Georgia is a country on the Black Sea in the south Caucasus. A former republic of the Soviet Union, it shares borders with Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan in the south.

საქართველო
Sakartvelo

coat of arms (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto:
Official language	Georgian language
Capital and largest city	Tbilisi
Capital's coordinates	41° 43' N, 44° 48' E
Interim President	Nino Burdzhanadze
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 118th 69,700 kmē Negligible
Population - Total (2003E) - Density	Ranked 111th 4,934,413 71/kmē
Independence	From Soviet Union 9 April 1991
Currency	Lari (GEL)
Time zone	UTC +4 (DST +5)
National anthem	Dideba zetsit kurtheuls
Internet TLD	.GE
Calling Code	995

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Subdivisions 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous topics 9 External links and references

History

Main article: History of Georgia

Georgia was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. It declared independence after the Russian Revolution and enjoyed a brief spell of freedom before being reconquered by the Soviet Union in 1921. It was organised as part of the Transcaucasian SFSR until 1936 when it became the Georgian SSR. This gained its independence in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Various ares, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia in turn attempted to seceed, and after a brief civil war there is an uneasy ceasefire.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Georgia

Following a crisis involving allegations of ballot fraud, Eduard Shevardnadze resigned as President in November 2003. The interim president is the speaker of the outgoing parliament (whose replacement was annulled), Nino Burdzhanadze. She has announced that the 1999 parliament has been recalled. Elections for a new president are planned for January 4, 2004.

Subdivisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Georgia

Georgia is divided into 53 provinces, 9 cities, and 2 autonomous republics

Autonomous republics: Abkhazia, Ajaria
Cities: Chiatura, Gori, Kutaisi, P'ot'i, Rust'avi, T'bilisi, Tqibuli, Tsqaltubo, Zugdidi
Provinces: Abashis, Adigenis, Akhalgoris, Akhalts'ikhis, Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat'is, Bolnisis, Borjomis, Ch'khorotsqus, Ch'okhatauris, Dedop'listsqaros, Dmanisis, Dushet'is, Gardabanis, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K'arelis, Kaspis, Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, Lagodekhis, Lanch'khut'is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts'khet'is, Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget'is, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Sach'kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis,T'elavis, T'erjolis, T'et'ritsqaros, T'ianet'is, Ts'ageris, Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Vanis, Zestap'onis, Zugdidis

• ISO 3166-2 codes for regions and autonomous republics of Georgia

Geography

Main article: Geography of Georgia

In the north, Georgia has a 723km common border with Russia, specifically with the Northern Caucasus federal district. The following Russian republics/subdivisions - from west to east - border Georgia: Krasnodar Region, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia-Alania, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan.

Main cities:

• Tbilisi (1,200,000, metro area 1,400,000)
• Kutaisi (270,000)

Economy

Main article: Economy of Georgia

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Georgia

• Religion and religious freedom in Georgia
• South Ossetia

Culture

Main article: Culture of Georgia

Holidays

Date	English Name	Local Name	Remarks

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Georgia
• Transportation in Georgia
• Military of Georgia
• Foreign relations of Georgia
• Famous people from the Republic of Georgia

External links and references

• CIA World Factbook 2000
• Parliament of Georgia
• Visit Georgia tourist agency country information
• Map of cities

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