The Shiraki Plain is sometimes divided into the northern Greater Shiraki (დიდი შირაქის ვაკე, didi shirak'is vake) and southern Lesser Shiraki (პატარა შირაქის ვაკე, patara shirak'is vake), separated by a low, steep ridge. Geographically, the plain falls within the boundaries of the Dedoplistsqaro Municipality in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti and adjoins the Vashlovani National Park. While the park is administered by the Dedoplistsqaro Municipality, the Shiraki's largest portion is under the jurisdiction of the Akhmeta Municipality, not contiguous with the Shiraki plain and located further north in Kakheti. This situation reflects the fact that the Shiraki steppe has been used, since the 17th century, as winter pastures by shepherds from Akhmeta's Tush community, traditionally engaged in transhumant lifestyle of sheep farming. Residential infrastructure is largely absent on the pastures. There are only livestock farms. The whole distance from the areas of the Tush summertime residence to the Shiraki winter pastures is about and involves crossing of Georgia's highest pass, the Abano, at above sea level.