Facts about Georgia

Dear visitor,Here you will find the most important facts about Georgia. For more information, please click on the desired topic.

Location and geography

The beautiful country of Georgia, often affectionately referred to as the ‘Balcony of Europe’, is located in Western Asia, but is sometimes also assigned to Europe. It borders Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Black Sea.

Territory

Georgia covers an area of 69,700 square kilometres and is mostly mountainous. In the north lies the Greater Caucasus, in the south the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands. In between are the beautiful Kolkhi Lowlands and the impressive Transcaucasian Depression. A beautiful central mountain range separates western and eastern Georgia.

Mountains and rivers

The impressive mountain scenery and picturesque rivers make the country very special. The highest peak is the majestic Shkhara, which rises an impressive 5,201 metres into the sky. The longest and arguably most beautiful river is the Kura, which crosses the country over a length of 351 kilometres. The rivers Alazani, Rioni and Enguri are also of great importance. At 2073 metres above sea level, the largest lake is Paravani. The Verjovkin Cave is the deepest known cave in the world at an impressive 2212 metres.

Political regions

Our beautiful homeland is divided into different political regions. In the southwest lies the autonomous republic of Adjara, in the northwest Abkhazia and in the north Samachablo (South Ossetia). Unfortunately, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are currently not under Georgian control.

Nature

Georgia’s diverse climate zones provide a habitat for numerous plants and animals, ensuring an impressive biodiversity. About 44 per cent of beautiful Georgia is forested. Five per cent of the forested area is considered primeval forest. In the lower mountain regions, you will find beautiful deciduous forests, while the majestic Nordmann fir grows at higher altitudes. Above the tree line, there are beautiful subalpine and alpine meadows.

The country is home to a wide variety of vertebrates, including about 322 species of birds and 105 species of mammals such as brown bears, wolves and the rare and beautiful Caucasian leopard. Otters thrive in the wetlands and the Caucasian black grouse has its largest population here.

Climate

Georgia’s climate is very diverse. The Caucasus Mountains protect the country from cold air masses, while the Black Sea ensures a mild climate. In the west, there is a humid subtropical climate, while in the east it is dry and continental. Precipitation levels also vary greatly. In the west, 3000 mm of rain falls per year, while in the east it is only 400 mm.

Population

Georgia had a total population of 3.7 million in 2020. The annual population growth rate was encouragingly positive at +0.1%. The average birth rate was 2.0 children per woman. The people of Georgia enjoyed a gratifying life expectancy of 72.8 years. Women reached the respectable age of 77.9 years, while men lived to be 67.7 years old. The median age was 38.3 years. Around 20.9% of the population was younger than 15 years and around 14.5% was older than 64 years.

Before the Second World War, Georgia was still very much an agricultural country. Many people moved to the cities in the period before the Second World War because Stalin was pushing ahead with industrialisation. Today, 57% of the population live in urban areas and 43% in rural areas.

Emigration

Since 1991, more than a million people have left Georgia. Many of the more highly educated have sought work in other CIS states and later in Western Europe and the United States. The largest Georgian community abroad lives in the beautiful city of Moscow, which is home to some 300,000 people from Georgia.

Refugees

Unfortunately, the civil wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have led to some 250,000 people being forced to leave their homes. In 2004, around 230,000 people from Abkhazia and 12,200 from South Ossetia were resettled in other regions of Georgia. In addition, we would like to mention that about 3,000 refugees from Chechnya have been admitted to our country.

Ethnic Minorities

Georgia is a country with many different ethnic groups, over 26 in total. The vast majority of the population, namely 83.8%, are Georgians. Other major groups are Azerbaijanis (6.5%), Armenians (5.7%) and Russians (1.55%). After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Greeks left their homeland and emigrated to Greece. Many Georgian Jews have also left for Israel.

Some regions of Georgia have ethnic non-Georgian majorities, such as Lower Kartli, where many Azerbaijanis live, or Samtskhe-Javakheti, where the Armenian population is particularly large. Since 1989, many members of minority groups, particularly Russians, have left the country.

History

Prehistoric Georgia

The history of Georgia goes back to the early days of humankind. As early as 1.8 million years ago, present-day Georgia was inhabited by hominids, as evidenced by archaeological finds in Dmanisi, where the oldest remains of Homo erectus outside Africa were discovered.

