Republic of Georgia.
The national name is Sakart-velo (Kartvelians - “Georgians”).
Capital of Georgia. Tbilisi.
Georgia Square. 69700 km2.
Population of Georgia. 3.716 million people (
Georgia GDP. $16.53 billion (
Location of Georgia. Georgia is a state in the South-West of the Transcaucasian region. In the west it is washed by waters. In the north it borders on Russia, in the east - on, in the south - on Azerbaijan, and. Georgia includes two autonomous republics (Adjara and Abkhazia) and the autonomous region of South Ossetia.
Administrative divisions of Georgia. Georgia consists of 65 regions.
Form of government of Georgia. Republic.
Head of State of Georgia. President, elected for a term of 5 years.
Supreme legislative body of Georgia. Bicameral parliament with a term of office of 5 years.
Supreme executive body of Georgia. The Supreme Council.
Major cities of Georgia. Kutaisi, Batumi, Sukhumi.
State language of Georgia. Georgian.
Religion of Georgia. 65% are adherents of the Orthodox Church, 10% of the Russian Orthodox Church, 11% of Islam, 8% of the Armenian Orthodox Church.
Ethnic composition of Georgia. 70.1% are Georgians, 8.1% are Armenians, 6.3% are Russians, 5.7% are Azerbaijanis, 3% are 1.8% are Abkhazians, Adjarians and Greeks also live.
Currency of Georgia. Lari = 100 tetri.
Georgia. The climate of Georgia depends on the region: in the Colchis Valley and on the Black Sea coast and continental in the mountainous regions. The average January temperature ranges from - 2 °C (Iverian) to + 3 °C (Colchis), August - + 23-26 °C. In the mountains of Western Georgia, facing , 1000 to 2800 mm of precipitation falls per year, in Eastern Georgia - 300-600 mm.
Flora of Georgia. There are 15 in Georgia, the main one is Lagodekhi, where they are located. Forests occupy 40% of the country's territory (evergreen in the subtropics).
Fauna of Georgia. In Georgia, there are a tiger, a Dagestan tur, a mountain goat, a bear, a deer, a roe deer, a lynx, many birds, and snakes live.
and lakes of Georgia. The main rivers are Kura and Riona. The largest lakes are Paleostomi, Ritsa, Ametkel.
Sights of Georgia. In Tbilisi - Sioni Cathedral, St. David's Monastery, Anchiskhati Basilica. In Kutaisi - the temple of Bagrata, in Mtskheta - the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, in Gelati - the Gelati Monastery, the building of the Academy.
Useful information for tourists
A large number of tourists are attracted by springs (Borjomi, Tskhaltub, Menji, Saimre), as well as seaside climatic (Gagra, Pitsunda, Kobuleti, etc.), mountain climatic (Bakuriani, Bakhmaro, etc.) resorts.
Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 19.00, a large number of shops and supermarkets serve customers around the clock. Fairs and markets are open seven days a week.
The export of items of historical and cultural value is prohibited.
This state has changed more than once in its history. And at present this country does not control all the lands it claims. Nevertheless, in many reference books these virtually uncontrolled regions appear as Georgia. The area of the territory without Abkhazia and South Ossetia is still more consistent with the real state of affairs. Let's find out what the area of the country is without these republics and how its territory was formed.
History of the formation of the territory of Georgia
One of the oldest states in Transcaucasia is Georgia. The area of this country was formed over hundreds of years, and even millennia.
The first states in Georgia appeared in antiquity. These were Colchis (encompassing the Black Sea coast of the country) and Iberia (located in the center). The last state was formed in the 3rd century BC. It was located in the center of the country and was the core from which Georgia was formed in the future.
The area of this state was equal to approximately half of Georgian territory. In later sources, Iberia begins to be referred to as the kingdom of Kartli. In the 1st century BC. the kings of Iberia and Colchis recognize their dependence on Rome. In the first half of the 4th century AD in Kartli (Iberia), Christianity became the state religion.
In subsequent centuries, the territory of Georgia was actually divided into zones of influence of Byzantium (Colchis) and Persia (Iberia). Sometimes even these territories completely lost their independence and became part of the above-mentioned states. In the middle of the 7th century, the Arabs conquered Persia and most of Georgia. The Georgians managed to completely free themselves from the Arabs only in the 10th century.
But after liberation from the Arabs, Georgia represented many independent states. The rulers from the Bagratid dynasty, which initially ruled in the kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, managed to unite them into one power. The kings of this dynasty managed to expel the Arabs from Tbilisi and make this city their capital. After that, they united together the entire territory of modern Georgia and even annexed lands that were not part of the modern Georgian state.
Georgia acquired its greatest power under King David the Builder and Queen Tamara (XII-XIII centuries), during whose reign even the emperors of the Trebizond Empire recognized vassalage. This was the Golden Age of political power and culture that Georgia has ever experienced. The area of its territories has gone much beyond the limits of modern borders.
But nothing is permanent. After the Golden Age, a series of strife began between representatives of the ruling house. The power of the Georgian state was shaken by the Mongol invasion in the 20s of the 13th century. Eventually the Georgian kings recognized the Mongols and agreed to pay tribute. The unified Georgian state was finally crushed by a series of aggressive campaigns by the Central Asian ruler Tamerlane. These campaigns led to the complete depletion of the Georgian economy and its disintegration into several states independent from each other. Over time, most of these principalities were forced to recognize vassalage to the Ottoman Empire or the Persian Safavid power. The struggle between these two great monarchies took place on the territory of Georgia. Ultimately, according to a peace treaty signed in the mid-16th century, the principalities of Kakheti and Kartli were given to Persia, and Imereti to the Ottomans.
In the 17th century, a new powerful state entered the Caucasian arena - the Russian Empire. In a series of wars with the Ottoman Empire and Persia, it gains control over large parts of the Caucasus. Meanwhile, the principalities of Kartli and Kakheti are united into one state. The ruler of the united Kartli-Kakheti kingdom, Irakli II, accepted Russian citizenship in 1783. And in 1801, after the death of the next Georgian king, the Kartli-Kakheti state finally became part of the Russian Empire.
Now, being part of the empire, modern Georgian territories were part of the Tiflis and Kutaisi provinces, roughly corresponding to the territory of the Kartli-Kakheti and Imereti kingdoms, as well as the Batumi region.
Formation of the Georgian state within modern borders
The area of Georgia, approximately coinciding with its current borders, began to take shape after the fall of the monarchy in the Russian Empire in 1917. Already in November 1917, the Transcaucasian Commissariat was assembled in Tiflis (modern Tbilisi), which was a coalition government of the provinces of Transcaucasia (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan).
In April 1918, the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was created on its basis. But already in May, under pressure from Turkey, this state split into three independent republics, one of which was the Democratic Republic of Georgia. This state covered not only modern Georgia, but also Abkhazia, South Ossetia, as well as parts of Armenia and Turkey. It is from this power that modern Georgia derives its statehood.
