# Akhaltsikhe

> town in Georgia

**Wikidata**: [Q212546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhaltsikhe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/akhaltsikhe

## Summary
Akhaltsikhe is a town in Georgia founded in 1200, serving as the administrative center of the Akhaltsikhe Municipality within the Samtskhe–Javakheti region. Located at coordinates 41.638889°N, 42.986111°E at an elevation of 1,029 meters above sea level, the town has a population of 16,955 as of 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Foundation**: 1200
- **Official Name**: ახალციხე (Georgian)
- **Coordinates**: 41.638889°N, 42.986111°E
- **Elevation**: 1,029 meters above sea level
- **Population (2022)**: 16,955 (estimate)
- **Population (2014 Census)**: 17,903
- **Timezone**: UTC+04:00
- **Postal Code**: 0800
- **Official Language**: Georgian
- **Website**: https://akhaltsikhe.gov.ge
- **Country**: Georgia (since April 9, 1991)
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of Akhaltsikhe Municipality (since 1930) and Samtskhe–Javakheti region

## FAQs

**What is the population of Akhaltsikhe?**
As of 2022, Akhaltsikhe has an estimated population of 16,955. Historical population data shows fluctuations from 10,153 in 1922 to a peak of 24,570 in 1989.

**What countries has Akhaltsikhe been part of throughout history?**
Akhaltsikhe has been part of the Russian Empire (1829–1918), Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918–1921), Soviet Union (1921–1936), Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1921–1936), and modern Georgia (since 1991).

**Where is Akhaltsikhe located geographically?**
Akhaltsikhe is located in southern Georgia within the Akhaltsikhe Municipality of the Samtskhe–Javakheti region, situated near the Posof Çayı river at an elevation of 1,029 meters above sea level.

**What are the twin cities of Akhaltsikhe?**
Akhaltsikhe is twinned with Ardahan and Artvin, both cities in neighboring Turkey.

## Why It Matters
Akhaltsikhe holds significant administrative and historical importance as the dual capital of both the Akhaltsikhe Municipality and the broader Samtskhe–Javakheti region. Its strategic location near the Turkish border and its founding in 1200 make it a notable point of interest for understanding the geopolitical evolution of the Caucasus region. The town's comprehensive documentation in major historical encyclopedias—including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, and multiple editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica—demonstrates its recognized importance across different historical periods.

## Notable For
- **Historical Administrative Role**: Served as the center of Akhaltsikhe Uyezd from 1874 until 1930 before becoming the capital of Akhaltsikhe Municipality.
- **Multilingual Recognition**: Known by numerous names across different languages and cultures, including Lomsia, Axalcʻixe, Akhaltsikhé, Achalzik, Achaltsiche, and variants in Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.
- **Encyclopedic Documentation**: Featured in seven major encyclopedic works including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (standard, small, and Jewish editions), Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 4th edition, Encyclopædia Britannica 9th and 11th editions, and the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Has Wikipedia articles in 54 different languages, indicating broad international recognition.
- **Twin City Relationships**: Maintains formal relationships with Ardahan and Artvin in Turkey.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Akhaltsikhe is situated at 41.638889°N latitude and 42.986111°E longitude in the Samtskhe–Javakheti region of southern Georgia. The town lies at an elevation of 1,029 meters above sea level and is located in or adjacent to the Posof Çayı river. It operates in the UTC+04:00 timezone and uses the postal code 0800.

### Administrative History
The town has a complex administrative history spanning multiple political entities:
- **Russian Empire**: 1829–1918
- **Democratic Republic of Georgia**: 1918–1921
- **Soviet Union**: February 25, 1921 – December 5, 1936
- **Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic**: February 25, 1921 – December 5, 1936
- **Georgia**: April 9, 1991 – present

Akhaltsikhe has served as the capital of Akhaltsikhe Municipality since 1930 and is also the capital of the Samtskhe–Javakheti region. Prior to 1930, it functioned as the administrative center of Akhaltsikhe Uyezd, a role documented from 1874.

