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Georgia (country)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Eurasian country. For the U.S. state, see Georgia (U.S
. state). For other uses, see Georgia (disambiguation)
Coordinates: 4200N 4330E
Georgia
Sakartvelo
Flag
Coat of arms
Motto:

Dzala Ertobashia
Strength is in Unity
Anthem:
Tavisupleba
Freedom
MENU0:00
Areas under Georgian government control shown in dark green; areas outside of Ge
orgian control but claimed as part of its sovereign territory shown in light gre
en.
Areas under Georgian government control shown in dark green; areas outside of Ge
orgian control but claimed as part of its sovereign territory shown in light gre
en.
Capital
and largest city
Tbilisi[a]
4143N 4447E
Official languages
Georgian[1]
Spoken languages[2]
71% Georgian
9% Russian
7% Armenian
6% Azerbaijani
7% other
Ethnic groups (2002)
83.8% Georgian[2]
6.5% Azerbaijani
5.7% Armenian
1.5% Russian
2.5% others
Demonym Georgian
Government
Unitary semi-presidential republic[b]
President
Giorgi Margvelashvili
Speaker of the Parliament

David Usupashvili
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili

Legislature
Parliament
Independence
Kingdom of Colchis
13th century164 BC
Kingdom of Diaokhi
12th century BC8th century BC
Kingdom of Iberia
302 BC580 AD
Kingdom of Lazica-Egrisi
131 BC697 AD
Principality of Iberia 580-880 AD
Kingdom of Abkhazia
767-1014 AD
Kingdom of Georgia
1008
Russian Empire occupation

12 September 1801
from Russian Empire

26 May 1918

Soviet re-conquest
from Soviet Union

Declared
Finalized
25 February 1921
9 April 1991
25 December 1991
Area
Total 69,420 km2 (120th)

26,911 sq mi
Population
2015 estimate 3,729,500[3] (131st)
2014 census
3,729,635[4]
Density 53.5/km2 (137th)

138.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP)
2015 estimate
Total $37.27 billion[2] (117th)
Per capita
$8,223
GDP (nominal) 2015 estimate
Total $16.535 billion[5]
Per capita
$4,719[5]
Gini (2013)
40.0[6]
medium
HDI (2014)
Increase 0.754[7]
high 76th
Currency
Georgian Lari ( ) (GEL)
Time zone
GET (UTC+4)
Antipodes
Pacific Ocean
Drives on the right
Calling code
+995
ISO 3166 code GE
Internet TLD
.ge .
a.
^ The seat of Parliament is in Kutaisi.
b.
^ Moved in 2013 from a president-parliamentary system to a premier-presi
dential system.
Georgia (Listeni/drd/; Georgian: , tr. Sakartvelo, IPA: [sk rt vl] ( list
ocated on the crossroads of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Nestled between the Gr
eater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges, it is bounded to the west by
the Black Sea, to the north and northeast by Russia, to the south by Turkey and
Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital and largest city is Tb
ilisi. Georgia covers a territory of 69,700 square kilometres (26,911 sq mi), an
d its 2015 population is about 3.75 million. Georgia is a unitary, semi-presiden
tial republic, with the government elected through a representative democracy.
During classical antiquity, several independent kingdoms became established in w
hat is now Georgia. The kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia adopted Christianity as t
heir state religion in the early 4th century, leading to the decline and elimina
tion of previously dominant paganism, Zoroastrianism, and Mithraism. A unified K
ingdom of Georgia reached the peak of its political and economic strength during
the reign of King David IV and Queen Tamar from the late 11th to the early 13th
centuries. Thereafter and throughout the early modern period Georgia became fra
ctured and fell into decline due to the onslaught of various hostile empires, in
cluding the Mongols, the Ottoman Empire, and successive dynasties of Iran. In 17
83, the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti forged an alliance with the R
ussian Empire, which led to the gradual annexation of Georgia by Russia starting
in 1801. After a brief period of independence following the Russian Revolution
of 1917, the first Georgian Republic was occupied by Soviet Russia in 1921, and
absorbed into the Soviet Union as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1922
. After restoring its independence in 1991, post-communist Georgia suffered from
civil unrest and an economic crisis for most of the 1990s. Following a peaceful
change of power in the Rose Revolution of 2003, Georgia pursued a strongly proWestern foreign policy, introducing a series of political and economic reforms.
Georgia is a member of the Council of Europe and the GUAM Organization for Democ
racy and Economic Development. It contains two de facto independent regions, Abk
hazia and South Ossetia, which gained limited international recognition after th
e 2008 Russo-Georgian War. Georgia and a major part of the international communi
ty consider the regions to be part of Georgia's sovereign territory under Russia
n military occupation.[8]
Contents [hide]
1
Etymology
2
History
2.1
Prehistory
2.2
Antiquity
2.3
Middle Ages up to Early Modern Period
2.4
Georgia in the Russian Empire
2.5
Declaration of independence
2.6
Georgia in the Soviet Union
2.7
Georgia after restoration of independence
2.8
Russo-Georgian War and since
3
Government and politics
3.1
Foreign relations
3.2
Military
3.3
Law enforcement
3.4
Human rights
4
Administrative divisions
5
Geography and climate
5.1
Topography
5.2
Climate
5.3
Biodiversity
6
Economy
6.1
Transport
7
Demographics
7.1
Religion
7.2
Education
8
Culture
8.1
Architecture and arts
8.2
Media
8.3
Music
8.4
Cuisine
8.5
Sports
9
See also
10
References
11
Sources
12
External links
Etymology
Main article: Name of Georgia
It is said that Georgians were so named because they revered Saint George.
A definitive origin of European Georgia has never been established, but there ar
e a number of unconfirmed theories as to its provenance. Jacques de Vitry and Fr
anz Ferdinand von Troilo have explained the name's origin by the popularity of S
t. George (Tetri Giorgi) among Georgians.[9] Another theory, popularized by the
likes of Jean Chardin, semantically linked "Georgia" to Greek ("till of th land").
Th suppots of this xplanation somtims fd to classical authos, in p
aticula Pliny and Pomponius Mla, ho mntiond aicultual tibs calld "G
oi", (Pliny, IV.26, VI.14; Mla, D Sita Ob. i.2, &50; ii.1, & 44, 102.) so n
amd to distinuish thm fom thi unsttld and pastoal nihbos on th oth
sid of th iv Panticapa.[10]

