General background: 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. 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
myriad problems, progress on market reforms and democratization
support the country's goal of greater integration with
Western political, economic and security institutions.
Area comparative: Slightly smaller than South
Carolina
Climate: Warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like
on Black Sea coast
Terrain: Largely mountainous
with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser
Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida
Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River
Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains,
foothills of Kolkhida Lowland.
Population: 4,960,951 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%,
Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%,
other 5%
Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%,
Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown
6%
Language: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%,
Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
Government type: Republic
Capital: T'bilisi
Legal system: Based on civil law system
Economic overview: Georgia's main economic activities
include the cultivation of agricultural products such
as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and grapes; mining
of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial
sector producing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,
metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports
the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas
and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource
is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy
has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the
help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial
economic gains since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth
and curtailing inflation. However, the Georgian government
suffers from limited resources due to a chronic failure
to collect tax revenues. Georgia also suffers from energy
shortages; it privatised the T'bilisi distribution network
in 1998, but collection rates are low, making the venture
unprofitable. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term
recovery on its role as a transit state for pipelines
and trade. The start of construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline in summer 2002 will bring much-needed investment
and job opportunities to the country.
Communication/Telephone system: T'bilisi and
K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban telephone
density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone
density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities
include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi;
nationwide pager service is available.
Places of interest: Tourist facilities outside
of the capital, Tbilisi, are not highly developed.
Travel tips: Because of the presence of land
mines and high incidence of kidnapping, visitors are
advised to avoid traveling near the Russian border region,
especially Chechnya, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Ingushetia,
Kabarda-Balkar and Karachay-Cherkessia. The breakaway
regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should also be
avoided.
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