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| Republic of Georgia | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Republic of Georgia |
| Common name | Georgia |
| Capital | Tbilisi |
| Largest city | Tbilisi |
| Official languages | Georgian |
| Area km2 | 69700 |
| Population estimate | 3.7 million |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
| Independence | 26 May 1918; 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) |
| Currency | Georgian lari |
| Calling code | +995 |
| Internet tld | .ge |
Republic of Georgia is a sovereign state in the South Caucasus region at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It occupies a strategic position between the Black Sea, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and has a long history shaped by empires, kingdoms, and modern states such as the Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, Persian Empire, and the Soviet Union. Its capital, Tbilisi, is a cultural and economic center linking Eurasian trade routes and diplomatic networks including relations with the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations.
The territory encompassing modern Georgia was the core of ancient polities such as the kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia (antiquity), later consolidated under medieval monarchies like the Kingdom of Georgia during the reign of David IV of Georgia and Queen Tamar of Georgia. From the medieval period the region experienced incursions and suzerainty by powers including the Mongol Empire, the Safavid dynasty, and the Ottoman Empire, culminating in incorporation into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The modern national revival included the 1918 declaration of independence and the short-lived Democratic Republic of Georgia, followed by sovietization under the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic and the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The late 20th century saw the 1991 restoration of independence amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, post-Soviet conflicts such as the War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) and the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, and ongoing international diplomacy with actors like the European Court of Human Rights and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Georgia's topography ranges from the foothills of the Greater Caucasus to the southern reaches of the Lesser Caucasus, with coastal plains along the Black Sea and high-altitude environments including Mount Shkhara. The country's river network includes the Kura River (Mtkvari) and the Rioni River, and notable ecosystems such as the Colchic Rainforests and alpine meadows in protected areas like Lagodekhi Protected Areas. Climatic zones vary from humid subtropical along the western coast to continental and alpine climates in interior and northern mountains, influenced by interactions between the Black Sea and orographic barriers like the Caucasus Mountains.
Georgia is a unitary state with a semi-presidential system defined by its constitution adopted after the restoration of independence and subsequent amendments influenced by processes involving the Council of Europe and accession dialogues with the European Union. Key institutions include the Parliament of Georgia, the office of the President of Georgia, and the Prime Minister of Georgia, while judicial oversight involves bodies such as the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia. Political life features major parties and movements including Georgian Dream and the United National Movement, as well as civic organizations involved with international partners like Transparency International and the International Monetary Fund in governance reform and anti-corruption initiatives.
Georgia's economy is diversified across sectors including services, agriculture, and industry, and engages with global markets through partnerships with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and trade agreements with the European Union under the Association Agreement. Key export goods include mineral resources, wine from regions like Kakheti and Imereti, and agricultural products such as tea and hazelnuts; infrastructural corridors include projects linked to the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and regional transit through ports like Poti and Batumi. Economic policy debates involve fiscal reform, investment climate improvements, and privatization legacies from the transition after the Soviet Union dissolution.
The population is ethnically diverse, with major groups including ethnic Georgians concentrated in regions like Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Kvemo Kartli, and minorities such as Azerbaijanis in Georgia, Armenians in Georgia, and Ossetians. Urbanization centers on Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, and demographic trends reflect migration patterns to countries such as Russia, Turkey, and members of the European Union. Social policy and public services operate through institutions like the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories and international cooperation with agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme addressing displacement from conflicts including the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict and tensions in South Ossetia.
Georgia has a rich cultural heritage encompassing medieval architecture like the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, and intangible traditions including polyphonic singing recognized by UNESCO. The primary religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox Church, with historical ties to figures such as Saint Nino; other communities include Islam in Georgia, Armenian Apostolic Church, and Jewish communities in cities like Tbilisi. Literary and artistic figures include poets and novelists associated with the Rustaveli Theatre and works such as those by Shota Rustaveli, while cuisine and viticulture draw on centuries-old practices in regions like Kakheti and cultural festivals tied to sites like Uplistsikhe.
Georgia maintains defense and security forces including the Georgian Defence Forces and cooperates on training and capacity-building with partners such as NATO under the Partnership for Peace framework, and bilateral programs with countries like the United States. Security challenges involve border and territorial integrity issues related to the Russo-Georgian War and the de facto administrations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as participation in international missions and peacekeeping alongside organizations like the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
Category:Countries in Asia Category:Countries in Europe