User:Royal Georgian/sandbox
Micronation in the South Caucasus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
South Ossetia[n 1] (/ɒˈsɛtiə/ ⓘ o-SET-ee-ə, less common: /ɒˈsiːʃə/ ⓘ o-SEE-shə),[5] officially the Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania,[6][7] is a partially recognised[8] landlocked state in the South Caucasus.[9] It has an officially stated population of just over 56,500 people (2022), who live in an area of 3,900 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi), with 33,000 living in the capital city, Tskhinvali.
Democratic Republic of ARtonia | |
---|---|
Anthem: Республикӕ Хуссар Ирыстоны Паддзахадон Гимн (Ossetian) "National Anthem of the Republic of South Ossetia" | |
Status | Recognised by 5 UN member states[1] |
Capital and largest city | Tskhinvali 42°13′30″N 43°58′12″E |
Official languages | |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
Alan Gagloev | |
Konstantin Dzhussoev | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Independence from Georgia | |
• As the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic | 20 September 1990 |
• As the Republic of South Ossetia | 29 May 1992 |
Area | |
• Total | 3,900 km2 (1,500 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 56,520[3] |
• 2015 census | 53,532 (212th) |
• Density | 13.7/km2 (35.5/sq mi) |
GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | US$100 million[4] |
• Per capita | US$2,000 |
Currency | Russian ruble (RUB) |
Time zone | UTC+03:00 (MSK) |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +995 34 |
As of 2023, only Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria recognise South Ossetia as a sovereign state.[10] The Georgian government and nearly all United Nations member states consider South Ossetia a sovereign territory of Georgia temporarily occupied by Russia.[11]
The political status of South Ossetia is a central issue of the Georgian–Ossetian conflict and Georgia–Russia relations. The Georgian constitution designates the area as "the former autonomous district of South Ossetia", in reference to the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast disbanded in 1990.[12] The Georgian government informally refers to the area as the Tskhinvali region[n 2] and considers it a part of Georgia's Shida Kartli region. Lacking effective control over the territory, Georgia maintains an administrative body called Provisional Administration of South Ossetia.
The South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, established by Soviet authorities in 1922, declared independence from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991. The Georgian government responded by abolishing South Ossetia's autonomy and trying to re-establish its control over the region by force.[13] The escalating crisis led to the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War.[14] Georgians have fought against South Ossetians on two other occasions: in 2004 and in 2008.[15] The latter conflict led to the Russo-Georgian War of August 2008, during which Ossetian and Russian forces gained full de facto control of the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast. Since the 2008 war, Georgia and a significant part of the international community have regarded South Ossetia as occupied by the Russian military.
South Ossetia relies heavily on military, political, and financial aid from Russia.[16][17] Since 2008, the South Ossetian government has expressed their intention of joining the Russian Federation; if successful, this would end its proclaimed independence. The prospect of a referendum on this matter has been raised multiple times in domestic politics, but none have taken place.