Lagodekhi () is the administrative-territorial unit in Eastern Georgia, in the Kakheti region. It is bordered by the Republic of Azerbaijan to the east, Kvareli Municipality to the west, the Autonomous Republic of Dagestan to the north, and Sighnaghi and Gurjaani municipalities to the south. The administrative center of the municipality is Lagodekhi.
History
The territory of Lagodekhi municipality was included in Sighnaghi Mazra of Tbilisi province until 1917. Since 1921 it has been the administrative-territorial division of Sighnaghi Mazra in the Georgian SSR and since 1930 it has become an independent district. It has been called Lagodekhi Municipality since 2006.
The name Lagodekhi is first mentioned in the Juansher Juansheriani Chronicle - History and life of King Vakhtang Gorgasali which confirms the toponym Lakuast or Lakvast (Lakva means a watery place according to Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani).
Administrative divisions and population
As of January 1, 2021, the population of Lagodekhi Municipality is 41.2 thousand people. 5.7 thousand live in urban areas and 35.4 thousand in rural areas.
Lagodekhi Municipality is a group of settlements that have administrative boundaries and an administrative center - the city of Lagodekhi. Lagodekhi Municipality has an elected representative Assembly (Sakrebulo) and an executive body (City Hall), a registered population, own property, budget, and revenues. The municipality is a legal entity of public law.
There are 15 administrative units in the municipality. In addition to Lagodekhi, there are 67 settlements there: Administrative unit – City of Lagodekhi Administrative unit - Areshperani (including Zemo Bolkvi, Kevkhiani, Kvemo Bolkvi, Khoshatiani) Administrative unit - Apeni (including , Gvimriani, Zemo Nashovari, Onanauri, Phodaani, Kvemo Nashovari, Chabukiani) Administrative unit - Baisubani (including Zemo Mskhalgori, Patara Gori, Kvemo Mskhalgori) Administrative unit - Giorgeti (including Gujareti, Verkhvis Mindori, Lapniani, Pichkhisbogiri) Administrative unit - Vardisubani (including Mshvidobiani, Sakobo, Svideba) Administrative unit - Kabali (including Ganjala, , Karajala) Administrative unit - Kartubani (including Bolokiani, Naendrovali, Natsiskvilari) Administrative unit - Leliani (including , Beburiani, Meore Leliani, Mirskiseuli, Namesrali, Qalqva) Administrative unit - Matsimi (including Rachisubani) Administrative unit - Ninigori (including Ganatleba, , Zemo Gurgeniani, Zemo Khiza, Kvemo Gurgeniani, Khizabavra) Administrative unit - Phona (including , Zemo Phona, Kvemo Phona, Zemo Khechili, Kvemo Khechili) Administrative unit - Shroma (including Kavshiri) Administrative unit - Tsodniskari (including Davitiani, Tela, Sheerteba, Chaduniani, Tsiplistskaro) Administrative unit - Chiauri (including Eretiskari, Tamariani, Tsitelgori).
Geography
The territory of Lagodekhi municipality belongs to a moderately humid subtropical climate. The area is characterized by relatively cold winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature is 13 °C. Annual precipitation ranges from 650 mm to 1080 mm. Hail and drought are typical for the local climate. The mountainous parts have a moderately humid climate, with cold winters and cool summers, with an annual rainfall of 1200–1800 mm.
Lagodekhi municipality is rich in surface and groundwater. The main hydrographic network is formed by the Alazani River, which flows on the border of Gurjaani and Sighnaghi municipalities. Kabali, Matsimistskali, Lagodekhistskali, Areshi, and Apeniskhevi are the other main rivers of the municipality.
Politics
Lagodekhi Municipal Assembly (Georgian: ლაგოდეხის საკრებულო) is a representative body in Lagodekhi Municipality. currently consisting of 30 members. The council is assembles into session regularly, to consider subject matters such as code changes, utilities, taxes, Municipal budget, oversight of Municipal government and more. Municipal Assembly and Mayor are elected every four year. The last election was held in October 2021.
Education
There are 28 public schools and 31 pre-schools in Lagodekhi municipality. The number of school students is 6235, and the number of children in pre-schools is 1513. There are 5 libraries in Lagodekhi Municipality. Namely: 1 Central Library and 4 rural libraries (villages of Vardisubani, Giorgeti, Kartubani, and Leliani). There is a branch of Aisi Public College in the village of Shroma, Lagodekhi Municipality.
The Union of Art Schools of Lagodekhi Municipality unites 4 music schools and 1 art school: Lagodekhi Art School, Apeni village Art School, Leliani village Art School, Vardisubani village Art School, and Lagodekhi Painting School.