Kartli, Historical region in central Georgia
Kartli is a historical region in central and eastern Georgia, with the Mtkvari River flowing through diverse landscapes and multiple settlements. The territory today comprises several administrative districts, including the nation's capital city.
In ancient times, this territory formed the core of the early Georgian kingdom, known to the Greeks as Iberia. From this central power base, a long tradition of rule and cultural development grew across the region.
The people here speak a dialect that became the foundation for modern Georgian written language, and you can still hear it in everyday conversations. This linguistic heritage shapes how locals communicate with each other throughout their daily lives.
The historical boundaries of this region do not align perfectly with modern administrative divisions, so historical maps or local guides help with orientation. Main sites are accessible by public transport or car, especially when traveling from the capital.
The Dmanisi archaeological site located here contains the oldest human remains found anywhere outside Africa. These fossils, roughly 1.7 million years old, prove that humans lived in these landscapes in the distant past.
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