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Georgia (country)
*** Shopping-Tip: Georgia (country)
{{this|the country in Eurasia|Georgia (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Country |
native_name = ს�ქ�რთველ� |
conventional_long_name = ''Sak'art'velo'' |
common_name = Georgia (country)|
image_flag = Flag of Georgia.svg |
image_coat = Georgian COA.jpg|
national_motto =
Georgian language Georgian: ძ�ლ� ერთ�ბ�ში�
(
Transliteration: ''
Dzala ertobashia''
(
Translation: "Strength is in Unity") |
image_map = LocationGeorgia.png |
national_anthem = ''
Tavisupleba''
("Freedom") |
official_languages =
Georgian language Georgian |
capital =
Tbilisi |
latd=41|latm=43|latNS=N|longd=44|longm=48|longEW=E|
government_type =
Republic |
leader_titles =
President of Georgia President Prime Minister of Georgia Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Speaker of the Parliament|
leader_names =
Mikhail Saakashvili Zurab Nogaideli Nino Burjanadze |
largest_city =
Tbilisi |
area = 69,700 |
areami² = 26,904 |
area_rank = 118th |
area_magnitude = 1 E10 |
percent_water = Negligible |
population_estimate = 4,677,401|
population_estimate_year = 2004 |
population_estimate_rank = 114th |
population_census = 5.5 million |
population_census_year = 1990 |
population_density = 67 |
population_densitymi² = 174 |
population_density_rank = 101 |
GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |
GDP_PPP = $15.52 Billion|
GDP_PPP_rank = 122 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $3,039 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 127 |
HDI_year = 2003 |
HDI = 0.732 |
HDI_rank = 100th |
HDI_category =
medium |
sovereignty_type =
Collapse of the Soviet Union Independence |
established_events = - Date |
established_dates = From the
Soviet Union USSR 9 April 1991 |
currency =
Lari (Georgia) Lari |
currency_code = GEL |
time_zone =
Moscow Time MSK |
utc_offset = +3 |
time_zone_DST =
Moscow Summer Time MSD |
utc_offset_DST = +4 |
cctld =
.ge |
calling_code = 995 |
footnotes =
}}
'''Georgia''' (
Georgian language Georgian: ს�ქ�რთველ� ''Sak'art'velo''), known officially from
1990 to
1995 as the '''Republic of Georgia''', is a country to the east of the
Black Sea, most of which is located in the
South Caucasus South Caucasus, while a portion of the territory lies in the
North Caucasus. A former republic of the
Soviet Union, it shares borders with
Russia in the north and
Turkey,
Armenia, and
Azerbaijan in the south.
History
{{main|History of Georgia (country)}}
Antiquity
Two Georgian Kingdoms of late
Classical antiquity antiquity, known to Greece and Rome as
Caucasian Iberia Iberia in the east of the country and
Colchis in the west, were among the first nations in the region to adopt
Christianity (
317 AD and
523 AD, respectively). Colchis, known to its natives as
Egrisi or
Lazica, often saw
Lazic War battles between the rival power of
Iran Persia and the
Byzantine Empire, both of which managed to conquer Western Georgia from time to time. As a result, those Kingdoms disintegrated into various feudal regions in the early
Middle Ages. This made it easy for
Arabs to conquer Georgia in the
7th century. The rebellious regions were liberated and united into the Georgian Kingdom at the beginning of the
11th century. Starting in the
12th century the rule of Georgia extended over the significant part of Southern
Caucasus, including northeastern parts and almost entire northern coast of what is now
Turkey.
Medieval
This '''Georgian Kingdom''', which was tolerant towards its
Muslim and
Jewish subjects (who had already been settled there for many centuries), was subordinated by the
Mongols in the
13th century. Thereafter, different local rulers fought for their independence from the central Georgian rule, until the total disintegration of the Kingdom in the
15th century. Neighbouring kingdoms exploited the situation and from the
16th century the
Persian Empire and the
Ottoman Empire subordinated the eastern and western regions of Georgia, respectively.
Image:St Mamas tondo, Georgia.jpg Saint Mamas.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|left|Tondo depicting [[Saint Mamas from the
Gelati Monastery, 14th-15th centuries.html" title="Meaning of left|Tondo depicting [[Saint Mamas">thumb|left|Tondo depicting [[Saint Mamas from the
Gelati Monastery, 14th-15th centuries">left|Tondo depicting [[Saint Mamas">thumb|left|Tondo depicting [[Saint Mamas from the
Gelati Monastery, 14th-15th centuries
The rulers of regions, which remained partly
Autonomous entity autonomous, organised rebellions on various occasions. Subsequent Persian and Turkish invasions further weakened local kingdoms and regions.