### Demographics
Population data for Akhaltsikhe spans from the 19th century to present day:

**19th Century**:
- 1864: 14,722
- 1882: 13,265
- 1897 (January 28): 15,357

**Early 20th Century**:
- 1910: 22,095
- 1922 (November 30): 10,153
- 1926 (December 17): 12,328
- 1939 (January 17): 12,180

**Mid to Late 20th Century**:
- 1959 (January 15): 16,868 (census)
- 1970 (January 15): 18,972 (census)
- 1979 (January 17): 19,742 (census)
- 1989 (January 12): 24,570 (census)

**21st Century**:
- 2002 (January 17): 18,452 (census)
- 2014: 17,903 (census)
- 2016: 16,425 (estimate)
- 2017: 16,570 (estimate)
- 2018: 16,755 (estimate)
- 2019: 16,859 (estimate)
- 2020: 16,943 (estimate)
- 2021: 17,070 (estimate)
- 2022: 16,955 (estimate)

### Names and Etymology
The town's official name in Georgian is ახალციხე. Historical official names include:
- **Axalsıx**: Used until 1936
- **Axaltsixe**: Used from 1936 onward
- **Ахалцих**: Used until 1936

The town is known by numerous aliases across different languages: Lomsia, Axalcʻixe, Akhaltsikhé, Achalzik, Achaltsiche, Akhaltsikhe, Achalzych, アハルチヘ (Japanese), アフスカ, Ахалцха, Ахалцихэ, Ахалцих, Ахалцых (Russian variants), أخالتسيخ (Arabic), and 아칼트시케 (Korean).

### Cultural and Academic Documentation
Akhaltsikhe is documented in multiple prestigious encyclopedic sources:
- Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
- Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 4th edition (1885–1890)
- Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition (entry: "Akhaltsikh")
- Encyclopædia Britannica Ninth Edition (entry: "Akhalzikh")
- Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, vol. 1 (pages 196–197)

### International Identifiers and Digital Presence
The town maintains numerous international identifiers:
- **VIAF ID**: 152594682
- **FAST ID**: 1320728
- **GeoNames ID**: 615860
- **Freebase ID**: /m/03yklx
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n93100797
- **Wikimapia ID**: 5336584
- **Who's On First ID**: 421192433
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -2325896
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 155676338
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007530906105171
- **TDV Encyclopedia of Islam ID**: ahiska
- **Armeniapedia ID**: 4780, 3130
- **Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija ID**: achalciche
- **Kulturenvanteri Taxonomy ID**: 2837
- **Archinform Location ID**: 50978
- **Yale LUX ID**: place/aebe9095-c2df-4fa8-9f09-34b387f0bfa5

The town's Wikipedia presence spans 54 language editions, and it has dedicated categories on Wikimedia Commons for general content, people born there, people who died there, and associated people.

### Visual Symbols
Akhaltsikhe has official visual symbols including a flag and coat of arms, both available on Wikimedia Commons:
- **Flag**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Akhaltsikhe_(City).svg
- **Coat of Arms**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Coat_of_Arms_of_Akhaltsikhe.svg

### Twin Cities
Akhaltsikhe maintains twinning relationships with two Turkish cities:
- **Ardahan**
- **Artvin**

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Georgian Post
3. [Source](http://www.geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/population/01%20Population%20by%20municipalities%20for%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20year.xls)
4. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-cities.htm)
5. [Source](https://dlib.rsl.ru/viewer/01003825036#?page=305)
6. [Source](https://dlib.rsl.ru/viewer/01003825018#?page=268)
7. [Source](https://dlib.rsl.ru/viewer/01003824988#?page=286)
8. GeoNames
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/ahiska)
12. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/54ab57d5-6d10-43d2-a832-235b4ff37907)