Georgia (country)

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region on the coast of the Black Sea. It is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, and is today generally regarded as part of Europe. It is bordered to the north and northeast by Russia; to the west by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. Georgia covers an area of 69,700 square kilometres and has a population of 3.9 million, of which over a third live in Tbilisi, the capital and largest city.

Georgians are native to the region and primarily speak Georgian, a Kartvelian language that has no relation to any other language family in the world. The country has a rich history, with evidence of habitation since prehistory. It is known for hosting the world's earliest known sites of winemaking. During the classical era, kingdoms such as Colchis and Iberia emerged, and in the early fourth century, Georgians officially adopted Christianity, which helped unify the region.

Georgia experienced a Golden Age during the High Middle Ages under leaders like King David IV and Queen Tamar. However, from the 15th century onward, the country faced attacks from empires such as the Mongols, the Ottoman Empire, and Persia. Georgia sought help from the Russian Empire, which eventually annexed the country. After gaining brief independence following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Georgia was invaded and annexed by the Red Army in 1921 and became part of the Soviet Union.

Georgia regained independence in 1991 after the Soviet Union dissolved, but faced economic and political challenges, including conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Following the Rose Revolution in 2003, the country pursued reforms and a pro-Western foreign policy, aiming for closer ties with the European Union and NATO. Despite facing tensions with Russia, including the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, Georgia continues to develop as a representative democracy and a developing country with a strong focus on economic growth and reform.

Etymology

Names of Georgia

Main article: Names of Georgia

Ancient Greeks and Romans knew the western Georgians as Colchians and the eastern Georgians as Iberians. The name "Georgia" first appeared in Italian maps from 1320 and was sometimes spelled "Jorgia". Some historians think the name comes from the popularity of St. George in Georgia, while others believe it comes from the Persian word Gurj, meaning "land of wolves". This name spread to other languages through trade and the Crusades.

The native name for Georgia is Sakartvelo, meaning "land of Kartvelians", from the central region of Kartli. This name has been used since the 9th century and refers to the whole country. Georgians call themselves Kartvelebi, meaning "Kartvelians".

History

Main article: History of Georgia (country)

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Georgian (country) history.

Prehistory

See also: Prehistoric Georgia

The oldest traces of archaic humans in what is now Georgia date from approximately 1.8 million years ago. Signs of agriculture date back to at least the 6th millennium BC, especially in Western Georgia. Archaeological findings show that settlements in modern-day Georgia were responsible for the first use of fibers, possibly for clothing, more than 34,000 years ago. It also hosts the earliest known sites of winemaking (dating to c. 6000 BCE) and the first signs of gold mining (3rd millennium BC).

Antiquity

The classical period saw the rise of a number of Georgian states, including Colchis in western Georgia. Eastern Georgia remained a decentralized mosaic of various clans until the 4th century BC when it was conquered by Alexander the Great, eventually leading to the creation of the Kingdom of Iberia under the protectorate of the Seleucid Empire. In 337, King Mirian III adopted Christianity as the state religion of Iberia, beginning the Christianization of the Western Caucasus region.

Medieval unification of Georgia

In 580, the Sasanian Empire abolished the Kingdom of Iberia, leading to the disintegration of its constituent territories into various feudal regions by the early Middle Ages. The lack of a central government in Georgia allowed the rise of the Bagrationi dynasty in the early 9th century. Bagrat III, heir of the Bagrationi dynasty, successively became King of Abkhazia, Prince of Tao-Klarjeti and King of the Iberians, allowing him to unify most Georgian feudal states and be crowned in 1010 as King of Georgia.

Golden Age and Division

For much of the 11th century, the nascent Georgian kingdom experienced geopolitical and internal difficulties. However, ties between Byzantium and Georgia were normalized when the two countries faced a new common enemy, the rising Seljuk Empire in the 1060s. The Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. This period during the reigns of David IV and Tamar has been widely termed as the Georgian Golden Age. The Golden Age of Georgia left a legacy of great cathedrals, romantic poetry and literature, and the epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin, considered a national epic.

Tripartite division

The Kingdom of Georgia collapsed into anarchy by 1466 and fragmented into three independent kingdoms and five semi-independent principalities. Neighbouring large empires subsequently exploited the internal division of the weakened country, and beginning in the 16th century, various Ottoman and Iranian forces subjugated western and eastern regions of Georgia, respectively.

