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Georgia is divided into two autonomous republics (Georgian: ავტონომიური რესპუბლიკა, avtonomiuri respublika) and nine regions (Georgian: მხარე, mkhare).
The autonomous republics (Abkhazia and Adjara) were established during the Soviet regime and are recognized by the modern Georgian Constitution. Abkhazia represents a breakaway republic whose independence is not recognized internationally. De jure, Abkhazia is headed by the Chairman of the Supreme Council (in exile) while de facto it is headed by the President. Ajaria, which is headed by the Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers, became fully loyal to the central authorities of Georgia following a peaceful ousting of the former secessionist leader in 2004.
Regions were established by Presidential decrees from 1994 to 1996, on a provisional basis until the secessionist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are resolved. The regional administration is headed by State Commissioner (Georgian: სახელმწიფო რწმუნებული) – informally Governor – an official appointed by the President of Georgia.
The status of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast – South Ossetia (also referred to as Samachablo or Tskhinvali Region), is the subject of negotiation with the de facto separatist government, headed by the President. The breakaway republic claims the northern part of the Shida Kartli region as its territory, with small parts of neighbouring regions.
The regions are subdivided into districts (Georgian: რაიონი):
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