Kartveli
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Kartveli
(1) The self-designation of the Georgians. The term was derived from the Karts—an eastern Georgian tribe. The Karts, together with the Mingrelo-Laz (Chans) and Svans, were the basis for the formation of the Georgian people.
(2) The collective name of the Kartvelian tribes of ancient Georgia.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.