Accodin to Alxand Mikabidz, ths xplanations fo th od Goia/Go
ians a jctd by som in th scholaly community, ho point to th Psian
od u/un ("olf"[11]) as th oot of th od, hich as lat adoptd in num
ous oth lanuas, includin Slavic and Wst Euopan lanuas.[12][13] This
tm itslf miht hav bn stablishd thouh th ancint Ianian appllation
of th na-Caspian ion, hich as fd to as Goan ("land of th olv
s"[14]). Mikabidz's catoical position is not univsally accptd and th
Gk and Psian oiin thois a not dmd mutually xclusiv in modn sc
holaship; th liks of Eluja Khintibidz asst that psnt-day tm "Goia
" likly cam fom th conflunc of both Gco-Latin and "ointal", i.. Pso
-Aabic tymolois.[15]
Th nativ nam is Sakatvlo (; "land of Katvlians"), divd fom th co cnt
ian ion of Katli, codd fom th 9th cntuy, and in xtndd usa f
in to th nti mdival Kindom of Goia by th 13th cntuy. Th slf-d
sination usd by thnic Goians is Katvlbi (, i.. "Katvlians") Th mdiv
ian Chonicls psnt an ponymous ancsto of th Katvlians, Katlos, a
at-andson of Japhth. Th nam Sakatvlo () consists of to pats. Its oot, ka
(-), spcifis an inhabitant of th co cntal-astn Goian ion of Katli, o
bia as it is knon in soucs of th Eastn Roman Empi.[16]
Ancint Gks (Stabo, Hodotus, Plutach, Hom, tc.) and Romans (Titus Livi
us, Tacitus, tc.) fd to aly stn Goians as Colchians and astn
Goians as Ibians (Iboi in som Gk soucs).[17]
Histoy
Main aticl: Histoy of Goia (county)
Phistoy
Main aticl: Phistoic Goia
Th titoy of modn-day Goia as inhabitd by Homo ctus sinc th Pal
olithic Ea. Th poto-Goian tibs fist appa in ittn histoy in th 12
th cntuy BC.[18]
Achaoloical finds and fncs in ancint soucs val lmnts of aly
political and stat fomations chaactizd by advancd mtalluy and oldsmit
h tchniqus that dat back to th 7th cntuy BC and byond.[18] In fact, aly
mtalluy statd in Goia duin th 6th millnnium BC, associatd ith th
Shulavi-Shomu cultu.[19]
Antiquity
A phial dpictin Antinous unathd na modn-day Tbilisi, Goian National
Musum
Th classical piod sa th is of th aly Goian stats Diauhi (13th cn
tuy BC), Colchis (8th cntuy BC), Sp (7th cntuy BC) and Ibia (6th cntu
y BC). In th 4th cntuy BC, a unifid kindom of Goia an aly xampl of a
dvancd stat oanization und on kin and an aistocatic hiachy as sta
blishd.[20]
In Gk mytholoy, Colchis as th location of th Goldn Flc souht by Jaso
n and th Aonauts in Apollonius Rhodius' pic tal Aonautica. Th incopoat
ion of th Goldn Flc into th myth may hav divd fom th local pactic
of usin flcs to sift old dust fom ivs.[21] Knon to its nativs as Ei
si o Lazica, Colchis as also th battlfild of th Lazic Wa fouht btn t
h Byzantin Empi and Sassanid Psia.
Aft th Roman Empi compltd its bif conqust of th Caucasus ion in 66
BC ov its ach ival Pathian Empi,[22] th Goian kindoms, intmittnt
ly, Roman clint stats and allis fo naly 400 yas.[23] Fom th fist
cntuis A.D, th cult of Mithas, paan blifs, and Zooastianism comm
only pactisd in Goia.[24] In 337 AD Kin Miian III dclad Chistianity a
s th stat liion, ivin a at stimulus to th dvlopmnt of litatu,
ats, and ultimatly playin a ky ol in th fomation of th unifid Goian
nation,[25][26] Kin Miian III's accptanc of Chistianity ffctivly tid t
h kindom to th nihboin Eastn Roman Empi, hich xtd a ston influ
nc on Goia fo naly a millnnium, dtminin much of its psnt cultua
l idntity.[23] Th accptanc ld to th slo but su dclin of Zooastianis
m,[27] hich until th 5th cntuy AD, appad to hav bcom somthin lik a
scond stablishd liion in Ibia (astn Goia), and as idly pactis
d th.[28][29]
Middl As up to Ealy Modn Piod
Qun Tama psidd ov th Goian Goldn A and as titld "Kin" du to h
position as th fist oman to ul Goia in h on iht.[30]
Th aly kindoms disintatd into vaious fudal ions by th aly Middl
As. This mad it asy fo Aabs to conqu most of astn Goia in th 7th
cntuy. Fom th 7th cntuy to th 10th cntuy,[citation ndd] Goia as
pat of th Khaza mpi.
Th vaious indpndnt ions ould not b unitd into a sinl Kindom of Go
ia until th binnin of th 11th cntuy.
Althouh Aabs captud th capital city of Tbilisi in 645 AD, Katli-Ibia t
aind considabl indpndnc und local Aab uls.[21] Th pinc Ashot I
(. 813830) also knon as Ashot Kuapalat bcam th fist of th Baationi fami
ly to ul th kindom. Ashot's in ban a piod of naly 1,000 yas duin
hich th Baationi, as th nobl hous as knon, uld at last pat of ha
t is no th public. Baat III (. 10271072) unitd stn and astn Goi
a.
Th Kindom of Goia achd its znith in th 12th to aly 13th cntuis. T
his piod duin th ins of David IV (calld David th Build, . 10891125)
and his anddauht Tama (. 11841213) has bn idly tmd as th Goian
Goldn A o th Goian Rnaissanc.[31] This aly Goian naissanc, hi
ch pcdd its Wstn Euopan analou, as chaactizd by impssiv milit
ay victois, titoial xpansion, and a cultual naissanc in achitctu
, litatu, philosophy and th scincs.[32] Th Goian Goldn A lft a l
acy of at cathdals, omantic poty and litatu, and th pic pom "Th
Kniht in th Panth's Skin".[33]
David th Build initiatd th Goian Goldn A by divin th Sljuk Tuks
fom th county, innin th majo Battl of Didoi in 1121, and xpandin Go
ian cultual and political influnc southad into Amnia and astad to th
Caspian Sa.[21]
Th 29-ya in of Tama, th fist fmal ul of Goia, is considd th
most succssful in Goian histoy.[34] Tama as ivn th titl "kin of kin
s" (mp mpta).[30] Sh succdd in nutalizin opposition and mbakd on
an ntic foin policy aidd by th donfall of th ival pos of th Sl
juks and Byzantium. Suppotd by a poful militay lit, Tama as abl to buil
d on th succsss of h pdcssos to consolidat an mpi hich dominatd
th Caucasus, and xtndd ov la pats of psnt-day Azbaijan, Amnia,
and astn Tuky as ll as pats of nothn Ian,[35] until its collaps und
th Monol attacks ithin to dcads aft Tama's dath in 1213.[36]
Kin Vakhtan VI uld pats of factud Goia duin Ottoman and Psian inv
asions. His ffots to scu aid fom Fanc and Vatican faild, salin th fa
t of his Kindom.[37]
Th vival of th Kindom of Goia as st back aft Tbilisi as captud an
d dstoyd by th Khazmian lad Jalal ad-Din in 1226.[38] Th Monols
xplld by Go V of Goia, son of Dmtius II of Goia, ho as namd
"Billiant" fo his ol in stoin th county's pvious stnth and Chist
ian cultu.[citation ndd] Go V as th last at kin of th unifid G
oian stat. Aft his dath, diffnt local uls fouht fo thi indpnd
nc fom cntal Goian ul, until th total disintation of th Kindom in
th 15th cntuy. Goia as futh aknd by sval disastous invasions
by Tamlan. Invasions continud, ivin th kindom no tim fo stoation,
ith both Black and Whit shp Tukomans constantly aidin its southn povinc
s. As a sult, th Kindom of Goia collapsd into anachy by 1466 and fam
ntd into th indpndnt kindoms and fiv smi-indpndnt pincipalitis.
Nihboin la mpis subsquntly xploitd th intnal division of th
aknd county, and binnin in th 16th cntuy up to th aly 19th cntuy,
Safavid Ian (and succssiv Ianian Afshaid and Qaja dynastis) and Ottoman T
uky subjuatd th astn and stn ions of Goia, spctivly.
Th uls of ions that maind patly autonomous oanizd bllions on va
ious occasions. Hov, subsqunt Ianian and Ottoman invasions futh ak
nd local kindoms and ions. As a sult of incssant as and dpotations,
th population of Goia dindld to 250,000 inhabitants at th nd of th 18th
cntuy.[citation ndd] Eastn Goia, composd of th ions of Katli an
d Kakhti, had bn und Ianian suzainty sinc 1555 folloin th Pac of A
masya sind ith nihbouin ivallin Ottoman Tuky.
Sinc at last mid-15th cntuy, uls in both stn and astn Goian kin
doms hav patdly souht aid fom Wstn Euopan pos to no avail.[39][4
0][41] A notabl pisod of this typ of ffot as spahadd in th aly 18t
h cntuy by a Goian diplomat calld Sulkhan-Saba Obliani, ho as snt by
his fom pupil, Kin Vakhtan VI of Katli, to Fanc and th Papal Stats in
od to scu assistanc fo Goia. Obliani as ll civd by Kin Loui
s XIV of Fanc and Pop Clmnt XI, but no tanibl assistanc could b scud
.[37] Lack of Wstn assistanc not only lft Goia xposd but sald th p
sonal fats of Obliani and Kin Vakhtan - pushd by th invadin Ottoman Am
y, both vntually focd to accpt th off of potction fom Pt th
Gat and scapd to th Russian Empi, fom h thy nv tund.[42] In
modn-day Goia, th stoy of Obliani's diplomatic mission to Fanc ould
bcom a symbol of ho th Wst nlcts Goian appals fo potction.[43]
With th dath of Nad Shah in 1747, to majo Eastn Goian kindoms bok
f of Ianian contol and unifid as th Kindom of Katli-Kakhti und
th ntic kin Haclius (Ekl) II in 1762. H stabilizd Eastn Goi
a to a d and as abl to uaant its autonomy thouhout th Ianian Zand
piod.[44]
Goia in th Russian Empi
Main aticl: Goia ithin th Russian Empi
In 1783, Russia and th astn Goian Kindom of Katli-Kakhti sind th T
aty of Goivsk. Th taty, hich conizd th bond of Othodox Chistiani
ty btn th Russian and Goian popl, stablishd Goia as a potctoat
of Russia, and uaantd Goia's titoial intity and th continuation
of its inin Baationi dynasty in tun fo poativs in th conduct of
Goian foin affais.[45] Goia at th sam tim, accodin th tms of
th taty, abjud any fom of dpndnc on Psia (Ian) o anoth po, an
d vy n Goian monach ould qui th confimation and invstitu of t
h Russian tsa.[46]
Du to chans tid by th unantd Russian annxation, Go XII (lft) b
cam th last sittin Goian monach, hil Anton II (iht) th last Goia
n Patiach of th 19th cntuy.
Hov, dspit this commitmnt to dfnd Goia, Russia ndd no assistanc
hn th Ianians invadd in 1795, captuin and sackin Tbilisi hil massac
in its inhabitants, as th n hi to th thon souht to asst Ianian h
mony ov Goia.[47] Dspit a punitiv campain subsquntly launchd aain
st Qaja Ian in 1796, this piod culminatd in th 1801 Russian violation of t
h Taty of Goivsk and annxation of astn Goia, follod by th aboli
tion of th oyal Baationi dynasty, as ll as th autocphaly of th Goian
Othodox Chuch. Pyot Baation, on of th dscndants of th abolishd hous
of Baationi, ould lat join th Russian amy and is to b a nal by th
Napolonic as.
On 22 Dcmb 1800, Tsa Paul I of Russia, at th alld qust of th Goi
an Kin Go XII, sind th poclamation on th incopoation of Goia (Ka
tli-Kakhti) ithin th Russian Empi, hich as finalizd by a dc on 8 Jan
uay 1801,[48][49] and confimd by Tsa Alxand I on 12 Sptmb 1801.[50][5
1] Th Goian nvoy in Saint Ptsbu actd ith a not of potst that a
s psntd to th Russian vic-chancllo Pinc Kuakin.[52] In May 1801, und
th ovsiht of Gnal Cal Hinich von Knoin (u), Impial Russia tan
sfd po in astn Goia to th ovnmnt hadd by Gnal Ivan Ptov
ich Lazav.[53] Th Goian nobility did not accpt th dc until, on 12 Ap
il 1802, Gnal Knoin assmbld th nobility in Tbilisi's Sioni Cathdal a
nd focd thm to tak an oath on th Impial Con of Russia. Thos ho disa
d tmpoaily astd.[54]
In th summ of 1805, Russian toops on th Askani Riv na Zaam dfatd
th Ianian amy duin th Russo-Psian Wa (1804-1813) and savd Tbilisi fom
conqust no that it as officially pat of th Impial titois. Russian
suzainty ov astn Goia as officially finalizd ith Ian in 1813 foll
oin th Taty of Gulistan.[55] Folloin th annxation of astn Goia, t
h stn Goian kindom of Imti as annxd by Tsa Alxand I. Th last
Imtian kin and th last Goian Baationi ul, Solomon II, did in xil
in 1815. Fom 1803 to 1878, as a sult of numous Russian as no aainst O
ttoman Tuky, sval of Goia's pviously lost titois such as Adjaa
covd, and also incopoatd into th mpi. Th pincipality of Guia
as abolishd and incopoatd into th Empi in 1828, and that of Minlia in
1857. Th ion of Svanti as adually annxd in 18571859.[citation ndd]
Dclaation of indpndnc
Main aticl: Dmocatic Rpublic of Goia
Dclaation of indpndnc by th Goian paliamnt, 1918
Aft th Russian Rvolution of 1917, Goia dclad indpndnc on 26 May 19
18, in th midst of th Russian Civil Wa. Th Mnshvik Goian Social-Dmoca
tic Paty on th paliamntay lction. Its lad, No Zhodania, bcam pim
minist.
Th 1918 GoianAmnian Wa, hich uptd ov pats of Goian povincs pop
ulatd mostly by Amnians, ndd bcaus of Bitish intvntion. In 19181919, G
oian nal Gioi Mazniashvili ld an attack aainst th Whit Amy ld by
Moisv and Dnikin in od to claim th Black Sa coastlin fom Tuaps to Soc
hi and Adl fo indpndnt Goia.[56] Th county's indpndnc did not las
t lon. Goia as und Bitish potction fom 19181920.
Goia in th Sovit Union
Main aticl: Goian Sovit Socialist Rpublic
Dspit th Sovit takov, No Jodania as conizd as th litimat had
of th Goian Govnmnt by Fanc, UK, Blium, and Poland thouh th 1930s.
[57]
In Fbuay 1921, Goia as attackd by th Rd Amy. Th Goian amy as d
fatd and th Social-Dmocatic ovnmnt fld th county. On 25 Fbuay 192
1, th Rd Amy ntd Tbilisi and installd a communist ovnmnt loyal to Mo
sco, ld by Goian Bolshvik Filipp Makhaadz.
Nvthlss, th maind sinificant opposition to th Bolshviks, and this
culminatd in th Auust Upisin of 1924. Sovit ul as fimly stablishd on
ly aft this upisin as suppssd.[58] Goia as incopoatd into th Ta
nscaucasian SFSR, hich unitd Goia, Amnia and Azbaijan. Lat, in 1936,
th TSFSR as disaatd into its componnt lmnts and Goia bcam th G
oian SSR.
Th 11th Rd Amy of th Russian SFSR holds a militay paad, 25 Fbuay 1921
in Tbilisi
Josph Stalin, an thnic Goian bon Iosb Bsaionis Dz Juashvili (
th Bolshviks. Stalin as to is to th hihst position, ladin th Sovit U
nion fom 3 Apil 1922 until his dath on 5 Mach 1953.
Fom 1941 to 1945, duin Wold Wa II, almost 700,000 Goians fouht in th R
d Amy aainst Nazi Gmany. Th also a f ho fouht on th Gman sid
. About 350,000 Goians did in th battlfilds of th Eastn Font.[59]
On 9 Apil 1989, a pacful dmonstation in Tbilisi ndd ith sval popl b
in killd by Sovit toops. Bfo th Octob 1990 lctions to th national
assmbly, th Umahlsi Sabcho (Supm Council) th fist polls in th USSR hl
d on a fomal multi-paty basis th political landscap as shapd aain. Whil
th mo adical oups boycottd th lctions and convnd an altnativ fo
um (th National Conss) ith alld suppot of Mosco,[citation ndd] ano
th pat of th anticommunist opposition unitd into th Round TablF Goia
aound th fom dissidnts lik Mab Kostava and Zviad Gamsakhudia. Th lat
t on th lctions by a cla main, ith 155 out of 250 paliamntay sats
, has th ulin Communist Paty (CP) civd only 64 sats. All oth pat
is faild to t ov th 5 pcnt thshold and thus allottd only som
sinl-mmb constituncy sats.
Goia aft stoation of indpndnc
On 9 Apil 1991, shotly bfo th collaps of th Sovit Union, Goia dcla
d indpndnc. On 26 May 1991, Gamsakhudia as lctd as th fist Psidnt
of indpndnt Goia. Gamsakhudia stokd Goian nationalism and vod to a
sst Tbilisi's authoity ov ions such as Abkhazia and South Osstia that h
ad bn classifid as autonomous oblasts und th Sovit Union.
H as soon dposd in a bloody coup d'tat, fom 22 Dcmb 1991 to 6 Januay 19
92. Th coup as instiatd by pat of th National Guads and a paamilitay o
anization calld "Mkhdioni" ("hosmn"). Th county bcam mboild in a b
itt civil a, hich lastd until naly 1995. Eduad Shvadnadz (Sovit Min
ist of Foin Affais fom 1985 to 1991) tund to Goia in 1992 and join
d th lads of th coup Tniz Kitovani and Jaba Iosliani to had a tiumvi
at calld "Th Stat Council".
Simmin disputs ithin to ions of Goia, Abkhazia and South Osstia, b
tn local spaatists and th majoity Goian populations, uptd into id
spad int-thnic violnc and as. Suppotd by Russia, Abkhazia, and South
Osstia achivd d facto indpndnc fom Goia, ith Goia tainin cont
ol only in small aas of th disputd titois. In 1995, Shvadnadz as o
fficially lctd as psidnt of Goia.
Rouhly 230,000 to 250,000 Goians[60] massacd o xplld fom Abkhazi

