Georgia

Georgia – Detailed information about the country with photos. Attractions, cities of Georgia, climate, geography, population, and culture.

Georgia (საქართველო)

Georgia is a state in the southwestern part of the Caucasus. It’s a small country in the Transcaucasia region on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. Georgia borders Russia to the north and east, Turkey and Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southeast. Geographically, the country belongs to Western Asia and the Middle East, although currently the state is considered part of Eastern Europe. Georgia is a parliamentary republic. Over 80% of the population practices Orthodox Christianity.

Despite its small size, Georgia is a country of contrasts and amazing diversity. Here you can see stunning mountain landscapes, visit wonderful ancient cities, monasteries and churches, and relax at Black Sea resorts. In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece was kept in the territory of Georgia, and archaeological findings indicate that it is the oldest wine-making region (wine samples dating back to the sixth millennium BC have been found). Georgia is an incredibly picturesque country with hospitable inhabitants, delicious cuisine, rich history, and culture.

Useful Information About Georgia

• Official language — Georgian.
• Currency — Georgian Lari.
• Visa — not required for stays up to 360 days.
• Population — over 3.7 million people.
• Area – 69,700 sq. km
• Capital — Tbilisi.
• Time zone – UTC +4.
• Georgia has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Georgia is one of the safest countries in the world.
• The flag of Georgia — features a red vertical cross on a white background in the center of the flag with four small red crosses in the middle of the four rectangles created by the large cross

Geography and Climate

Georgia is located in the Transcaucasia region and is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The northern part of the country is dominated by the Greater Caucasus mountains. The southern part of the country is occupied by the lower ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. The highest peaks of Georgia are Mount Shkhara (5068 m) and Kazbek (5033 m). Closer to the coast, the terrain becomes more gentle and forms the Colchis Lowland. The Black Sea coastline in Georgia has a length of just over 100 km. The largest rivers of Georgia are: Kura, Rioni, and Inguri.

Thanks to its position (at the junction of Europe and Asia, subtropical, temperate, and arid climate types) and altitudinal zonation, Georgia has extremely diverse landscapes (mountain glaciers, alpine meadows, forests, and subtropics), nature, flora, and fauna. The climate is transitional from temperate to subtropical.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Georgia is May-June and September. During this time, excellent weather usually prevails, there are not too many tourists, and hotel prices are reasonable. In Tbilisi and some other cities, July and August can be quite hot. It’s best to go to the Black Sea resorts from July to October.

History and Interesting Facts

The first state on the territory of modern Georgia emerged in the middle of the first millennium BC. This was the Kingdom of Colchis, which was located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Georgian historians believe that Colchis was a fairly developed state. The polises were founded by the local population, while the Greeks established trading posts.

In the 4th century BC, the Kingdom of Kartli was founded, and around 300 BC – the state of Iberia with its capital in Mtskheta. In the 1st century BC, Colchis was conquered by the Romans. In the 2nd century AD, Iberia (Kartli) became independent. In the 4th century, Christianity became the state religion. In the 4th-5th centuries, Iberia was dependent on Persia. During the reign of Vakhtang I Gorgasali, Iberia gained independence. Vakhtang also founded Tbilisi, where the capital of the kingdom was moved in the 6th century.

In the 7th century, the territory of Georgia was subjugated by the Arabs, who ruled it until the 9th century. The first mentions of the state of Georgia (Kartli) date back to the 10th century. After the expulsion of the Arabs, feudal states were formed: the Abkhazian kingdom, Kartli, Kakheti, Ereti. Georgia was united under Bagrat III of the Bagratid dynasty. The 11th-12th centuries were a period of true prosperity for the Georgian state. Georgia reached power under David IV the Builder and Queen Tamar and was one of the strongest states in the region. In the 12th century, Georgia established strong relations with Rus.

In the 13th century, the country was conquered by the Mongols, who were expelled only a century later. In 1386-1403, Georgia experienced several invasions by Timur. In the 15th century, the Georgian kingdom declined and broke up into several states. Later, the country was divided between Turkey and Iran. In the 18th century, under Irakli II, the Turks were expelled, and Georgia accepted the protectorate of the Russian Empire.

In 1800, Georgia became part of Russia. Joining the Russian Empire saved the Georgian people from genocide and assimilation by the Turks and Persians. After the October Revolution, Georgia declared its independence, but in 1921 it became part of the USSR. In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country became an independent state.

Administrative Division

Administratively, Georgia is divided into 9 regions, two autonomous republics, and one city of state significance.