As a result of wars against the neighbouring countries the population of Georgia was reduced to 250 000 inhabitants at one point .
Russian subjugation
In
1783 Russia and the eastern Georgian kingdom of
Kartl-Kakheti signed the
Treaty of Georgievsk, according to which Kartl-Kakheti received protection by Russia. This, however, did not prevent
Tbilisi being sacked by the Persians in
1795.
Image:Khertvisi fortress, Georgia.jpg Khertvisi fortress thumb|Medieval fort of [[Khertvisi fortress|Khertvisi.html" title="Meaning of Khertvisi.html" title="Meaning of thumb|Medieval fort of [[Khertvisi fortress|Khertvisi">thumb|Medieval fort of [[Khertvisi fortress|Khertvisi">Khertvisi.html" title="Meaning of thumb|Medieval fort of [[Khertvisi fortress|Khertvisi">thumb|Medieval fort of [[Khertvisi fortress|Khertvisi
On December 22, 1800 Tsar
Paul I of Russia, at the alleged request of the Georgian king George XII, signed the Proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartl-Kakheti) within the Russian Empire. The Proclamation was announced on
January 18,
1801.
While some of the Georgian nobility accepted this declaration, others organized anti-Russian activities on several occasions
[ Anchabadze (2005), p.29, Suny (2004), pp. 65-6 ]
In the summer
1805 Russian troops on the river Askerani and near Zagam defeated the Persian army and saved
Tbilisi from conquest.
In
1810, after a brief war
[ Anchabadze (2005), p. 29 ], the western Georgian
kingdom of Imereti was annexed by Tsar
Alexander I of Russia. The last Imeretian king and the last Georgian
Bagratid ruler
Solomon II of Imereti Solomon II died in exile in
1815. From
1803 to
1878, as a result of numerous Russian wars against
Turkey and
Iran, several territories were annexed to Georgia. These areas (
Batumi,
Artvin,
Akhaltsikhe,
Poti, and
Abkhazia) now represent the majority of the territory of Georgia.
Image:Ananuri castle church.jpg Ananuri.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|[[Ananuri castle and church in the picturesque Aragvi gorge.html" title="Meaning of
thumb|[[Ananuri castle and church in the picturesque Aragvi gorge">[[Ananuri">thumb|[[Ananuri castle and church in the picturesque Aragvi gorge
The principality of
Guria was abolished in
1828, and that of
Samegrelo (Mingrelia) in
1857. The region of
Svaneti was gradually annexed in
1857–
1859.
The Soviet period
After the
Russian Revolution of 1917 Georgia declared independence on
May 26,
1918 in the midst of the
Russian Civil War. The parliamentary election was won by the Georgian Social-Democratic Party and its leader,
Noe Zhordania, became the prime minister. The country's independence did not last long, however. In February
1921 Georgia was attacked by the
Red Army. Georgian troops lost the battle and the Social-Democrat government fled the country. On
February 25 1921 the
Red Army entered the capital
Tbilisi and installed a puppet communist government led by Georgian Bolshevik
Filipp Makharadze. Georgia was incorporated into a
Transcaucasian Federative Soviet Socialist Republic uniting Georgia,
Armenia and
Azerbaijan. The TFSSR was disaggregated into its component elements in
1936 and Georgia became the
Georgian SSR.
Image:Gelati.jpg Gelati_Monastery.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|left|[[Gelati Monastery, World Heritage site.html" title="Meaning of left|[[Gelati Monastery">thumb|left|[[Gelati Monastery, World Heritage site">left|[[Gelati Monastery">thumb|left|[[Gelati Monastery, World Heritage site
The Georgian-born radical
Ioseb Jughashvili was prominent among the Russian
Bolsheviks, who came to power in the Russian Empire after the
October Revolution in
1917. Jughashvili was better known by his
nom de guerre ''Stalin'' (from the
Russian language Russian word for steel: Ñ?таль).
Joseph Stalin Stalin was to rise to the highest position of the
Soviet state and to rule ruthlessly.