However, it did not last long. Already in 1921, Bolshevik troops captured Georgia. The Georgian SSR was formed here with its capital in Tbilisi. In the same year, the Adjara SSR was allocated as a subject of the GSSR. Based on the concluded union treaty, the Abkhaz SSR became part of Georgia, and a year later another autonomy was formed - the South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug. In the same 1922, the GSSR, the Armenian SSR and the Azerbaijan SSR formed a federation - the TSFSR. At the end of 1922, the latter became part of the USSR. However, in 1936, the TSFSR was disbanded and all three republics that were part of this association, including Georgia, became direct subjects of the USSR.
At the end of the 80s of the last century, Georgia was one of the first republics to set a course for secession from the USSR. This was stated by the Republican Supreme Council in 1989, when Soviet troops dispersed a rally demanding Georgia's secession from the Soviet Union. In April 1991, Georgia declared complete separation from the USSR.
But the autonomous territories within the GSSR - the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and the South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug - wished to remain part of the USSR. This led to a conflict between Georgia and the armed forces of these republics. The war was stopped only in 1993, thanks to Russian mediation and the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent. In fact, Abkhazia and South Ossetia became independent states, although this fact was not legally recognized by any country in the world. Georgia continued to consider these territories its own.
Modern stage
In 2008, a new armed conflict broke out between Georgia on the one hand and Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russia on the other. As a result of this conflict, Georgia completely lost control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, whose statehood was officially recognized by Russia.
On this, the formation of the territory of Georgia in the form it exists now was completed. That is why now the calculations take into account the area of Georgia without Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Territory area of Georgia
Now the time has come to find out what the area of Georgia is in square meters. km without Abkhazia and South Ossetia. So, let's find out the answer to this question.
The total area of Georgia with all the territories it claims is 69.7 thousand km 2 . According to this indicator, this country ranks 119th in the world. But we are primarily interested in the area of Georgia in square meters. km. without South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Given that the territory of Abkhazia is 8.6 thousand km 2 and the territory of South Ossetia - 3.9 thousand km 2, it is easy to calculate their total area - 12.5 thousand km 2. Thus, the area of Georgia without these regions is 57.2 thousand km 2. This is already 122nd place among all countries in the world.
Population
We found out what size area Georgia is located on. The area of a country and its population are very interrelated parameters. Therefore, in order to have a complete picture, we will find out how many inhabitants there are in this Transcaucasian country.
Currently, this state is inhabited by 3729.5 thousand inhabitants. Georgia occupies the 130th place in this indicator among other countries of the world. The area and population of this Transcaucasian state were indicated without taking into account Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Population density
Knowing these indicators of the population and area of the country, it is not difficult to calculate the density. At the moment, it is 68 people. per 1 sq. km.
For comparison, the population density in the neighboring states of Azerbaijan and Armenia is 111 and 101.5 people/sq. km. Thus, this figure in Georgia is lower than in neighboring countries.
Population composition
Now let's analyze the ethnic and religious composition of the population that lives on the territory of Georgia, that is, the people occupying the area of this country.
The main ethnic group is Georgians. They make up 83.4% of the total population of Georgia, excluding Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This characterizes it as a country with a significant predominance of one nationality. The second largest number is occupied by Azerbaijanis - 6.7%, followed by Armenians - 5.7%. But Russians are already significantly behind in numbers from the ethnic groups listed above. Their share is only 1.9%. Ossetians in the country are about 1%.
All other ethnic groups that inhabit Georgia make up less than 1% of the total population. These include Yezidis (Kurds), Ukrainians, Greeks, Chechens, Avars, Kists, Abkhazians, Assyrians and some other nationalities.
The vast majority of Georgians profess Orthodox Christianity - 83.4%. There are also quite a lot of Muslims, mainly in Adjara - 10.7%. Other religious groups include parishioners of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholics, Protestants, Yezidis, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Jews.
Administrative division
Now let's find out what territorial units modern Georgia is divided into. This state actually consists of 9 regions (mkhare), one autonomous republic (Adjara), as well as one city of national importance (Tbilisi). In addition, legally the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia is part of Georgia, according to its legislation, but in fact Georgia does not control this territory.
The list of nine regions is as follows: Samtskhe-Javakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli.
In addition, administrative units of a higher order (territories and autonomous republics) are divided into administrative units of a lower order (municipalities and cities of republican (territorial) significance). At the moment, the presence of 67 municipalities and fourteen cities of regional significance is legally established in Georgia. But in fact, only 59 municipalities and 11 regional settlements are under Georgian control.
It should be noted that until 2006, administrative entities, which are now called municipalities, were called districts, as in the Soviet Union.
Area of individual regions of Georgia
Now let's find out what territory is occupied by the individual regions that are part of a state entity such as Georgia. The area of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara with its capital in Batumi, which is located in the extreme southwest of Georgia, is 2.9 thousand km 2.
The region of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti is located in the northwestern part of Georgia on the border with Abkhazia on an area of 7.4 thousand km 2. The main city of this region is Zugdidi.
The administrative center of the Guria region is the city of Ozurgeti. This territorial unit has an area of 2.0 thousand km 2 and is located in the southwest of the country.
The region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti is located in the north of the country on an area of 4.6 thousand km 2. The main settlement here is the city of Ambrolauri.
The region, whose name corresponds to the name of the ancient kingdom of Imereti, has an area of 6.6 thousand km 2 and is located in the central part of Georgia with a shift to the west. The administrative center of this region is the city of Kutaisi.
The region with the complex name Samtskhe-Javakheti has an area of 6.4 thousand km 2. This region is located in the south of the country. The main city here is Akhaltsikhe.
The region of Shida Kartli has an area of 4.8 thousand km 2. The main city in this region is Gori. The region is located in the north-central part of Georgia on the border with South Ossetia. According to the laws of Georgia, about half of the territory of this region is precisely South Ossetian land, and most of South Ossetia is part of the region of Shida Kartli. But when calculating the area of this region, we took into account only the territory that is actually controlled by the Georgian authorities.
The region with the poetic name Mtskheta-Mtianeti has a territory of 6.8 thousand km 2 located in the northeast of Georgia, but actually controls 5.8 thousand km 2, since the rest is located on the territory of South Ossetia. The main city of the region is Mtskheta.
The region of Kvemo Kartli is located in the southeast of Georgia. It has an area of 6.5 thousand km 2. The administrative center is Rustavi.
The Kakheti region is located in the easternmost part of the country. It has dimensions equal to 11.3 thousand km 2. The administrative center here is the city of Telavi.
The city of national significance Tbilisi also has its own territory. It is, of course, significantly smaller than the territory of the regions and is only 720 km 2. The total number of residents in the capital of Georgia is 1.1 million people. The city is located in the central part of the state with a shift to the southeast.
Thus, as we see, the largest regions of Georgia by area are the region of Kakheti (11.3 thousand km 2) and the region of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (7.4 thousand km 2). The smallest regions of Georgia in terms of territory, not taking into account the city of national significance of Tbilisi, the region of Guria (2.0 thousand km 2) and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara (2.9 thousand km 2).
