South Ossetia

The Republic of South Ossetia (Ossetian: Республикæ Хуссар Ирыстон, Respublikae Xussar Iryston; Russian: Республика Южная Осетия, Respublika Yuzhnaya Osetiya; Georgian: სამხრეთი ოსეთია, Samkhreti Osetia) is a de facto independent republic within Georgia. Although it has declared its independence, its separation from Georgia has not been recognized by any other country. Georgia itself refuses to recognise South Ossetia as a distinct entity; the government calls it by the ancient name of Samachablo or, more recently, Tskhinvali region (after the republic's capital). South Ossetia is formally part of the Georgian region of Shida Kartli.

Geography

South Ossetia covers an area of about 3,900km² on the southern side of the Caucasus, separated by the mountains from the more populous North Ossetia (part of Russia) and extending southwards almost to the Mtkvari river in Georgia. It is extremely mountainous, with most of the region lying over 1,000m (3,300ft) above sea level. Its economy is primarily agricultural, although less than 10% of South Ossetia's land area is cultivated, with cereals, fruit and vines the major produce. Forestry and cattle industries are also maintained. A number of industrial facilities also exist, particularly around the capital Tskhinvali.

Related Topics:
Caucasus - North Ossetia - Russia - Tskhinvali

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