Within the Russian Empire

On 22 December 1800, Tsar Paul I of Russia signed the proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-Kakheti) within the Russian Empire, which was finalized by a decree on 8 January 1801, and confirmed by Tsar Alexander I on 12 September 1801. Russian rule offered the Georgians security from external threats, but it was also often heavy-handed and insensitive.

Declaration of independence

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was established. However, Georgians were not content with this cohabitation, and Georgia declared independence on 26 May 1918, becoming an ally of the German Empire. In 1920 Soviet Russia recognized Georgia's independence with the Treaty of Moscow but the Russians effectively discarded this treaty only a year later, when the Red Army attacked Georgia in 1921 and formally annexed it into the Soviet Union in 1922.

Soviet Socialist Republic

In February 1921, during the Russian Civil War, the Red Army advanced into Georgia and brought the local Bolsheviks to power. Georgia was incorporated into what would soon become the Soviet Union. During World War II, over 700,000 Georgians fought in the Red Army to repel the invaders and advance towards Berlin.

Independence, civil wars

Starting in 1988, mass protests erupted in Georgia in favour of independence. In October 1990, the first multi-party elections were held in Soviet Georgia. On 9 April 1991, the Supreme Council of Georgia declared independence after a referendum held on 31 March.

Rose revolution and UNM government

In 2003, Shevardnadze was deposed by the Rose Revolution, after Georgian opposition and international monitors asserted that the 2 November 2003 parliamentary elections were marred by fraud. Mikheil Saakashvili was elected as President of Georgia in 2004.

Russo-Georgian War

Relations between Georgia and separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been tense since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Russo-Georgian War of 2008 resulted in parts of Abkhazia and South Ossetia falling under the control of Russian-backed separatists, with Russian military bases being established in those regions.

Georgian Dream government (2012–present)

In preparation for the 2012 parliamentary elections, Georgia implemented constitutional reforms to switch to a parliamentary democracy, moving executive powers from the President to the Prime Minister. The 2012 Georgian parliamentary election marked the defeat of the United National Movement and the victory of the Georgian Dream party — the first peaceful electoral transfer of power in Georgia. Georgian Dream won the 2016 parliamentary elections, achieving a constitutional supermajority of 115 out of 150 seats. In the 2018 presidential election, the Georgian Dream party backed independent Salome Zurabishvili, who won in the second round, becoming the first woman in Georgia to hold the office in full capacity.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Georgia (country)

Georgia is a mountainous country in the South Caucasus, with parts also in the North Caucasus. It lies between latitudes 41° and 44° N, and longitudes 40° and 47° E, covering an area of 67,900 km². The Likhi Range splits the country into eastern and western parts. Historically, western Georgia was known as Colchis and the eastern part as Iberia.

The Greater Caucasus Mountains form Georgia’s northern border, while the Lesser Caucasus Mountains lie to the south. Mount Shkhara is the highest peak at 5,203 metres, and Mount Janga is the second highest at 5,059 metres. The country’s landscape varies from low-land forests and swamps in the west to semi-arid plains in the east. Western Georgia features temperate rainforests, while eastern Georgia has valleys and gorges separated by mountains. The climate differs too, with western Georgia being humid subtropical and eastern Georgia having a transitional climate from humid subtropical to continental. Georgia’s diverse environment supports many species of animals and plants, including brown bears, wolves, and lynxes.

Main article: Climate of Georgia (country)

See also: List of fauna of Georgia and List of fish of the Black Sea

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Georgia (country)

Georgia is a representative democratic parliamentary republic. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power lies with the Cabinet of Georgia, led by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Parliament. Legislative power is held by the Parliament of Georgia, which has 150 members serving four-year terms.

Georgia’s political landscape has seen changes and debates about democratic progress. Different groups have varying views on how free and fair the country's politics are. Some argue Georgia is moving toward stronger democracy, while others point to challenges and setbacks in recent years.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Georgia (country)

Georgia seeks close ties with Western countries, especially the United States and the European Union. It aspires to join both the EU and NATO, seeking support and partnerships through various agreements and programs. These efforts have sometimes created tension with neighboring Russia, especially concerning territories like Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Military

Main articles: Defense Forces of Georgia, Role of Georgia in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and Conscription in Georgia

Georgia’s military, the Georgian Defense Forces, includes land and air forces. The country has participated in international operations, such as in Afghanistan, contributing significant numbers of troops to efforts led by NATO and the United States.

