the Black 
Sea governorates and the Kuban, Ter, and Dagestan oblasts. It's crucial to note that the modern 
Abkhazia Autonomous Republic occupied the south-eastern region of the Black Sea Governorate, 
stretching from the Bzipi River basin to the Psou River, as depicted on the 1913 Map of the Black Sea 
Province. 

Formated in 1847, the Stavropol Governorate (fig. 3) underwent internal territorial changes from 
1910 to 1917. The governorate comprised 5 uezds and 2 districts until the collapse of the Russian 
Empire: the Alexanderevskoe, Medvejye, Blagodranoe, and Stavropol uezds and the Sviato Krest 
uezd, which had the same names, as well as the Turkmen and Achikul districts. 

 
Figure 3. Stavropol Governorate in 1913 (Stavropol Governorate, 1913) 

In 1896, the Black Sea Governorate came into existence. Novorossiysk City was its centre. 
Novorossiysk, Tuapse, and Sochi were the three okrugs that divided the region. The Sochi Okrug 
comprised the northwestern part of the modern Abkhazia Autonomous Republic. 

In 1860, the Kuban Oblast came into existence. The city of Ekaterinodar (modern Krasnodar) was 
its centre. In the beginning of the 20th century, the region comprised seven "otdels": Bataplashin, 
Yeysk, Ekaterinodar, Kavkasky, Labin, Maykop, and Temryuk. “The Temryuk Otdel” was renamed 
as “Taman” in 1910. Only 3ut of 5 owned the towns as the centres at that period: Ekaterinodar, Labin 
and Maykop. The centres of the Bataplashin, Yeysk, Kavkasky and Taman otdels were only the 
stations: Bataplashin (the modern Cherkessk,) Umman, Kavkasky and Slavyansk (the modern 
Slavyansk on the Kuban) (Kuban Region, 1913). 

In 1860, the Terek Oblast came into existence. Vladikavkaz City was the centre of this region. The 
oblast comprised five okrugs and three otdels at the beginning of the 20th century: the Vladikavkaz, 
Grozny, Nalchik, Pyatigorsk, and Khasavyurt okrugs; the Kizlar, Mozdok, and Sunja otdels. 5 
territories owned the towns as the centres at that period: Vladikavkaz, Grozny, Pyatigorsk, Kizlar and 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

Mozdok. The centres of the Nalchik and Khasavyurt okrugs as well as the Sunja Otdel were the 
stations. It is important that Nalchik and Khasavyurt are the towns of the Russian Federation today, 
whereas Sunja is a village (Map of the Terek Region, 1913). 

The Dagestan Oblast was formed in 1860. The town of Temir-Khan-Shura (now Buynaksk) was its 
centre. At the beginning of the 20th century, the region comprised nine okrugs: Avarskiy, Andiyskiy, 
Gunibskiy, Darginskiy, Kazikumukhskiy, Kaytago-Tabasaranskiy, Kyurinskiy, Samurskiy, and 
Temir-Khan-Shurinskiy. Their centres were the villages: Khunzakh, Botlikh, Gunib, Levashi, 
Kumukh, Madzhalis, Kasumkent, Akhty, and the town of Temir-Khan-Shura (Map of the Dagestan 
Region, 1913). 

“The Central Caucasus” comprised the Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Yerevan, Elizavetpol and Baku 
governorates, the Zaqatala and Sokhumi okrugs, and partly the Batumi Oblast. The Russian Empire 
began the conquest of "the Central Caucasus" in 1801, gradually forming its parts over a long period 
of time. This ultimately led to the formation of the Tbilisi Governorate in 1846. It comprised 9 uezds 
in the beginning of the 20th century: Tbilisi, Borchalo, Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Gori, Dusheti, 
Tianeti, Telavi and Sighnaghi. The centres of 7 Uezds were the cities or towns with the same names, 
whereas Tbilisi was also the capital of the entire "Caucasian Viceroyalty." Only the centres of the 
Borchalo and the Tianeti uezds were the villages, Shulaveri and Tianeti. The Zaqatala Okrug, the 
province under the military power, was part of the Tbilisi Governorate until 1903. This province was 
separated from the governorate and formed as the individual territory into “the Caucasian 
Viceroyalty”. 

The Kutaisi Governorate was formed in 1847, and the region comprised 7 uezds at the beginning of 
the 20th century: Kutaisi, Shorapani, Racha, Lechkhumi, Senaki, Zugdidi and Ozurgeti. The centres 
of the Kutaisi, Senaki, Zugdidi and Ozurgeti uezds were the towns with the same names. The centres 
of the Shorapani, Racha, and Lechkhumi Uezds were the villages: Kvirila (the future Chiatura), Oni, 
and Tsageri. According to one map, the town of Shorapani was the capital of the Shorapani Uezd in 
1914. The Sokhumi Okrug, the province under military power like Zaqatala, was part of the Kutaisi 
Governorate until 1903. Then, it broke away from the region and became its own independent 
territory. 

The Batumi Oblast was part of “the Central Caucasus” more or less. It comprised the Batumi and 
Artvini okrugs, with the centres of the same names. This oblast was part of the Kutaisi Governorate 
till 1903 and then separated from it. The Kars and the Moscow agreements between Soviet Russia and 
Kemalist Türkiye, 1921, drew the modern line between “the Central” and “the South Caucasus”. 
According to these agreements, the largest part of the Batumi Okrug (the modern Adjara Autonomous 
Republic) remained in the central part of the region, whereas the entire Artvini Okrug with the south-
western part of the Batumi Okrug became the parts of “the South” (Georgia at the end of the 19th 
century, 2012; Sanadze, Beradze, & Thopuria, 2009). 

The Yerevan Governorate (Erivan Province, 1913) was formed in 1849, whereas the region 
comprised seven uezds at the beginning of the 20th century: Alexandropol, Nakhchivan, Novo 
Baiazet, Surmalin, Sharuro-Daralagez, Yerevan, and Echmiadzin. 5 of them had the centres in the 
face of the towns with the same names. Only the centres of the Surmalin and Sharuro-Daralagez 
uezds, Igdir and Bash-Norashen, were the villages. In 1921, Türkiye received only the Surmalin Uezd, 
while the majority of this governorate remained in the Central Caucasus. Later, that territory formed 
the Igdir Ily. 