From
1941 to
1945, during the
World War II Second World War, almost 700,000 Georgians fought as Red Army soldiers against
Nazi Germany. (A number also fought with the German army). About 350,000 Georgians died in the battlefields of the
eastern front. Also during this period the
Chechen,
Ingush,
Karachay and the
Balkarian peoples from the Northern
Caucasus, were deported to
Siberia for alleged collaboration with the
Nazism Nazis. With their respective autonomous republics abolished, the
Georgian SSR was briefly granted some of their territory, until
1957.
Image:Narikala, Tbilisi.jpg Narikala.html"_title="Meaning of thumb thumb|[[Narikala_fortress overlooking
Tbilisi.html" title="Meaning of [[Narikala">thumb|[[Narikala fortress overlooking
Tbilisi">[[Narikala">thumb|[[Narikala fortress overlooking
Tbilisi
The Georgian
Eduard Shevardnadze, the
USSR's Georgian minister for foreign affairs, was one of the main architects of the
Perestroika reforms of the late
1980s. During this period, Georgia developed a vigorous multiparty system that strongly favoured independence. The country staged the first democratic, multiparty parliamentary elections in the
Soviet Union on
October 28,
1990. From
November 1990 to
March 1991, one of the leaders of the National Liberation movement, Dr.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939-1993), was the Chairman of the
Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia (the Georgian parliament).
Image:Gremi castle and church, Georgia.jpg Gremi.html"_title="Meaning of thumb thumb|left|[[Gremi_castle and church in
Kakheti, 1565.html" title="Meaning of left|[[Gremi">thumb|left|[[Gremi castle and church in
Kakheti, 1565">left|[[Gremi">thumb|left|[[Gremi castle and church in
Kakheti, 1565
Independence
On
April 9,
1991, shortly before the collapse of the USSR, Georgia declared independence. On
May 26,
1991 Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as a first President of independent Georgia. However, Gamsakhurdia was deposed in a bloody
coup d'etat, from
December 22,
1991 to
January 6,
1992. The coup was instigated by part of the National Guards and a paramilitary organization called "
Mkhedrioni" which allegedly was supported by Russian military units stationed in Tbilisi. The country became embroiled in a bitter civil war which lasted almost until 1995. Shevardnadze returned to Georgia in 1992 and joined the leaders of the coup — Kitovani and Ioseliani — to head a triumvirate called the “State Councilâ€?.
In 1995 Shevardnadze was officially elected as a president of Georgia. At the same time, two regions of Georgia,
Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, quickly became embroiled in disputes with local separatists that led to widespread inter-ethnic violence and wars. Supported by
Russia,
Abkhazia and
South Ossetia achieved and maintained ''de facto'' independence from Georgia. More than 250,000 Georgians were ''ethnically cleansed'' from
Abkhazia by Abkhaz separatists and North Caucasians volunteers, (including Chechens) in 1992-1993. More than 25,000 Georgians were expelled from
Tskhinvali as well, and many Ossetian families were forced to abandon their homes in the
Borjomi region and move to Russia.
In 2003 Shevardnadze was deposed by the
Rose Revolution, after Georgian opposition and international monitors asserted that the November 2 parliamentary elections were marred by fraud.[http://eurasinet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112204a.shtml] The revolution was led by
Mikheil Saakashvili,
Zurab Zhvania and
Nino Burjanadze, former members and leaders of Shavarnadze's ruling party. Saakashvili was elected as President of Georgia in 2004. Restoring Georgia's territorial integrity, reversing the effects of ethnic cleansing and returning refugees to their home places were the main pre-election promises of Saakashvili's government.
Following the Rose Revolution, a series of reforms was launched to strengthen the country's military and economic capabilities. The new government's efforts to reassert the Georgian authority in the southwestern autonomous republic of
Ajaria led to a major
Ajaria Crisis crisis early in 2004. Success in Ajaria encouraged Saakashvili to intensify his efforts, but without success, in the breakaway
South Ossetia.
The country hosted an official visit from President
George W. Bush in
2005.
Recently (
2005) Saakashvili's government has become the object of criticism of several national and international human rights organizations, such as
Amnesty International[http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/geo-summary-eng]. These have become increasingly concerned about the pressure on the judiciary by the procuracy and other government authorities. There also have been some concerns about the freedom of the media. Despite the impropriety of government actions in these areas, many Western commentators lauded the new government in its first stages. Evidence of effective reforms in the areas such as corruption, unemployment and pensions is however still awaited.