General conclusion
We found out what the area of Georgia is in thousand km2. When determining this indicator, you need to know one very important nuance. There are territories classified by the Tbilisi government as Georgian, but which are not actually controlled by Georgia. The area of the country, accordingly, in Georgian sources is overestimated in comparison with the real state of affairs.
Thus, we have established that at the moment the area of this country, not taking into account the virtually uncontrolled South Ossetia and Abkhazia, is 57.2 thousand km 2.
RUSSIAN - GEORGIAN RELATIONS
After the failure of Georgian aggression against South Ossetia in August 2008 and Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with us in September 2008 (since March 2009, sections of the interests of the two countries at the embassies have been operating in Tbilisi and Moscow Switzerland). Georgia has initiated cases against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court (in The Hague); the country takes an unfriendly position towards Russia in international organizations. The Georgian national security concept notes that Russia poses a threat to the existence of “independent democratic Georgia.” Tbilisi supports EU anti-Russian sanctions on Crimea. Tbilisi conditions the resumption of diplomatic relations with the obviously unacceptable demand that Russia withdraw its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Formed following the parliamentary elections in October 2012, the government of the Georgian Dream alliance, headed by billionaire Prime Minister B. Ivanishvili, announced its intention to moderately normalize bilateral relations. His successors in this post, including ex-head of government G. Kvirikashvili, continued this line.
In December 2012, a dialogue channel was opened with Georgia in the format of informal meetings between Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia G.B. Karasin with the special representative of the Prime Minister of Georgia Z. Abashidze. Within its framework, ways to normalize bilateral relations in certain areas (trade, transport, humanitarian ties) are discussed. The problem of “territorial integrity” is taken out of the picture.
On March 29, 2018, “out of solidarity with Great Britain,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry declared an employee of the Russian Interests Section in Tbilisi an “unacceptable person,” demanding that she leave the country within a week.
On April 13, as a retaliatory step, a note from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent to the Georgian side regarding the expulsion of an employee of the Georgian Interests Section in Moscow.
At the same time, a number of concrete positive results have been achieved over the past period.
Trade. After Russia lifted restrictions on the import of Georgian alcohol and agricultural products, mutual trade turnover increased noticeably in 2013-2014. reached 786 million US dollars. However, against the backdrop of the global economic crisis, bilateral trade in 2015, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service, decreased to $697 million. In 2016, trade turnover increased by 17% and reached $793 million. In 2017, mutual trade volumes increased by approximately 37% and amounted to $1.084 billion. In January-June 2018, trade turnover between Russia and Georgia reached $700 million (an increase of 46% compared to the same period in 2017).
Russia is the second (after Turkey) foreign trade partner of Georgia and the first importer of Georgian products in terms of volume. The main import items from Georgia are ferroalloys, wine, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The most important Russian exports to Georgia are petroleum products, wheat, sunflower oil, cell phones, and coal.
Russia continues to lead in the volume of remittances to Georgia. In January-March 2018, 102.4 million US dollars were transferred from Russia to Georgia, i.e. 7.7% more than in the same period last year. In 2017, 455 million US dollars were received from Russia (15% more than in 2016). This is about a third of the total volume of foreign transfers to Georgia ($1.4 billion). At the end of 2016, the amount of money transfers from Russia to Georgia amounted to $395 million (34% of the total).
Russia remains the main consumer of Georgian wine. In January-July 2018, 28.6 million bottles were imported. This is 20% more than in the same period last year. In 2017, 36 million liters of wine were supplied from Georgia to Russia (2/3 of the total volume), in 2016 - 20.2 million liters, in 2015 - 14.7 million liters, in 2014 - 31.3 million liters, in 2013 - 15 million liters.
Transport. At the end of 2013, regular bus service was resumed between Russia and Georgia, and since October 2014, air service. There is also sea communication. Freight traffic volumes and passenger traffic are growing from year to year.
The only land checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border, “Upper Lars,” has been switched to 24-hour operation, but due to weather conditions it operates irregularly.
Humanitarian sphere. Cultural, sports, scientific, religious, and business contacts have intensified. In October 2017, the Georgian delegation took part in the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students (Sochi). In May 2018, the Russian Orthodox Church, after a ten-year break, sent its priest to serve in Georgia.
In the 2017/2018 academic year, 1020 Georgian citizens studied in Russian educational institutions, of which 243 were. within the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
There are contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries: at sessions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi (July 2016) and Vienna (February 2017), as well as during the visit to Moscow of representatives of the Georgian party “Alliance of Patriots” (July and October 2017 .). An agreement was reached on the creation of an informal inter-parliamentary friendship group.
Since December 2015, the visa regime for travel by Georgian citizens to Russia has been significantly liberalized. As a result, the number of visas issued by the Russian Interests Section almost doubled in 2016 and reached almost 40 thousand visas (in 2015 - 23,054 visas). In 2017, almost 50 thousand visas were issued.
In 2017, more than 1.4 million Russian tourists visited Georgia (an increase of 34%), in 2016 - 1 million 40 thousand people. (12% increase).
According to Georgian government decree No. 255 of June 5, 2015, citizens of Russia, along with citizens of dozens of other countries, can enter this country without a visa and stay on its territory for one year. At the same time, the “law on occupied territories” of October 23, 2008 continues to be in force in Georgia, establishing administrative and criminal (up to 2.5 years in prison) liability for foreigners for entering Abkhazia and South Ossetia “without the permission of the Georgian authorities” .
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GEORGIA
1. General information about the country
The official name of the country– Georgia (until 1995 - the Republic of Georgia).
Geographical position. Occupies the central and western part of Transcaucasia. It borders in the northwest with Abkhazia, in the north with Russia and South Ossetia, in the east and southeast with Azerbaijan, in the south with Armenia and Turkey. In the west it is washed by the Black Sea.
Territory– 57.2 thousand sq. km.
Capital– Tbilisi (1.11 million inhabitants).
The largest cities: Kutaisi (186 thousand), Batumi (122 thousand), Rustavi (116 thousand), Poti (47 thousand).
Administratively, it is divided into 66 districts, making up 9 territories and the autonomous republic of Adjara.
Citizens of more than 120 nationalities live in Georgia, including: Georgians (86.8%), Azerbaijanis (6.3%), Armenians (4.5%), Russians (0.7%). The rest (Jews, Kurds, Greeks, Kists, Poles, Ukrainians, etc.) account for 1.7%.
The bulk of believers are Orthodox Christians (84.9%). There are also Muslims (10.9%), adherents of the Armenian Apostolic Church (3.0%), Catholics (0.5%) and representatives of other faiths (0.7%).
Official language– Georgian.
State structure. The basic law of the country is the Constitution. For the period from 1995 to 2017. dozens of amendments were adopted, the latest - in October 2017. They changed the procedure for electing the president, his powers and the system for electing parliament (from mixed to proportional).
In accordance with the Constitution (adopted on August 24, 1995), the form of political structure of the Georgian state is a democratic republic.
