South Ossetia () is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian SSR. It has a population of 53,000 people who live in an area of 3,900 km, south of the Russian Caucasus, with 30,000 living in its capital city of Tskhinvali. 

South Ossetia declared independence from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991. The Georgian government responded by abolishing South Ossetia's autonomy and trying to re-establish its control over the region by force. The crisis escalation led to the 1991–92 South Ossetia War. Georgian fighting against those controlling South Ossetia occurred on two other occasions, in 2004 and 2008. The latter conflict led to the Russo–Georgian War, during which Ossetian and Russian forces gained full "de facto" control of the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast. 

In the wake of the 2008 war, Russia, followed by Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru, recognised South Ossetia's independence. Georgia does not recognise the existence of South Ossetia as a political entity, including most of the area in its Shida Kartli region, under the administration of the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia. Georgia and a significant part of the international community consider South Ossetia to be occupied by the Russian military. South Ossetia relies heavily on military, political and financial aid from Russia. Russia does not allow European Union Monitoring Mission to enter South Ossetia.
When did South Ossetia become free from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic? Where is it located? Within the? Who many people live there? What is it south of? What is the capital? How many people live in the capital? How did the Georgian government respond to it's independence? Did it try to regain control? How? What war did this lead to? What years? Did they fight again? When? What war happened in 2004? What about 2008? What did they gain? What does South Ossetia rely on Russia for? Who does Russia not allow to enter there? Is South Ossetia considered to be occupied by Russian military?
1991 in the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast the former Georgian SSR 53,000 the Russian Caucasus Tskhinvali. 30,000 by abolishing it's autonomy yes by force South Ossetia War 1991 to 1992 yes in 2004 and 2008 unknown the Russo–Georgian War de facto control military, political and financial aid European Union Monitoring Mission yes