Politics
{{main|Politics of Georgia}}
{{see also|Foreign relations of Georgia}}
Following a crisis involving allegations of ballot fraud in the
2003 parliamentary elections,
Eduard Shevardnadze resigned as president on
November 23, 2003 in the bloodless
Rose Revolution. The interim president was the speaker of the outgoing parliament (whose replacement was annulled),
Nino Burjanadze. On
January 4,
2004 Mikhail Saakashvili, leader of the
National Movement - Democrats (NMD) (former ''United National Movement'') won the country's presidential election and was inaugurated on
January 25.
Fresh parliamentary elections were held on
March 28 where NMD secured the vast majority of the seats (with ca. 75% of the votes) with only one other party reaching the 7% threshold (the
Rightist Opposition with ca. 7.5%). The vote is believed to have been one of the freest ever held in independent Georgia although an upsurge of tension between the central government and the
Ajaria Ajarian leader
Aslan Abashidze affected the elections in this region.
The tension between the Georgian government and that of Ajaria grew increasingly after the elections until late April. Climaxing on
May 1 when Abashidze responded to military maneuvers held by Georgia near the region with having the three bridges connecting Ajaria and the rest of Georgia over the
Choloki River blown up. On
May 5, Abashidze was forced to flee Georgia as mass demonstrations in
Batumi called for his resignation and
Russia increased their pressure by deploying Security Council secretary
Igor Ivanov.
On
February 3 2005, Prime Minister
Zurab Zhvania allegedly died of
carbon monoxide poisoning in an apparent gas leak at the home of
Raul Usupov, deputy governor of
Kvemo Kartli region. Later, Zhvania's close friend and a long-time ally, Finance Minister
Zurab Nogaideli has been appointed for the post by President Saakashvili.
Image:Georgia.geohive.gif Subnational thumb|410px|left|[[Subnational|Administrative division..html" title="Meaning of Administrative_division.html" title="Meaning of thumb|410px|left|[[Subnational|Administrative division">thumb|410px|left|[[Subnational|Administrative division.">Administrative_division.html" title="Meaning of thumb|410px|left|[[Subnational|Administrative division">thumb|410px|left|[[Subnational|Administrative division.
Subdivisions
{{main|Subdivisions of Georgia}}
Georgia is divided into 70 districts. It has also 2
Autonomous entity autonomous republics, and 1 former autonomous district.
There are two Autonomous republics:
Abkhazia, and
Ajaria.
The status of
South Ossetia, a former autonomous administrative district, also known as the
Tskhinvali region, is being negotiated with the Russian-supported separatist government.
Cities:
Batumi,
Chiatura,
Gagra,
Gori,
Kutaisi,
Poti,
Rustavi,
Sokhumi,
Tbilisi,
Tkibuli,
Tskaltubo,
Tskhinvali
Districts:
Abasha,
Adigeni,
Akhalgori,
Akhalkalaki,
Akhaltsikhe,
Akhmeta,
Ambrolauri,
Aspindza,
Baghdati,
Batumi,
Bolnisi,
Borjomi,
Chiatura,
Chkhorotsku,
Chokhatauri,
Dedoplistskaro,
Dmanisi,
Dusheti,
Gagra,
Gali,
Gori,
Gudauta,
Gulripshi,
Gurjaani,
Java, Georgia Java,
Kareli,
Kaspi,
Kedi,
Kharagauli,
Khashuri,
Khelvachauri,
Khobi,
Khoni,
Khulo,
Kobuleti,
Kutaisi,
Kvareli,
Lagodekhi,
Lanchkhuti,
Lentekhi,
Liakhvi,
Marneuli,
Martvili,
Mestia,
Mtskheta,
Ninotsminda,
Ochamchire,
Oni, Georgia Oni,
Ozurgeti,
Poti,
Rustavi,
Sachkhere,
Sagarejo,
Samtredia,
Senaki,
Shuakhevi,
Sighnagi,
Sokhumi,
Stepantsminda,
Telavi,
Terjola,
Tetritskaro,
Tianeti,
Tkibuli,
Tsageri,
Tskhinvali,
Tsalenjikha,
Tsalka,
Tskaltubo,
Vani,
Zestaponi,
Zugdidi
*
ISO 3166-2:GE ISO 3166-2 codes for regions and autonomous republics of Georgia
Origin of the name
Georgians call themselves ''Kartvelebi'' (ქ�რთველები), their land ''Sak'art'velo'' (ს�ქ�რთველ�), and their language ''Kartuli'' (ქ�რთული). These names are derived from a
Paganism in Georgia pagan chief called
Kartlos, said to be the father of all Georgians. The foreign name ''Georgia'', used in many languages of the world, is derived from
Persian language Persian گرجی ''Gurji'' via the
Arabic language Arabic ''Jurj''. Because the spelling was influenced by the
Greek language Greek root ''geÅ?rg-'' (γεωÏ?γ-, indicating farming; see also
List of traditional Greek place names), the word has been mistakenly supposed to have come from a
cognate such as ''
St. George'' (the country's patron saint), or ''γεωÏ?γία'' (''geÅ?rgÃa'', farming).
