About Georgia

Georgia is a Eurasian country in the Caucasus, on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. To the north it borders with the Russian Federation, with Armenia to the south, with Turkey to the southeast and with Azerbaijan to the southwest. Georgia is at the crossroads of southeast Europe and western Asia, Socially, politically and culturally Georgia is part of Europe.

The country’s territory has long been inhabited, indeed as far back as 1.7-1.8 million years ago, and in 1999 the remains of  Homo erectus were discovered near the town of Dmanisi, in southeast Georgia. Today these hominids are the oldest known inhabitants of Eurasia, and called “the first Europeans”.

Part of the famous trading route known as the “Silk Road” passed through the territory of Georgia, connecting India and Central Asia to Europe. This route led to the social-political and economic development of the region, while its strategic location subjected it to frequent invasions by different foreign powers that annexed parts of Georgian territories. The Georgian rulers officially adopted Christianity in the early 4th century.

During the 19th century, the Russian Empire made inroads into Georgia and colonized the country, while briefly—from 1918 to 1921 Georgia declared its independence for the first time. However, with the invasion of Soviet troops in 1922, the country became part of the Soviet Union.

In 1991, after the breakdown of the Soviet Union, Georgia regained independence, which resulted in a chaotic period of civil wars and a severe economic crisis. By the end of the century, however, the country had become relatively stable, with democratic institutions. In August 2008, however Russia attacked and occupied two Georgian regions—those of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Today, international organizations and official documents released by various countries recognize Russia as an occupier, and are working to enable the re-instatement of these regions in Georgia.

Georgia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, GUAM organization to promote security and European values, the World Trade Organization and BSEC (Black Sea Economic Cooperation). The country is also working towards membership in the European Union and NATO.

There are numerous monuments that illustrate Georgia’s rich and ancient culture from ancient times. These include churches, with unique architectural features, details and frescos, located in both towns and little-accessible mountain sites. Churches and monasteries from the first millennium have been preserved, attesting to the well-developed technology of the period.

Georgian traditional polyphonic folk music is unique, becoming increasingly popular world-wide.   UNESCO has included it on the Cultural Heritage List as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, situated on the banks of the Mtkvari River in eastern Georgia, at 380-600 meters above sea level. According to legend, the territory of Tbilisi was covered by forests where King Vakhtang frequently hunted.  It is said that during one hunt a pheasant he killed fell into a hot water sulphur spring. The Georgian word for ‘hot’ is ‘tbili’. The King decided to build a city near the site and name it “Tbilisi.”

The Mtkvari River (known also as the Kura River) flows 35 kilometers through capital. It is part of a large river system that flows in the broad valley between the Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus mountains. Its main tributary, the Aras, drains most of the southern Caucasus and the mountain ranges of the extreme northern Middle East through Georgia down to the Caspian Sea basin. It includes other rivers in Georgia such as the Iori, Aragvi and Alazani on the left, and the Algeti, Khrami and Aras on the right.

Two small lakes include Lisi Lake and Turtle Lake and there is a larger water reservoir, known as Tbilisi Sea. All are popular tourist areas. Georgia boasts five climate zones, from the humid subtropical Black Sea coast to Tbilisi’s moderately dry climate, and eastward to semi-desertic areas of Davit Gareji.

Tbilisi’s population increased sharply over the last two centuries, and according to recent data is 1,118,300, or a third of the country’s population. Tbilisi is an increasingly popular and attractive tourist destination, with visits increasing sharply in the last decade, especially to art and architectural monuments such as the Narikala Fortress; Churches such as the Metekhi and Sioni; the Persian baths, or Abanotubani district; its famous Botanical Gardens; and upper Tbilisi, Mtatsminda, with its attraction park, reached by a unique funicular railway.