Head of State – The president elected for a five-year term by universal, direct and secret suffrage. In October 2018, the last presidential elections in Georgia will take place according to the “old” scheme. In accordance with amendments to the Constitution adopted in October 2017, the next head of state will be chosen for a four-year term by a college of 300 electors.
The position of Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia is held by David Rakviashvili(appointed October 2016).
Supreme legislative body - Parliament, consisting of 150 deputies (77 elected by proportional system, 73 - according to the majoritarian system, in 2024 elections will take place only according to the proportional system). According to the results of the popular vote held in October 2016, the Georgian Dream coalition (GM) received a constitutional majority - 115 seats. Also represented in parliament are the coalition “European Georgia” (in January 2017 it left the United National Movement – UNM) – 21 seats, UNM – 6 seats, “Alliance of Georgian Patriots” – 6 seats, “Industry will save Georgia” - 1st place, independents – 2nd places.
Chairman of the Parliament - Irakli Kobakhidze.
The highest executive body that conducts the country’s domestic and foreign policy is the Government (on June 20, 2018, the new Prime Minister was appointed Mamuka Bakhtadze). The government is accountable only to Parliament.
In January 2014, parallel to the National Security Council, the Security and Crisis Management Council under the Prime Minister of Georgia was created. Secretary of the Council – Mindia Janelidze.
Main political parties:
The “Georgian Dream” coalition, which united to participate in the 2012 parliamentary elections: “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia”; "Republican Party of Georgia"; "Conservative Party of Georgia"; "National Forum"; “Industry will save Georgia” and “Free Democrats” (left the coalition in November 2014).
“European Georgia – movement for freedom”;
Coalition “United National Movement” consisting of the parties “United National Movement” and “Christian Conservative Party of Georgia”;
“Alliance of Patriots of Georgia” (David Tarkhan-Mouravi);
“Democratic Movement – United Georgia” (Nino Burjanadze);
“Christian Democratic Party”, “Labor Party of Georgia” and others.
Constitutionalcourt is a judicial body of constitutional control and exercises judicial power in the manner of constitutional proceedings.
Supreme Court exercises supervision over legal proceedings in courts of general jurisdiction and considers some cases as a court of first instance.
System local government operates on the basis of the laws “On Local Self-Government” of 1997 and “On Elections to Local Representative Bodies” of 1998. It consists of local government bodies (sakrebulo), which have the right to control the local executive power (gamgeoba). The last local government elections were held in October 2017.
National holiday– Day of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia (May 26, 1991).
Currency unit– lari (introduced in 1995). The lari exchange rate ranges from 2.5 to 3 per 1 US dollar.
2. Historical background
The first state associations of Georgia arose at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 1st millennium BC. in the southwestern regions (Diaohi and Kolkha). From the 6th century BC. On the territory of Western Georgia, a Western Georgian state is formed - the Kingdom of Colchis. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, Christianity spread in Georgia and became the state religion. The Georgian state of that era reached its greatest prosperity towards the end of the 12th century. During the reign of George III (1156-1184) and Tamara (1184-1213), Georgian influence spread to the North Caucasus and Eastern Transcaucasia, Iranian Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Southwestern Black Sea region. Georgia was one of the strongest states in the region. Since the 12th century, ties have been established and strengthened between Georgia and Kievan Rus.
In the second quarter of the 13th century, Georgia was conquered by the Mongol-Tatars. At the end of the 15th century, as a result of civil strife, Georgia broke up into a number of kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti and others. In the 16th-18th centuries, Georgia became the arena of the struggle between Iran and Turkey for dominance in Transcaucasia.
Relations between Georgia and Russia, interrupted during the Mongol-Tatar invasion, were resumed in the 15th century, and in the 16th-18th centuries they became regular. Georgian rulers repeatedly turned to the Russian government with a request to provide military assistance to Georgia; the question of joint actions against Iran and Turkey was also raised. The strengthening of Russian-Georgian relations in the second half of the 18th century led to the conclusion in 1783 in Georgievsk of a friendly treaty treaty (Georgievsk Treaty) between Russia and the Kartli-Kakheti kingdom, which established a Russian protectorate over Eastern Georgia. Under the threat of complete enslavement of Eastern Georgia by Iran, it was annexed to Russia in 1801. In the 19th century, Western Georgia also gradually became part of the Russian Empire (1803 -1864)
After Georgia joined Russia, cultural and political ties between the Georgian and Russian peoples strengthened. Many Georgians served in the Russian army. One of the most famous is the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, General P.I. Bagration.
After the October Revolution of 1917, at the end of February 1918, the Transcaucasian Seim decided to separate Transcaucasia from Russia, and on May 14, 1918, the Georgian National Council decided to ask Germany for protection. On May 26, 1918, the independence of Georgia was proclaimed. In accordance with the Georgian-German agreements, Germany received a monopoly right to exploit the country's resources. On June 10, 1918, German troops entered Tiflis.
On June 4, 1918, Georgia signed an agreement with Turkey, according to which Turkey received, in addition to the Kars, Ardagan and Batumi regions, Akhalkalaki district and part of Akhaltsikhe district. After the revolution in Germany in October 1918, its troops were withdrawn from Transcaucasia. However, on December 23, 1918, the British landed in Batumi, and on December 25 they occupied Tiflis.
The withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of Georgia was carried out in 1920.
On February 25, 1921, Soviet power was established in Georgia. After the establishment of Soviet power in Abkhazia on March 4, 1921, the Abkhaz SSR was formed. In December 1921, the Abkhaz SSR, on the basis of a special union treaty, became part of the Georgian SSR. In April 1922, the South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug was formed.
In 1922, Georgia with other Transcaucasian republics as part of the Transcaucasian Federation (TSFSR) joined the USSR, and after the abolition of the TSFSR in 1936, it became part of the USSR as a union republic.
In the first years of Soviet power, the construction of 20 large industrial enterprises began. In 1926, the national economy of Georgia reached its pre-war level. By the end of the 1930s, industrial enterprises, built and completely reconstructed during the years of Soviet power, provided more than 80% of all industrial output. A significant increase occurred in agriculture.
During the Great Patriotic War, the peoples of Georgia, together with all the peoples of the USSR, stood up to defend the country. About 700 thousand people from Georgia took part in the war. During the war, several Georgian divisions were formed that took part in the battle for the Caucasus, in the fighting in the Crimea and on other fronts. For military exploits, 137 people from Georgia were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, over 240 thousand were awarded orders and medals of the USSR.
By the 80s of the last century in Georgia, along with the development of a planned economy, the “shadow economy” had reached an unprecedented scale.
The flared up Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts were stopped through the mediation of Russia.
On June 24, 1992, the Presidents of Russia and Georgia signed an Agreement on the principles of resolving the Georgian-Ossetian conflict in Sochi. On May 14, 1994, a basic agreement on a ceasefire and separation of forces in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone was signed in Moscow. The cessation of bloodshed created the preconditions for the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
On August 8, 2008, Georgia attacked South Ossetia, killing civilians and Russian peacekeepers. Russia urgently and effectively carried out an operation to protect civilians and peacekeepers in the conflict zone.