a by Abkhaz spaatists and Noth Caucasian volunts (includin Chchns) in 1
9921993. Aound 23,000 Goians[61] fld South Osstia as ll, and many Osstia
n familis focd to abandon thi homs in th Bojomi ion and movd to
Russia.
Th Ros Rvolution, 2003
In 2003, Shvadnadz (ho on -lction in 2000) as dposd by th Ros Rvo
lution, aft Goian opposition and intnational monitos asstd that th N
ovmb 2 paliamntay lctions mad by faud.[62] Th volution as l
d by Mikhil Saakashvili, Zuab Zhvania and Nino Bujanadz, fom mmbs and
lads of Shvadnadz's ulin paty. Mikhil Saakashvili as lctd as Ps
idnt of Goia in 2004.
Mikhil Saakashvili
Folloin th Ros Rvolution, a sis of foms launchd to stnthn t
h county's militay and conomic capabilitis. Th n ovnmnt's ffots to
asst Goian authoity in th southstn autonomous public of Ajaia l
d to a majo cisis aly in 2004. Succss in Ajaia ncouad Saakashvili to
intnsify his ffots, but ithout succss, in bakaay South Osstia.
Ths vnts, alon ith accusations of Goian involvmnt in th Scond Chch
n Wa,[63] sultd in a sv dtioation of lations ith Russia, fulld
also by Russia's opn assistanc and suppot to th to scssionist aas. Ds
pit ths incasinly difficult lations, in May 2005 Goia and Russia ac
hd a bilatal amnt[64] by hich Russian militay bass (datin back to th
Sovit a) in Batumi and Akhalkalaki ithdan. Russia ithd all ps
onnl and quipmnt fom ths sits by Dcmb 2007[65] hil failin to ithd
a fom th Gudauta bas in Abkhazia, hich it as quid to vacat aft th
adoption of th Adaptd Convntional Amd Focs in Euop Taty duin th 1
999 Istanbul summit.[66]
Russo-Goian Wa and sinc
Main aticl: Russo-Goian Wa
U.S. Sctay of Stat Condolzza Ric holdin a joint pss confnc ith G
oian psidnt Mikhil Saakashvili duin th Russo-Goian Wa
Tnsions btn Goia and Russia ban scalatin in Apil 2008.[67][68][69]
South Osstian spaatists committd th fist act of violnc hn thy bl up
a Goian militay vhicl on 1 Auust 2008. Th xplosion oundd fiv Goi
an packps. In spons,[70] Goian snips assaultd th South Osstian
militiamn duin th vnin.[71] Osstian spaatists ban shllin Goian
villas on 1 Auust, ith a spoadic spons fom Goian packps and ot
h toops in th ion.[67][71][72] Sious incidnts happnd in th folloin
k aft Osstian attacks on Goian villas and positions in South Ossti
a.[73][74]
At aound 19:00 on 7 Auust 2008, Goian psidnt Mikhil Saakashvili announc
d a unilatal casfi and no-spons od.[75] Hov, Osstian spaatis
ts intnsifid thi attacks on Goian villas locatd in th South Osstian
conflict zon. Goian toops tund fi and advancd toads th capital of
th slf-poclaimd Rpublic of South Osstia, Tskhinvali, duin th niht of
8 Auust.[76][77] Accodin to Russian militay xpt Pavl Flnhau, th Os
stians intntionally povokin th Goians, so Russia ould us th Go
ian spons as a ptxt fo pmditatd militay invasion.[78] Accodin to
Goian intllinc,[79] and sval Russian mdia pots, pats of th ul
a (non-packpin) Russian Amy had alady movd to South Osstian titoy
thouh th Roki Tunnl bfo th Goian militay opation.[80]