The Elizavetpol (the Ganja-city) Governorate was formed in 1867, whereas the region comprised 
eight uezds at the beginning of the 20th century: Aresh, Jevanshir, Elizavetpol, Zangezur, Kazakh, 
Jebraiyl, Nukha, and Shusha. It is important that the centre of Jebraiyl Uezd moved to Karyagino in 
1905; as a result, the name of the province was changed too. Only 3 uezds owned the towns as the 
capitals: Elizavetpol, Nukha and Shusha. The centres of the Aresh, Jevanshir, Zangezur, Kazakh and 
Karyagino provinces were the villages: Agdash, Terter, Gerusy, Kazakh and Karyagino. 

The Baku Governorate was formed in 1859, whereas the region comprised six uezds at the 
beginning of the 20th century: Baku, Geokchay, Javad, Kuba, Shemakha, and Lenkoran. The capitals 
of all 6 provinces were the towns of Baku, Geokchay, Salyan, Kuba, Shemakha and Lenkoran 
(Ethnographic map of the Baku Governorate, 1901) (fig. 4). 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

 
Figure 4. The Caucasus Region and the Caucasian Viceroyalty in the Beginning of the 20th Century 

“The South Caucasus” mainly comprised 5 large administrative-territorial regions in the beginning 
of the 20th century: the Kars Oblast of the Russian Empire, the Trabzon and the Erzurum Vilayets of 
the Ottoman Empire, the Azerbaijan and the Gilan khanates of the Persian Empire. 

The Kars Oblast (fig. 5) was formed in 1878 and comprised 4 okrugs in the beginning of the 20th 
century: Ardagan, Oltis, Kars and Kagizman. The centres of all four were the towns by the same 
names. This part of the Russian Empire became the territory of the Kemalist Türkiye in 1921, as the 
result it went to “the South Caucasus.” 

 
Figure 5. Kars Oblast in 1913 (Administrative map of Kars Oblast, 1913) 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

The administrative-territorial organisation of the Ottoman Empire was changed during “the 
Tanzimat,” the reforms in the state, 1864. The large territorial units – “Eyalets” were replaced by 
smaller regions – “Vilayets.” They were divided into “the Sanjaks” which were subdivided into “the 
Kazas.” The Ottoman Empire kept only two vilayets in the Caucasus after the Russia-Ottoman War in 
1877-1878, Trabzon (fig. 6) and Erzurum (fig.7). The Trabzon Vilayet comprised 4 “sanjaks” in the 
beginning of the 20th century: Trabzon, Lazistan, Gumushhane and Samsun. The cities and towns of 
Trabzon, Rize, Gumushhane and Samsun were their centres. The Erzurum Vilayet comprised 3 
sanjaks in the beginning of the 20th century: Erzurum, Erzincan and Bayezid. The towns with the 
same names were the centres of these provinces. 

 
Figure 6. Trabzon Vilayet (Cuinet, Vilayet of Trebizond, 1890) 

“The South Azerbaijan” or “Iran’s Azerbaijan” was one of the largest khanates of the Persian Empire, 
but the information about the administrative-territorial system of this state in the beginning of the 20th 
century is very poor. We know just two important administrative changes about the northern Iran. 
“The Qajar Dynasty” made the Tabriz-city, the capital of “the South Azerbaijan,” the ruling centre for 
the successors of their throne in beginning of the 19th century. But we do not know if this reform 
continued the existing during the second half of the century and especially in the beginning of the 
20th or not. It is important that the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom formed the agreement 
which finished the forming of “the Antanta” in 1907. According to this agreement, the northern Iran, 
including “the South Azerbaijan” and the Gilan regions, went under the influence of the Russian 
Empire. 

 
Figure 7. Erzurum Vilayet (Cuinet, Erzurum Vilayet, 1890) 

Caucasus from the Empire till the Soviet Epoch 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

The two new states were formed in "the North Caucasus" after the collapse of the Russian Empire in 
1917: "the Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus" and "the Kuban People's Republic." 
“The Mountainous Republic” declared independence in 1917, according to the collapse of the Russian 
Empire, and existed till 1919. This confederative state primarily occupied the territories of the former 
Dagestan and Terek oblasts. The town of Temir-Khan-Shura was its capital. The confederation was 
composed of seven ethnic countries: Dagestan, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Alania, Circassia (which also 
included Adygea), Karachay-Balkaria, and Nogai. “The Mountainous Republic of the Northern 
Caucasus” had the claim for Abkhazia, the part of Georgia’s First Republic, too (Hille, 2010). 

“The Kuban People’s Republic” existed during 1918–1920 on the main territory of the former 
Kuban Oblast and the Black Sea Governorate. The Ekaterinodar city was its capital. The state 
comprised the former otdels and okrugs of these regions: Bataplashin, Yeysk, Ekaterinodar, 
Kavkasky, Labin, Maykop, Taman, Novorossiysk, Tuapse and Sochi. Though, the south-eastern part 
of the former Sochi Okrug, from the basin of the Bzipi River to the Psou River, returned to the 
Georgian state. 

“The Soviet Russia” conquered “the Kuban” and “the Mountainous” republics during 1919-1920. 
The second state was temporarily replaced by “the North Caucasian Emirate” (1919-1920,) but the 
Russian state defeated and occupied this country too. 

The collapse of the Russian statehood in the Caucasus started after the revolutions in 1917. “The 
South Caucasian Federation” declared independence in April 1918, though this confederation was 
separated into the Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaija sovereign states in May of the same year. It is 
important that the Ottoman Empire occupied a large part of “the Central” and “the South Caucasus” 
with the Brest-Litovsk peace agreement formed on March 3, 1918. But it had to leave the territory 
soon because of the failure in WW1 (Kazemzadeh, 2016). 

“The First Republic of Georgia” (fig. 8) declared independence from “the South Caucasian 
Federation” on May 26, 1918. The state comprised the former Tbilisi Governorate, Kutaisi 
Governorate, Batumi Oblast, Sokhumi and Zaqatala okrugs, as well as the historical Georgian land of 
the former Kars Oblast. The Tbilisi city was the capital of the state. 

