Spatial analysis of depopulation in Georgian villages

Abstract

The process of emptying the mountainous regions is a serious problem in the world today, which has become quite large scale. The mountainous regions have always been an important strategic objective, characterized by a healthy ecological environment, vast freshwater resources, biological and landscape diversity, endemic species of cultural and natural vegetation, unique and exciting forms of agriculture, architecture, ethnic culture, military-defense by purpose, by the development of cult-religious processes, etc. The process of depopulation of the mountainous regions is a serious problem in the world today, which has become quite scalable. Population migration from mountainous areas is mainly due to harsh climates, scarce land resources, underdeveloped infrastructure, low incomes, poor access to health care and less prospects for development. With few exceptions, where a very attractive socio-economic environment is created, in mountainous areas, often even a more dramatic and very dramatic picture emerges, largely due to the fact that residents are leaving their homes and not only small settlements or villages, but also larger administrative districts. Units remain. Emigration from rural areas has a negative impact on agriculture, which is one of the main axes of the economy. Farming has not yet developed - it needs support. According to the 2014 Census, Georgia has a total of 3633 villages, of which 223 are without permanent residents, and 1 in 10 of the 255 villages is a threat to rural protection, although tourism and other processes have slowed these processes down. As an example, we took one of the abandoned villages of Botko and its surrounding area as a classic example of the depopulation of mountainous regions in Georgia.