Th cnt of Tskhinvali as achd by 1,500 mn of th Goian ound focs
by 10:00 on 8 Auust.[81] On Goian diplomat told Kommsant on th sam day
that by takin contol of Tskhinvali thy antd to dmonstat that Goia ou
ldn't tolat killin of Goian citizns.[82] Russia falsly accusd Goia
of "assion" aainst South Osstia,[83] and launchd a la-scal invasion o
f Goia und th uis of packpin opation on 8 Auust.[73] Russian mil
itay captud Tskhinvali in fiv days and xplld Goian focs. Russia also
launchd aistiks aainst militay infastuctu in Goia.[84] Abkhaz foc
s opnd a scond font by attackin th Kodoi Go, hld by Goia.[85] Rus
sian focs occupid th Goian citis of Zudidi,[86] Snaki,[87] Poti,[88] a
nd Goi (th last on aft th casfi as notiatd).[89] Russian Black Sa
Flt blockadd th Goian coast.[73]
Both duin and aft th a, South Osstian focs and iula militia condu
ctd a campain of thnic clansin aainst Goians in South Osstia,[90] ith
Goian villas aound Tskhinvali bin dstoyd aft th a had ndd.[91
] Th a displacd 192,000 popl,[92] and hil many abl to tun to th
i homs aft th a, a ya lat aound 30,000 thnic Goians maind di
splacd.[93] In an intvi publishd in Kommsant, South Osstian lad Edua
d Kokoity said h ould not allo Goians to tun.[94][95]
Psidnt of Fanc Nicolas Sakozy notiatd a casfi amnt on 12 Auus
t 2008.[96] On 17 Auust, Russian psidnt Dmity Mdvdv announcd that Russi
an focs ould bin to pull out of Goia th folloin day.[97] Russian foc
s ithd fom th buff zons adjacnt to Abkhazia and South Osstia on 8 Oc
tob and contol ov thm as tansfd to th Euopan Union Monitoin Mis
sion in Goia.[98]
Russia conisd Abkhazia and South Osstia as spaat publics on 26 Auust
2008.[99] In spons to Russia's action, th Goian ovnmnt svd diplom
atic lations ith Russia.[100] Sinc th a, Goia has maintaind that Abkh
azia and South Osstia a Russian-occupid Goian titois.[101][102]
Govnmnt and politics
Main aticl: Politics of Goia (county)
Psidnt Gioi Mavlashvili
Gioi Mavlashvili, th cunt psidnt, and thus th had of stat of Go
ia
Goia is a psntativ dmocatic smi-psidntial public, ith th Ps
idnt as th had of stat, and Pim Minist as th had of ovnmnt. Th x
cutiv banch of po is mad up of th Psidnt and th Cabint of Goia.
Th Cabint is composd of minists, hadd by th Pim Minist, and appoint
d by th Psidnt. Notably, th minists of dfns and intio a not mmb
s of th Cabint and a subodinatd dictly to th Psidnt of Goia. Gio
i Mavlashvili is th cunt Psidnt of Goia aft innin 62.12% of t
h vot in th 2013 lction. Sinc 2013, Iakli Gaibashvili has bn th pim
minist of Goia.
Lislativ authoity is vstd in th Paliamnt of Goia. It is unicamal a
nd has 150 mmbs, knon as dputis, of hom 75 a lctd by pluality to
psnt sinl-mmb distict, and 75 a chosn to psnt patis by popo
tional psntation. Mmbs of paliamnt a lctd fo fou-ya tms. Fi
v patis and lctoal blocs had psntativs lctd to th paliamnt in
th 2008 lctions: th Unitd National Movmnt (ovnin paty), Th Joint Op
position, th Chistian-Dmocats, th Labou Paty and Rpublican Paty.[citati
on ndd] On 26 May 2012, Saakashvili inauuatd a n Paliamnt buildin in
th stn city of Kutaisi, in an ffot to dcntalis po and shift som p
olitical contol clos to Abkhazia.[103]
Althouh considabl poss as mad sinc th Ros volution, fom Psid
nt Mikhil Saakashvili statd in 2008 that Goia is still not a "full-fldd
, vy ll-fomd, cystalizd socity."[104] Th political systm mains in t
h pocss of tansition, ith fqunt adjustmnts to th balanc of po bt
n th Psidnt and Paliamnt, and opposition poposals anin fom tansfo
min th county into paliamntay public to -stablishin th monachy.[10
5][106] Obsvs not th dficit of tust in lations btn th Govnmnt
and th opposition.[107]
Diffnt opinions xist adin th d of political fdom in Goia. S
aakashvili blivd in 2008 that th county is "on th oad to bcomin a Euop
an dmocacy."[104] Fdom Hous lists Goia as a patly f county.[108]
In ppaation fo 2012 paliamntay lctions, Paliamnt adoptd a n lcto
al cod on 27 Dcmb 2011 that incopoatd many commndations fom non-ov
nmntal oanizations (NGOs) and th Vnic Commission. Hov, th n cod
faild to addss th Vnic Commissions primary recommendation to strengthen the
equality of the vote by reconstituting single-mandate election districts to be
comparable in size. On December 28, Parliament amended the Law on Political Unio
ns to regulate campaign and political party financing. Local and international o
bservers raised concerns about several amendments, including the vagueness of th
e criteria for determining political bribery and which individuals and organizat
ions would be subject to the law. As of March 2012, Parliament was discussing fu
rther amendments to address these concerns.[109]
The elections in October 2012 resulted in the victory for the opposition "Georgi
an Dream Democratic Georgia" coalition, which President Saakashvili acknowledged
on the following day.[110]
Foreign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of Georgia
Pro-NATO poster in Tbilisi.
Georgia maintains good relations with its direct neighbours (Armenia, Azerbaijan
, and Turkey) and is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the
World Trade Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Community of Demo
cratic Choice, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, and
the Asian Development Bank.[citation needed] Georgia also maintains political,
economic, and military relations with Japan, Uruguay,[111] South Korea,[112] Isr
ael,[113] Sri Lanka,[114] Ukraine, and many other countries.
The growing U.S. and European Union influence in Georgia, notably through propos
ed EU and NATO membership, the U.S. Train and Equip military assistance program,
and the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline have frequently strain
ed Tbilisis relations with Moscow. Georgias decision to boost its presence in
the coalition forces in Iraq was an important initiative.[115]
Georgia is currently working to become a full member of NATO. In August 2004, th
e Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia was submitted officially to NATO
. On 29 October 2004, the North Atlantic Council of NATO approved the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Georgia, and Georgia moved on to the second s
tage of Euro-Atlantic Integration. In 2005, by the decision of the President of
Georgia, a state commission was set up to implement the Individual Partnership A
ction Plan, which presents an interdepartmental group headed by the Prime Minist
er. The Commission was tasked with coordinating and controlling the implementati
on of the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
On 14 February 2005, the agreement on the appointment of Partnership for Peace (
PfP) liaison officer between Georgia and NATO came into force, whereby a liaison
officer for the South Caucasus was assigned to Georgia. On March 2, 2005, the a
greement was signed on the provision of the host nation support to and transit o
f NATO forces and NATO personnel. On March 69, 2006, the IPAP implementation inte
rim assessment team arrived in Tbilisi. On April 13, 2006, the discussion of the
assessment report on implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan w
as held at NATO Headquarters, within 26+1 format.[116] In 2006, the Georgian par
liament voted unanimously for the bill which calls for integration of Georgia in
to NATO. The majority of Georgians and politicians in Georgia support the push f
or NATO membership.
George W. Bush became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the country.[117
] The street leading to Tbilisi International Airport has since been dubbed Geor
ge W. Bush Avenue.[118] On October 2, 2006, Georgia and the European Union signe
d a joint statement on the agreed text of the Georgia-European Union Action Plan
within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Action Plan was formally ap
proved at the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council session on 14 November 2006, in Bru
ssels.[119]
Military
Main articles: Georgian Armed Forces and Role of Georgia in the War in Afghanist
an (2001 Present)
Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan
Georgias military is organized into land and air forces. They are collectively
known as the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF).[120] The mission and functions of the
GAF are based on the Constitution of Georgia, Georgias Law on Defense and Nationa
l Military Strategy, and international agreements to which Georgia is signatory.
They are performed under the guidance and authority of the Ministry of Defense.
Georgia contributed nearly 1,000 soldiers to the NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan, making it the highest troop contributor per-ca
pita to the mission.[121] As of 2015, 31 Georgian servicemen have died,[122] all
in the Helmand campaign, and 435 wounded, including 35 amputees.[123][124]
Law enforcement
Main article: Law enforcement in Georgia (country)
Georgian polices new patrol car Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
In Georgia, law enforcement is conducted and provided for by the Ministry of Int
ernal Affairs of Georgia. In recent years, the Patrol Police Department of the M
inistry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has undergone a radical transformation, w
ith the police having now absorbed a great many duties previously performed by d
edicated independent government agencies. New duties performed by the police inc
lude border security and customs functions and contracted security provision; th
e latter function is performed by the dedicated security police. Intelligence
collecting in the interests of national security is now the remit of the Georgia
n Intelligence Service.
In 2005, President Mikhail Saakashvili fired the entire traffic police force (nu
mbering around 30,000 police officers) of the Georgian National Police due to co
rruption.[125][126] A new force was then subsequently built around new recruits.
[125] The US State Departments Bureau of International Narcotics and Law-Enforc
ement Affairs has provided assistance to the training efforts and continues to a
ct in an advisory capacity.[127]
The new Patruli force was first introduced in the summer of 2005 to replace the
traffic police, a force which was accused of widespread corruption.[128] The pol
ice introduced an 022 emergency dispatch service in 2004.[129]
Human rights
Main article: Human rights in Georgia
Human rights in Georgia are guaranteed by the countrys constitution. There is a
n independent human rights public defender elected by the Parliament of Georgia
to ensure such rights are enforced.[130] Georgia has ratified the Framework Conv
ention for the Protection of National Minorities in 2005. NGO "Tolerance", in it
s alternative report about its implementation, speaks of rapid decreasing of the
number of Azerbaijani schools and cases of appointing headmasters to Azerbaijan
i schools who dont speak the Azerbaijani language.[131]
The government came under criticism for its alleged use of excessive force on 26
May 2011 when it dispersed protesters led by Nino Burjanadze, among others, wit
h tear gas and rubber bullets after they refused to clear Rustaveli avenue for a
n independence day parade despite the expiration of their demonstration permit a
nd despite being offered to choose an alternative venue.[132][133][134][135] Whi
le human rights activists maintained that the protests were peaceful, the govern
ment pointed out that many protesters were masked and armed with heavy sticks an
d molotov cocktails.[136] Georgian opposition leader Nino Burjanadze said the ac
cusations of planning a coup were baseless, and that the protesters actions wer
e legitimate.[135][137]
Administrative divisions
Main articles: Administrative divisions of Georgia (country), Abkhazia and Adjar
a
See also: Occupied territories of Georgia
Map of Georgia highlighting the disputed territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali
Region (South Ossetia), both of which are de facto independent from the central
government of Georgia.
Georgia is divided into 9 regions, 1 city, and 2 autonomous republics.[2] These
in turn are subdivided into 69 districts.
Georgia contains two official autonomous regions, of which one has declared inde
pendence. In addition, another territory not officially autonomous has also decl
ared independence. Officially autonomous within Georgia,[138] the de facto indep
endent region of Abkhazia declared independence in 1999.[139] South Ossetia is o
fficially known by Georgia as the Tskinvali region, as it views "South Ossetia"
as implying political bonds with Russian North Ossetia.[140] It was called South
Ossetian Autonomous Oblast when Georgia was part of Soviet Union. Its autonomou
s status was revoked in 1990. De facto separate since Georgian independence, off
ers were made to give South Ossetia autonomy again, but in 2006 an unrecognised
referendum in the area resulted in a vote for independence.[140]
In both Abkhazia and South Ossetia large numbers of people had been given Russia
n passports, some through a process of forced passportization by Russian authori
ties.[141] This was used as a justification for Russian invasion of Georgia duri
ng the 2008 South Ossetia war after which Russia recognised the regions indepen
dence.[142] Georgia considers the regions as occupied by Russia.[101][143] Both
republics have received minimal international recognition.
Adjara under local strongman Aslan Abashidze maintained close ties with Russia a
nd allowed a Russian military base to be maintained in Batumi. Upon the election
of Mikheil Saakashvili in 2004 tensions rose between Adjara and the Georgian go
vernment, leading to demonstrations in Adjara and the resignation and flight of
Abashidze. The region retains autonomy although, in 2007, the Georgian Constitut
ional Court was moved from Tbilisi to Batumi and the Russian military base was
returned to Georgia.[144]
Geography and climate
Main article: Geography of Georgia (country)
See also: Borders of the continents