Image:St George (15th cent, Georgia).jpg thumb|Plaque portraying St George slaying the Dragon. 15th century cloisonné enamel on gold. 15X11,5 cm (National Art Museum of Georgia)
The ancient world knew the inhabitants of eastern Georgia as ''Iberians'', from the Caucasian kingdom of
Caucasian Iberia Iberia — thus confusing the geographers of antiquity, who thought this name applied only to the inhabitants of the
Iberian Peninsula (
Spain,
Portugal,
Andorra and
Gibraltar).
''Gorj'', the Persian designation for the Georgians, is also the source of Turkish ''Gürcü'' (pronounced "Gürdjü") and Russian ''Грузин'' ("Gruzin"). The name of the country is ''Gorjestan'' in Persian, ''Gürcistan'' in Turkish, "Gruziya" in Russian (''ГрузиÑ?''), "Gruzya" (גרוזיה) or "Georgya" (×’×?ורגיה) in Hebrew and whence æ ¼é¯å?‰äºž (pinyin: gélÇ”jÃyà ; cantonese: gaak3 lu3 gat1 a3) in Chinese and グルジア (''gurujia'') in Japanese. The Persian name is probably related to the
wolf (''gorg''), the old cult of
Caucasus (geographic region) Caucasian peoples, hence ''Gorjestan'' - land of wolves.
The Armenian words for Georgian and Georgia, respectively ''Vir'' and ''Virq'' come from Iberia, with loss of the initial ''i-'' and substitution of ''w'' or ''v'' for the ''b'' of ''Iberia''.
There is also, in all likelihood, an etymological connection between the name
Caucasian Iberia Iberia and the historic province of Georgia called
Imereti.
Former symbols
Image:Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg thumb|left|Former Georgian flag
Image:Georgiacoa.gif thumb|110px|right|Former Georgian coat of arms
This flag was in use from
1991 to
January 25,
2004. It was previously used from
1918 to
1921. For more information, see
Flag of Georgia (country).
This coat of arms was used from
1918 to
1921 and from
1991 to
2004.
Geography
{{main|Geography of Georgia}}
In the north, Georgia has a 723km common border with
Russia, specifically with the
Northern Caucasus federal district. The following Russian republics/subdivisions - from west to east - border Georgia:
Krasnodar Krai,
Karachay-Cherkessia,
Kabardino-Balkaria,
North Ossetia-Alania,
Ingushetia,
Chechnya,
Dagestan. Georgia also shares borders with
Azerbaijan (322 km.) to the south-east,
Armenia (164 km.) to the south, and
Turkey (252 km.) to the south-west.
Image:Prokudin-Gorskii-12.jpg 1910.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|right|250px|The Karolitskhali, a small river, with the Caucasus Mountains in the background, ca. [[1910.html" title="Meaning of right|250px|The Karolitskhali, a small river, with the Caucasus Mountains in the background, ca. [[1910">thumb|right|250px|The Karolitskhali, a small river, with the Caucasus Mountains in the background, ca. [[1910">right|250px|The Karolitskhali, a small river, with the Caucasus Mountains in the background, ca. [[1910">thumb|right|250px|The Karolitskhali, a small river, with the Caucasus Mountains in the background, ca. [[1910
Mountains are the dominant geographic feature of Georgia. The
Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and western halves. Historically, the western portion of Georgia was known as
Colchis while the eastern plateau was called
Caucasian Iberia Iberia. Due to a complex geographic setting, mountains also isolate the northern region of
Svaneti from the rest of Georgia.