Law enforcement

Main article: Law enforcement in Georgia (country)

Georgia reformed its police forces to combat corruption, creating a new patrol force known as Patruli. This change followed widespread issues with the previous traffic police, aiming to improve public trust and service quality.

Corruption

Main article: Corruption in Georgia

Before recent reforms, Georgia faced serious corruption problems. Efforts since then have greatly reduced obvious corrupt practices. While major improvements were made, some subtler forms of corruption still exist, and progress has slowed in recent years.

Human rights and freedom

Main article: Human rights in Georgia

Georgia’s constitution guarantees human rights, and an independent public defender works to uphold these rights. The country has faced criticism for handling protests and for policies affecting certain groups, such as those related to drug use and LGBT individuals. Recent laws have raised concerns among human rights groups and international bodies.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)

See also: Russian-occupied territories in Georgia

Georgia is divided into regions and autonomous republics. Two regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, declared independence and are supported by Russia, but most countries still consider them part of Georgia. These areas remain a point of dispute and tension.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Georgia (country) and Agriculture in Georgia (country)

Georgia has a rich history of trade, thanks to its location near the Black Sea and along the ancient Silk Road. The country has mined valuable metals like gold, silver, copper, and iron for centuries. Georgian wine making is a long-standing tradition and an important part of the economy. Georgia also has plenty of hydropower resources.

During the 20th century, Georgia's economy followed the Soviet model's command economy. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Georgia worked to change its economy to a free market. This was a difficult time, but since the early 2000s, Georgia has seen strong growth. In 2007, its economy grew by 12 percent, one of the fastest rates in Europe. Georgia now trades more with the world, importing things like vehicles and fuels, and exporting ores, wines, and mineral waters. The country has become known for making it easier to do business there.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Georgia (country)

Tourism is becoming more important for Georgia. In recent years, millions of visitors have come to enjoy the country’s beautiful landscapes, historical sites, and many mineral springs. Georgia has numerous resorts and famous places like Bagrati Cathedral and Mount Kazbek. The government hopes to welcome even more tourists in the future.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Georgia (country)

Georgia’s transport system includes railways, roads, ports, and airports. The country’s railways are important for moving people and goods, especially for energy exports from nearby Azerbaijan to Europe. The main airport is Tbilisi International Airport, which connects Georgia to many European cities. There are also busy ports along the Black Sea coast, such as the Port of Batumi, which helps trade flow between Europe and Asia.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Georgia (country) and Georgians

Georgia is a country where people from many different backgrounds live together. The Georgian language is special because it is not part of the main language families found in Europe or Asia. Most people in Georgia are ethnic Georgians, making up about 86.8% of the population. Other groups include Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Russians, and several smaller communities.

The population of Georgia was about 3,914,000 in 2024. This number has changed over time due to people moving away and other factors. Georgia has many languages and religions. Most people practice Eastern Orthodox Christianity, but there are also Muslims, Armenian Christians, and others living in the country. The education system requires children to go to school from ages 6 to 14, and many students go on to higher education at universities, especially in the capital city, Tbilisi.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Georgia (country)

Georgian culture has developed over many thousands of years, beginning with ancient Iberian and Colchian civilizations. In the 11th century, Georgia experienced a renaissance in literature, arts, philosophy, architecture, and science. Influences from Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and various Iranian empires shaped its culture. Later, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union also had an impact.

Today, Georgia is known for its rich folklore, traditional music, dances, theatre, cinema, and art. Important figures include painters like Niko Pirosmani and poets such as Galaktion Tabidze. The country’s architecture includes unique styles of castles, towers, and churches, with notable sites like the Upper Svaneti fortifications and the Old Town District in Tbilisi.

Main article: Mass media in Georgia (country)

Main article: Music of Georgia (country)

Main article: Georgian cuisine

Main article: Georgian wine

Main article: Sport in Georgia (country)