# Zestaponi > city in Georgia **Wikidata**: [Q734315](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q734315) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zestaponi) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zestaponi ## Summary Zestaponi is a city in the Imereti region of western Georgia, serving as the administrative center of Zestaponi Municipality. Located at coordinates 42.108333°N latitude and 43.041667°E longitude, the city has a historical connection to the former Shorapani Uyezd of the Russian Empire and is known for its football culture, being home to both FC Zestaponi (founded in 2004) and the older FC Margveti Zestaponi (founded in 1937). The city also contains the David Abashidze Stadium, a significant sports venue in the region. ## Key Facts - **Official name**: Zestaponi (also known as Zestafoni) - **Location**: Imereti region, western Georgia - **Coordinates**: 42.108333°N latitude, 43.041667°E longitude - **Administrative status**: Seat of Zestaponi Municipality - **Historical administrative region**: Part of Shorapani Uyezd in Kutais, Russian Empire (established 1846) - **Population figures**: 20,814; 24,158; 20,548 (different census years) - **Official website**: https://zestafoni.gov.ge/ - **Football clubs**: FC Zestaponi (founded 2004), FC Margveti Zestaponi (founded 1937) - **Stadium**: David Abashidze Stadium - **Wikidata description**: city in Georgia - **Sitelink count**: 46 ## FAQs **What region is Zestaponi located in?** Zestaponi is located in the Imereti region of western Georgia. It serves as the administrative center of Zestaponi Municipality, which is one of the municipalities within this historical region of Georgia. **What football clubs are based in Zestaponi?** Zestaponi is home to two football clubs: FC Zestaponi, which was founded in 2004, and FC Margveti Zestaponi, which was founded in 1937, making it one of the older football clubs in Georgia. Both clubs are based in the city and have their headquarters at the city's location. **What is the historical administrative context of Zestaponi?** Historically, Zestaponi was part of the Shorapani Uyezd, an administrative district within the Kutais Governorate of the Russian Empire. The Shorapani Uyezd was established in 1846 and encompassed territories in what is now the Imereti region of Georgia. **What notable sports facilities does Zestaponi have?** Zestaponi contains the David Abashidze Stadium, which is a significant sports venue in the region. The stadium serves as the home ground for the city's football clubs and is one of the notable sporting facilities in the Imereti region. **What is the administrative structure of Zestaponi?** Zestaponi is the seat of Zestaponi Municipality, a municipality in the Imereti region of Georgia. The municipality is identified by multiple country codes in the source material (, , ), reflecting its place within Georgian administrative systems. ## Why It Matters Zestaponi matters as a regional administrative center in one of Georgia's most historically significant regions. Imereti has been a center of Georgian civilization for centuries, and Zestaponi's role as a municipal seat ensures it serves as a hub for local governance, commerce, and services for the surrounding area. The city's historical connection to the Shorapani Uyezd reflects the administrative divisions established during Russian imperial rule, which shaped the modern territorial organization of western Georgia. The city's football heritage demonstrates its cultural importance within Georgia. Having two football clubs—one established in the Soviet era (1937) and another in the post-independence period (2004)—shows the city's continued commitment to sports and community identity. The David Abashidze Stadium serves as a focal point for local sporting events and community gatherings. Zestaponi's population figures, ranging from approximately 20,500 to 24,000 depending on the census year, indicate it is a mid-sized Georgian city that plays a meaningful role in regional demographics and urban geography. Its official website (zestafoni.gov.ge) provides evidence of its ongoing administrative function and digital presence as a local government center. ## Notable For - Being the administrative center of Zestaponi Municipality in the Imereti region - Hosting two football clubs with different historical origins (1937 and 2004) - Housing the David Abashidze Stadium - Historical connection to the Shorapani Uyezd (1846-1917) - Located at strategic coordinates in western Georgia (42.108333°N, 43.041667°E) - Known by both names: Zestaponi and Zestafoni ## Body ### Geography and Location Zestaponi is situated in the Imereti region of western Georgia at coordinates 42.108333°N latitude and 43.041667°E longitude. The city serves as the administrative center of Zestaponi Municipality, which encompasses the surrounding area and smaller communities within this historically significant Georgian region. Imereti is known for its agricultural productivity, historical monuments, and strategic position in western Georgia. ### Administrative History The city's administrative significance extends into the historical period of Russian imperial rule. Zestaponi was part of the Shorapani Uyezd, an administrative district (uezd) that was established in 1846 within the Kutais Governorate of the Russian Empire. The Shorapani Uyezd encompassed territories in what is now the Imereti region, and its establishment reflected the administrative reorganization of Georgian lands following Russian annexation in the early 19th century. This historical administrative structure laid the groundwork for the modern municipal organization of the area. ### Municipal Status Today, Zestaponi serves as the seat of Zestaponi Municipality, a municipality within the Imereti region of Georgia. The municipality is identified in source materials with multiple country identifiers (, , ), reflecting its place within Georgia's administrative hierarchy. As a municipal seat, Zestaponi functions as the center of local governance, providing administrative services and serving as the hub for municipal activities in the surrounding area. ### Sports and Football Culture Zestaponi has a notable football heritage that distinguishes it among Georgian cities. The city is home to two football clubs: **FC Margveti Zestaponi** was founded in 1937, during the Soviet period, making it one of the older football clubs in Georgia. The club has its headquarters at the city's location and represents the city's long-standing tradition in football. **FC Zestaponi** was founded in 2004, following Georgia's independence from the Soviet Union. This club also has its headquarters at the same location and represents the city's continued engagement with football in the post-Soviet era. The presence of two football clubs with different founding periods demonstrates the continuity and evolution of sports culture in Zestaponi. Both clubs are based in the city and contribute to local identity and community engagement. ### Sports Infrastructure The David Abashidze Stadium is a significant sporting facility located in Zestaponi. This stadium serves as the home ground for the city's football clubs and represents important sports infrastructure in the Imereti region. The stadium provides a venue for matches, training, and community sporting events, contributing to the city's role as a regional sports center. ### Demographics Zestaponi's population has been recorded at varying figures across different census years: approximately 20,814, 24,158, and 20,548 residents. These population figures indicate that Zestaponi is a mid-sized city within the Georgian context, serving as a population center within the Imereti region. The variation in population numbers reflects demographic shifts that may be associated with broader economic, social, and political changes in Georgia since the Soviet period. ### Digital Presence The city maintains an official website at https://zestafoni.gov.ge/, providing digital access to municipal information, services, and government resources. This online presence reflects modern administrative practices and provides residents and visitors with access to local government information. ### Nomenclature Zestaponi is known by both names: Zestaponi and Zestafoni. This variation in naming appears in official and informal contexts, with both spellings used to refer to the city. The official website uses the spelling "zestafoni," while other sources may use "zestaponi." This dual naming is not uncommon for Georgian cities and reflects linguistic variations in transliteration from Georgian. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/georgia/imereti/zestaponi/26291100__zestaponi/) 3. [Source](https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/41/population)