 
Figure 8. The Territories Demanded by the First Republic of Georgia in 1920 (The Map of the Territories Demanded by 

Georgia in 1920, 2024) 

The administrative-territorial organisation of Georgia was the same as during the imperial epoch 
with some differences. The East Georgia, or “the Tbilisi Governorate”, comprised the Tbilisi, 
Borchalo, Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Gori, Dusheti, Tianeti, Telavi, and Sighnaghi uezds. The West 
Georgia, or “the Kutaisi Governorate”, comprised the Kutaisi, Shorapani, Racha, Lechkhumi, Senaki, 
Zugdidi and Ozurgeti uezds. The Artaani and Oltisi okrugs were in the south of the state, though 
Georgia could not control the Oltisi Okrug. The Abkhazia (the former Sokhumi Okrug,) Zaqatala, and 
“the Muslim Georgia” (the former Batumi Oblast) regions were in the bordering parts of the state. The 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

government of “the First Republic” was planning to form the autonomous republics on these lands, 
but it could not fulfil the plan. It is important that the basin of the Bzipi River returned to the Georgian 
state during the period of the first republic. 

The territorial formation of “the First Republic of Armenia” (fig. 9) became the complex process. 
The aggression of the Ottoman Empire and the Caucasian interests of the United Kingdom were 
hindering it. Additionally, Armenia was involved in military conflicts with its two closest neighbours, 
Georgia and Azerbaijan. The territory of the state gained its main form in 1919 when Armenia 
occupied the former Yerevan Governorate and the historical Armenian land of the former Kars 
Oblast. This land comprised the uezds and the okrugs of the collapsed empire: Alexandropol, 
Nakhchivan, Novo Baiazet, Surmalin, Sharuro-Daralagez, Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Kars and Kagizman. 
Besides, “the First Republic of Armenia” occupied the part of “the Nagorno-Karabakh” by the 
Armenia-Azerbaijan War. This land comprised the parts of the former Elizavetpol, Jevanshir and 
Zangezur uezds in the former Elizavetpol Governorate (Administrative map of Elisabethpol 
Governorate – 1913, 1913). Yerevan was the capital of “the First Republic of Armenia”. 

This is important: according to the Treaty of Sèvres in 1920, which the defeated Ottoman Empire 
formed with the winner states, Armenia should have gained about 100,000 km² of former Ottoman 
territory, so-called “West Armenia”. But this project was not done because of some reasons, such as 
Armenia’s occupation by Soviet Russia, the Kemalist movement in Türkiye and the alliance of the 
Kemalists and the Communists. 

 
Figure 9. The First Republic of Armenia according to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 (Armenian Delegation on Paris 

Peace Conference, 1919, 2024) 

The Georgia and the Armenia states were restored in face of the republics in “the Central Caucasus,” 
May 1918, whereas the sovereign state with the name of “Azerbaijan” – “the Azerbaijan Democratic 
Republic” was formed for the first time at the same period. The Ganja-city, which returned its 
historical name, was the capital of the state till the September of the same year as Baku was occupied 
by “the Bolshevik.” The capital of Azerbaijan moved into this city for good after the banishing of “the 
Red.” This is important that this state had the territorial claims to both closest neighbours, the Georgia 
and the Armenia democratic republics. 

“The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic” occupied the former Baku and Elizavetpol governorates of 
the collapsed empire. Besides, it was controlling the southern part of the former Yerevan Governorate 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

till 1919. Azerbaijan had the claim for the Zaqatala Okrug, the territory of “the First Republic of 
Georgia,” too. “The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic” comprised the former uezds of the collapsed 
empire: Baku, Kuba, Shemakha, Goychay, Javad, Lenkoran, Ganja, Kazakh, Nukha, Aresh, Jevanshir, 
Shusha, Garyagin and Zangezur, as well as the Sharuro-Daralagez and the Nakhchivan uezds on the 
territory of the former Yerevan Governorate, till 1919. 

 
Figure 10. Administrative-territorial Organisation of the Republic of Türkiye in 1927 (Ana Vatan : [Turkey], 1927, 2024) 

“The Red Army” of “the Communist” conquered the Azerbaijan and Armenia democratic republics 
in the April and the December of 1920. They also occupied “the First Republic of Georgia” in the 
February 1921. 

 
Figure 11. The Persian Empire in 1920 (Persia, 1920) 

As of “the South Caucasus” during the 1920s, the earliest source about the administrative-territorial 
organisation of the Republic of Türkiye is dated by 1927 (fig. 10). This is the map where the 
topolymy is still written by the Arab script as well as the document of Türkiye’s first census of the 
population in the same year. Both show that the Caucasian territory of this republic comprised four 
ills entirely and two – partly in the end of the 1920s. The whole territory of the Kars, Artvin, Rize and 
Trabzon ills were part of the region at that time, as well as the northern part of the Erzurum Ill and the 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

north-eastern part of the Bayezid (later Agri) Ily. As for Iran (Persia till 1935), (fig. 11) this state was 
divided into 12 “ostans” till 1950, whereas the Caucasian territory of this state comprised two of 
them: Azerbaijan and Gilan. 
Caucasus during the Soviet Epoch 

“The North Caucasus”, (fig. 12) the territory of “the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic,” 
comprised the Dagestan and the Mountainous Autonomous Republics, the Kuban-Black Sea and the 
Terek Autonomous Oblasts in 1922. The Dagestan A.R. kept its self-government. “The Mountainous 
Autonomous Republic” was separated into the Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North 
Ossetia, Chechnya and the Ingushetia autonomous oblasts. The Kuban-Black Sea Oblast was 
separated into the Adygea A.O. and into the Krasnodar and the Stavropol krays after some 
administrative-territorial formations. 

