Choloki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Choloki |
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Bridge over the Choloki blown up during the 2004 Adjara crisis.
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| Country | Georgia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Caucasus Mountains |
| River mouth | Natanebi 41°54′38″N 41°46′12″E / 41.91056°N 41.77000°E |
| Length | 29.5 km (18.3 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Natanebi→ Black Sea |
| Basin size | 159 km2 (61 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Choloki River (also spelled Cholok) is a river in the country of Georgia. It's pretty important because it forms a natural border. This river separates two parts of Georgia: the area called Ajara and the area called Guria.
For a while in the 1800s, this river was also a border between two big powers. It separated the country of Turkey from the large Russian Empire (which was a huge country ruled by an emperor).
A River with History
The Choloki River has seen some interesting historical events. Because it's a border, it has been important in different conflicts.
Battles by the River
During a big war called the Crimean War (from 1853 to 1856), soldiers from Turkey crossed the Choloki River in 1853. But they were pushed back by the other side the very next year.
Later, in 1918, another important event happened here. On April 16, 1918, the Georgian National Guard, led by General Giorgi Mazniashvili, stopped an invading force from Turkey. This showed how important the river was for defending the region.
The Blown-Up Bridge of 2004
One of the most recent and dramatic events involving the Choloki River happened on May 2, 2004. A bridge over the river was a main road link. It connected Ajara with the rest of Georgia.
This bridge was blown up by the leaders of Ajara at the time. The leader, Aslan Abashidze, said it was a "preventive measure." This means they blew it up to stop any possible military action from the central government of Georgia. It was a tense time, and the bridge was destroyed to prevent further conflict.
