To the North, Shida Kartli shares 27.5 km international border with Russian Federation. As of 2018, the Georgian government lacks control over it, hence the border is closed for international transit. To the East, the region shares an administrative border with Mtskheta-Mtianeti, to the South with – Kvemo Kartli, to the Southwest – with Samtskhe-Javakheti, to the West – with Imereti, and to the Northwest – with Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.[7]