The numerous territorial changes as well as the changes of the administrative system had a place in 
“the North Caucasus” during the Soviet Epoch. The exile of the North Caucasian ethnics (the 
Kabardian, Chechen and the Ingush) during WW2 and their emancipation in 1957 had an important 
influence on these changes too. As the result, “the North Caucasus” comprised 8 administrative-
territorial units at the end of the Soviet Epoch, 1989: the Krasnodar and the Stavropol krays, the 
Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Chechnya-Ingushetia and the Dagestan autonomous soviet 
socialist republics, the Adygea and the Karachay-Cherkessia autonomous oblasts (Soviet Union 
Administrative Divisions, 1989, 2024) 

 
Figure 12. The North and the Central Caucasus during the Soviet Epoch (Administrative map of Caucasus in USSR, 1952-

1991, 2024) 

Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan formed “the South Caucasian Soviet Federative Socialist 
Republic” after “the Red Occupation” of these countries. This state became one of four founders of 
“the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics” in 1923. Though, the federation of “the Central Caucasus” 
was separated into three individual Soviet socialist republics in 1936. 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

It is interesting that the administrative-territorial changes of Georgia were continuing from the 1920s 
till 1968 during the Soviet epoch. The country lost quite a large territory after the occupation. It was 
distributed among Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. According to the map dated by 1928, the 
administrative-territorial organisation of Georgia comprised the systems of the Russian Empire, the 
First Republic and the Soviet Union. The Tbilisi Uezd kept its territory in East Georgia, whereas the 
part of the Borchalo Uezd was given to Armenia. The town of Luxemburg (the modern Bolnisi) was 
the centre of the other part. The Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe uezds had the same borders as during 
the imperial epoch, whereas the northern part of the Gori Uezd was comprised of “the South Ossetia 
Autonomous Oblast” at that time. This territory also occupied Akhalgori and several communes in 
Racha and Imereti. The Dusheti Uezd was located north of Tbilisi, but we cannot see Tianeti province 
on this map. Though, according to unspecified information, this territory was abolished during 1929-
1930 with other uezds. The Telavi Uezd occupied the former territory of Tianeti on this map, and the 
Sighnaghi province was situated south-eastern from it. 

West Georgia comprised the Kutaisi, Shorapani, Racha, Lechkhumi, Senaki, Zugdidi, and Ozurgeti 
uezds, as well as the Upper Svaneti uezd from 1921. The Abkhazia and Adjara autonomous republics 
were the individual territorial units in Georgia. They were the legacy of “the First Republic”. Though, 
the Adjara A.R. had twice the smaller territory than “the Muslim Georgia”, as the other part was given 
to the Republic of Türkiye. 

The active administrative-territorial reform took place during the beginnings of the 1930s, so the 
imperial uezds were replaced by “the districts”. The map dated 1938 is badly distinguishable, but it 
has the list of these districts, and we can group them according to the modern regions of Georgia. 

In 1938, the modern Kakheti region comprised the Sagarejo, Gurjaani, Telavi, Kvareli, Lagodekhi, 
Sighnaghi, and Tsitelitskaro districts. The modern Akhmeta Municipality (district of province) was 
part of the Telavi District until 1951 at first and then during 1963-1964. Only in 1964 did it officially 
become an independent district. In 1938, the modern Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region comprised the 
Dusheti, Kazbegi, and Tianeti districts. The modern Kvemo Kartli Region – the Karaiazi (Gardabani,) 
Borchalo (Marneuli,) Aghbulaghi (Tetritskaro,) Luxemburg (Bolnisi,) Tsalka and Bashkicheti 
(Dmanisi) districts. In 1938, the Kaspi, Gori, and Khashuri districts formed the modern Shida Kartli 
Region, with the Kareli District forming as early as 1939. Gori and Khashuri divided its territory prior 
to that date. The modern Samtskhe-Javakheti Region comprised the same six provinces in 1938 as 
today: the Borjomi, Adigeni, Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza, Akhalkalaki, and Bogdanovka (Ninotsminda) 
districts. 

 
Figure 13. The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic during 1944-1957 (Georgian SSR, 1944 - 1955, 1954) 

The modern Imereti Region comprised the Orjonikidze (Kharagauli,) Zestaponi, Chiatura, Tkibuli, 
Chkhari, Kutaisi, Baghdati, Vani, Tsulukidze (Khoni) and Samtredia districts in 1938. The Sachkhere 
District separated from Chiatura and the Tskaltubo District from Kutaisi as soon as in 1939. Besides, 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

the territory of the Chkhari District became the Terjola Province because of Chkhari’s demotion in 
1950. The modern Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Region comprised the Abasha, Gegechkori (Martvili,) 
Tskhakaia (Senaki,) Khobi, Poti, Zugdidi, Chkhorotsqu, Tsalenjikha and Upper Svaneti districts in 
1938. Poti is the self-governing city today, whereas the largest part of its district was given to Khobi. 
The modern regions of Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, as well as Guria, comprised the same 
provinces in 1938 as today. The first one, the Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri and Lower Svaneti districts; 
the second one, the Lanchkhuti, Makharadze (Ozurgeti) and Chokhatauri districts. 

Tbilisi was the individual district in 1938. The modern Mtskheta Municipality was part of the Tbilisi 
District in the 1930s. As for the autonomous regions, the Abkhazia ASSR comprised the Gali, 
Ochamchire, Sokhumi, Gudauta and Gagra districts in 1938. The Gulripshi District separated from 
Sokhumi in 1946. The Adjara ASSR comprises the Batumi, Keda and Khulo districts. The territory of 
the Batumi District became the Khelvachauri Province in 1968, whereas the city is self-governing 
today. The Shuakhevi District separated from Khulo in 1952, joined it again in 1963-1964 and 
separated for good in 1965. The South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast comprised 4 districts in 1938: 
Staliniri (Tskhinvali,) Leningori (Akhalgori,) Znauri and Java. 

Important territorial changes happened in the Georgian SSR during 1944-1957 (fig. 13). Georgia 
received a portion of "the North Caucasian" territory following the exile of the local population. It 
was the Klukhor District in the west and the Akhalkhevi District in the east. The last province joined 
the Dusheti District in the beginnings of the 1950s. These lands were returned to the Northern 
Caucasians after their emancipation and the returning home. 

 
Figure 14. The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1981 (Administrative-territorial organization of the Georgian SSR in 

1981, 1981) 

Changes happened in the administrative-territorial nomenclature of the Georgian SSR during the 
1930s – 1950s. According to one source, the Upper Svaneti District was named Mestia as soon as 
1930. The Mtskheta District separated from Tbilisi during 1930-1934 and then after 1938 for good. 
Aghbulaghi became Tetritskaro and Baghdati – Mayakovski in 1940. Karaiazi became Gardabani, 
Bashkicheti – Dmanisi and Borchalo – Marneuli in 1947. The Kvemo Svaneti District was named 
Lentekhi in 1957. Other changes were formed too. As a result, we see the administrative-territorial 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

organisation of the Georgian SSR on the map dated 1981, which can be considered the base of the 
administrative formation for independent Georgia (fig. 14). 