Early settlements were found along the coasts and rivers during the Acheulian period. Important sites include Jashtchwa and the caves of Kudaro, which were used until the Early Bronze Age. The hunters and gatherers used simple stone tools and later obsidian. With the introduction of new tools such as the bow and arrow in the Late Palaeolithic and the settlement of higher-lying areas in the Mesolithic, development continued. The Neolithic Age saw the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and pottery making, with wooden houses characterising the settlements.

In the 5th millennium BC, the Kura-Araxes and Trialeti cultures developed, promoting metalworking and agriculture. In the 4th millennium BC, the Kura-Araxes culture began working with metal and developing irrigation systems. The Trialeti culture in eastern Georgia moved to the mountains and combined cattle breeding with agriculture. Iron processing began around the 12th century BC, replacing bronze.

First state structures

The first political entities emerged in the 13th century BC: the Diaochi and the Kolcha. The Diaochi were situated in south-west Georgia and had to defend themselves against Assyria and later Urartu until their defeat in the 8th century BC. Colchis was better known and comprised the areas east of the Black Sea. The Greeks maintained close relations with Colchis and left numerous historical testimonies.

Colchis was known for its highly developed metalworking and agriculture. It was an important trade centre and the setting for the Greek saga of the Argonauts. The culture of Colchis existed until the 1st century BC.

Iberia

The kingdom of Iberia emerged in eastern Georgia, and under Pharnavaz it rose to become a great power in the 3rd century BC. It comprised territories such as Inner Kartli, Kakheti and southern Georgia. Pharnavaz created a political union with western Georgia, thus laying the foundation for a unified Georgian empire. Despite Roman and Persian invasions, Iberia remained a significant kingdom that embraced Western culture in the 1st century AD.

Saint Nino and the Christianisation of the country

The Christianisation of Georgia around 337 AD under King Mirian and Queen Nana marked a turning point. Saint Nino, who came from Cappadocia, played a central role in the spread of Christianity. She proselytised with a vine cross and convinced the royal family and the people of the new religion.

From that time on, Christianity shaped the political and cultural identity of Georgia. The story of Saint Nino, which is characterised by visions and miraculous events, shows the importance of Christianity for the country and the challenges associated with its introduction.

Nino in Mtskheta

In 320, Saint Nino came to Mtskheta, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kartli (Iberia), which was ruled by King Mirian III and Queen Nana. At that time, Iberia was still a pagan country and worshipped gods like Armazi and Zaden.

According to the work ‘The Conversion of Kartli’, Nino performed numerous miracles in Mtskheta, including healing many sick people, including Queen Nana. After she was baptised, which King Mirian initially disapproved of, he considered divorcing his wife. But when Mirian went blind while out hunting in 322 and got lost in the forest, he prayed to the gods of his wife for help in his desperation. A light led him back to Mtskheta, where he was baptised.

Nino continued her missionary work in Kakheti and was laid to rest in Bodbe. A church was built there, which later became a nunnery and still exists today as an important place of pilgrimage in Georgia.

The cross of Saint Nino

A special feature is the cross of Saint Nino, which stands out due to its sloping arms. Legend has it that Nino made a cross out of vines when she arrived in Georgia and tied it with her own braid. This cross shape is unique to Georgia and is revered as the ‘Nino cross’.

Christianity and the Arab conquest

Christianity flourished in Georgia after Nino’s conversion. But in the 7th century, the Arab invasions brought a dark period for the country. Between 642 and 643, the Arabs tried to conquer Georgia for the first time, but only succeeded after conquering Iran and Armenia. Despite a few successful uprisings against the Arabs, Georgia remained under their control for a long time, especially Tbilisi, where they temporarily minted their own currency. It was not until the 10th century that Georgia regained its independence.

David the Builder and the Golden Age

David IV, also known as David the Builder, ascended the throne in 1089 and led Georgia to new prosperity. He strengthened the country through military and administrative reforms, defeated the Turkish Seljuqs in the Battle of Didgori in 1121 and reconquered Tbilisi in 1122. David introduced important church reforms and founded the Gelati Academy, which became a centre of learning and science.