Svaneti region, North-Western Georgia
Georgia is situated in the South Caucasus,[145][146] between latitudes 41 and 44 N
, and longitudes 40 and 47 E, with an area of 67,900 km2 (26,216 sq mi). It is a v
ery mountainous country. The Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and we
stern halves.[147] Historically, the western portion of Georgia was known as Col
chis while the eastern plateau was called Iberia. Because of a complex geographi
c setting, mountains also isolate the northern region of Svaneti from the rest o
f Georgia.
The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range forms the northern border of Georgia.[147] T
he main roads through the mountain range into Russian territory lead through the
Roki Tunnel between Shida Kartli and North Ossetia and the Darial Gorge (in the
Georgian region of Khevi). The Roki Tunnel was vital for the Russian military i
n the 2008 South Ossetia war because it is the only direct route through the Cau
casus Mountains. The southern portion of the country is bounded by the Lesser Ca
ucasus Mountains.[147] The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range is much higher in ele
vation than the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, with the highest peaks rising more th
an 5,000 meters (16,404 ft) above sea level.
The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount Shkhara at 5,068 meters (16,627 ft), an
d the second highest is Mount Janga (Dzhangi-Tau) at 5,059 m (16,598 ft) above s
ea level. Other prominent peaks include Mount Kazbek at 5,047 m (16,558 ft), Sho
ta Rustaveli 4,860 m (15,945 ft), Tetnuldi 4,858 m (15,938 ft), Mt. Ushba 4,700
m (15,420 ft), and Ailama 4,547 m (14,918 ft).[147] Out of the abovementioned pe
aks, only Kazbek is of volcanic origin. The region between Kazbek and Shkhara (a
distance of about 200 km (124 mi) along the Main Caucasus Range) is dominated b
y numerous glaciers. Out of the 2,100 glaciers that exist in the Caucasus today,
approximately 30% are located within Georgia.
Tusheti region in northeast Georgia
The term Lesser Caucasus Mountains is often used to describe the mountainous (hi
ghland) areas of southern Georgia that are connected to the Greater Caucasus Mou
ntain Range by the Likhi Range.[147] The area can be split into two separate sub
-regions; the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, which run parallel to the Greater Cauca
sus Range, and the Southern Georgia Volcanic Highland, which lies immediately to
the south of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
The overall region can be characterized as being made up of various, interconnec
ted mountain ranges (largely of volcanic origin) and plateaus that do not exceed
3,400 meters (11,155 ft) in elevation. Prominent features of the area include t
he Javakheti Volcanic Plateau, lakes, including Tabatskuri and Paravani, as well
as mineral water and hot springs. Two major rivers in Georgia are the Rioni and
the Mtkvari. The Southern Georgia Volcanic Highland is a young and unstable geo
logic region with high seismic activity and has experienced some of the most sig
nificant earthquakes that have been recorded in Georgia.
The Krubera Cave is the deepest known cave in the world. It is located in the Ar
abika Massif of the Gagra Range, in Abkhazia. In 2001, a RussianUkrainian team ha
d set the world depth record for a cave at 1,710 meters (5,610 ft). In 2004, the
penetrated depth was increased on each of three expeditions, when a Ukrainian t
eam crossed the 2,000-meter (6,562 ft) mark for the first time in the history of
speleology. In October 2005, an unexplored part was found by the CAVEX team, fu
rther increasing the known depth of the cave. This expedition confirmed the know
n depth of the cave at 2,140 meters (7,021 ft).
Topography
Ushba, a prominent peak of the Svanetian Caucasus