Armenia like Georgia was under the influence of the Russian imperial administrative system and 
was divided into 9 uezds during the 1920s: Leninakan, Lori-Pambak, Dilijan, Ejmiatsin, Yerevan, Nor 
Bayazet, Daralagyaz, Zangezur and Meghri. It is important that 3 of them: Dilijan, Meghri and Lori-
Pambak were formed after the Soviet occupation. 37 districts and the self-governing cities were 
established in the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic during 1929-1937. Two more were formed 
during the 1970s and the 1980s. 

 
Figure 15. Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (Soviet Armenia, 2024) 

The Shamshadin District was formed in the eastern part of the country, 1929. 24 districts were 
established in 1930: Kotayk, Aghbaba, Aparan, Vedi, Ghamarlu, Artik, Ashtarak, Basargechar, Goris, 
Gharakalisa, Dilijan, Daralagez, Ijevan, Nor Bayazet, Kafan, Martuni, Meghri, Kurdukulin, Akhta, 
Sisian, Stepanavan, Talin, Alaverdi and Vagharshapat. The Pashalu District was formed in the south 
of Armenia, 1931. 11 districts were established in 1937: Agin, Alagyoz, Duzkend, Ghukasyan, 
Kalinino, Gharabaghlar, Krasnoselsk, Zangibasar, Noyembrian, Sevan and Spitak. The Nairi District 
was formed in 1972 and the Baghramyan District, 1983. The first was established in the central part of 
the country, the second – in the south-western part. The Yerevan-city – the capital of Armenia was the 
individual district. 

20 districts of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic changed their names as during the Soviet 
Epoch as after the finishing of this age, during the beginnings of the 1990s. Two of them made this 
twice or more times. 14 provinces changed their names during the Soviet Epoch, 7 – after its finishing 
during very beginnings of the 1990s. 19 districts formed during the various years never changed their 
names: Aparan, Ashtarak, Baghramyan, Goris, Dilijan, Ijevan, Gharabaghlar, Krasnoselsk, Martuni, 
Meghri, Nairi, Noyembrian, Sevan, Sisian, Spitak, Stepanavan, Talin and Shamshadin (fig. 15). 

The information about the administrative-territorial organisation of the Azerbaijan SSR (fig. 16) can 
by highly arguable as unfortunately, the author could not find the just sources in face of the literature 
or the well-distinguishable maps. According to the unspecified information, this soviet socialist 
republic comprised 13 administrative regions. Though, we can exactly say that Azerbaijan comprised 
the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous 
Oblast during the Soviet Epoch. 

The Caucasian territory of the Republıc of Türkiye comprised 6 regions entirely or party in 1927. 
This number became 4 in 1935. The Caucasian land of “the Agri Ill” joined to “the Kars Ill” – the part 
of “the South Caucasus.” The Artvin and the Rize ills united and formed “the Chorokhi Ill.” As the 
result, the Turkish part of “the South Caucasus” had being comprised the Chorokhi, Trabzon, Kars ills 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

and the northern part of the Erzurum Ill. The Chorokhi Ill was separated during the 1950s, whereas 
the new administrative-territorial changes happened in Türkiye during the 1990s (Statistic 
Organization of Türkiye, the Census of the Population in 1927, 2024); (Statistic Organization of 
Türkiye, the Census of the Population in 1935, 2024). 

The Caucasian territory of Iran comprised only two regions, Azerbaijan and Gilan, in the beginning 
of the 20th century. The Azerbaijan Region was divided into two parts during the 1940s where the 
Soviet Union formed the puppet governments. Neither of them existed for a long time. These ostans 
formed in “the South Azerbaijan” were named as “the West Azerbaijan” and “the East Azerbaijan” 
during the 1960s. 

 
Figure 16. Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic (Map of the Azerbaijan SSR, 1928) 

The Modern Epoch 
“The North Caucasus” became the epicentre of the great conflict after the collapse of “the Soviet 

Union” in 1991. Chechnya declared the independence from Russia in 1991, whereas Ingushetia 
separated from “the Chechnya-Ingushetia Autonomous Republic” the next year. The Chechen 
warriors were heroically fighting against the Russians during “Two Chechen Wars.” They gained the 
victory in the first one, 1994-1996, but were defeated in the second, 1999-2000. 

The Russian Federation organized the new administrative-territorial reforms in 2000. The state was 
divided into 8 unofficial “Federal Districts.” They exist to monitor the consistency between the 
federal and the regional powers, also to ensure the governmental control over the civil service and the 
judiciary in the regions. “The North Caucasus” was divided between two federal districts: “the 
Southern” with the capital in Rostov-On-Don and “the North Caucasian” with the capital in 
Pyatigorks. The region comprised 9 federal subjects. The Krasnodar Kray – the capital in the 
Krasnodar-city and the Republic of Adygea – the capital in the Maykop-city became the parts of “the 
Southern Federal District.” “The North Caucasian Federal District” comprised other subjects: the 
Stavropol Kray – the capital in the Stavropol-city, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia – Cherkessk, 
the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria – Nalchik, the Republic of North Ossetia or Alania – 
Vladikavkaz, the Republic of Ingushetia – Nazran till 2002 and Magas after that, the Republic of 
Chechnya – Grozny and the Republic of Dagestan – Makhachkala. According to some sources, “the 
North Caucasus” comprises the southern parts of two more Russia’s territories: the Republic of 
Kalmykia and the Rostov Oblast. The regions and the countries of the Russian Federation are 
subdivided into the districts. 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

“The Central Caucasus” also became the epicentre of the great conflicts in the 1990s. The internal 
conflicts of Georgia became the main obstacle to solve the problem of the administrative-territorial 
organization for good. According to the state’s constitution of 1995, this problem must be decided 
when Georgia restores the control over its entire territory. Abkhazia and Adjara kept their autonomy 
into the Georgia’s state. Other territory was divided into 9 non-official “regions” under the state 
authority. Their function is to maintain the coordination and consultation between the state and the 
municipality governments. These regions are Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, 
Samtskhe-Javakheti, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti and 
Guria. Tbilisi, the capital of the state, is independent of all regions (fig. 17). 