On August 26, 2008, the Russian Federation recognized the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia.
3. Socio-economic situation and foreign trade
In 2017, Georgia's GDP increased by 5% compared to 2016 and amounted to $15 billion. The volume of foreign direct investment increased to $1.9 billion (an increase of 16.2% compared to 2016). Main investors: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Great Britain, main areas of investment: transport, communications, construction, energy. The country's public debt reached 42% of GDP. Together with the liabilities of the national banking sector, this figure is 57%. The budget deficit rose to 4.1% of GDP. The country maintained a high unemployment rate - 11.8% (in fact - about 30%), more than 20% of the population fell below the poverty line. The inflation rate by the end of 2017 was 6.7%. The average salary is about $100.
The main factor in the development of the Georgian economy is income from abroad in the form of loans, investments, grants, remittances, growth in exports and tourism.
Among the most important industries: food - production of tea, wines and cognacs, mineral waters, tobacco, essential oil crops, canned fruits and vegetables; light - silk, wool, cotton, knitwear, clothing and shoe production; ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Most industrial enterprises are idle or partially loaded.
Areas suitable for agriculture occupy about 16% of the country's territory. Tea and citrus plantations and vineyards are of greatest economic importance. However, the area of land suitable for effective agricultural rotation is decreasing due to a decline in cultivation, chronic shortage of fertilizers, etc. There is a difficult situation in providing the country with grain. Farmers can provide no more than a third of the volume of consumed bread, which necessitates the import of grain.
Transport network: railways (about 1400 km); automobile (about 22 thousand km); seaports: Batumi, Poti; airports: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Senaki, Batumi. Since the early 90s, due to the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, the railway connecting Georgia with Russia along the Black Sea coast has not been functioning.
Georgia has natural resources: manganese, non-ferrous metal ores, coal, bentonite clays, marble, quartz sands and other minerals. There are valuable forest species: boxwood, walnut. The recreational resources are unique - mountain and sea resorts, numerous sources of mineral waters.
In 2017, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover increased by 13.8% compared to the previous year and amounted to $10.7 billion. At the same time, exports increased by 29.1% and amounted to $2.7 billion, and imports increased by 9.4% to $8 billion. The negative trade balance amounted to $5.3 billion.
Georgia's foreign trade turnover with EU countries in 2017 increased by 2% and amounted to $2.8 billion. Georgia's largest trading partners in 2017 were Turkey, Russia and China.
Main export items: passenger cars (re-export), ferroalloys, hazelnuts (hazelnuts), copper ore and concentrates, nitrogen-containing fertilizers, wine, ethyl alcohol and spirits, gold.
The main imports are: oil and petroleum products, cars, hydrocarbons, medicinal products, wheat, telephone sets for cellular and other wireless networks, copper ore and concentrates, cigarettes, computers and components for them, trucks.
Russia, which was Georgia's sixth largest partner in 2012, moved to fourth place in 2013 after Moscow opened its markets to Georgian products, and to second place in 2017.
4. Domestic policy
The internal political situation is characterized by political and social tension. The consequences of the failure of Tbilisi’s aggression against South Ossetia in August 2008 were painfully perceived in society.
After the repeated victory in the parliamentary elections in October 2016 of the Georgian Dream coalition, which received a constitutional majority in parliament, the confrontation with the United National Movement party, which ruled until 2012, created by former President M. Saakashvili and having some support in society, continues. The success of Georgian Dream in the local elections held in October 2017 cemented the dominance of the ruling party.
5. Foreign policy
Georgia’s foreign policy priorities are based on the thesis of its “European vocation.” The goals of maximum rapprochement with the EU and speedy integration into NATO are being put forward.
Georgia is a member of the UN, OSCE, UNESCO, Council of Europe, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, IMF, IBRD, WTO. Since September 2006, Georgia has been cooperating with NATO in the "intensive dialogue" mode. However, the alliance has not yet made a decision on moving to the MAP stage - the “action plan for membership”.
Georgia has been a member of the CIS since April 19, 1994. In August 2008, the Georgian parliament decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth. In accordance with the provisions of the CIS Charter, Georgia's membership in the organization ceased on August 18, 2009. At the same time, Georgia continues to participate in 40 international treaties (with unlimited subject composition) signed within the Commonwealth.
Tbilisi plays an proactive role in the ODER-GUAM regional association.
“The restoration of the territorial integrity of the country” was declared as the most important task. This means the return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to Georgia.
On September 2, 2008, the Georgian side broke off diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation, established on July 1, 1992. Since March 2009, the Russian Interests Section has been operating at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia.
Since October 2012, the new government of Georgia, headed by B. Ivanishvili, has set a course for restoring trade, economic and cultural ties with Russia. At the same time, demands for the withdrawal of Russian troops from “occupied” Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain the same.
6. Armed Forces (AF)
The Georgian armed forces consist of one type: ground forces (ground forces), as well as the national guard (NG), special operations forces (SOF) and centrally subordinate bodies (units).
The ground forces have: ten brigades (five infantry, two artillery, engineering, aviation and air defense); three separate battalions (communications, electronic warfare and electronic warfare, medical).
The total number of personnel of the Georgian armed forces is about 38 thousand people, of which: the Central Office of the Ministry of Defense and the Joint Staff - 0.7 thousand people, ground forces - 23 thousand people, National Guard - 2.4 thousand people, Special Operations Forces – 2.2 thousand people, bodies (units) of central subordination – 7.3 thousand people. During a period of threat and wartime, units of the Border Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (more than 5 thousand people) are transferred to the operational subordination of the leadership of the country's Armed Forces.
The total mobilization resource of Georgia is about 320 thousand people, including 128 thousand people on the mobilization register.
General management of the development of the state's military doctrine, foreign policy activities in the military field and the construction of the Armed Forces is carried out by the Minister of Defense. Operational leadership of the armed forces is entrusted to the chief of the joint staff, and direct leadership to the commanders of the armed forces and branches of the armed forces.
There is a service on conscription, contract, as well as in reserve. All male citizens of the republic between the ages of 18 and 27 are subject to compulsory conscription. The period of compulsory military service is 12 months (for university graduates - 6 months). Persons who, due to their convictions, cannot perform military service are allowed to choose alternative service - 24 months (for university graduates - 18 months). Mandatory conscription was abolished before the last parliamentary elections, but is now being reintroduced.
The leadership of the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance is consistently pursuing a policy of providing large-scale military assistance to Georgia in the interests of increasing the combat capabilities of the national armed forces. The main directions of this activity include: improving the military infrastructure, training, acquiring modern weapons and military equipment and other military products, participating in the development of mobilization documents for the Georgian Armed Forces, and reforming the structures of the country's defense department.
Contracts have been concluded with France for the supply of Crotal anti-aircraft systems and Ground Master ground surveillance radars, and Javelin anti-tank missile systems have entered service with the United States.
