Overview
Lanchkhuti is a city located in the Guria region of western Georgia. It serves as the administrative center of the Lanchkhuti Municipality. Historically, the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, with evidence of urban development dating back to the Bronze Age, notably the settlement of Shukhuti. Lanchkhuti itself was first mentioned in historical sources in the 17th century. The etymology of its name is debated, with one theory by Simon Janashia suggesting a connection to the Megrelian-Chanuri word “Chkhu” (cow), implying “Lanchkhuti” meant “cowshed.”
The city gained official city status in 1961. During the Soviet era, it was the center of the Lanchkhuti area within the Georgian SSR and continues this role as a district capital within Guria. Lanchkhuti developed as an industrial town with facilities such as a tea processing factory, a cannery, a meat and dairy factory, and a brick and tile factory. Agriculture remains significant in the municipality, with a focus on citrus growing, livestock, and nut cultivation. The Baku-Supsa oil pipeline and the Supsa terminal also play a crucial role in the local economy. Tourism, particularly along its Black Sea coast, is an important sector. The city and its surroundings are home to health facilities, public schools, a parish school, a cultural center, a library, and a museum of local lore.
Geographical Location
Lanchkhuti Municipality is situated in the western part of Georgia, within the Guria region. It lies in the Kolkheti lowlands, south of the Rioni River and at the foot of the Gurian hill country. The municipality is bordered by the Black Sea to the west, offering an 18 km coastline that includes popular resorts like Ureki, Shekvetili, and Grigoleti. To the east, it borders Samtredia and Chokhatauri municipalities. Its northern neighbors are Khobi, Senaki, and Abasha municipalities, while Ozurgeti municipality lies to the south.
The terrain of Lanchkhuti Municipality is a mix of plain and hilly areas. Its northwestern part is occupied by the Guria lowland, and the southeastern part by the Guria hillock. The elevation ranges from about 20 meters above sea level in the plain to the highest point, Talakha Mountain, at 660 meters. The region has a humid subtropical climate, influenced by air masses from the Black Sea, resulting in abundant atmospheric precipitation. The average annual temperature is around . Several rivers flow through its territory, including the Supsa, Pichori, Lesistskali, Shuti, Gomakhuristskali, and Tskaltsitela. Notable lakes in the area include Paliastomi (partially within the municipality), Imnati, Japana, and Grigoleti. A significant portion of Kolkheti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, falls within the Lanchkhuti municipality.
History
The territory of Lanchkhuti has a long history of human settlement, with archaeological evidence pointing to inhabitation since the Stone Age and developed urban life since the Bronze Age (e.g., the Shukhuti settlement). The town of Lanchkhuti is first documented in the 17th century.
The economic development of Lanchkhuti saw a boost in the early 20th century with its connection to the Samtredia-Batumi railway line, facilitating the processing and transport of local agricultural products. Lanchkhuti gained city status in 1961. The Lanchkhuti Museum of Local Lore, established in 1978, houses archaeological, ethnographic, and historical artifacts, with collections dating from the Middle and Late Bronze Ages. The region is also known for its Gurian horse riders, who famously participated in Wild West Shows in the USA. The traditional game of Lelo, an ancestor of rugby, is still played annually in the village of Shukhuti on Orthodox Easter.
Population
As of a 2024 estimate, the city of Lanchkhuti has a population of approximately 6,213. The broader Lanchkhuti Municipality had a population of 31,486 according to the 2014 Georgian census. More recent estimates for the municipality (January 1, 2020) indicated a population of around 30,152.
Politics
Historically, the governance of Lanchkhuti, as part of Georgia, has evolved through various administrative and political frameworks. In its modern context as a municipality, Lanchkhuti operates under a system of local self-government. This includes the Lanchkhuti Municipal Assembly (Sakrebulo), a representative body composed of members elected every four years by the local populace. This structure allows for local decision-making on matters pertaining to the municipality’s development and administration, reflecting a decentralized approach to governance that has been a feature of Georgian political reforms.
Administrative Divisions
Lanchkhuti Municipality is an administrative-territorial unit within the Guria region of Georgia. The city of Lanchkhuti serves as its administrative center. The municipality is further divided into 16 territorial units (also referred to as administrative units or communities). These units encompass the city of Lanchkhuti and numerous villages. Some of these administrative units include Atsana, Aketi, Mamati, Nigoiti, Shukhuti, Machkhvareti, Gvimbalauri, Chibati, Lesa, Jurukveti, Ninoshvili, Nigvziani, Chochkhati, Ghrmaghele, and Supsa. The total area of the Lanchkhuti Municipality is approximately 533 square kilometers.
