3-053-592 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Immeritians of the Caucasus, 1873. 'That province of the Asiatic Russian Empire which is named Imeritia is situated between Georgia and Mingrelia, south of the Caucasus range of mountains, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It comprises the valley of the ancient Phasis river, now called the Rhion, and its territory is nearly identical with that of the old classical kingdom of Colchis, the birthplace of Princess Medea and the scene of Jason's exploits for the Golden Fleece. Imeritia is now traversed by the railway from Poti, on the Black Sea, to Tiflis, the capital of Georgia. Its chief towns are Kutais, Bagdat, Vartzik, and Vakhani. The country is mountainous and wooded. The soil is fertile, producing corn, fruits, tobacco, hemp, madder, and other useful things; but the climate is damp and unhealthy. The population is estimated at 200,000, mostly of Georgian race, and of the Greek Church. Those dwelling in the mountain districts retain their peculiar costume, which is shown in our Illustration'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.