Consecutive research estimated the 2002 census to be inflated by 8 to 9 percent,[286] which affected the annually updated population estimates in subsequent years. [183] Georgia also participated in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; with 1,560 troops in 2013, it was at that time the largest contributor among non-NATO countries[184] and in per capita terms. [245] As of 2021, it ranked 12th in the world for economic freedom. The native name is Sakartvelo (; 'land of Kartvelians'), derived from the core central Georgian region of Kartli, recorded from the 9th century, and in extended usage referring to the entire medieval Kingdom of Georgia by the 13th century. The self-designation used by ethnic Georgians is Kartvelebi (, i.e. Georgian is the primary language of 87.7 per cent of the population, followed by 6.2 per cent speaking Azerbaijani, 3.9 per cent Armenian, 1.2 per cent Russian, and 1 per cent other languages. [267] Other tourist attractions are Cave City, Ananuri Castle/Church, Sighnaghi and Mount Kazbek. In 1783, one of the Georgian kingdoms entered into an alliance with the Russian Empire, which proceeded to annex the territory of modern Georgia in a piecemeal fashion throughout the 19th century. [227], The west-central slopes of the Meskheti Range in Ajaria as well as several locations in Samegrelo and Abkhazia are covered by temperate rain forests. With the death of Nader Shah in 1747, both kingdoms broke free of Iranian control and were reunified through a personal union under the energetic king Heraclius II in 1762. Gold, silver, copper and iron have been mined in the Caucasus Mountains. One of the most famous late 19th/early 20th century Georgian artists was primitivist painter Niko Pirosmani. South Ossetia is officially known by Georgia as the Tskinvali region, as it views "South Ossetia" as implying political bonds with Russian North Ossetia. Georgia, or officially called the Democratic Republic of Georgia, is a country in the Southern Caucasus. Top 10 Georgia country facts. However, subsequent Iranian and Ottoman invasions further weakened local kingdoms and regions. [187] As of 2015[update], 31 Georgian servicemen have died in Afghanistan,[188] most during the Helmand campaign. Tourist attractions include more than 2,000 mineral springs, over 12,000 historical and cultural monuments, four of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi and Gelati Monastery, historical monuments of Mtskheta, and Upper Svaneti). [citation needed], Georgian ecclesiastic art is one of the most notable aspects of Georgian Christian architecture, which combines the classical dome style with the original basilica style, forming what is known as the Georgian cross-dome style. "[172], George W. Bush became the first sitting US president to visit the country. [352] Historically, Georgia has been famous for its physical education; the Romans were fascinated with Georgians' physical qualities after seeing the training techniques of ancient Iberia. Later, in 1936, the TSFSR was dissolved and Georgia emerged as a union republic: the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. On 2 March 2005, the agreement was signed on the provision of the host nation support to and transit of NATO forces and NATO personnel. The 2010 Russian census recorded about 158,000 ethnic Georgians living in Russia,[293] with approximately 40,000 living in Moscow by 2014. [citation needed], Coordinates: 4200N 4330E / 42.000N 43.500E / 42.000; 43.500. According to the 1926 census there were 27,728 Jews in Georgia. According to the 2014 census, Ethnic Georgians form about 86.8 per cent of the population, while the remainder includes ethnic groups such as Abkhazians, Armenians, Assyrians, Azerbaijanis, Greeks, Jews, Kists, Ossetians, Russians, Ukrainians, Yezidis and others. On 25 February 1921, the Red Army entered Tbilisi and established a government of workers' and peasants' soviets with Filipp Makharadze as acting head of state. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union on an immediate course towards Caucasian oil fields and munitions factories. As result of the mixed proportional-majoritarian system, with a threshold of 5% for the proportional vote and redefined majoritarian districts, only four parties entered parliament, with the Georgian Dream party gaining a constitutional majority of 77% (+36 seats). [351] The shipment of counterfeit wine has been primarily channelled through Russian managed customs checkpoints in Russian occupied Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where no inspection and regulation occurs. Most countries consider the regions to be Georgian territory under Russian occupation. [218], In both Abkhazia and South Ossetia large numbers of people had been given Russian passports, some through a process of forced passportization by Russian authorities. Russian rule offered the Georgians security from external threats, but it was also often heavy-handed and insensitive. [27] In fact, early metallurgy started in Georgia during the 6th millennium BC, associated with the Shulaveri-Shomu culture. [133] Georgian Dream was founded, led and financed by tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country's richest man who was subsequently elected by parliament as new Prime Minister. Country straddling Western Asia and Eastern Europe in the Caucusus, "Republic of Georgia" redirects here. In the early 9th century the Abkhazian Church broke away from Constantinople and recognized the authority of the Catholicate of Mtskheta; the Georgian language replaced Greek as the language of literacy and culture. George V was the last great king of the unified Georgian state. On 26 May 2012, Saakashvili inaugurated a new Parliament building in the western city of Kutaisi, in an effort to decentralize power and shift some political control closer to Abkhazia. It was registered at the Ministry of Justice on 27 February 1998. Moscow's campaign to 'coerce Georgia to peace', "The Conflict Between Russia and Georgia", "Saakashvili Appeals for Peace in Televised Address", "The Goals Behind Moscow's Proxy Offensive in South Ossetia", "A Two-Sided Descent into Full-Scale War", "The Russian-Georgian War was Preplanned in Moscow", "Georgia Offers Fresh Evidence on War's Start", "Russian Federation: Legal Aspects of War in Georgia", "Abkhaz separatists strike disputed Georgia gorge", "I got my children out minutes before the bombs fell", "Russia opens new front, drives deeper into Georgia", "Amnesty International Satellite Images Reveal Damage to South Ossetian Villages After", "Rights Groups Say South Ossetian Militias Burning Georgian Villages", "Statement by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev", "Russia Completes 'Most of Withdrawal' EU Monitors", "Moscow Says EU Monitors Fully Control 'Buffer Zones', "Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on the Occupation of the Georgian Territories by the Russian Federation", "Abkhazia, S.Ossetia Formally Declared Occupied Territory", "Russian exiles get a chilly reception in Georgia VoxEurop", Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president, "Georgia opens new parliament in Kutaisi, far from the capital", "With loss of parliament, Georgia's second city prepares for a downgrade", "Georgia: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report", "Democracy Index 2021: the China challenge", "Saakashvili Concedes Defeat in Parliamentary Election", "Georgian tycoon Ivanishvili confirmed as prime minister", "Georgia: Conflict Rather than Cohabitation", "Georgia's Historic Transition Faces Crucial Tests In 2013", "Georgia PM ally Giorgi Margvelashvili 'wins presidency', "Irakli Garibashvili Named as Georgia's Next Prime Minister", "Did Georgia's 'Informal Leader' Pressure Prime Minister To Resign? [148], In February 2021, Irakli Garibashvili became Prime Minister of Georgia, following the resignation of Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Around 23,000 Georgians fled South Ossetia as well. [354], Within Georgia, one of the most popularized styles of wrestling is the Kakhetian style. [57] Eastern Georgia (Safavid Georgia), composed of the regions of Kartli and Kakheti, had been under Iranian suzerainty since 1555 following the Peace of Amasya signed with neighbouring rivalling Ottoman Turkey. "[171] He was quoted as saying that if NATO accepts Georgian membership with the article on collective defence covering only Tbilisi-administered territory (i.e., excluding the Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both of which are currently Russian-supported unrecognized breakaway republics), "we will not start a war, but such conduct will undermine our relations with NATO and with countries who are eager to enter the alliance. The head of supra is known as tamada. Additionally, Eastern European countries, especially former communist countries, have become the target of state-sponsored disinformation and propaganda, seeking to exploit societal and cultural wedge issues and strengthen extremist groups. Free shipping for many products! At its peak, its population was a little less than 4.5 million. [78] The Georgian uprising on Texel against the Germans was the last battle of the Second World War in Europe. [55] The Mongols were expelled by George V of Georgia (r. 12991302), son of Demetrius II of Georgia (r. 12701289), who was named "Brilliant" for his role in restoring the country's previous strength and Christian culture. As with all other post-Soviet states, Georgia faced a severe economic collapse. [52] Tamar was given the title "king of kings" (mepe mepeta). Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic after 25 February 1921 when the Red Army entered its capital Tbilisi and installed a communist government led by Georgian Bolshevik Filipp Makharadze. This electoral imbalance became a key issue of political and civil society strife in the following years. [313], In addition to traditional religious organizations, Georgia retains secular and irreligious segments of society (0.5 per cent),[314] as well as a significant portion of religiously affiliated individuals who do not actively practice their faith. [203], The government came under criticism for its alleged use of excessive force on 26 May 2011 when it dispersed protesters led by Nino Burjanadze, among others, with tear gas and rubber bullets after they refused to clear Rustaveli Avenue for an independence day parade despite the expiration of their demonstration permit and despite being offered to choose an alternative venue. [343], Georgia has an ancient musical tradition, which is primarily known for its early development of polyphony. Georgia is a small country. Combined population of urban (23,433 in 1922) and rural (2,326 in 1917) communities. [195], Prior to the Rose Revolution, Georgia was among the most corrupt countries in the world. Between 6001,000 metres (1,9693,281ft) above sea level, the deciduous forest becomes mixed with both broad-leaf and coniferous species making up the plant life. Salome Zurabishvili is the current President of Georgia after winning 59.52% of the vote in the 2018 Georgian presidential election. [citation needed] The general landscape of eastern Georgia comprises numerous valleys and gorges that are separated by mountains. Ca. [47] 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, the latter which is considered a national epic. In contrast with western Georgia, nearly 85 per cent of the forests of the region are deciduous. [226], Much of the natural habitat in the low-lying areas of western Georgia has disappeared during the past 100 years because of the agricultural development of the land and urbanization. [50], The 29-year reign of Tamar, the first female ruler of Georgia, is considered the most successful in Georgian history. Formerly Communist countries (by current name): Formerly part of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. By 1994 the gross domestic product had shrunk to a quarter of that of 1989.[240]. [122][221] The two self-declared republics gained limited international recognition after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. It was not until around 2010 that parts of the system became reliable again. [93][94] A bomb explosion on 1 August 2008 targeted a car transporting Georgian peacekeepers. Main exports are ores, ferro-alloys, vehicles, wines, mineral waters and fertilizers. [214], Georgia is administratively divided into 9 regions, 1 capital region, and 2 autonomous republics. [249] As a result, budget revenues have increased fourfold and a once large budget deficit has turned into a surplus. Of them, an estimated 350,000 were killed. The Democratic Republic of Georgia and its territorial losses after the Soviet invasion After occupation of Georgia by Lenin Russia, Communists began to depress the rival forces and to. For the U.S. state, see. At present, the forest cover generally remains outside of the low-lying areas and is mainly located along the foothills and the mountains. [43] The successful defence against the Arabs, and new territorial gains, gave the Abkhazian princes enough power to claim more autonomy from the Byzantine Empire. After Stalin's death, Nikita Khrushchev became the leader of the Soviet Union and implemented a policy of de-Stalinization. Georgian territory under central control in dark green; The country's name likely derives from Persian, Largest cities or towns in Georgia (country). Two major rivers in Georgia are the Rioni and the Mtkvari. It is unicameral and has 150 members, known as deputies, of whom 30 are elected by plurality to represent single-member districts, and 120 are chosen to represent parties by proportional representation. The party was led by Panteleimon Giorgadze. [75] In 1920 Soviet Russia recognized Georgia's independence with the Treaty of Moscow. Georgian polyphony is based on three vocal parts, a unique tuning system based on perfect fifths, and a harmonic structure rich in parallel fifths and dissonances. Out of the deciduous species of trees, beech, oak, and hornbeam dominate. Between 2000 and 2019, Georgia's HDI score improved by 17.7%. [334], This long history has provided a national narrative which encompasses the successful preservation of unique culture and identity in a consistent territory, despite external pressures. It was the last direct election of a Georgian president, as additional constitutional reforms removed the popular vote. Russian suzerainty over eastern Georgia was officially finalized with Iran in 1813 following the Treaty of Gulistan. [295][c], In the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, violent separatist conflicts broke out in the autonomous region of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. [233] According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are 4,300 species of vascular plants in Georgia. The state of Georgia in the USA started as a royal colony of Great Britain in 1732. [23], Today, the official name of the country is Georgia, as specified in the Georgian constitution which reads "Georgia is the name of the state of Georgia. [31] In 2013, UNESCO added the ancient traditional Georgian winemaking method using the Kvevri clay jars to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.[31][32]. Situated at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage, and is famed for its traditions of hospitality and cuisine.

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