Tskhenistsqali

Tskhenistsqali
Tskhenistsqali valley in Lower Svaneti
Tskhenistsqali is located in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Tskhenistsqali
Tskhenistsqali is located in Georgia
Tskhenistsqali
Native nameცხენისწყალი (Georgian)
Location
CountryGeorgia
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationCaucasus Major
MouthRioni
 • coordinates
42°07′31″N 42°17′56″E / 42.1252°N 42.2989°E / 42.1252; 42.2989
Length176 km (109 mi)
Basin size2,120 km2 (820 sq mi)
Basin features
ProgressionRioniBlack Sea
Tskhenistsqali river (in red) on the map of Georgia

Tskhenistsqali (Georgian: ცხენისწყალი, Cxenisċqali, also: Tskhenistskali)[1] is a river in northern Georgia. Its source is in the main range of the Caucasus Mountains, in the easternmost part of the Lentekhi Municipality, lower Svaneti. A tributary of the river Rioni, it is 176 km (109 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 2,120 km2 (820 sq mi).[2] It flows through the small towns Lentekhi and Tsageri and joins the Rioni near the town of Samtredia. The main tributaries of Tskhenistskali are: Zsekho, Kheleldula, Janolula ( from the right ), Kobishuri, Leuseri, Khopuri (from the left).

From etymological standpoint the name is derived from the Georgian words ცხენი (Cxeni, "horse") and წყალი (Tsqali, "water"), thereby meaning "horse water" and is therefore identified with the ancient Hippus river mentioned by Arrian (Periplus, 13).

  1. ^ Tskhenistskali, Georgia Mindat.org
  2. ^ Statistical Yearbook of Georgia: 2020, National Statistics Office of Georgia, Tbilisi, 2020, p. 12.