The landscape within the nations boundaries is quite varied. Western Georgias
landscape ranges from low-land marsh-forests, swamps, and temperate rainforests
to eternal snows and glaciers, while the eastern part of the country even contai
ns a small segment of semi-arid plains. Forests cover around 40% of Georgias te
rritory while the alpine/subalpine zone accounts for roughly around 10 percent o
f the land.
Much of the natural habitat in the low-lying areas of western Georgia has disapp
eared during the past 100 years because of the agricultural development of the l
and and urbanization. The large majority of the forests that covered the Colchis
plain are now virtually non-existent with the exception of the regions that are
included in the national parks and reserves (e.g. Lake Paliastomi area). At pre
sent, the forest cover generally remains outside of the low-lying areas and is m
ainly located along the foothills and the mountains. Western Georgias forests c
onsist mainly of deciduous trees below 600 meters (1,969 ft) above sea level and
contain species such as oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, ash, and chestnut. Evergreen
species such as box may also be found in many areas. Ca. 1000 of all 4000 highe
r plants of Georgia are endemic in this country.[148]
View of the cave city of Vardzia and the valley of the Kura River below
The west-central slopes of the Meskheti Range in Ajaria as well as several locat
ions in Samegrelo and Abkhazia are covered by temperate rain forests. Between 60
01,000 metres (1,9693,281 ft) above sea level, the deciduous forest becomes mixed
with both broad-leaf and coniferous species making up the plant life. The zone i
s made up mainly of beech, spruce, and fir forests. From 1,5001,800 metres (4,9215
,906 ft), the forest becomes largely coniferous. The tree line generally ends at
around 1,800 metres (5,906 ft) and the alpine zone takes over, which in most ar
eas, extends up to an elevation of 3,000 metres (9,843 ft) above sea level. The
eternal snow and glacier zone lies above the 3,000 metre line.
Eastern Georgias landscape (referring to the territory east of the Likhi Range)
is considerably different from that of the west, although, much like the Colchi
s plain in the west, nearly all of the low-lying areas of eastern Georgia includ
ing the Mtkvari and Alazani River plains have been deforested for agricultural p
urposes. In addition, because of the regions relatively drier climate, some of
the low-lying plains (especially in Kartli and south-eastern Kakheti) were never
covered by forests in the first place.
The general landscape of eastern Georgia comprises numerous valleys and gorges t
hat are separated by mountains. In contrast with western Georgia, nearly 85 perc
ent of the forests of the region are deciduous. Coniferous forests only dominate
in the Borjomi Gorge and in the extreme western areas. Out of the deciduous spe
cies of trees, beech, oak, and hornbeam dominate. Other deciduous species includ
e several varieties of maple, aspen, ash, and hazelnut. The Upper Alazani River
Valley contains yew forests.
At higher elevations above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) above sea level (particularly
in the Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Khevi regions), pine and birch forests dominate
. In general, the forests in eastern Georgia occur between 5002,000 metres (1,6406
,562 ft) above sea level, with the alpine zone extending from 2,0002,300 to 3,0003
,500 metres (6,5627,546 to 9,84311,483 ft). The only remaining large, low-land for
ests remain in the Alazani Valley of Kakheti. The eternal snow and glacier zone
lies above the 3,500-metre (11,483 ft) line in most areas of eastern Georgia.
Climate
Main article: Climate of Georgia (country)
Georgia map of Kppen climate classification.
The climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nations small size
. There are two main climatic zones, roughly corresponding to the eastern and we
stern parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an importa
nt role in moderating Georgias climate and protects the nation from the penetra
tion of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partiall
y protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south
.
Black Sea coast of western Georgia, with the skyline of Batumi on the horizon
Much of western Georgia lies within the northern periphery of the humid subtropi
cal zone with annual precipitation ranging from 1,0004,000 mm (39.4157.5 in). The
precipitation tends to be uniformly distributed throughout the year, although th
e rainfall can be particularly heavy during the Autumn months. The climate of th
e region varies significantly with elevation and while much of the lowland areas
of western Georgia are relatively warm throughout the year, the foothills and m
ountainous areas (including both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains) expe
rience cool, wet summers and snowy winters (snow cover often exceeds 2 meters in
many regions). Ajaria is the wettest region of the Caucasus, where the Mt. Mtir
ala rainforest, east of Kobuleti, receives around 4,500 mm (177.2 in) of precipi
tation per year.
Eastern Georgia has a transitional climate from humid subtropical to continental
. The regions weather patterns are influenced both by dry Caspian air masses fr
om the east and humid Black Sea air masses from the west. The penetration of hum
id air masses from the Black Sea is often blocked by mountain ranges (Likhi and
Meskheti) that separate the eastern and western parts of the nation. Annual prec
ipitation is considerably less than that of western Georgia and ranges from 4001,
600 mm (15.763.0 in).
The wettest periods generally occur during spring and autumn, while winter and s
ummer months tend to be the driest. Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summ
ers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. As in the w
estern parts of the nation, elevation plays an important role in eastern Georgia
where climatic conditions above 1,500 metres (4,921 ft) are considerably colder
than in the low-lying areas. The regions that lie above 2,000 metres (6,562 ft)
frequently experience frost even during the summer months.
Biodiversity
See also: List of non-marine molluscs of Georgia (country) and List of fish of t
he Black Sea
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Because of its high landscape diversity and low latitude, Georgia is home to abo
ut 1,000 species of vertebrates, (330 birds, 160 fish, 48 reptiles, and 11 amphi
bians). A number of large carnivores live in the forests, namely Brown bears, wo
lves, lynxes and Caucasian Leopards. The common pheasant (also known as the Colc
hian Pheasant) is an endemic bird of Georgia which has been widely introduced th
roughout the rest of the world as an important game bird. The species number of
invertebrates is considered to be very high but data is distributed across a hig
h number of publications. The spider checklist of Georgia, for example, includes
501 species.[149]
Slightly more than 6,500 species of fungi, including lichen-forming species, hav
e been recorded from Georgia,[150][151] but this number is far from complete. Th
e true total number of fungal species occurring in Georgia, including species no
t yet recorded, is likely to be far higher, given the generally accepted estimat
e that only about 7 percent of all fungi worldwide have so far been discovered.[
152] Although the amount of available information is still very small, a first e
ffort has been made to estimate the number of fungal species endemic to Georgia,
and 2595 species have been tentatively identified as possible endemics of the c
ountry.[153] 1729 species of plants have been recorded from Georgia in associati
on with fungi.[151] The true number of plant species occurring in Georgia is lik
ely to be substantially higher.
Economy
Main articles: Economy of Georgia (country) and Agriculture in Georgia (country)
The Georgian Railways represent a vital artery linking the Black Sea and Caspian
Sea - the shortest route between Europe and Central Asia.
Archaeological research demonstrates that Georgia has been involved in commerce
with many lands and empires since ancient times, largely due its location on the
Black Sea and later on the historical Silk Road. Gold, silver, copper and iron
have been mined in the Caucasus Mountains. Georgian wine making is a very old tr
adition and a key branch of the countrys economy. The country has sizable hydro
power resources.[154] Throughout Georgias modern history agriculture and touris
m have been principal economic sectors, because of the countrys climate and top
ography.[155]
For much of the 20th century, Georgias economy was within the Soviet model of c
ommand economy. Since the fall of the USSR in 1991, Georgia embarked on a major
structural reform designed to transition to a free market economy. As with all o
ther post-Soviet states, Georgia faced a severe economic collapse. The civil war
and military conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia aggravated the crisis. The
agriculture and industry output diminished. By 1994 the gross domestic product
had shrunk to a quarter of that of 1989.[156] The first financial help from the
West came in 1995, when the World Bank and International Monetary Fund granted G
eorgia a credit of USD 206 million and Germany granted DM 50 million.
The production of wine is a traditional component of the Georgian economy.
Since the early 21st century visible positive developments have been observed in
the economy of Georgia. In 2007, Georgias real GDP growth rate reached 12 perc
ent making Georgia one of the fastest growing economies in Eastern Europe.[155]
The World Bank dubbed Georgia "the number one economic reformer in the world" be
cause it has in one year improved from rank 112th to 18th in terms of ease of do
ing business.[157] The country has a high unemployment rate of 12.6% and has fai
rly low median income compared to European countries.
The 2006 ban on imports of Georgian wine to Russia, one of Georgias biggest tra
ding partners, and break of financial links was described by the IMF Mission as
an "external shock".[158] In addition, Russia increased the price of gas for Geo
rgia. This was followed by the spike in the Georgian laris rate of inflation.[c
itation needed] The National Bank of Georgia stated that the inflation was mainl
y triggered by external reasons, including Russias economic embargo.[159] The Geo
rgian authorities expected that the current account deficit due to the embargo i
n 2007 would be financed by "higher foreign exchange proceeds generated by the l
arge inflow of foreign direct investment" and an increase in tourist revenues.[1
60] The country has also maintained a solid credit in international market secur
ities.[161] Georgia is becoming more integrated into the global trading network:
its 2006 imports and exports account for 10% and 18% of GDP respectively.[155]
Georgias main imports are natural gas, oil products, machinery and parts, and t
ransport equipment.
The most visited ski resort of Georgia, Gudauri.
Tourism is an increasingly significant part of the Georgian economy. About a mil
lion tourists brought US$313 million to the country in 2006.[162] According to t
he government, there are 103 resorts in different climatic zones in Georgia. Tou
rist attractions include more than 2000 mineral springs, over 12,000 historical
and cultural monuments, four of which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Si
tes (Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi and Gelati Monastery, historical monuments of
Mtskheta, and Upper Svaneti).[163]
Georgia is developing into an international transport corridor through Batumi an
d Poti ports, an oil pipeline from Baku through Tbilisi to Ceyhan, the Baku-Tbil
isi-Ceyhan pipeline (BTC) and a parallel gas pipeline, the South Caucasus Pipeli
ne.
Since coming to power Saakashvili administration accomplished a series of reform
s aimed at improving tax collection. Among other things a flat income tax was in
troduced in 2004.[164] As a result, budget revenues have increased fourfold and
a once large budget deficit has turned into surplus.[165][166][167]
As of 2001, 54 percent of the population lived below the national poverty line b
ut by 2006 poverty decreased to 34 percent. In 2005, the average monthly income
of a household was GEL 347 (about USD $200).[168] 2013 estimates place Georgias
nominal GDP at US$15.98 billion. Georgias economy is becoming more devoted to
services (now representing 65 percent of GDP), moving away from the agricultural
sector (10.9 percent).[169]
In regards to telecommunication infrastructure, Georgia is ranked second to last
among its bordering neighbors in the World Economic Forums Network Readiness I
ndex (NRI) an indicator for determining the development level of a countrys infor
mation and communication technologies. Georgia ranked number 60 overall in the 2
014 NRI ranking, up from 65 in 2013.[170]
Transport
Main article: Transport in Georgia (country)
A green directional sign on the 1 motorway, denoting it as such.
Today transport in Georgia is provided by means of rail, road, shipping and air
travel. Positioned in the Caucasus and on the coast of the Black Sea, Georgia is
a key country through which energy imports to the European Union from neighbour
ing Azerbaijan pass. Traditionally the country was located on an important north
-south trade route between European Russia and the Near East and Turkey.
In recent years Georgia has invested large amounts of money in the modernization
of its transport networks. The construction of new highways has been prioritize
d and, as such, major cities like Tbilisi have seen the quality of their roads i
mprove dramatically; despite this however, the quality of inter-city routes rema
ins poor and to date only one motorway-standard road has been constructed - the
1.[171]
The Georgian railways represent an important transport artery for the Caucasus a
s they make up the largest proportion of a route linking the Black and Caspian S
eas, this in turn has allowed them to benefit in recent years from increased ene
rgy exports from neighbouring Azerbaijan to the European Union, Ukraine and Turk
ey.[172] Passenger services are operated by the state-owned Georgian Railways wh
ilst freight operations are carried out by a number of licensed operators. Since
2004 the Georgian Railways have been undergoing a rolling program of fleet-rene
wal and managerial restructuring which is aimed at making the service provided m
ore efficient and comfortable for passengers.[173] Infrastructural development h
as also been high on the agenda for the railways, with the key Tbilisi railway j
unction expected to undergo major reorganisation in the near future.[174] Additi
onal projects also include the construction of the economically important KarsTbi
lisiBaku railway, which for the first time will connect much of the Caucasus with
Turkey by standard gauge railway.[175]
Air and maritime transport is developing in Georgia, with the former mainly used
by passengers and the latter for transport of freight. Georgia currently has fo
ur international airports; the largest of which is by far Tbilisi International
Airport, hub for Georgian Airways, which offers connections to many large Europe
an cities. Other airports in the country are largely underdeveloped or lack sche
duled traffic, although, as of late, efforts have been made to solve both these
problems.[176] There are a number of seaports along Georgias Black Sea coast, t
he largest and most busy of which is the Port of Batumi; whilst the town is itse
lf a seaside resort, the port is a major cargo terminal in the Caucasus and is o
ften used by neighbouring Azerbaijan as a transit point for making energy delive
ries to Europe. Scheduled and chartered passenger ferry services link Georgia wi
th Ukraine and Turkey.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Georgia (country)
"Languages of Georgia" redirects here. For languages of the U.S. state of Georgi
a, see Georgia (U.S. state) Languages.
Georgian youth in the Chokha, a traditional costume.
Like most native Caucasian peoples, the Georgians do not fit into any of the mai
n ethnic categories of Europe or Asia. The Georgian language, the most pervasive
of the Kartvelian languages, is neither Indo-European, Turkic nor Semitic. The
present day Georgian or Kartvelian nation is thought to have resulted from the f
usion of aboriginal, autochthonous inhabitants with immigrants who moved into So
uth Caucasus from the direction of Anatolia in remote antiquity.[177] The ancien
t Jewish chronicle by Josephus mentions Georgians as Iberes who were also called
Thobel Tubal.[178]
Ethnic Georgians form about 84 percent of Georgias current population of 4,661,
473 (July 2006 est.).[179] Other ethnic groups include Abkhazians, Ossetians, Ar
menians, Azerbaijanis, Pontic Greeks (here divided between Caucasus Greeks and T
urkish repealing Urums), Jews, and Russians. The Georgian Jews are one of the ol
dest Jewish communities in the world.
Ethno-linguistic groups in the Caucasus region[180]
The most widespread language group is the Kartvelian family, which includes Geor
gian, Svan, Mingrelian and Laz.[181] The official languages of Georgia are Georg
ian, with Abkhaz official within the autonomous region of Abkhazia. Georgian is
the primary language of approximately 71 percent of the population, followed by
9 percent speaking Russian, 7 percent Armenian, 6 percent Azerbaijani, and 7 per
cent other languages.[155]
In the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, violent separ
atist conflicts broke out in the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Osseti
a. Many Ossetians living in Georgia left the country, mainly to Russias North O
ssetia.[182] On the other hand, more than 150,000 Georgians left Abkhazia after
the breakout of hostilities in 1993.[183] Of the Meskhetian Turks who were forci
bly relocated in 1944 only a tiny fraction returned to Georgia as of 2008.[184]
The 1989 census recorded 341,000 ethnic Russians, or 6.3 percent of the populati
on,[185] 52,000 Ukrainians and 100,000 Greeks in Georgia.[186] Since 1990, 1.5 m
illion Georgian nationals have left.[186] At least 1 million immigrants from Geo
rgia legally or illegally reside in Russia.[187] Georgias net migration rate is
4.54, excluding Georgian nationals who live abroad. Georgia has nonetheless been
inhabited by immigrants from all over the world throughout its independence. Ac
cording to 2006 statistics, Georgia gets most of its immigrants from Turkey and
China.
Today 83.9 percent of the population practices Eastern Orthodoxy, with the major
ity of these adhering to the national Georgian Orthodox Church. Religious minori
ties include Muslims (9.9 percent), Armenian Apostolic (3.9 percent), and Roman
Catholic (0.8 percent). 0.8 percent of those recorded in the 2002 census declare
d themselves to be adherents of other religions and 0.7 percent declared no reli
gion at all.[155][188]
v t e
Largest cities or towns in Georgia
National Statistics Office of Georgia Population report (2012)
Rank
Administrative divisions of Georgia
Pop.
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Kutaisi 1
Tbilisi Tbilisi 1,118,035[189] Batumi
Batumi
Rustavi
Rustavi
2
Kutaisi Imereti 197,000
3
Batumi Adjara 161,200
4
Rustavi Kvemo Kartli
122,900
5
Zugdidi SamegreloZemo Svaneti 74,800
6
Sukhumi Abkhazia
62,914
7
Gori
Shida Kartli
54,700
8
Poti
SamegreloZemo Svaneti 47,800
9
Khashuri
Shida Kartli
38,600
10
Samtredia
Imereti 32,000
Religion
Main articles: Religion in Georgia (country) and Secularism and Irreligion in Ge
orgia
Top Row: St. Peter & Paul Cathedral (Catholicism), Tbilisi Synagogue (Judaism),
Tbilisi Mosque (Islam). Bottom Row: the Sioni Cathedral (Eastern Orthodox Christ
ianity)
A large majority of Georgia's population (83.9% in 2002)[190] practices Orthodox
Christianity. The Georgian Orthodox Church is one of the world's most ancient C
hristian Churches, and claims apostolic foundation by Saint Andrew.[191] In the
first half of the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion of
Iberia (presentday Kartli, or eastern Georgia), following the missionary work
of Saint Nino of Cappadocia.[192][193] The Church gained autocephaly during the
early Middle Ages; it was abolished during the Russian domination of the country
, restored in 1917 and fully recognised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Consta
ntinople in 1990.
The special status of the Georgian Orthodox Church is officially recognised in t
he Constitution of Georgia and the Concordat of 2002, although religious institu
tions are separate from the state, and every citizen has the right of religion.
Religious minorities of Georgia include Armenian Christians (3.9 percent), Musli
ms (9.9 percent), and Roman Catholics (0.8 percent).[155] Islam is represented b
y both Azerbaijani Shia Muslims (in the southeast) ethnic Georgian Sunni Muslim
s in Adjara, and Lazspeaking Sunni Muslims as well as Sunni Meskhetian Turks al
ong the border with Turkey. There are also smaller communities of Greek Muslims
(of Pontic Greek origin) and Armenian Muslims, both of whom are descended from O
ttomanera converts to Turkish Islam from Eastern Anatolia who settled in Georgi
a following the Lala Mustafa Pasha's Caucasian campaign that led to the Ottoman
conquest of the country in 1578. Georgian Jews trace the history of their commun
ity to the 6th century BC; their numbers have dwindled in the last decades due t
o high levels of immigration to Israel.[194]
Despite the long history of religious harmony in Georgia,[195] there have been i
nstances of religious discrimination and violence against "nontraditional faiths
", such as Jehovah's Witnesses, by followers of the defrocked Orthodox priest Ba
sil Mkalavishvili.[196]
Public School Number 1 of Tbilisi
Tbilisi State University, Corpus I
In addition to traditional religious organizations, Georgia retains secular and
irreligious segments of society, as well as a significant portion of religiously
affiliated individuals who do not actively practice their faith.[197]
Education
The education system of Georgia has undergone sweeping modernizing, although con
troversial, reforms since 2004.[198][199] Education in Georgia is mandatory for
all children aged 614.[200] The school system is divided into elementary (six yea
rs; age level 612), basic (three years; age level 1215), and secondary (three year
s; age level 1518), or alternatively vocational studies (two years). Students wit
h a secondary school certificate have access to higher education. Only the stude
nts who have passed the Unified National Examinations may enroll in a stateaccr
edited higher education institution, based on ranking of the scores received at
the exams.
Most of these institutions offer three levels of study: a Bachelor's Program (th
ree to four years); a Master's Program (two years), and a Doctoral Program (thre
e years). There is also a Certified Specialist's Program that represents a singl
elevel higher education program lasting from three to six years.[200][201] As o
f 2008, 20 higher education institutions are accredited by the Ministry of Educa
tion and Science of Georgia.[202] Gross primary enrollment ratio was 94 percent
for the period of 20012006.[203]
Tbilisi has become the main artery of the Georgian educational system, particula
rly since the creation of the First Georgian Republic in 1918 permitted the esta
blishment of modern, Georgianlanguage educational institutions. Tbilisi is the
home to several major institutions of higher education in Georgia, notably the T
bilisi State Medical University, which was founded as Tbilisi Medical Institute
in 1918, and the Tbilisi State University (TSU), which was established in 1918 a
nd remains the oldest university in the entire Caucasus region.[204] With enroll
ment of over 35,000 students, the number of faculty and staff (collaborators) at
TSU is approximately 5,000. Georgia's main and largest technical university, Ge
orgian Technical University, as well as the The University of Georgia (Tbilisi),
Caucasus University and Free University of Tbilisi are also in Tbilisi.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Georgia (country)
2nd century BC bronze torso from Western Georgia, displayed at the Georgian Nati
onal Museum
Georgian culture evolved over thousands of years with its foundations in the Ibe
rian and Colchian civilizations,[205] continuing with the rise of the unified Ge
orgian Kingdom under the single monarchy of the Bagrationi. Georgian culture enj
oyed a golden age and renaissance of classical literature, arts, philosophy, arc
hitecture and science in the 11th century.[206]
The Georgian language, and the Classical Georgian literature of the poet Shota R
ustaveli, were revived in the 19th century after a long period of turmoil, layin
g the foundations of the romantics and novelists of the modern era such as Grigo
l Orbeliani, Nikoloz Baratashvili, Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli and Vazha
Pshavela.[207] Georgian culture was influenced by Classical Greece, the Roman Em

