Georgia

Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (but are scheduled to withdraw from two of the bases by July 2001).
Ethnic separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, poor governance, and Russian military bases deny the government effective control over the entirety of the state's internationally recognized territory.
Despite a badly degraded transportation network - brought on by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages - the country continues to move toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey

Official Name:
Sak'art'velo
int'l name: Georgia
former: Republic of Georgia
former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

ISO Country Code: ge
Local Time = UTC +3h
Daylight Saving Time (DST) March - October (UTC +4)

Country Calling Code: +995

Capital City: Tbilisi (pop 1 253 000)

Other Cities:
Batumi (Ajaria 137 100), Gori (70 000), Kutaisi (241 100), Rustavi (158 000), Sokhumi (Abkhazia)

Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 9 April, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia declared independence from the U.S.S.R.
Constitution: 17 October, 1995.

Geography:
Location: Southwestern Asia, South Caucasus, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia.
Area: 69.700 square kilometers. 20% of total territory is not under government control.
Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous.

Climate: Generally moderate; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast with cold winters in the mountains.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Georgian(s).
Population: 4.4 million (2002 census preliminary results. Does not include Abkhazia or South Ossetia.)
Ethnic groups: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%. (1989 est.)
Religion: Main religion is Greek Orthodoxy (65%), other confessional groups include Shiite and Sunni Muslims (11%), Armenian Gregorians, Catholics, Baptists, Judaists.
Language: Georgian (official), Abkhaz also official language in Abkhazia.
Literacy: 99%.

Natural resources: Forests, hydropower, nonferrous metals, manganese, iron ore, copper, citrus fruits, tea, wine.

Agriculture products: Citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock.

Industries: Steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine.

Currency: Lari (GEL) put into circulation in 1995.

Georgia in Figures
Georgia key statistical data.