7. Science
The country's leading scientific institution is the Georgian Academy of Sciences, which was separated in 1941 from the USSR Academy of Sciences. The structure of the Academy includes departments of mathematics and physics; Earth Sciences; applied mechanics and mechanical engineering; chemistry and chemical technologies; biology; physiology and experimental medicine; agricultural problems; social sciences; language and literature with 53 institutes and a number of research centers.
The oldest educational institution in the country is Tbilisi State University. I. Javakhishvili (founded in 1918). Other main universities in the country are the Technical University of Georgia, Tbilisi State Pedagogical University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi Academy of Economics and Law, Tbilisi Institute of Asia and Africa, Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, State Institute of Theater and Cinema. Sh. Rustaveli, Tbilisi Conservatory (founded in 1917).
8. Culture
Georgian culture is a synthesis of Middle Eastern, European and local traditions.
The earliest surviving Georgian literary monuments date back to the 5th century. AD Many outstanding personalities have contributed to the literary heritage of Georgia. These include the author of the epic poem “The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” Shota Rustaveli (12th century); the author of the explanatory dictionary of the Georgian language (1716) Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani; Ilya Chavchavadze, Alexander Kazbegi, Akaki Tsereteli, Galaktion Tabidze, Konstantin Gamsakhurdia, Niko Lordkipanidze, Mikheil Javakhishvili and Anna Kalandadze (20th century), Vazha Pshavela and others.
There are more than 30 theaters. The most visited of them is the Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Z.Paliashvili, State Academic Drama Theatre. Sh. Rustaveli, Drama State Academic Drama Theater named after. K. Marjanishvili, State Russian Drama Theater named after. A.S. Griboyedov, State Musical Theater named after. V. Abashidze, State Armenian Drama Theater named after. P. Adamyan, Tbilisi State Puppet Theater, State Puppet Theater named after. G. Mikeladze.
Cinematography originated in Georgia at the beginning of the 20th century. (the first film was made in 1912). Film directors such as Eldar Shengelaya (film "Shirekilebi"), Georgiy Chkheidze ("Pirosmani"), Tengiz Abuladze (trilogy "Plea", "Tree of Desire", "Repentance"), Otar Ioseliani ("Favorites of the Moon"), Irakli Makharadze (“Riders of the Wild West – Georgian Agile Horsemen”) are award winners at international film festivals.
Georgia is famous for its wall paintings of the 7th-13th centuries, which were preserved in the Gelati Monastery, Aten Zion and in churches in Betania, Kintsvisi, etc. Georgian artists Niko Pirosmanishvili (Pirosmani), Gigo Gabashvili, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Korneliy Sanadze became widely famous , Elena Akhvlediani, Sergei Kobuladze, Simon Virsaladze and Ekaterina Bagdavadze. Georgian sculptors Elgudzha Amashukeli, Irakli Ochiauri and Zurab Tsereteli are world famous.
Georgian folk music is a combination of eastern and western influences. Georgian polyphony is characterized by a special vocal technique and the use of tones close to each other. Usually men sing in Georgia. A typical Georgian song is performed by three voices.
Among the graduates of the Tbilisi Conservatory are pianists Alexander Toradze and Eliso Virsaladze, violinist Leana Isakadze, bass Paata Burchuladze, singer Nani Bregvadze, pianist and music teacher Manana Doidzhashvili, violinist and music teacher Marina Iashvili. Georgia has a national symphony orchestra.
There are 110 museums, and there are more than 20 in Tbilisi.
The National Museum of Georgia was transformed in 1919 from the Caucasus Museum. The Museum of Soviet Occupation operates in the same building.
Also known: State Museum of Art of Georgia named after. Sh. Amiranashvili, National Art Gallery, State Museum of Contemporary Fine Arts, State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts, Museum of Georgian Literature, Tbilisi Historical Museum. I. Grishashvili, State Museum of Music, Theater and Cinema, State House-Museum of N. Pirosmani. In the Kutaisi Historical and Ethnographic Museum named after. N. Berdzenishvili collected residential buildings from different parts of Georgia.
The largest libraries in Georgia are the National Library, founded in 1846, with a collection of more than 7 million items; Library of Tbilisi State University and Central Scientific Library of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.
9. Education
The twelve-year secondary education system in Georgia is divided into three levels: primary school (6 years), basic school (3 years), secondary school (3 years). At the end of nine years of study, students receive a certificate of basic education, and at the end of the twelfth grade, a certificate of complete secondary education. A ten-point grading system has been adopted.
Admission to higher education institutions is based on the results of the Unified National Exam (UNE).
The system of secondary vocational education is 5 cycle.
In Georgia, there are the following types of secondary vocational educational institutions: Vocational college and Community college.
There are 4 cycles of higher education in Georgia: Certified Specialist (first stage bachelor), Bachelor, Master, Doctorate.
A special case is medical education. The following qualifications are accepted in the medical field: Registered Medical Officer, Registered Dentist and Registered Veterinarian.
The following types of institutions implement higher education programs: College, Teaching University, University.
Foreign educational documents issued in Georgia currently do not require legalization.
10. Media
Leading Georgian media are represented by the state television and radio broadcasting corporation, information agencies Sakinform, BS-Press, Iprinda, Prime News, private television companies Rustavi-2, Imedi, Mze, “Pirveli Archi”, “Adjaria”, “Caucasia”, “Maestro”, “Meore Archi”, “Real TV”. Television channels have the largest audience. Internet resources are gaining popularity.
The largest (by local standards) newspapers: “Kviris Palitra”, “Asavaldasavali”, “Aliya”, “Chronicle”, “Resonance”, “24 Saati”, “Akhali Taoba”, “Version”, “Georgian Times” . Russian-language newspapers are published in small circulation: the newspaper “Evening Tbilisi” and the weekly “Tbilisi Week”.
The Republic of Georgia is a beautiful country with a rich history, hospitable people and amazingly beautiful nature. This country has everything for tourists: magnificent architecture, national color and, of course, world-famous Georgian hospitality.
Geography
Georgia is a country located in the central and western part of Transcaucasia. The area is 69,700 km2, 2/3 of the territory is occupied by mountains. In the north of the state there is the Greater Caucasus Range where the highest peak of the state is located - Shkhara, with a height of 5068 m.
Climatic conditions
Climatic conditions in Georgia are different. On the border of the Black Sea coast, summer is warm and humid, temperatures range from + 24 to + 26 degrees. Winters here are mild from + 5 to – 6 degrees.
In lowland areas, summer is hotter from + 28 to +30 C, sometimes reaching + 40 degrees. Winters are cooler from +2 to – 4. In the highlands the temperature reaches minus 18 degrees.
The wettest region of the Georgian Republic, with a subtropical climate, receives about 5500 mm of precipitation per year. Influenced by the Caspian and Black Seas, the eastern territories have a more temperate continental climate - from 500 to 1600 mm of precipitation per year.
State structure
Based on the constitution adopted in August 1995, Georgia is a presidential republic. The main legislative body is the parliament, elected for 4 years. The capital of the country is Tbilisi, the state currency is lari.