The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range separates Georgia from the
North Caucasus North Caucasian Republics of the
Russian Federation. The southern portion of the country is bounded by the
Caucasus Mountains Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The main
Caucasus Mountains Caucasus Range is much higher in elevation than the
Caucasus Mountains Lesser Caucasus Mountains, with the highest peaks rising more than 5,000 meters (16,400ft.) above sea level. The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount
Shkhara at 5,201 meters (17,059 feet), and the second highest is Mount
Janga (
Jangi-Tau) at 5,051 meters (16,572 feet) above sea level. Other prominent peaks include
Kazbek Kazbegi (
Kazbek) at 5,047 meters (16,554 feet), Tetnuldi (4,974m./16,319ft.), Shota Rustaveli (4,960m./16,273ft.), Mt.
Ushba (4,710m./15,453ft.), and Ailama (4,525m./14,842ft.). Out of the abovementioned peaks, only
Kazbek Kazbegi is of
volcanic origin. The region between
Kazbek Kazbegi and
Shkhara (a distance of about 200 km. along the Main Caucasus Range) is dominated by numerous glaciers. The
Caucasus Mountains Lesser Caucasus Mountains are made up of various, interconnected mountain ranges (largely of
volcanic origin) that do not exceed 3,400 meters (approximately 11,000 feet). Prominent features of the area include the
Javakheti Volcanic Plateau, numerous lakes, including Tabatskuri and Paravani, as well as mineral water and hot springs.
Major rivers in Georgia include the
Rioni River Rioni and the
Mtkvari River Mtkvari.
Main cities:
*
Tbilisi 1,066,100 (metro area 1,270,800)
*
Kutaisi 183,300
*
Batumi 116,900
Image:Gg-map.png Map of Georgia (the country in the Caucasus)
Landscape
Image:Bazaleti.jpg thumb|305px|The Farmlands of Eastern Georgia
The landscape within the nation's boundaries is quite varied. Western Georgia's landscape ranges from low-land marsh-forests, swamps, and
temperate rain forests to eternal snows and glaciers, while the eastern part of the country even contains a small segment of semi-arid plains characteristic of Central Asia. Forests cover around 40% of Georgia's territory while the alpine/sub-alpine zone accounts for roughly around 10% of the land.
Much of the natural habitat in the low-lying areas of Western Georgia has disappeared over the last 100 years due to the agricultural development of the land 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 (i.e. Paleostomi Lake area). At present, the forest cover generally remains outside of the low-lying areas and is mainly located along the foothills and the mountains. Western Georgia's forests consist mainly of decidious trees below 600 meters (1,968 ft.) above sea level and comprise of species such as
oak,
hornbeam,
Oriental Beech beech,
elm,
ash tree ash, and
Sweet Chestnut chestnut. Evergreen species such as
Buxus box may also be found in many areas. There are significant concentrations of endemic species of plants as well. The west-central slopes of the
Meskheti Range in
Ajaria as well as several regions in
Samegrelo and
Abkhazia are covered by
temperate rain forests. Between 600-1,500 meters (1,968-4,920 ft.) above sea level, the decidious forest becomes mixed with both broad-leaf and coniferous species making up the plant life. The zone is made up mainly of beech,
Caucasian Spruce spruce, and
Nordmann Fir fir forests. From 1,500-1,800 meters (4,920-5,904 ft.), the forest becomes largely coniferous. The tree line generally ends at around 1,800 meters (5,904 ft.) and the
alpine zone takes over, which in most areas, extends up to an elevation of 3,000 meters (9,840 ft.) above sea level. The eternal snow and
glacier zone lies above the 3,000 meter line.
Image:Svaneti Kavkasioni.jpg Svaneti.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|305px|View of the Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti.html" title="Meaning of 305px|View of the Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti">thumb|305px|View of the Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti">305px|View of the Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti">thumb|305px|View of the Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti
Eastern Georgia's landscape (referring to the territory east of the
Likhi Range) is considerably different from that of the west. Although, much like the
Colchis plain in the west, nearly all of the low-lying areas of eastern Georgia including the
Mtkvari and
Alazani River plains have been deforested for agricultural purposes. In addition, due to the region's 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 that are separated by mountains. In contrast with western Georgia, nearly 85% 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 species of trees,
beech,
oak, and
hornbeam dominate. Other decidious species include several varieties of
maple,
aspen, ash, and
hazelnut. In the upper
Alazani River Valley, there are
Taxus baccata yew forests as well. At higher elevations above 1,000 meters (3,280 ft.) above sea level (particularly in the
Tusheti,
Khevsureti, and
Khevi regions),
Scots Pine pine and
birch forests dominate. In general, the forests in eastern Georgia occur between 500-2,000 (1,640-6,560 ft.) meters above sea level, with the
alpine zone extending from 2,000/2,200-3,000/3,500 meters (roughly about 6,560-11,480 ft.). The only remaining large, low-land forests remain in the
Alazani Valley of
Kakheti. The eternal snow and
glacier zone lies above the 3,500 metre (11,480 ft.) line in most areas of eastern Georgia.