 
Figure 17. The Modern Administrative-territorial Division of the North Caucasus (Walker, 2024) 

The South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast was officially abolished in 1991, though “the South Ossetia 
Temporary Administration” was formed in 2007. Its government was situated in the village of Kurta. 
It has been exiled in Tbilisi since the Russia-Georgia War of 2008. This territory was officially 
divided into six parts: Akhalgori, Eredvi, Tigva, Kurta, Java municipalities and the Tskhinvali-city. 

As for municipalities, Georgia was divided into 72 units (fig. 18), including 5 self-governing cities: 
Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Poti and Batumi, 2020. The Kakheti Region comprises 8 municipalities: 
Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Telavi, Gurjaani, Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Sighnaghi and Dedoplistskaro. Telavi is the 
administrative centre of the Kakheti. The Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region comprises 5 municipalities 
among which 1 – Akhalgori is occupied. Mtskheta, Dusheti, Tianeti and Kazbegi are other provinces. 
Mtskheta is the centre of this region. The Shida Kartli Region comprises 4 municipalities: Kaspi, 
Gori, Kareli and Khashuri, though some changes had been organized there when the state restored the 
independence. This region was officially divided into 5 municipalities in 1991-2007, before the 
creation of “the South Ossetia Temporary Administration.” Java was the fifth municipality, whereas 
the territories of the former Tskhinvali and Znauri districts were the parts of Gori and Kareli 
municipalities. Gori is the administrative centre of the Shida Kartli. The Kvemo Kartli Region 
comprises 7 municipalities: Gardabani, Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Bolnisi, Tsalka, Dmanisi and the 
Rustavi-city. The last one is the centre of the region. The Samtskhe-Javakheti Region comprises 6 
municipalities: Adigeni, Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza, Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda and Borjomi. The 
Akhaltsikhe-city is the centre of the Samtskhe-Javakheti. 

The Imereti Region comprises 12 municipalities: Sachkhere, Chiatura, Kharagauli, Zestaponi, 
Terjola, Tkibuli, Baghdati, Vani, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Samtredia and the Kutaisi-city. The last one is the 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

administrative centre of the Imereti Region. The Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Region 
comprises 4 municipalities: Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri and Lentekhi. Ambrolauri is its centre. The 
Samegrelo – Upper Svaneti Region comprises 9 municipalities: Abasha, Senaki, Khobi, Zugdidi, 
Martvili, Chkhorotsqu, Tsalenjikha, Mestia and the Poti-city. Zugdidi is the centre of this region. The 
Guria Region comprises 3 municipalities: Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri. Ozurgeti is the 
centre. 

The Abkhazia Autonomous Republic comprises 7 municipalities: Gali, Ochamchire, Gulripshi, 
Sokhumi, Gudauta, Gagra and Azhara. The territory of the Azhara Municipality was the only one 
under the Georgian control till 2008. It was officially formed in 2006. The term “Upper Abkhazeti” 
was established as its other name too. The Sokhumi-city is the capital of the Abkhazia A.R. though its 
official government is exiled in Tbilisi. The Adjara Autonomous Republic comprises 6 municipalities: 
Kobuleti, Khelvachauri, Keda, Shuakhevi, Khulo and the Batumi-city. Batumi is the capital of the 
Adjara A.R. 

The significant changes were made in the naming of the municipalities and their centres after the 
collapse of the Soviet Union. Cities and towns returned their old names, so their territories’ names 
also changed. Tsitelitskaro in the Kakheti became Dedoplistskaro, Leningori in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti 
– Akhalgori. The town of Kazbegi in the same region returned its old name Stepantsminda in 2006, 
but the municipality kept the former name. The former Znauri became Kornisi in the Shida Kartli. 
Bogdanovka returned the old Georgia name Ninotsminda in the Samtskhe-Javakheti. Three changes 
were made in the Imereti Region: Orjonikidze became Kharagauli, Tsulukidze – Khoni and 
Mayakovski – Baghdadi again. Besides, Gegechkori became Martvili, Tskhakaia – Senaki and 
Makharadze – Ozurgeti in Samegrelo and Guria. The names of the Tbilisi districts were changed too. 

The last crucial administrative-territorial change was made in 2017, when seven self-governing 
cities lost this right: Telavi, Mtskheta, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Ambrolauri, Zugdidi and Ozurgeti. All of 
them are the centres of the regions and the municipalities at the same time. The own government was 
kept by Tbilisi and those cities which are the centres of the regions, but not the municipalities, except 
Poti. 

 
Figure 18. The Administrative-territorial Division of Georgia (Administrative Division, 2018) 

The main administrative-territorial division of Armenia has two steps like in Georgia. The state is 
divided into 11 regions, 10 “marzs” and the capital Yerevan-city. The marzs are ruled by “the 
Marzpets” appointed by the central power. The capital is ruled by the mayor elected by the 
population. These marzs are Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Armavir, 
Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Syunik. 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

According to the administrative reforms of Armenia during the 2010s-2020s (fig. 19), the Shirak 
Marz is subdivided into 6 municipalities: Gyumri, Artik, Ani, Akhurian, Amasia and Ashotsk. 
Gyumri is the centre of the region. The Lori Marz comprises 57 municipalities. Vanadzor is the 
centre. The Tavush Marz has 24 municipalities with the centre in Ijevan. The Aragatsotn Marz is 
subdivided into 9 municipalities: Alagyaz, Aparan, Arevut, Ashtarak, Metsandzor, Shamirman, Talin 
and Tsaghkahovit. Ashtarak is the centre of the region. The Kotayk Marz comprises 42 municipalities 
with the centre in Hrazdan. The Gegharkunik Marz is subdivided into 5 municipalities: Chambarak, 
Gavar, Martuni, Sevan and Vardenis. Gavar is the centre of the region. The Armavir Marz comprises 
7 municipalities: Araks, Armavir, Baghramyan, Khoy, Metsamor, Parakar and Vagharshapat. Armavir 
is the centre. The Ararat Marz has 5 municipalities: Ararat, Artashat, Masis, Vedi and Verin Dvin 
with the centre in Artashat. The Vayots Dzor Marz comprises 5 municipalities: Areni, Jemruk, Vayk, 
Yeghegis and Yeghegnadzor. The last one is the centre of the region. The Syunik Marz is subdivided 
into 8 municipalities: Goris, Kajaran, Kapan, Meghri, Sisian, Gorayk, Tavet and Tegh. Kapan is the 
centre. 

