South Ossetia

South Ossetia

A region of northern Georgia in the central Caucasus bordering on Russia. Annexed by Russia in the early 19th century, South Ossetia became a part of Georgia in 1922. Following Georgian independence from the USSR in 1991, the region was the scene of conflict between Ossetian separatists and Georgian government forces.

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South Ossetia [əˈsiːʃə]

n

(Placename) a region in Georgia on the S slopes of the Caucasus Mountains; in 1990 it voted to join Russia, leading to armed conflict with Georgian forces; it became an autonomous region in 1997. Capital: Tskhinvali. Pop.: 99 800 (1990). Area: 3900 sq. km (1500 sq. miles) Georgian name Tskhinvali Also called South Ossetian Autonomous Region