The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. 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 in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire philanthropist Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary election and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Georgian Dream's Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement.

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Middle East

total: 69,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 121
land: 69,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km

slightly smaller than South Carolina

total: 1,461 km
border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

310 km

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

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

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

arable land: 5.94%
permanent crops: 1.65%
other: 92.41% (2011)

4,328 sq km (2007)

63.33 cu km (2011)

total: 1.81 cu km/yr (20%/22%/58%)
per capita: 410.6 cu m/yr (2005)

earthquakes

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

noun: Georgian(s)
adjective: Georgian

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)

Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

4,942,157 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 373,539/female 327,139)
15-24 years: 14% (male 326,910/female 309,245)
25-54 years: 42.2% (male 926,172/female 994,432)
55-64 years: 12.3% (male 255,905/female 305,652)
65 years and over: 16.2% (male 293,435/female 443,482) (2013 est.)

total dependency ratio: 47.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 26.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 21.3 %
potential support ratio: 4.7 (2013)

total: 39.6 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 42.1 years (2013 est.)

-0.33% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219

10.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

10.17 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

-3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

urban population: 52.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.37% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

TBILISI (capital) 1.115 million (2009)

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

23.9 (2010 est.)

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 92

total: 14.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 116
male: 16.07 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total population: 77.51 years
country comparison to the world: 65
male: 74.17 years
female: 81.17 years (2013 est.)

1.46 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

53.4%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2010)

9.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 34

4.24 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

3,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

22.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 82

1.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128

2.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 152

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2011 est.)

total: 13.2 years (2009)

total number: 113,106
percentage: 18 % (2005 est.)

total: 33.3% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 23

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Georgia
local long form: none
local short form: Sak'art'velo
former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

republic

name: Tbilisi
geographic coordinates: 41 41 N, 44 50 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)
regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli
city: Tbilisi
autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)
note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995; amended several times, last in 2013 (2013)

civil law system

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 20 November 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018)
election results: Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%

unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (150 seats; 77 members elected by proportional representation, 73 elected in single-member constituencies; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 55%, United National Movement 40.3%, other 4.7%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 85, United National Movement 65

highest court(s): Supreme Court (organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Parliament; judges serve not less than 10-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president following candidate selection by the Justice Council of Georgia, a 12-member consultative body of high-level judges, and presidential and parliamentary appointees; judges appointed for 10-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts

Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]

separatists in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

chief of mission: Ambassador Archil GEGESHIDZE (since 12 April 2013)
chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864
consulate(s) general: New York

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard NORLAND (since 25 July 2012)
embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131
mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060
telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00
FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10

white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design appears to date back to the 14th century

Saint George; lion

name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty)
lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)
note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its energy needs. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sunk to negative 4 percent in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in 2010-12, with growth rates above 6% per year, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment has also remained high at above 15%. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, with a focus on hydropower, agriculture, tourism, and textiles production. Since 2004, the government has taken a series of actions against endemic corruption, including reform of the traffic police and implementation of a fair examination system for entering the university system. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for its anti-corruption efforts.

$26.28 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

$15.62 billion (2012 est.)

6.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

$5,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
note: data are in 2012 US dollars

17.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

household consumption: 72.2%
government consumption: 17.7%
investment in fixed capital: 24.9%
investment in inventories: 4.1%
exports of goods and services: 38.8%
imports of goods and services: -57.8%

agriculture: 8.4%
industry: 23.1%
services: 68.4% (2012 est.)

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

steel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, and gold), chemicals, wood products, wine

13% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

1.959 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

agriculture: 55.6%
industry: 8.9%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)

15% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

9.2% (2010)

lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)

46 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 35

revenues: $4.421 billion
expenditures: $4.905 billion (2012 est.)

28.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

-3.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

36.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intra-governmental debt or social funds

calendar year

-0.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

5.25% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 54
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia

22.08% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

$1.965 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

$4.72 billion (31 September 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

$5.518 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

$795.7 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 108

$-1.875 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

$3.458 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

vehicles, ferro-alloys, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold, copper ores

Azerbaijan 26.4%, Armenia 11%, US 9.5%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6%, Canada 4.4% (2012)

$7.682 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals

Turkey 17.8%, Azerbaijan 8.1%, Ukraine 7.6%, China 7.2%, Germany 6.9%, Russia 6% (2012)

$2.873 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

$11.67 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

$10.49 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

$1.329 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

laris (GEL) per US dollar -

9.694 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

9.379 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

1.492 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

614 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

4.538 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

37.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

62.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

979.5 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

531 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

35 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 81

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

17,280 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

18,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

9.151 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

1.97 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

1.96 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 84

5.868 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

1.276 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 67

4.699 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 116

general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country
domestic: cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi
international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2011)

1 public broadcaster in Tbilisi, 1 state-owned broadcaster in Ajaria Autonomous Republic; 8 privately owned TV stations; state run public broadcaster operates 2 TV stations; dozens of cable TV operators, several major commercial TV stations, and several dozen private radio stations; state run public broadcaster operates 2 radio stations (2012)

.ge

357,864 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 59

1.3 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 90

22 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 135

total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (2013)

total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m:

2 (2013)

gas 1,596 km; oil 1,175 km (2013)

total: 1,612 km
country comparison to the world: 78
broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2008)

total: 19,109 km
country comparison to the world: 113
paved: 19,109 km (includes 69 km of expressways) (2010)

total: 142
country comparison to the world: 40
by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 114, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned: 95 (Bulgaria 1, China 10, Egypt 7, Hong Kong 3, Israel 1, Italy 2, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Romania 7, Russia 6, Syria 24, Turkey 14, UAE 2, UK 5, Ukraine 10, US 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

major seaport(s): Black Sea - Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces
note: Georgian naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard, which is not part of the Defense Ministry (2011)

18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months (2012)

males age 16-49: 1,080,840
females age 16-49: 1,122,031 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49: 893,003
females age 16-49: 931,683 (2010 est.)

male: 29,723
female: 27,242 (2010 est.)

2.88% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 55

Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia

IDPs: 268,415 - 280,000 (displaced in the 1990s and 2008 from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2012)
stateless persons: 1,156 (2012)