Kartli
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Kartli is the largest and most populated region of Eastern Georgia. It includes the Georgian capital Tbilisi and two other major cities, Gori and Rustavi. Geographically, it is situated between Western Georgian region of Imereti and Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti. Here was established in the 3rd century BC the ancient Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kartli, also known as Iberia. Its king declared the Christianity as an official religion of Kartli in 337 AD. In the early Middle Ages Kartli lost its political importance because of the struggle between the King and strong feudal rulers, as well as the aggression of strong Persian Kingdom. Even so, in a way, it remained Georgia's leader because of independence of its Church and culture from Byzantine influence. Kartli was part of united Georgian kingdom in central Middle Ages and after its disintegration in the 15th century was an independent kingdom. In the middle of 18th century that kingdom was united with the Kingdom of Kakheti. In 1801 the Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti was annexed to Russian Empire.
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