From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about Azeris in Georgia. For Azeris in general, see the respective article.

Part of the series on Azerbaijanis Azərbaycanlılar Азәрбајҹанлылар آذربایجانلیلار Azerbaijani culture Architecture · Art · Cinema · Cuisine · Dance · Dress · Literature · Music · Religion · Media · Sport By country or region Azerbaijan · Iran · Georgia · Russia Turkey · Armenia Religion Shia Islam · Sunni Islam · Christianity · Bahá'í Faith · Zoroastrianism Languages and dialects Azerbaijani v • d • e

According to the 2002 census, there are 284,761 ethnic Azeris living in Georgia. ^[1] They comprise 6.5% of Georgia's population (being its largest ethnic minority), inhabiting mostly rural parts of the country, mostly in Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. There is a large Azeri community in the capital city of Tbilisi and smaller communities in other regions.^[2]

There were some tensions in late 1980s in the Azeri-populated regions of Georgia, however they never escalated to armed clashes.^[3] Since Georgia regained its independence in 1991, many Azeris along with other minorities have faced a problem of social disintegration and underrepresentation in country's legislative, executive and judicial powers. Unlike urban Azeris of Tbilisi and Rustavi, rural Azeri population for the most part lacks knowledge of the official language - Georgian, which makes it harder for them to participate in many social areas.^[4] Azeris in Georgia enjoy cultural autonomy^{[citation needed]}, therefore the majority of them chooses to pursue secondary education in their native tongue. Graduates willing to be admitted to post-secondary institutions hence tend to leave for other countries, mainly Azerbaijan, where post-secondary education is available in either Azeri or Russian. Such isolation is furthered by the fact that many rural Azeris prefer to read newspapers published in Azeri and set up satellite dishes in order to be able to watch channels of neighbouring Azerbaijan, or establish their own community TV channels (such as Ellada TV, which functioned in Gardabani in 1995-99).^[5]

Azeris are currently represented in the 235-seat Parliament of Georgia by three deputies.^[6] Being the biggest inhibitory factor, language barrier remains a major issue among Georgia's Azeri population.^{[citation needed]} The government has launched various programs and projects in order to help Azeris integrate into the political life of the country.^[7]

Only regions with 1,000 or more Azeris are listed below. The information is based on official figures from the 2002 population census.