Climate
The climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nation's small size. There are two main climatic zones, roughly separating Eastern and Western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgia's climate and protects the nation from the penetration of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south as well.
Much of western Georgia lies within the humid subtropical zone with annual precipitation ranging from 1000-4000mm. (39-157 inches). The precipitation tends to be uniformly distributed throughout the year, although the rainfall can be particularly heavy during the Autumn months. The climate of the region varies significantly with elevation and while much of the lowland areas of western Georgia are relatively warm throughout the year, the foothills and mountainous areas (including both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains) experience 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. Mtirala
temperate rain forest rainforest, east of
Kobuleti receives around 4100mm (161 inches) of precipitation per year.
Eastern Georgia has a transitional climate from humid subtropical to continental. The region's weather patterns are influenced both by dry, Central Asian/Caspian air masses from the east and humid, Black Sea air masses from the west. The penetration of humid air masses from the Black Sea is often blocked by several mountain ranges (
Likhi and
Meskheti) that separate the eastern and western parts of the nation. Annual precipitation is considerably less than that of western Georgia and ranges from 400-1600mm. (16-63inches). The wettest periods generally occur during Spring and Autumn while Winter and the Summer months tend to be the driest. Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. As in the western parts of the nation, elevation plays an important role in eastern Georgia as well, and climatic conditions above 1500 meters (4920ft.) above sea level are considerably cooler (even colder) than those of the low-lyinig areas. The regions that lie above 2000 meters (6560ft.) above sea level frequently experience frost even during the summer months.
Economy
{{main|Economy of Georgia}}
Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around
Black Sea tourism, cultivation of
citrus fruits,
tea and
grapes; mining of
manganese and
copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing
wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural
gas and
Petroleum oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is
hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the
IMF and
World Bank, made substantial economic gains since
1995, increasing
Gross domestic product GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy continues to experience large budget deficits due to a failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also still suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the
electricity distribution distribution network in 1998, and deliveries are steadily improving. Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of
Poti P'ot'i and
Batumi. The growing trade deficit, continuing problems with
tax evasion and
Political corruption corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.
Demographics
{{main|Demographics of Georgia}}
Georgia's current population is 4,677,401 (July 2005 est.), with ethnic
Georgians forming a majority of about 83.8%.
Azerbaijanis form 6.5% of the population,
Armenians 5.7% and
Russians 1.5% (most Russians have emigrated since Georgia declared its independence). The
Abkhazians in
Abkhazia and the
Ossetians in
South Ossetia (and across the border in
North Ossetia) have tried to secede from Georgia since independence. Two other
Kartvelian groups live in Georgia: the
Svan and the
Mingrelians, with smaller numbers of the
Laz people, most of whom live in
Turkey. They are linguistically different but closely related ethnically and culturally to other Georgians. There are numerous smaller groups in the country, including
Assyrians,
Chechens,
Greeks,
Kabardins,
Kurds,
Jews,
Tatars,
Turkish people Turks and
Ukrainians.
Since the fall of the
Soviet Union, Georgia has suffered a serious population collapse as the rebellion in
Abkhazia, the strife in
Ajaria and
South Ossetia, a fragile economy, and bad job opportunities led hundreds of thousands of Georgians to emigrate in search of work, especially to
Russia. That problem is exacerbated by a very low birthrate among the remaining population. A similar problem exists in neighboring
Armenia. The population is currently estimated to be a full million less than it was back in 1990, and some observers suggest the actual number is even lower. A side effect of this emigration is that the ethnic minority proportion of the population has roughly halved in the last fifteen years, as minority groups are more likely to leave the country.
Religion
Historical Georgian
paganism was connected with
Moon and the highest
god in Georgian
pantheon (gods) pantheon was
idolatry idol of
Armazi, a figure of soldier, Moon-god, erected at the hill in Mtskheta. Other idols were
Gatsi,
Gaime and
Zadeni.
At the place of
Armazi idol now is built
Jvari Monastery. The idols were destroyed in IV c. when Christianity became
state religion of Georgia.