pire, the Byzantine Empire, the various Iranian empires (notably the Achaemenid,
[208][209] Parthian, Sassanian, Safavid and Qajar empires), and later, from the
19th century, by the Russian Empire.
Georgians have their own unique three alphabets which according to traditional a
ccounts were invented by King Pharnavaz I of Iberia in the 3rd century BC.[210][
211]
Georgia is known for its rich folklore, unique traditional music, theatre, cinem
a, and art. Georgians are renowned for their love of music, dance, theatre and c
inema. In the 20th century there have been notable Georgian painters such as Nik
o Pirosmani, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani; ballet choreographers such as
George Balanchine, Vakhtang Chabukiani, and Nino Ananiashvili; poets such as Gal
aktion Tabidze, Lado Asatiani, and Mukhran Machavariani; and theatre and film di
rectors such as Robert Sturua, Tengiz Abuladze, Giorgi Danelia and Otar Ioselian
i.[207]
Architecture and arts
Georgian architecture has been influenced by many civilizations. There are sever
al different architectural styles for castles, towers, other fortifications, and
churches. The Upper Svaneti fortifications, and the castle town of Shatili in K
hevsureti, are some of the finest examples of medieval Georgian castle architect
ure. Other significant architectural aspects of Georgia include Rustaveli avenue
in Tbilisi in the Hausmann style, and the Old Town District.
As Georgia's Black Sea coast continues to develop, modern highrises are making
headway into Batumi's traditionally classical cityscapes.
Georgian ecclesiastic art is one of the most notable aspects of Georgian Christi
an architecture, which combines the classical dome style with the original basil
ica style, forming what is known as the Georgian crossdome style. Crossdome ar
chitecture developed in Georgia during the 9th century; before that, most Georgi
an churches were basilicas. Other examples of Georgian ecclesiastic architecture
can be found outside Georgia: Bachkovo Monastery in Bulgaria (built in 1083 by
the Georgian military commander Grigorii Bakuriani), Iviron monastery in Greece
(built by Georgians in the 10th century), and the Monastery of the Cross in Jeru
salem (built by Georgians in the 9th century).
The art of Georgia spans the prehistoric, the ancient Greek, Roman, medieval, ec
clesiastic, iconic and modern visual arts. One of the most famous late 19th/earl
y 20th century Georgian artists was primitivist painter Niko Pirosmani.
Media
Main article: Media of Georgia
Television, magazines, and newspapers in Georgia are all operated by both state
owned and forprofit corporations which depend on advertising, subscription, and
other salesrelated revenues. The Constitution of Georgia guarantees freedom of
speech. As a country in transition, the Georgian media system is under transfor
mation.
The media environment of Georgia remains the freest and most diverse in the Sout
h Caucasus,[212] despite the longterm politicisation and polarisation affecting
the sector. The political struggle for control over the public broadcaster have
left it without a direction in 2014 too.[213]
A large percentage of Georgian households have a television, and most have at le
ast one radio. Most of Georgia's media companies are headquartered in its capita
l and largest city, Tbilisi.
Music
Main article: Music of Georgia (country)
Georgia has a rich and vibrant musical tradition, primarily known for its early
development of polyphony. Georgian polyphony is based on three vocal parts, a un
ique tuning system based on perfect fifths, and a harmonic structure rich in par
allel fifths and dissonances. Each region in Georgia has its own traditional mus
ic; Persian influenced drones and ostinatolike soloists in the east, complex im
provised harmonies in the west, and solid moving chords in Svanetie.
Cuisine
Main article: Georgian cuisine
Georgian signature dish khinkali with beer
Georgian cuisine and wine have evolved through the centuries, adapting tradition
s in each era. One of the most unusual traditions of dining is supra, or Georgia
n table, which is also a way of socialising with friends and family. The head of
supra is known as tamada. He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts, and
makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. Various historical regions of
Georgia are known for their particular dishes: for example, khinkali (meat dumpl
ings), from eastern mountainous Georgia, and khachapuri, mainly from Imereti, Sa
megrelo and Adjara. In addition to traditional Georgian dishes, the foods of oth
er countries have been brought to Georgia by immigrants from Russia, Greece, and
recently China.
Sports
Main article: Sport in Georgia
Georgia vs. Romania in the Rugby World Cup 2011.
The most popular sports in Georgia are football, basketball, rugby union, wrestl
ing, judo, and weightlifting. Historically, Georgia has been famous for its phys
ical education; the Romans were fascinated with Georgians' physical qualities af
ter seeing the training techniques of ancient Iberia.[214] Wrestling remains a h
istorically important sport of Georgia, and some historians think that the Greco
Roman style of wrestling incorporates many Georgian elements.[215]
Within Georgia, one of the most popularized styles of wrestling is the Kakhetian
style. There were a number of other styles in the past that are not as widely u
sed today. For example, the Khevsureti region of Georgia has three different sty
les of wrestling. Other popular sports in 19th century Georgia were polo, and Le
lo, a traditional Georgian game later replaced by rugby union.
The first and only race circuit in the Caucasian region is located in Georgia. R
ustavi International Motorpark originally built in 1978 was reopened in 2012 af
ter total reconstruction[216] costing $20 million. The track satisfies the FIA G
rade 2 requirements and currently hosts the Legends car racing series and Formul
a Alfa competitions.[217]
Basketball was always one of the notable sports in Georgia, and Georgia had a fe
w very famous Soviet Union national team members, such as Otar Korkia, Mikhail K
orkia, Zurab Sakandelidze and Levan Moseshvili. Dinamo Tbilisi won the prestigio
us Euroleague competition in 1962. Georgia had five players in the NBA: Vladimir
Stepania, Jake Tsakalidis, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Tornike Shengelia and current
Milwaukee Bucks member Zaza Pachulia. Other notable basketball players are two t
imes Euroleague champion Giorgi Shermadini and Euroleague players Manuchar Marko
ishvili and Viktor Sanikidze. Sport is regaining its popularity in the country i
n recent years. Georgia national basketball team qualified to EuroBasket during
the last three tournaments since 2011.
See also
Portal icon
Georgia (country) portal
Outline of Georgia (country)