Attention! Is Georgia a republic or a state? A state is a political organization by society that extends its power over a certain territory. According to the form of government, states are:
- monarchies;
- republics.
A republican form of government is a form of government in which all government bodies are elected for a certain period of time. Thus, a republic is one of the forms of government.
According to the law, the head of state is the president, elected by vote for a term of 5 years. The head of state cannot occupy the main post of the country more than two times in a row.
The executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister, who is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the army and the main representative of the state on foreign policy. Officially, the state includes:
- autonomous republics: Abkhazia and Adjara;
- 10 edges;
- 59 municipalities;
- 4 cities of republican designation: Batumi, Kutaisi, Poti, Rustavi.
In fact, the unrecognized republics are not subordinate to the Georgian authorities. These territories are considered by the OSCE and a number of Western countries to be occupied by the Russian Federation.
Is Georgia Russia?
People are often interested in the question: is Georgia Russia or not? This confusion occurs for several reasons. The first - from the 19th century, the Republic of Georgia was part of the Russian Empire, and in the 20th century, the USSR. And only after the collapse of the Soviet Union it became an independent state.
The second reason is the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflict, which ended in 2008 with the “Five Day War”. After which these territories were recognized by the Russian Federation as independent, sovereign republics.
Attention! There is a visa-free regime between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and citizens of the Russian Federation can visit these territories using a general passport.
According to the international status, the territories of these republics are part of Georgia, but in fact they are not subordinate to the Georgian authorities. Answering the question about the sovereignty of Georgia, we can say with confidence that today, Georgia is a sovereign, independent state that is not part of the Russian Federation.
Name
The official name of Georgia within the state is “Sakartvelo”. Comes from the cradle of Georgian statehood, one of the main historical and geographical regions - “Kartli”. In Europe, it has the official name - georgia or georgian, in honor of St. George, who is the patron saint of Georgian lands.
Attention! According to some information, in the Middle Ages there were about 370 churches of St. George in the state.
In the Russian version, the name “Georgia”, according to some information, appeared from the Arab-Persian “Gurj” or “Gurzhistan”, which can be translated as “country of wolves”. 
Population of the country
At the beginning of 2019, the country’s inhabitants numbered 3,729,600 people, of which the overwhelming majority are Georgians - 86%; in addition, according to the national statistical service, the following people live in the state:
- Azerbaijanis – 6.3%;
- Armenians – 4.5%;
- Russians – 0.7%;
- Ossetians – 0.4%, etc.
Attention! The military invasion of South Ossetia by the Georgian army is known as the “Five Day War”. It involved the armed forces of Russia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia on the one hand, and Georgia on the other. The result of the fighting was the forcing of Georgia to peace and the complete loss of Georgian control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The military contingent of Russian peacekeepers in this region has been increased.
Historical chronicle
Georgian statehood begins from the times of Diaokhi and Colchis, formed in the 12th – 8th centuries BC. e. In the 4th century BC. e. In the eastern part of present-day Georgia, the Iberian kingdom was formed, which lasted until the 6th century AD.
The country experienced periods of unification and splits in the 11th – 12th centuries, thanks to David the Builder, Queen Tamara and George III, Georgia was united and gained independence, becoming the largest power in the region.
From the 13th to 15th centuries, the state experienced destructive raids by the Mongol hordes. In 1783, Irakli II signed the Treaty of Georgievsk, on the basis of which the state came under the full protectorate of Russia.
In 1918, thanks to the efforts of the Social Democrats, against the backdrop of disagreement with the terms of signing the Brest-Litovsk Peace, the Georgian Democratic Republic was formed. In 1921, the army of the RSFSR entered Georgia, as a result of which Soviet power was established.
Attention! In the same year, after the Red Army established Soviet power, the parliament of the Democratic Republic of Georgia decided to move and continue its activities abroad. In exile, parliamentarians called themselves the “National Government of Georgia.”
The following year, the GSSR became part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and in 1936, the GSSR became a union republican cell in the USSR.
After the collapse of the Union in 1991, a referendum declared the independence of the Republic of Georgia from the USSR. More than 90% of the population took part in the voting, 98% of them voted to secede from the Soviet Union. Only in the regions: Abkhazia and South Ossetia announced a different attitude in this regard. Which resulted in the desire of the republics to secede from Georgia.
Bottom line
Despite the fact that Georgia left the CIS, Russians can stay on its territory for 90 days without a visa. To do this, you don’t even need to visit the embassy - all documents are processed at the border, upon crossing which you will need to pay a standard fee of 50 lari (about 30 dollars).
True, there is a rather important point - you will not be able to get to Georgia through the territories of the unrecognized republics: South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian Border Service may regard this as illegal border crossing. Therefore, plan your route in advance because Georgia is a unique state with a rich history, picturesque nature and hospitable people, which is definitely worth visiting.
- a state in South-West Asia in the Transcaucasian region. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. In the north it borders with Russia, in the east with Azerbaijan, in the south with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. Georgia includes two autonomous republics (Adjara and Abkhazia) and the autonomous region of South Ossetia.
The national name is Sakart-velo (Kartvelians - “Georgians”).
Official name: Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelo).
Capital:
The area of the land: 69.7 thousand sq. km
Total Population: 4.4 million people
Administrative division: Georgia consists of 65 regions.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: President, elected for a term of 5 years.
Population composition: 70.1% are Georgians, 8.1% are Armenians, 6.3% are Russians, 5.7% are Azerbaijanis, 3% are Ossetians, 1.8% are Abkhazians, Kurds, Adjarians, and Greeks also live.
Official language: Georgian, but many speak Russian.
Religion: 65% are adherents of the Georgian Orthodox Church, 10% of the Russian Orthodox Church, 11% of Islam, 8% of the Armenian Orthodox Church.
Internet domain: .ge
Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz
Country dialing code: +995
Country barcode: 486
Climate
In the west it is subtropical, in the east it is transitional from subtropical to temperate. Throughout the country, the climatic situation is complicated by the influence of mountains, but since most of the ridges run from west to east, even in the most remote areas the influence of warm Black Sea air masses is noticeable.
In the western regions, influenced by the Black Sea, summers are humid and warm, with average July temperatures of 22–24° C. Winters are mild, with average January temperatures of 4–7° C. There is a large amount of precipitation (1000–2000 mm per year) with maximum in Adjara (up to 3200 mm). The predominant part of precipitation occurs in spring.
The Likhsky ridge intercepts moisture from air masses moving from west to east. In the eastern regions of Georgia, the climate is formed under the influence of continental air masses. On the plains, summers are longer and hotter, with average July temperatures of 23–25° C. Winters are cool, with average January temperatures from +1 to –2° C. Average annual precipitation is 400–600 mm, the maximum occurs in late spring and early summer.
On the slopes of the Georgian mountains, average July temperatures drop to 4–6° C; in the highlands, average January temperatures can reach –10–16° C. Average annual precipitation ranges from 1600–2800 mm in the west to 1000–1800 mm in the east of the Greater Caucasus and up to 600–700 mm on the South Georgian Highlands. The weather in the mountains changes quickly. Sudden cold snaps are accompanied by heavy snowfalls, downpours, hail and foes (strong, warm winds blowing from the mountains to the valleys), causing significant damage to the economy.