Today most of the population practice
Orthodox Christianity of the
Georgian Orthodox Church (83.9%). The religious
minorities are:
Islam Muslim (9.9%);
Armenian Apostolic (3.9%); Roman
Catholic (0.8%). 0.8% of those recorded in the 2002 census declared themselves to be adherents of other religions and 0.7% declared no religion at all [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gg.html].
Culture
{{main|Culture of Georgia}}
''See also''
Georgian language,
Georgian alphabet,
Music of Georgia,
Public holidays in Georgia
Miscellaneous topics
*
Communications in Georgia
*
National Bank of Georgia
*
Georgian National Science Foundation
*
Georgian Academy of Sciences
*
Georgian Catholic Church
*
Education Credit Union of Georgia
*
Georgian National Section of EUROSCIENCE
*
Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
*
Georgian people
*
Georgia national football team
*
Georgia national rugby union team (nicknamed ''Lelos'')
*
Georgia national rugby league team
*
List of Georgians
*
List of Georgian writers
*
Military of Georgia
*
Music of Georgia
*
Religion and religious freedom in Georgia
*
Sak'art'velos Skauturi Modzraobis Organizatsia
*
Tbilisi State University
*
Transportation in Georgia
Sources
* Anchabadze, George: ''History of Georgia: A Short Sketch'', Tbilisi 2005 ISBN 9992871598
* Suny, Ronald Grigor: ''The Making of the Georgian Nation'', (2nd Edition),Bloomington and Indianapolis, 1994, ISBN 0253355796
Further reading
* ''The Abkhazians: A Handbook (Peoples of the Caucasus Handbooks)'' George Hewitt
* ''Bradt Guide: Georgia'' Tim Burford
* ''Claws of the Crab: Georgia and Armenia in Crisis'' Stephen Brook
* ''Enough!: The Rose Revolution In The Republic Of Georgia 2003'' Zurab Karumidze and James V. Wertshtor
* ''Georgia: A Soverign Country in the Caucasus'' Roger Rosen
* ''Georgia in Antiquity: A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia 550 BC-AD 562'' Braund, David, 1994. Clarendon Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-19-814473-3
* ''Georgia: In the Mountains of Poetry'' Peter Nasmyth
* ''Please Don't Call It Soviet Georgia: A Journey Through a Troubled Paradise'' Mary Russell
* ''The Georgian Feast: The Vibrant Culture and Savory Food of the Republic of Georgia'' Darra Goldstein
* ''Lonely Planet World Guide: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan''
* ''Stories I Stole'' Wendell Steavenson
* ''Toward a Patriarchal Republic: The Secession of Georgia'' Michael P. Johnson
External links
{{sisterlinks|Georgia}}
-
Georgian
'''Government'''
-
Official Presidential site of Georgia
-
Parliament of Georgia
-
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
-
GEORGIAN HISTORY from the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia
'''Overviews'''
-
CIA World Factbook
-
Open Directory Project - ''Georgia'' directory category
-
Georgia resource page on Eurasianet
'''Tourism'''
-
Tourism.Gov.Ge - Department of tourism and resorts
-
''Visit Georgia'' tourist agency country information
-
Georgia in Pictures
-
Tedsnet.de - Fotos, Geografie, Maps, Culture
-
Map of cities
-
Welcome to Georgia. Georgian Culture, icons. Regions,resorts. Tbilisi
'''Other'''
-
Official site of Orthodox Patriarchate of Georgia
-
Caucaz.com : Weekly online publishing articles and reports about Georgia and South Caucasus. Available in English and French
-
Read about Georgian History, Arts, Find Georgian Music and meet new and old Georgian friends on the largest Georgian website / portal on the web
-
Documentary film about efforts to modernize electrical grid
-
http://www.marxist.com/Asia/georgia_letter.html - A student's report on the 2003 revolution
-
History of Georgian-Iranian relationship
-
"Kartuli Idea - The Georgian Idea"
-
"The Bagrationi Royal Dynasty of Georgia" by Dr. Levan Z. Urushadze.- Issued by the International Academy for the Promotion of Historical Studies (IAPHS), 2005
-
Eurasianet page concerning the regional impacts of the 2003 Rose revolution (flash player 7 required)
-
Georgian Historical Monuments Gallery
-
Georgian Search Engine
-
GeorgiaWiki, wiki for non-encyclopedic information on Georgia
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