 
Figure 19. The Administrative-territorial Division of Armenia in 2021 (Provinces of Armenia, 2024) 

The administrative-territorial division of the Azerbaijan Republic (fig. 20) had one main step until 
2021, when the new “Economic Regions” were formed in the state. Though this system gained two 
levels after that, they are less connected to each apart from the administrative-territorial stages in 
Georgia or Armenia. There are 67 districts and 11 cities in the Azerbaijan Republic. Besides, the 
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic comprises 7 more districts and 1 city. All these provinces are 
distributed among 14 economic regions, which were mainly formed according to their geographic and 
economic similarities: Baku, Absheron-Khizi, Ganja-Dashkasan, Shaki-Zagatala, Lankeran-Astara, 
Quba-Khachmaz, Central Aran, Karabakh, East Zangezur, Mountainous Shirvan, Nakhchivan, 
Qazakh-Tovuz, Mil-Mughan, and Shirvan-Salyan. 

The Baku Economic Region comprises only the capital and its district, which are the main economic 
centres of the state. The Absheron-Khizi Economic Region includes the Absheron and Khizi districts 
as well as the Sumgait city. The Quba-Khachmaz Economic Region is formed of 5 districts: Shabran, 
Khachmaz, Quba, Qusar and Siyazan. The Mountainous Shirvan Economic Region comprises 4 
districts: Agsu, Ismaiyly, Gobustan and Shamakhi. The Shirvan-Salyan Economic Region includes 5 
districts: Bilasuvar, Hajigabul, Neftchala, Salyan and the Shirvan city. The Lankeran-Astara 
Economic Region is made of 5 districts: Astara, Jalilabad, Lerik, Yardimli and Lankeran. The Mil-
Mughan Economic Region comprises 4 districts: Beylagan, Imishli, Saatly and Sabirabad. The 
Central Aran Economic Region includes 7 districts: Agdash, Goychay, Kurdamir, Ujar, Yevlakh, 
Zardab and Mingachevir city. The Shaki-Zagatala Economic Region comprises 6 districts: Balakan, 
Qakh, Qabala, Oghuz, Zagatala and Shaki. The Qazakh-Tovuz Economic Region includes 5 districts: 
Aghstafa, Gadabay, Gazakh, Shamkir and Tovuz. The Ganja-Dashkasan Economic Region is made of 
6 districts: Dashkasan, Goranboy, Goygol, Samukh, the Ganja and Naftalan cities. The Karabakh 
Economic Region comprises nine districts: Agjabadi, Aghdam, Barda, Fuzuli, Khojaly, Khojavend, 
Shusha, Tatar, and Khankendi City. The East Zangezur Economic Region includes 5 districts: 
Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Qubadli, Lachin and Zangilan. And finally, the Nakhchivan Economic Region 
comprises 8 districts of the autonomic republic: Babek, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shuahbuz, 
Sharur and the Nakhchivan city. 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

The administrative-territorial changes took place in Türkiye and Iran, in the parts of “the South 
Caucasus”, during the 1990s. 

The Republic of Türkiye is unofficially divided into 7 regions, whereas the parts of “the South 
Caucasus” are distributed among two of them: “the Black Sea Region” and “the Eastern Anatolia 
Region”. The Ardahan and the Igdir ill separated from the Kars Ily in 1992 and 1993. As a result, 
Türkiye’s “South Caucasus” comprised 6 ills entirely and 1 partly: Artvin, Rize, Trabzon, Ardahan, 
Kars, Igdir and the northern part of Erzurum. The first three are the parts of “the Black Sea Region”; 
the other four – the parts of “the Eastern Anatolia Region”. It is important that the ills, the provinces 
of the Republic of Türkiye, are subdivided into “the Ilches” or districts.  As a result, the Artvin Ill 
comprises 9 Ilches, the Rize Ill – 12 Ilches and the Trabzon Ill – 18 Ilches. The Ardahan Ill is 
subdivided into 6 Ilches, the Kars Ill – into 8 Ilches, and Igdir – into 4 Ilches. The Erzurum Il is 
subdivided into 20 Ilches. Though it is difficult to say how many of them the parts of the Caucasus 
Region are. The northern part of this province may contain up to eight districts. 

 
Figure 23. The Economic Regions of the Azerbaijan Republic in 2021 (Economic Regions of Azerbaijan, 2024) 

The Ardebil Ostan separated from the East Azerbaijan region in Iran, 1993. So, Iran’s “South 
Caucasus” comprised 4 regions or “ostans:” West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardebil and Gilan. 
The regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran are subdivided into “the Shahreatans” or the oblasts. As 
the result, the West Azerbaijan comprises 20 “shahrestans,” the East Azerbaijan – 23 “shahrestans,” 
Ardebil – 12 and Gilan – 17 of them. 
Conclusion 

The diverse Caucasian region is the land of the richest history. The history does not stand but 
actively moves here. The state and the internal borders move according to it even during our age. It is 
interesting that the administrative-territorial systems of all 6 states are similar, though there are the 
sharp differences too. The admitting of the new borders and the new dividing of this region would 
supposedly abolish the Russian imperial terminology and its legacy. The international relationships in 
the Caucasus are also significant. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, the states of “the Central” and 
“the South Caucasus”, are the closest economic partners. Besides, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are the 
closest political allies too. Russia, Armenia and Iran, the states of “the North”, “Central” and “the 
South Caucasus"—are”also the closest economic and political partners to each other. These two trade 
alliances have the global role of two major lines from the west to the east and from the north to the 
south, the successors of the ancient and mediaeval trade routes. Though Armenia and Azerbaijan are 
adversaries, both are dependent on Georgia’s sea ports and vice versa, so these ports have the 
important role. The Turkish private companies actively work not only in the allied Georgia and 



Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

Azerbaijan but also in the opponent Armenia. At the same time, the Russian private companies own a 
large part of the economy of the adversary – Georgia. The state of “the Central Caucasus” – Georgia 
tries to have a close cultural relationship with the republics of “the North Caucasus”, the members of 
the Russian Federation. All these relations, also the role of the global trade routes in all parts of the 
region, interweave the three parts of the Caucasus into each other and confirm that the dividing of the 
entire region is just conditional. We do not need to go far for the rough comparison: the Caucasus 
Ridge, situated on about 1500 kilometres and the territories of three sovereign states, is conditionally 
divided into three parts. Despite this, it is still the entire mountainous system. 
Competing interests 

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 

ORCID iD 

Givi Tavadze https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-5355 

References 
Administrative Division. (2018). In N. Bolashvili, A. Dittmann, L. King, & V. Neidze, National Atlas of 

Georgia (pp. 8-9). Franz Steiner Verlag. 