Geography
From the West, Georgia is washed by the Black Sea. The coastline (308 km) is slightly rugged and describes a smooth arc; the coast is devoid of significant bays and peninsulas. Georgia borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and the Russian Federation.
The landscape of Georgia is varied. The high-mountain region of the Greater Caucasus is characterized by the presence of mountain-forest, black-meadow and non-vald belts, and the presence of dark coniferous forests. The Colchis lowland is humid subtropics, the flat-hilly and forest-steppe region of Iveria determines the forest-steppe and steppe nature of the landscape.
In the Middle Mountain region of the Lesser Caucasus, in addition to the mountain forest and mountain meadow belts, there are areas with dark coniferous forests with abundant moisture and less humid areas. The highest points in Georgia are mountains Shkhara (5068 m), Kazbek (5035 m), Ushba (4700 m). The longest rivers (km) are Alazani (90), Kura (351), Rioni (333); lakes (km²) - Paravani (37.5), Paliostromi (18.2), etc.
Soils are diverse. Red soils are distributed mainly in Adjara and Guria, yellow soils, chernozems, chestnut, brown and gray-brown soils are characteristic of the eastern part of the intermountain depression.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
The vegetation in Georgia is very diverse: more than 5,000 species of flowering plants alone are found here. Depending on the climatic features and the absolute altitude of the area, several zones and vertical belts of vegetation are distinguished (from steppe to alpine).
Forests are distributed mainly in the mountains and occupy approximately a third of the country's area. In the west of Georgia they descend to the sea itself, and in the east their lower border is at altitudes from 600 to 800 m above sea level. The forests of Western Georgia are especially rich and diverse.
Their lower belt (up to 1000–1200 m) is dominated by broad-leaved species (oak, hornbeam, chestnut, maple, beech, etc.) with an evergreen undergrowth of Pontic rhododendron, cherry laurel, boxwood, Colchis holly, Colchis broom, and Caucasian blueberry. This type of forest, called Colchis, is characterized by an abundance of vines - ivy, clematis, and liana; In some places it becomes impassable.
The swampy forests of the Colchis Lowland are dominated by alder and there is almost no undergrowth. In some areas of the coast of Abkhazia, endemic species are found, for example, Pitsunda pine, a relict of the Tertiary Crimean-Caucasian flora. Over the past millennia, grapes and fruit crops have been cultivated in the valleys.
In Western Georgia, above the belt of Colchis forests and up to the upper forest boundary (1700–1800 m), mixed forests are common, in which beech and spruce-fir, and less often pine, stands are common. At the upper border of the forest there are birch forests with an admixture of rowan and thickets of rhododendron.
The forests of Eastern Georgia are floristically less rich. In the upper mountain belt (up to 2300–2400 m) spruce-fir forest stands are common, found to the west of the river. Ksani, and in the more eastern areas there are only pine and pine-birch forests. Below, coniferous forests give way to beech and then oak and hornbeam forests.
In the extreme east of the country there are small areas of dry steppes (fescue-feather grass and fescue-bearded grass with forbs) and xerophytic woodlands with species such as hackberry, pistachio, pomegranate, and tree-tree. Wormwood semi-deserts with kochia and solyanka have an even more limited distribution. In the valleys of the Kura, Alazani, Iori and other rivers, floodplain tugai forests of aspen, willow, silver poplar, oak, and dogwood have been preserved.
Subalpine and alpine meadows in the west of Georgia rise to 2800–3000 m, in the east – up to 3600 m above sea level. The subalpine meadows of Western Georgia are characterized by lush tall grasses with a large participation of Umbelliferae, Legumes and Lamiaceae. Low-grass alpine meadows are distributed in fragments, alternating with stone placers, rock outcrops and glaciers.
Animal world
The fauna of Georgia is diverse. It is represented by more than 100 species of mammals, 330 species of birds and 160 species of fish. Many representatives of the fauna are endemic or semi-endemic, for example, the Artvinian lizard and the Kuban tur (whose horns are used as vessels for wine in Georgia).
The fauna of the steppes of Eastern Georgia is very unique. Until recently, the gazelle was found there, preserved only in certain areas of the Shirak steppe. The striped hyena is found in the Gardabani steppe and Alazani valley. Other predators include the fox, jackal, and jungle cat. Wolves are common in livestock-raising areas. Rodents are typical for the steppes: jerboas, voles, hamsters. Common birds include tree sparrow, gray partridge, quail, and steppe eagle. Characterized by an abundance of lizards and turtles, as well as snakes (common and water snakes, western boas, yellow-bellied snakes). Viper is found in the Eldar and Shirak steppes.
The wildlife of forests is richest. In many areas, Caucasian deer, roe deer, wild boar, brown hare, squirrel are common, and predators include brown bear, wolf, jackal, lynx, wildcat and fox. The badger causes great damage to agriculture.
The forests of Georgia are famous for the abundance and diversity of birds. Common species are the chaffinch, black-headed chickadee, great tit, greenfinch, blackbird, etc. Among the species of birds of prey listed in the Red Book of Georgia, there are (mainly in nature reserves) bearded vulture, golden eagle, griffon vulture, black vulture, etc. In some areas of Colchis and Kakheti you can still see pheasants. Of the reptiles in the forests of Georgia, the most numerous are lizards, marsh turtles and snakes (snakes, copperhead, Caucasian viper).
The high-mountain fauna is better preserved within the Main Caucasus Range. In its western part the Kuban tur is found, in the eastern part - the Dagestan tur. Both species descend into the forest belt for the winter. The chamois is almost ubiquitous, and in the east the bezoar goat is found. Typical birds of the highlands include the Caucasian black grouse, chukar and bearded vulture.
Banks and currency
Lari (GEL) equal to 100 tetri. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lari, gold coins in denominations of 500 and 1000 lari, as well as 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri.
Banks are usually open on weekdays from 9.00-9.30 to 17.30-19.00.
US dollars are widely used, especially in the private sector. In Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Adjara, rubles are widely accepted. Currency exchange can be done in banks and specialized exchange offices located almost everywhere. There is also a private currency exchange market, but using the services of private money changers is associated with certain risks.
In Tbilisi, you can use VISA, Eurocard/Mastercard and Cirrus/Maestro credit cards in large hotels and supermarkets. Major banks accept traveler's checks for payment. In private shops, hotels and in provincial areas, their use is almost impossible.
Useful information for tourists
A large number of tourists are attracted by mineral springs (Borjomi, Tskhaltub, Mendzhi, Saimre), as well as coastal climatic (Gagra, Pitsunda, Kobuleti, etc.), mountain climatic (Bakuriani, Bakhmaro, etc.) resorts.
Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 19.00, a large number of shops and supermarkets serve customers around the clock. Fairs and markets are open seven days a week.
The export of items of historical and cultural value is prohibited.
