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The Zans
The Zans are a subethnic group of the Kartvelian people, primarily speaking the Zan languages, which include Mingrelian and Laz. These languages belong to the larger Kartvelian language family, which also includes Georgian and Svan. The Zans are primarily found in the western regions of Georgia, particularly in Samegrelo (historically known as Mingrelia) and parts of Turkey along the Black Sea coast, where the Laz people live. The Zans are divided into two main subgroups: the Mingrelians and the Laz people. The Mingrelians are concentrated in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo, while the Laz people are primarily located in Turkey’s northeastern provinces, such as Rize and Artvin, though there…
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Georgians
Georgians, or Kartvelians, are an ethnic group native to the Caucasus region, primarily the country of Georgia. They are distinguished by their unique language, Georgian, which belongs to the Kartvelian language family, and by their deep cultural and historical roots in the region. The history of the Georgian people dates back to ancient times, with two significant civilizations, Colchis and Iberia, forming the foundation of modern Georgian identity. Colchis was known for its connections to the Greek world, while Iberia had influence from the Persian Achaemenid Empire before being conquered by Alexander the Great. In the 4th century, Georgians became one of the first nations to embrace Christianity, which played…
