Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti stretches from Black Sea lowlands to Caucasus peaks, its diverse geography creating distinct sub-regional economies. Zugdidi serves as regional capital and main city; Upper Svaneti's UNESCO-protected towers and villages provide unique tourism assets. The region borders Abkhazia, creating economic disruption that the conflict's persistence perpetuates.

Upper Svaneti's medieval tower houses (characteristic defensive architecture) earned UNESCO World Heritage status, attracting visitors to Mestia and surrounding villages. Tourism has grown as access improved (an airport opened in Mestia), though the region remains challenging to reach. Winter skiing adds seasonal diversification to summer trekking.

The Abkhazia conflict directly affects Samegrelo, whose population includes internal refugees and whose potential trade routes remain closed. Agriculture (hazelnuts, tea, citrus) provides lowland livelihoods; traditional animal husbandry continues in highlands. Whether the region can fully develop tourism potential—while managing conflict effects and environmental pressures on fragile mountain ecosystems—tests governance capacity.