Administrative map of Caucasus in USSR, 1952-1991. (2024, October 1). Retrieved from www.armenica.org: 
https://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/armenica.cgi?=1=3==Armenia 

Administrative map of Elisabethpol Governorate - 1913. (1913). In Russia. Geographical description of the 
Russian Empire by provinces and regions with geographical maps (p. 75). Saint Petersburg: 
Typography. 

Administrative map of Kars Oblast. (1913). In Russia. Geographical Description of the Russian Empire by 
Provinces and Regions with Geographical Maps (p. 76). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Administrative-territorial organization of the Georgian SSR in 1981. (1981). In Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia, 
Volume 2. Tbilisi: Printed Word Combine. 

Ana Vatan : [Turkey], 1927. (2024, October 01). Retrieved from loc.gov: 
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g7431f.ct003172/?r=0.146,-0.119,0.991,0.614,0 

Armenian Delegation on Paris Peace Conference, 1919. (2024, October 01). Retrieved from gallica.bnf.fr: 
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k34140447/f39 

Caucasus. (2018). In N. Bolashvili, A. Dittmann, L. King, & V. Neidze, National Atlas of Georgia (pp. 4-5). 
Franz Steiner Verlag. 

Cuinet, V. (1890). Erzurum Vilayet. In V. Cuinet, La Turquie d'Asie. Geographie administrative, statistique, 
descriptive et raisonné e de chaque province de l'Asie-Mineure. British Library HMNTS 10077.k.18. 

Cuinet, V. (1890). Vilayet of Trebizond. In V. Cuinet, La Turquie d'Asie. Geographie administrative, 
statistique, descriptive et raisonné e de chaque province de l'Asie-Mineure. British Library HMNTS 
10077.k.18. 

Economic Regions of Azerbaijan. (2024, 10 01). Retrieved from mapr.com: 
https://www.mappr.co/counties/azerbaijan/ 

Erivan province. (1913). In Russia. Geographical Description of the Russian Empire by Provinces and Regions 
with Geographical Maps (pp. 80-81). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Ethnographic map of the Baku Governorate. (1901). In Caucasian calendar for 1902: [57th year]. Commander-
in-Chief of the Caucasian Part in the Caucasus. 

Gachechiladze, R. (2023). Georgia in the Regional Context. Tbilisi: Bakur Sulakauri Publishing. 

Georgia at the end of 19th century. (2012). In R. Gobejishvili, National Atlas of Georgia (p. 161). Tbilisi. 

Georgian SSR, 1944 - 1955. (1954). In M. D. USSR, Atlas of the USSR. Moscow. 

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-5355
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-5355


Tavadze. 2025 5(1) 

 
 

Goishvili, B., & Chkheidze, V. (2001). Geography of Georgia’s Bordering Area. Tbilisi: Ganatleba. 

Hille, C. M. (2010). State Building and Conflict Resolution in the Caucasus. BRILL. 

Ismaylov, E., & Papava, V. (2007). Central Caucasus: Outlines of the Geopolitical Economy. Tbilisi: Diogene. 

Kazemzadeh, F. (2016). Battle for the South Caucasus 1917-1921. Tbilisi: Poezia. 

Kuban Region. (1913). In Russia. Geographical description of the Russian Empire by provinces and regions 
with geographical maps (p. 70). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Map of Dagestan Region. (1913). In Russia. Geographical description of the Russian Empire by provinces and 
regions with geographical maps (p. 74). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Map of the Azerbaijan SSR. (1928). In A. S. Enukidze, Atlas of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (pp. 89-
90). Moscow: Central Executive Committee of the USSR. 

Map of the Black Sea Province. (1913). In Russia. Geographical description of the Russian Empire by 
provinces and regions with geographical maps (p. 79). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Map of the Terek Region. (1913). In Russia. Geographical description of the Russian Empire by provinces and 
regions with geographical maps (p. 71). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

Metreveli, R. (2023). The History of Caucasus – part 1. Tbilisi: Artanuji. 

Metreveli, R. (2023). The History of Caucasus – part 2. Tbilisi: Artanuji. 

Persia. (1920). In Asprey's Atlas of the World (p. 82). London: Asprey and Co., Ltd. 

Provinces of Armenia. (2024, 10 01). Retrieved from Mappr.com: https://www.mappr.co/counties/armenia/ 

Radvanyi, J., & Beruchashvili, N. (2009). Geopolitical Atlas of the Caucasus. Tbilisi: Bakur Sulakauri 
Publishing. 

Sanadze, M., Beradze, T., & Thopuria, K. (2009). Georgia’s Historical Atlas. Tbilisi: Saqartvelos Matsne. 

Soviet Armenia. (2024, October 01). Retrieved from armenica.org: https://www.armenica.org/cgi-
bin/armenica.cgi?=1=3==Armenia 

Soviet Union Administrative Divisions, 1989. (2024, 10 01). Retrieved from maps.lib.utexas.edu: 
https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwealth/soviet_union_admin_1989.jpg 

Statistic Organization of Türkiye. (2024, October 01). the Census of the Population in 1927. Retrieved from 
teyit.org: https://cdn.teyit.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/nufustahriri.pdf 

Statistic Organization of Türkiye. (2024, October 01). the Census of the Population in 1935. Retrieved from 
kutuphane.tuik.gov.tr: https://kutuphane.tuik.gov.tr/pdf/0015557.pdf 

Stavropol Governorate. (1913). In Russia. Geographical Description of the Russian Empire by Provinces and 
Regions with Geographical Maps (pp. 69-70). Saint Petersburg: Thrift Pablishing. 

The Map of the Territories Demanded by Georgia in 1920. (2024, October 01). Retrieved from archive.gov.ge: 
https://archive.gov.ge/ge/sakartelos-pirveli-demokratiuli-respublika 

Walker, E. W. (2024, October 1). Eurasian Geopolitics. Retrieved from eurasiangeopolitics.com: 
https://eurasiangeopolitics.com/north-caucasus-maps/ 

 

 


	References

