Çoruh River in the context of Kelkit River

The Kingdom of the Iberians (Georgian: ქართველთა სამეფო, romanized: kartvelta samepo) was a medieval Georgian monarchy under the Bagrationi dynasty which emerged circa 888 AD, succeeding the Principality of Iberia, in historical region of Tao-Klarjeti, or upper Iberia in north-eastern Turkey as well parts of modern southwestern Georgia, that stretched from the Iberian gates in the south and to the Lesser Caucasus in the north.

Historically, the area comprised the following historical districts: West of the Arsiani Mountains were Tao, Klarjeti, Nigali, and Shavsheti, to the east lay Meskheti, Erusheti, Javakheti, Artaani, Abotsi, Kola and Basiani. The landscape is characterised by mountains and the river-systems of the Çoruh and the Kura. The region played a crucial role in the unification of all Georgian lands and principalities into the Kingdom of Georgia in 1008.

Bayburt is a city in northeast Turkey lying on the Çoruh River. It is the seat of Bayburt Province and Bayburt District. Its population is 48,036 (2021).

Bayburt was once an important center on the ancient Silk Road. It was visited by Marco Polo in the 13th century, and also by Evliya Çelebi in the 16th century. Remains of its medieval castle still exist. There are several historical mosques, Turkish baths, and tombs in the city. There are also ancient historical sites such as the Çatalçeşme Underground Complex and natural wonders like the Sirakayalar Waterfall in the other parts of the province.

Zemo Kartli (Georgian: ზემო ქართლი; lit. Upper Kartli or Upper Iberia) is a historical region in south-western Georgia, comprising the lands in the upper basin of the Kura River (from origins of Kura River to Tashiskari) and Chorokhi River basin, making it subregion of greater Kartli. Until 16th century, Zemo Kartli included: Samtskhe, Javakheti, Erusheti, Artaani, Kola, Klarjeti, Shavsheti, Tao and Speri.

The Arsiani Range (Turkish: Yalnızçam Dağları) or (Georgian: არსიანის ქედი, arsianis kedi) is a mountain range in Eastern Anatolia Region, northeast Turkey, and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, southwest Georgia. The range, continuing the Lesser Caucasus to the Armenian Highlands, forms the watershed between the river valleys of Çoruh/Chorokhi and Kura/Mtkvari. The highest peak is that of "Yalnızçam" or "Arsiani" (3,165 m).

Nigali or the Nigali valley (Georgian: ნიგალი, ნიგალის ხევი, nigalis khevi), also known, through a subsequent metathesis, as Ligani (ლიგანი) or Livana (ლივანა; Turkish: Livâne) is a historical district on the lower course of the Çoruh or Chorokhi river, currently divided between Turkey and Georgia.

Deriner Dam (Turkish: Deriner Barajı) is a concrete double-curved arch dam on the Çoruh River 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Artvin in Artvin Province, Turkey. The main purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and additionally flood control. Construction on the dam began in 1998, the reservoir began to fill in February 2012 and the power station was completed by February 2013. It will have a 670 MW power house and is the tallest dam in Turkey. The dam is being implemented by Turkey's State Hydraulic Works and constructed by a consortium of Turkish, Russian and Swiss companies.

The dam is named after İbrahim Deriner, who died while serving as the Chief Engineer of its research team.