Akhmeta (, Axmeṫis municiṗaliṫeṫi) is the administrative – territorial unit in Eastern Georgia, in the region of Kakheti. The administrative center of Akhmeta municipality is the town Akhmeta.
The Municipality borders Dusheti Municipality and Tianeti Municipality to the west, Chechnya to the north, Telavi Municipality and Dagestan to the east, and Sagarejo Municipality to the south.
Akhmeta Municipality includes the historic region of Tusheti. The area of the municipality covers 2207.6 km2.
History
Until 1930, the current territory of Akhmeta Municipality was a part of Tianeti Mazra, from 1930 it moved to Telavi Mazra, from 1951 it was separated into a distinct area, in 1963–1964 it was returned to Telavi district. From August 1964, it was re-established as a separate district within the present borders. Akhmeta was declared a Town in 1966. Since 2006 – municipality.
Administrative divisions and population
Akhmeta Municipality consists of 15 administrative units and 108 settlements. According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the population of Akhmeta Municipality is 28.9 thousand people. 6.4 thousand people live in urban areas and 22.5 thousand people in rural areas.
According to the 2014 census data the population of Akhmeta District was 31,461. 78.99% of them was Georgians, 17.39% Kists, 2.21% Ossetians, 0.41% Chechens. The administrative unit of the town Akhmeta – town Akhmeta, and villages: Bughani, Kvemo Chopchauri; The administrative unit of Matani – the village Matani The administrative unit of Sakobiano – villages: Bakilovani, Dedisperuli, Kutsakhta, Sakobiano, Koreti, Kvareltskali, Khevischala; The administrative unit of Duisi – villages: Duisi, Tsinubani; The administrative unit of Jokolo – villages: Birkiani, Dzibakhevi, Jokolo; The administrative unit of Khalatsani – villages: Dumasturi, Omalo; Zemo Khalatsani, Kvemo Khalatsani, Shua Khalatsani; The administrative unit of Zemo Alvani – villages: Zemo Alvani, Khorbalo; The administrative unit of Kvemo Alvani – villages: Babaneuri, Kvemo Alvani; The administrative unit of Maghraani – villages: Argokhi, Maghraani, Pichkhovani; The administrative unit of Ozhio – villages: , Koghoto, Ozhio; The administrative unit of Zemo Khodasheni – villages: Atskuri, Akhaldaba, Zemo Khodasheni, Chabinani, Chareqauli, Khveliandro, Khorkheli; The administrative unit of Qistauri – villages: Arashenda, Akhalsheni, Akhshani, The fields of Akhasheni, Ingeti, Kojori, Osiauri, Sachale, Qistauri; The administrative unit of Kasristskali – the village Kasristskali; The administrative unit of Shakhvetila- villages: Bukhrebi, Vvedzebi, Naduqnari, Sabue, Shakhvetila, Chachkhriala, Tchartala, Jaburi; The administrative unit of Tusheti – villages: Ageurta, Alisgori, Baso, Beghela, Biquurta, Botchorna, Bukhurta, Girevi, Gogrulta, Gudanta, Dadikurta, , Dartlo, Daqiurta, Diklo, Dotchu, Etelta, Iliurta, Ipkhori, Vakisdziri, Verkhovani, Vestmo, Vestomta, Vedziskhevi, Tushetis Sabue, Indurta, Intsukhi, Kvavlo, Koklata, Natsikhari, Omalo, Ortsikhe, Zhvelurta, Sagirta, Sachighlo, Tbatana, Parsma, Qumelaurta, Tsokalta, Shenaqo, Shtrolta, Chiglaurta, Chigho, Tsaro, Tchala, Tchero, Tchesho, Tchontio, Khakhabo, Khiso, Jvarboseli, Hegho.
Geography
The municipality is bordered on the west by Dusheti and Tianeti municipalities, on the north by Chechnya, on the east by Telavi Municipality and the Autonomous Republic of Dagestan, and on the south by Sagarejo Municipality.
The area of Akhmeta municipality is 2207.6 km2. Agricultural lands occupy 80,266 hectares, while 91,200 hectares of the municipality are covered with forests.
The lower zone of the territorial unit has a moderately humid climate, with hot summers and relatively cold winters. Annual precipitation is in the range of 770–820 mm. The moderately humid climate is formed in the area of 700–1200 m above sea level. The average annual rainfall is 1200–2000 mm. The average temperature in the coldest month of the year, January, is (-) 3 °C, and in – July 22 °C. At 1200–2000 m above sea level, a humid climate is developed, with cold winters and cool summers; the average annual rainfall is around 1500–1700 mm.
The hydrological network is very frequent on the territory of the municipality. This administrative unit is characterized by the fast mountain rivers. The Pirikiti Alazani and Tushetis Alazani basins represent the rivers of the municipality.