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Administratively, the province of Mingrelia is incorporated with the northern part of neighboring mountainous province of Svaneti into the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, capital of which is Mingrelia's main city Zugdidi. In ancient times Mingrelia was a major part of the kingdom of Kolkha ( Colchis) ( 9th- 6th centuries BC) and kingdom of Egrisi ( 6th century BC- 4th century AD). In 10th- 15th centuries Mingrelia was a part of the united Georgian Kingdom. In 16th century- 1857 the independent Principality of Mingrelia was under ruling of Georgian dinasty Dadiani . In December of 1803 the Principality came under the patronage of Russian Empire by agreement between the Tsar and the Mingrelian Prince Grigol Dadiani. In 1857 the Principality was abolished oficially by the Tsarist Russian Empire. In 1918Events January January 8 President Woodrow Wilson announces his " Fourteen Points" for the aftermath of World War I. February February 3 The Twin Peaks Tunnel begins service in San Francisco as the longest streetcar tunnel in the world (11,920 feet long).- 1921Events January 2 The first religious radio broadcast ( KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) January 2 Spanish liner Santa Isabel sinks off Villa Garcia 244 dead January 2 DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park San Francisco opens. January 20 Republic of Turke Mingrelia was part of the Democratic Republic of GeorgiaThe Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG, 1918- 1921) was the first Republic of Georgia, established after the collapse of the Russian Tsarist empire. The Declaration of the State Independence of Georgia was adopted by the National Council of Georgia on Ma. in 1921Events January 2 The first religious radio broadcast ( KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) January 2 Spanish liner Santa Isabel sinks off Villa Garcia 244 dead January 2 DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park San Francisco opens. January 20 Republic of Turke Georgia was occupied by the Soviet Russia. In 1921Events January 2 The first religious radio broadcast ( KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) January 2 Spanish liner Santa Isabel sinks off Villa Garcia 244 dead January 2 DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park San Francisco opens. January 20 Republic of Turke- 1990Events January January 3 Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrenders to American forces. January 7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns. January 9 Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello The man who led the coup aginst Dr Apo this region was part of the Georgian SSRCOA ( In Detail) (In Detail) State motto: , ! Official language Georgian since 1978 (Georgia was the only Soviet republic to have an official language) Capital Tbilisi Chairman of the Supreme Council Zviad Gamsakhurdia (at independence) Area Total % water. In April 9, 1991 was restored the state independence of Georgia, when Mingrelia part of it. First elected president of independent Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, was Mingrelian. Therefore, after his deposition by armed opposition, Mingrelia became epicentre of civil war, which ended whith the defeat of his supporters. Even so, this region was unmanagable by the central government throughout the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze (1992-2003). The stability in the region is further deteriorated by the fact, that the Georgian refugees from Abkhazian war zone, (which are considered by Georgians as victims of ethnic cleanthy) are mostly Mingrelians. In 2004, newly elected Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, who owed to resolve the conflict whith breakaway region of Abkhazia solely by peaceful means, had to disarm groups of Mingrelians, who tried to fight guerrilla war against Abkhazians by incursions from Mingrelia.