Georgia

Georgia
Conventional long name	Georgia
Native name	საქართველო (Sakartvelo)
Capital	Tbilisi
Official languages	Georgian
Government type	Unitary parliamentary republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	Salome Zourabichvili
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Irakli Kobakhidze
Legislature	Parliament
Established event1	Early Kingdoms
Established date1	c. 4th century BC
Established event2	Unified Kingdom
Established date2	1008
Established event3	Democratic Republic of Georgia
Established date3	26 May 1918
Established event4	Soviet annexation
Established date4	25 February 1921
Established event5	Independence restored
Established date5	9 April 1991
Area km2	69,700
Population estimate	3,688,647
Population estimate year	2023

Georgia is a country located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, in the South Caucasus region. It is bordered by the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north, and Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to the south. The nation's history is marked by ancient kingdoms, a rich cultural heritage centered on the Georgian Orthodox Church, and a complex modern path of independence from the Soviet Union.

History

The region's history features early states like Colchis and the Iberian Kingdom, with the latter adopting Christianity in the early 4th century. A unified medieval Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith under David IV and Queen Tamar in the 12th-13th centuries, later fragmenting under invasions from the Mongol Empire and the Timurid Empire. In the 19th century, it was annexed by the Russian Empire before a brief independence as the Democratic Republic of Georgia following the Russian Revolution. Incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1921, it regained sovereignty after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, though the 1990s were marred by civil strife and the Russo-Georgian War in 2008 over the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Geography

Situated in the Caucasus Mountains, the terrain is predominantly mountainous, featuring the Greater Caucasus range in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the south. Major rivers include the Mtkvari (Kura) and the Rioni, which flow into the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea respectively. The climate varies from humid subtropical along the Black Sea coast to continental in the interior, with significant biodiversity in areas like the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands. The highest peak is Mount Shkhara at 5,193 meters.

Government and politics

Georgia is a unitary parliamentary republic with a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Government of Georgia, headed by the Prime Minister, while the President serves as a ceremonial head of state. Legislative authority rests with the Parliament of Georgia, a unicameral body seated in Tbilisi. The judiciary is independent, with the Supreme Court of Georgia at its apex. Major political parties include the ruling Georgian Dream and the opposition United National Movement. Foreign policy is oriented towards integration with the European Union and NATO.

Economy

The economy has undergone significant transformation since independence, with key sectors including agriculture, tourism, and transit. It is a major exporter of wine, mineral waters, and ferroalloys. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway underscore its role as a critical energy and trade corridor between the Caspian Sea and Europe. Tbilisi and Batumi are major financial and tourism hubs, with the latter a center for the gambling industry. The national currency is the Georgian lari.

Demographics

The population is predominantly ethnically Georgian, with significant minorities including Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and Russians. The official language is Georgian, which uses its own unique script, with Abkhaz having official status in Abkhazia. The dominant religion is Georgian Orthodoxy, with important Muslim communities in regions like Adjara. Major urban centers are the capital Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi.

Culture

Georgian culture is distinguished by its ancient literary tradition, starting with the 5th-century Shushanik and epic works like Shota Rustaveli's *The Knight in the Panther's Skin*. Its polyphonic singing is recognized by UNESCO. Traditional dance ensembles like the Georgian National Ballet are renowned worldwide. The cuisine features dishes such as khachapuri and khinkali, and the country is one of the oldest wine-producing regions, with methods like using qvevri clay jars. Notable contemporary figures include filmmaker Tengiz Abuladze and artist Niko Pirosmani.

Category:Countries in Europe Category:Countries in Asia Category:Republics