• Abkhazian Autonomous Republic — Sukhumi
• Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti — Zugdidi
• Guria — Ozurgeti
• Adjarian Autonomous Republic — Batumi
• Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti — Ambrolauri
• Imereti — Kutaisi
• Samtskhe-Javakheti — Akhaltsikhe
• Shida Kartli — Gori
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti — Mtskheta
• Kvemo Kartli – Rustavi
• Kakheti – Telavi
• Tbilisi

Regions:

• Kartli — the heart of Georgia, the center of Georgian culture. Here are located the ancient cities: Tbilisi, Mtskheta, and Gori.
• Rioni — the center of Western Georgia and the territory of ancient Colchis.
• Kakheti — a fertile region with a dry climate with picturesque valleys, vineyards, and beautiful churches.
• Southwestern Georgia — subtropics and Black Sea resorts.
• Northwestern Georgia — ridges of the Greater Caucasus.
• Samtskhe-Javakheti — an area with a large Armenian ethnic population and interesting attractions.

Population

More than 80% of the population are ethnic Georgians. There are quite large diasporas of Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Georgians practice Orthodox Christianity. They are a hospitable, freedom-loving, and temperamental people. Georgians respect their elders, honor traditions, and love songs and feasts.

Basic Rules of Conduct:

• Respect the traditions and history of Georgia.
• Avoid political debates and discussions about relations with Russia.
• Avoid drawing parallels with neighboring Islamic cultures.
• Georgians are not overly religious, but Orthodoxy here is quite conservative.

Transportation

Airports are located in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. The largest airport in the country is, of course, in the capital. Georgia has regular flights from most major cities in Europe and Asia, including: Kyiv, London, Amsterdam, Prague, Istanbul, Riga, Minsk, Vilnius, Warsaw.

Bus connections link Georgia with cities in Turkey, Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Trains regularly run on the Baku — Tbilisi route.

Cities of Georgia

Tbilisi — the capital and largest city of Georgia, home to a third of the population. It’s an ancient city of contrasts with charming architecture and several famous ancient landmarks.

Batumi — the second largest city and resort capital of Georgia. It presents an interesting mix of classical and modern buildings, as well as subtropical vegetation.

Borjomi — a picturesque small town where the famous mineral water is produced.

Kutaisi — the ancient capital of Colchis and the third largest city in Georgia.

Mtskheta — the ancient capital of Eastern Georgia and the center of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Telavi — the capital of Kakheti, located near vineyards, ancient churches, and monasteries.

Gori — Stalin’s hometown, near which is located the Ancient Rocky City.

Attractions and Landmarks

There are three sites in Georgia that are included in the UNESCO list.

Ancient monuments of Mtskheta:

• Jvari — an ancient 6th-century monastery located at the confluence of the Kura. The first UNESCO monument in Georgia.
• Svetitskhoveli — a 12th-century cathedral and the main religious building of Georgia.
• Samtavro — another ancient monastery at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi.

Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi. Gelati Monastery is a medieval monastery founded by David the Builder. Bagrati Cathedral is a medieval temple that played an important role in the history of Georgia. David IV was crowned here.

Upper Svaneti — a picturesque valley on the Inguri River. Famous for its medieval structures: residential towers and ancient stone churches.

Other Attractions

Kazbek — one of the highest peaks in Georgia and the Caucasus. It is an extinct volcano and has a height of 5033 meters.

Bakuriani — one of the main ski resorts in Georgia, located on the slopes of the Trialeti Range.

Shatili — a picturesque village on the slopes of the Main Caucasus Range on the border with Russia. It is a unique complex of medieval and early modern fortresses and fortified stone houses.

Uplistsikhe — an ancient cave city founded in the first millennium BC. It was located on the ancient Silk Road. It is located 12 km from the city of Gori. This is one of the oldest settlements in Georgia, which was abandoned in the 19th century.

Vardzia — a 12th-century cave monastery. This is one of the most amazing attractions in Georgia, located in the south of the country on a cliff near the banks of the Kura.

David Gareja — an ancient 6th-century cave monastery with beautiful frescoes. Located 60 km from Tbilisi right on the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Accommodation

The tourist popularity of Georgia is steadily growing, which contributes to the growth of hotels and tourism infrastructure. Despite the fact that in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, hotel prices are often slightly inflated, and service can often be far from high European standards, Georgia is a place where you can find an inexpensive hotel or apartment, as well as experience the hospitality of their owners.

Cuisine

Georgian cuisine is delicious, soulful, and versatile. It includes a large amount of meat, spices, and various sauces. You can eat very inexpensively in Georgia. Popular traditional dishes: khachapuri, khinkali, mtsvadi (shashlik), pkhali, chakapuli, churchkhela, chakhokhbili.

From traditional products, popular are chacha, Georgian wine (Saperavi, Kindzmarauli, Khvanchkara, Tsinandali, Rkatsiteli), Sulguni cheese, mineral water (Borjomi), and fruits.

We recommend reading: Wines of Georgia: a guide for the gourmet tourist

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