Index of Georgia (country)related articles
Georgian media
Healthcare in Georgia
International rankings of Georgia
List of countries by received FDI
List of wars involving Georgia (country)
Orders, decorations, and medals of Georgia
Public holidays in Georgia
Telecommunications in Georgia
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h of the Greater Caucasus range is called Ciscaucasia and the region to the sout
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trated Georgian training methods during his visit to Rome; Cassius Dio, Roman Hi
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Speaker of the Parliament

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili

Principality of Iberia 580-880 AD

Russian Empire occupation

from Russian Empire

from Soviet Union

Total 69,420 km2 (120th)

2015 estimate 3,729,500[3] (131st)

Density 53.5/km2 (137th)

Total $37.27 billion[2] (117th)

Total $16.535 billion[5]

sid of th iv Panticapa.[10]

Rouhly 230,000 to 250,000 Goians[60] massacd o xplld fom Abkhazi

thouh th Roki Tunnl bfo th Goian militay opation.[80]

See also: Borders of the continents

Ushba, a prominent peak of the Svanetian Caucasus

Pshavela.[207] Georgian culture was influenced by Classical Greece, the Roman Em

Georgia (country) portal

Outline of Georgia (country)

Interpretation InterVarsity Press, 2006 ISBN 1844741540 p 147

Jump up ^ Freedom House, Georgia 2015 Press Freedom report

Prehistory Battle of Didgori Mongol invasions Russian Empire Democratic Republic

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Interpretation InterVarsity Press, 2006 ISBN 1844741540 p 147