Dedoplistsqaro Municipality

From ancient times the territory of present-day Dedoplistskaro municipality was part of the historical province of Georgia "Kambechovani". it was sometimes part of Kakheti and sometimes of Hereti. The main city of Kambechovan was Khornabuji, which was first mentioned in the sources in 5th century AD. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Dedoplistskaro, as an administrative-territorial unit, was part of Sighnaghi Mazra.

The name "Dedoplistskaro" has been known in historical sources since the 11th century, when King David the Builder established a military post here. According to the legend, the origin of "Dedoplistskaro" is connected with the name of Queen Tamar. According to this legend, Queen Tamar visited Kambechovan with David Soslan and lived in Khornabuji for two weeks. At the top of the mountain there was spring waters. In the same year, the water was brought through clay pipes near the Khornabuji fortress and was renamed "Dedoplistskaro" (Queen's water), and later the name was extended to a village built there. In 1803, Russian troops established a military base on the site. They changed the name to "Tsarsky Kolodtsi". Later, the Soviet authorities renamed the place Tsiteltskaro (red water). In 1991, the city and the entire district were restored to its historic name. Since 2006 – municipality.

Khornabuji Castle

Municipality consists of 14 administrative units and 16 settlements. According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the population of Dedoplistsqaro Municipality[3] as of January 1, 2021, is 20.7 thousand people. 5.7 thousand people live in urban areas and 15 thousand people in rural areas.[4]

The main zone of settlement spreads within 500-800m above sea level. Mostly Georgians, a small number of Armenians, Russians, Azerbaijanis, and other nationalities live in the municipality. The largest part is the rural population.

Dedoplistsqaro is divided in next administrative units:

Census Data

Census date	Population
1989	37 299
2002	30 911
2014	21 221

Dedoplistskaro municipality is located in Kakheti region. Its administrative center is Dedoplistskaro city. Municipality from the west and north is bordered with Sighnaghi Municipality, from east and south is bordered with Azerbaijan Republic. Dedoplistskaro is the biggest administrative unit in Kakheti. The biggest part of municipality is occupied by Iori highland, which goes to the extreme south-east part, to Eldari lowland. Eldari lowland is the only place in Georgia, where semi desert landscape is developed.

The municipality territory includes the Gombori ridge south-east ending and also Alazani lowland part from the village Samtatskaro till the river Agrichai connection. Hydrological network is poorly developed in Dedoplistskaro. We meet short temporary rivers in this region. In the district are flowing following rivers: Alazani, Iori, Velijvari, Lekistskali, Uzundaraskhevi, Kushiskhevi, Ghoristskliskhevi, Kumuriskhevi, Pantishariaskhevi and others. There are some lakes as well. Kochebi lake and Patara lake are worth to mention. Dedoplistskaro is characterized with flora and fauna diversity. We meet here semi desert vegetation, also prairie, rare forests and grove forests. We must say couple words about Vashlovani National Park, which is having an amazing landscape. On the territory of municipality are spread different plants, the animals are also quite various. For example we meet here stripped hyena, gazelle, lynx, jackal, fox, wolf, Lelian's cat, badger and others. On the territory of Dedoplistskaro is developed two types of climate, in south is moderately warm steppe climate, in north is moderately humid climate. The average yearly temperature is 10.3 °C.[5]

Town of Dedoplistsqaro

Dedoplistskaro Municipal Assembly (Georgian: დედოფლისწყაროს საკრებულო) is a representative body in Dedoplistskaro Municipality. currently consisting of 28 members. The council is assembles into session regularly, to consider subject matters such as code changes, utilities, taxes, city budget, oversight of city government and more. Dedoplistskaro sakrebulo is elected every four-year. The last election was held in October 2017.[6]

There are 17 preschools in Dedoplistsqaro Municipality. Inclusive education is a special priority in the kindergartens of the municipality.[7]

15 public and 1 private school are functioning in Dedoplistsqaro Municipality.[8]

Dedoplistsqaro Municipality Sports and Youth Affairs Center has free sections in various sports. Athletes who train at the center, participate in national and international tournaments every year.[13]

Chachuna Managed Reserve

Takhti-Tepha Natural Monument

Numerous archeological, architectural, and historical monuments are located on the territory of the municipality. One of the architectural monuments is the early medieval fortress-town of Khornabuji near the town of Dedoplistsqaro, which was the center of the historic Kambechovani district. In the village of Ozaani, the IX century architectural monument, the domed Church of the Ascension, built of bricks is located. Here is the medieval Trinity Church.

The municipality is widely represented by archeological monuments as well.

Dedoplistsqaro municipality occupies 45,700 ha of arable land and 68,000 ha of pastures. Autumn grain crops are sown in the municipality – wheat and barley. Spring crops are also sown in Dedoplistsqaro , Mostly sunflower and corn.

Perennials are planted on 1,700 hectares on the territory of the municipality, of which 1450–1500 hectares are vineyards, and the rest are olives, almonds, and walnuts. Livestock in Dedoplistsqaro municipality is mainly represented by sheep and cattle breeding.

There are oil (Mirzaani, Shiraki) and limestone (Artsivi Valley) deposits on the territory of the municipality.

Dedoplistsqaro Municipality is twinned with:[14]

• Didnauri
• Vashlovani National Park

• Districts of Georgia, Statoids.com