Basic data
Capital:
Tbilisi
Area together:
69.7000 km2
Coastline:
approximately 300 km
Land borders:
1.814 km (Turkey 273 km, Russia 894 km, Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km)
Population:
about 4 million people (Tbilisi: 1.8 million, Batumi: 153.000, Kutaisi: 147.000, Rustavi: 125.000, Gori: 48.000, Zugdidi: 43.000, Poti: 41.000)
Language and culture
The national language of Georgia is Georgian (Kartuli). The Georgian language belongs to the unique Kartvelian (or South Caucasian) language family. Modern South Caucasian languages spoken in Georgia include Georgian, Megrelian, Svan and Laz. For most Georgians, the Georgian language is native. Megrelian is widely spoken in the western region of Samegrelo, while Svani is widely spoken in the northwestern region of Svaneti. Most Laz speakers live in neighboring Turkey, but some are found in the southern regions of Adjara and Samtskhe-Javakhetia. The northwestern Caucasian languages are spoken along the northern border with Russia (Abkhazian, Abaza), the northeastern Caucasian languages are spoken in the eastern border regions with Dagestan, Chechnya and Russia (Chechens, Agul, etc.). As a former republic of the now defunct USSR, Georgia’s lingua franca was Russian until independence was declared in the early 1990s. Although most ethnic Georgians are fluent in Russian, English is increasingly being chosen as a second language.
Most Georgians of the current generation can speak basic English, and in the cities many speak it fluently. English is well integrated into Georgia’s tourism infrastructure. The linguistic proximity of Georgia to Azerbaijan and Armenia is obvious. Approximately 7% of the population speak Armenian and 6% speak Azerbaijani. Other minority languages include those mentioned above, as well as Hebrew and even a few unidentified language isolates. Since culture and linguistics are directly linked, cultural and anthropological tourism is flourishing in Georgia. Currently in Georgia, languages are spoken that belong to at least ten different language families.
Religion
Orthodox Christians (80%) Georgian and Azerbaijani Muslims (10%) Armenian Orthodox (3%) Catholics, Protestants and other denominations (less than 7% in total) The dominant religion in Georgia is Georgian Orthodox Christianity. It shares most of the characteristics of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The Georgian Orthodox Church is governed by Ilia II – His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Pitsunda and Tskhum-Abkhazeti. There are strong theocratic ties between the Georgian Church and the government, resulting in a unique cultural atmosphere that attracts tourists all year round. Most national holidays have religious significance and origins. The exquisite architecture of Georgian churches attracts tourists from all over the world, since religious tourism is the main attraction of Georgia. Mtskheta, near Tbilisi, is a popular pilgrimage destination for Georgians and tourists.
Political system:
Democratic Republic. The head of state is the President
Legislature: Parliament headed by the Prime Minister.
Administrative-territorial division:
11 administrative districts – Kakheti; Shida Kartli; Kvemo Kartli; Mtskheta-Mtianeti; Samtskhe-Javakheti; Imereti; Racha-Lekhkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti; Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti; Houri; Tbilisi Central District, consisting of ten districts; Autonomous Republic of Adjara (semi-autonomous region).
National currency:
Georgian lari (GEL) – 1 lari = 100 tetri. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 and 200 lari. Coins in circulation include 1,2,5,10,20,50 tetri.
National symbol:
Georgian flag, Georgian coat of arms, Golden lion (okros lomi) Georgian flag: The Georgian flag is decorated with five red crosses on a white background. One red cross divides the panel into four sections, into which four smaller red crosses are placed. This design is believed to have originated in the medieval period and was revived as the national flag of Georgia in 2004.
Georgian coat of arms:
The coat of arms of Georgia is a red shield depicting a silver figure of St. George, the patron saint of Georgia, on horseback, slaying a dragon with a spear. The shield is surmounted by the golden royal crown of the Georgian royal family of Bagrationi, and is held by two golden lions. Under the shield is a ribbon with the motto “Strength in Unity”. This coat of arms is partly based on the medieval coat of arms of the Georgian royal house of Bagrationi, which has more traditional religious symbolism in a format similar to the above. Golden Lion – Okros Lomi (in Georgian): This miniature golden lion figurine was discovered among the excavated remains of the Trialeti Bronze Age Georgian culture. Quite small, just a few centimeters in length and width, the figurine was exhibited at the National Museum of Georgia.
Connection:
Telephone code of Georgia +995
Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
Big cities:
Tbilisi
Kutaisi
Rustavi
Batumi
Chiatura
Gori
Poti
Zugdidi
Akhalkalaki – the center of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region
Mtskheta – the center of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region
Telavi – Center of Kakheti region
