Geography
Georgia is situated at the juncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bounded to the south by Turkey and Armenia, to the east by Azerbaijan and to the north by Russia, along the crest of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. The capital and at the same time the largest city of Georgia is Tbilisi. Georgia covers a territory of about 69, 700 square kilometers.
The population of Georgia is about 5 million people. The official language is Georgian. Georgia is a semi-presidential republic. Its official currency is Georgian Lari (GEL).
The majority of the population (83.9%) adhere to Orthodox Christianity.
The largest cities of Georgia are: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori, Poti.
Climate
The climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the small size of the country. Correspondingly, there is a subtropical zone alongside the Black Sea coast as well as mountain-skiing resorts and glaciers.
Georgia is an ideal place for international students taking into considerations its climate. Winters are not too cold (the average temperature 2-3 °C) and summers are not too hot (average temperature 24 °C).
Subtropical climate and humidity is characteristic for the west, whereas more continental and dry climate prevails in the eastern part of Georgia.
History
Historical records about Georgia date back to four thousand years. Georgian alphabet is among the unique alphabets of the world. In the first half of the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion.
Georgia is distinguished by cultural diversity and tolerance. People of various ethnicities and religion have lived peacefully together in the country for centuries.
Georgia has been frequently attacked by Persia, Turkey and Russia throughout its history. Eventually, Russia managed to annex Georgia in the 19th century.
Georgia declared independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Nowadays Georgia is an independent and democratic country oriented on European values and development.
Tourism
According to the data of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, there are 103 resorts, 30 resort zones and regions in Georgia. A lot of tourist attractions are now on the active tourist itinerary.
Recreational resources of Georgia include climate, balneal, sea, glaciers, speleological, waters and forest resources and other components of nature, which are interesting for tourists.
Georgia prides itself with its complicated and rich history and culture which determined the diversity of historical-cultural resources on the territory. A number of architectural, religious, defensive and archeological monuments are preserved in Georgia. The state preserves 5 thousand monuments and three of them are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sights.
First Europeans
Georgia has appeared in the world headlines due to its unbelievable discoveries. Hominid fossil remains that lived 1.8 million years has been found in Dmanisi, south from Tbilisi.
This is the first evidence of ancient humans discovered outside Africa. This discovery connected Africa and Europe and informed us more about the development of humans. This enables us to regard ourselves as the first foreign “tourists” from Europe.
Unique Alphabet
There are only 14 independent alphabets in the whole world and Georgian is among them. About 4 million people speak Georgian language mainly in Georgia, where official language is Georgian. For 98% of the population who speak Georgian, it is their mother tongue.
Georgian alphabet has its own place among the 14 alphabets in the world. The oldest manuscript dates back to the beginning of the 5th century. “Three types of Georgian alphabet” are included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of Humanity.
Hot Springs and Mineral Water Resorts
Georgia has been one of the spa centres for many years priding itself with 103 mineral water resorts and more than 2400 mineral springs. The location of the capital city - Tbilisi was also selected due to its Sulphur Baths.
Nowadays Sulphur Baths are located in the centre of the city.
The Most Diverse and Preserved Nature
Georgia covers only the territory of 69, 700 square kilometres however its biodiversity is astonishing: subtropical wetlands, semi-deserts, very high alpine meadows and huge snow-covered peaks. One can see all these within the proximity of 100 kilometres. There about more than 40 preserved territories. Therefore, the major part of Georgia is authentic and preserved.
Cradle of Wine
No doubt Georgia is the home to wine. Grape pips, which have been found in the graves of the Caucasus together with clay wine vessels date back to 7,000. This is the most ancient trace of wine culture in the whole world. The English correspondent of the word wine taken from Georgian wine, has been in use for longer time than most of the contemporary languages. There are more than 500 endemic species of grapes in Georgia. At the 8th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the ancient Georgian traditional method of kvevri wine was granted status of cultural heritage monument.
Georgian Cuisine
Georgia is an original and very specific country. Georgian cuisine is natural continuation of fertile, minerally rich lanscapes that are fed by pure waters from the Caucasus Mountains.
Georgian cuisine offers a variety of dishes, enriched with greens and spices, vegetarian and meat dishes. One of the best ways to meet and feel Georgian traditions - is Georgian feast. Georgian hospitality is universally acknoweldged.
Anceint Christian Country
Georgia is a country where long traditions and religious tolerance combine people of different nationalities. During all its history, people of any belief were welcomed in Georgia - Georgian Orthodox Church is the basis of Georgian national spirit. There is no better way to feel the unique atmosphere of the history of Georgia rather than by its churches. The Gergeti Trinity, located on the peak of the Greater Caucasus, the city of Vardzia, or David Gareji...
There is kept Saint Ilia the Prophet’s robe in the ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, from the time of pagan calamity; But after the crucifixion of Christ, Georgia was granted the honour to keep Christ’s Holy Tunic, which is the sanctity of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. The robe of Virgin Mary the Mother of God is kept in the heart of Colchis, in Zugdidi!
Georgia is the country where you will return again!
Area: 69,700 sq. km;
Borders: Southeast - Azerbaijan, Southwest - Turkey, North - Russia, South - Armenia;
Geography: Mountain ranges and hills comprise 80% of Georgian territory. The country is situated between 40 - 47 degrees E and 41 - 44 degrees N;
Capital: Tbilisi (population: 1 118.300);
Other cities: Kutaisi, Rustavi, Batumi, Sokhumi, Gori, Poti, Zugdidi, Telavi;
Ethnic groups (2002 census): Georgians - 83.8%, Azeris - 6.5%, Armenians - 5.7%, Russians - 1.5%;
State language: Georgian; Georgian and Abkhaz in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia;
National Currency: Georgian Lari, 1USD = approximately 2.55 GEL (according to January 2018 data).
Official holidays:
