The name Shida Kartli in English translates as Inner Kartli. The term Kartli itself derives from Proto-Kartvelian root *kart-, which is considered an ancient inner-Kartvelian formation by modern linguists.
Geography
Shida Kartli is located in a central part of the lowland between Greater and Lesser Caucasus. To the North, Shida Kartli shares 27.5 kminternational border with Russian Federation. As of 2018, the Georgian government lacks control over it, hence the border is closed for international transit. To the East, the region shares an administrative border with Mtskheta-Mtianeti, to the South with – Kvemo Kartli, to the Southwest – with Samtskhe-Javakheti, to the West – with Imereti, and to the Northwest – with Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. The region's northern border is formed by the Greater Caucasus mountains, the eastern border mainly goes along the Kharuli ridge and the Ksani River, the southern border goes along the Trialeti Range, and the western border is formed by the Likhi and Racha ranges.
Relief
Overall picture of Shida Kartli's relief is formed by extensive Shida Kartli plain and mountainous edges. The main orographic entities of the region are: small parts of the Greater Caucasus mountains and Racha range, Germukhi, Kharuli, Kvernaki, Trialeti, Likhi ranges and Shida Kartli plain. The average height of the Shida Kartli terrain is 1,307 meter. The lowest point is at 473 meter in Kaspi municipality, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and the Ksani rivers. The highest point is the mountain Laghztsiti which is located in occupied part of Shida Kartli. On the Georgian controlled part of the region the highest point is the mountain Arjevani.
Climate
Shida Kartli has various climate, in its central part, on the plain is represented moderate humid climate, with moderate cold Winters and warm long Summers. To the East from Gori environs, along Mtkvari valley, is represented transient climate from dry subtropics to moderate humid subtropics, with moderate cold Winters and hot Summers. To the North of the plain on southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains and to the South on northern slopes of the Trialeti range climate is moderate humid with cold Winters and long Summers and from 1,900 m to 2,600 m with cold Winters and short Summers. On southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains from 2,600 m to 3,400 m is represented moderate humid climate of the highlands with lack of true Summer, and above 3,400 m – moderate humid climate of the highlands with permanent snow and glaciers. To the west of the region, on Likhi range above 900 m is distributed transient highlands climate from marine humid to continental humid. To the most North-western part of the region, on western slopes of Likhi range and Racha range is represented humid climate with cold Winters and short Summers, and above 2,600 m – humid highlands climate with lack of true Summer.
Temperature
An average annual temperature of the region is 6.5 °C, maximum annual temperature of 12.2 °C is to the East of the Kaspi Municipality and minimum annual temperature of -5.0 °C is in the Java Municipality, on the Caucasus Mountains. The highest average annual temperature is on the Shida Kartli plain which rises from the West to the East direction from 9 °C to 12.2 °C. The hottest month of the region is August and its maximum average monthly temperature reaches 24.4 °C, while minimum – drops to 4.5 °C. The coldest month is January and its minimum average monthly temperature drops to -12.6 °C, while maximum reaches – 1.6 °C.
Precipitation
On the territory of Shida Kartli an average annual precipitation equals to 824 mm. Maximum of a precipitation falls to the very North of the region, on the Caucasus Mountains, while minimum – falls to the East of Kaspi Municipality, along Mtkvari valley. By abundance of precipitation, stands out northern part of the region where its amount varies from 800 mm up to 1,045 mm. On the Shida Kartli plain an average annual precipitation varies from 563 mm up to 800 mm, and on the Trialeti Range – from 700 mm up to 900 mm. By month, maximum average annual precipitation falls in May and June, while minimum – in February.
Winds
In Shida Kartli the strongest winds blow in December and January, on average their speed reach 2.49 m/s and 2.35 m/s respectively. The weakest winds are in October. In the region winds usually blow from the East or the West side. By territorial distribution winds are especially strong on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, while the weakest – on the Shida Kartli plain.