Queen Tamar and the cultural heyday

Queen Tamar, who took the throne in 1184, ushered Georgia into a golden age. Under her rule, culture flourished and military victories secured Georgia’s power and influence in the region. Tamar fostered the creation of major literary works, including ‘The Warrior in the Tiger’s Skin’ by Shota Rustaveli. Her reign ended in 1213 and after her death, the country fell into the hands of the Mongols.

Russification in the 19th century

At the beginning of the 19th century, Georgia was annexed by Russia. Despite the Treaty of Georgievsk, which promised Georgia protection, the country was incorporated into the Russian Empire. The Georgian Church lost its independence and was placed under the authority of the Russian Church. The tsarist rule led to numerous uprisings, which were bloodily suppressed.

Georgia’s fight against its conquerors and the policy of russification remain a defining chapter in the country’s history, which ultimately led to the restoration of independence in the 20th century.

The fight against the Russian occupation

The resistance against the Russian occupation in Georgia had not only a political but also an ideological dimension, which became more pronounced in the second half of the 19th century. A new generation, which had grown up under Russian rule, played a key role in this. Since Georgia was part of the Russian Empire and access to European countries was restricted, this generation mostly received their education in St. Petersburg. These young people, known as ‘Tergdaleulebi’ (literally, those who drank from the Tergi River, which flows from the Caucasus into Russia), returned to Georgia after their education and became active in politics and society.

Under the unofficial leadership of Ilia Chavchavadze, an outstanding representative of this generation, they fought for the liberation of their country. Other important figures such as Akaki Tsereteli, Iakob Gogebashvili and Niko Nikoladze were also part of this movement. Thanks to their efforts, numerous Georgian newspapers and magazines were founded, important literary works were created and many elementary schools were opened, where poor children were also taught free of charge. Education and the Georgian press were of crucial importance, since the Georgian language was heavily suppressed by Russian policy and was considered the language of the lower classes. These activities awakened the suppressed Georgian national identity.

These efforts laid the foundation for the establishment of the first Georgian Republic. The work of the ‘Tergdaleulebi’ later led to the growth of a generation that had a rich intellectual and spiritual potential to revive the statehood that had been abolished by Russia and to create a constitution that was progressive for the time. However, these activities came into conflict with the emerging socialist movement, which ultimately led to the assassination of Ilia Chavchavadze by Georgian socialists in 1907. This marked the end of the era of the ‘Tergdaleulebi’ and the beginning of a strong socialist movement.

Socialist revolution and the founding of the first Georgian Republic

At the beginning of the 20th century, revolutionary movements spread throughout the Tsarist Empire, including in Georgia. Marxist ideas found particular favour with young people, who saw them as a step forward for humanity and fought enthusiastically against tsarism. One of them was Joseph Dzhughashvili, better known as Stalin, a student at the Holy Seminary and the son of a poor shoemaker from Gori.

The activities of these young people weakened the power of the tsar. After several bloody confrontations, the Bolsheviks succeeded in taking power in 1917. These political events led to bloody confrontations and a civil war in Russia. The difficult political situation was used by the peoples subjugated by the tsars to free themselves.

The first Georgian Republic

On 26 May 1918, Georgia’s political elite declared the country’s independence. Neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan also declared their independence. The new Republic of Georgia faced many difficulties in its early days. A difficult social and economic situation, as well as domestic unrest caused by the Bolsheviks living in the country, hindered reforms. There were armed conflicts with neighbouring states and separatists.

Despite these challenges, the young republic managed, thanks to the work of committed politicians, to gain international recognition, including from Bolshevik Russia, and to become a member of the League of Nations. Germany proved to be a reliable partner in overcoming internal and external problems.

An important event of the first republic was the adoption of the first Georgian constitution on 21 February 1921. This progressive constitution contained ideas such as universal suffrage, equality between men and women, freedom of religion and minority rights. The Georgian parliament was the first in the world to elect a Muslim woman as a member. Unfortunately, the constitution was only able to remain in force for four days, as the Red Army invaded Tbilisi on 25 February 1921 and the country was once again annexed by Russia.

Communist Georgia and the re-occupation

The first years of communist rule were difficult. After one of Stalin’s speeches in Tbilisi, arrests of well-known politicians and officers began. The repressions also affected the ordinary people. Uprisings against the communist regime were bloodily suppressed in 1921 and 1924.

The Soviet government implemented economic reforms that included the formation of collective farms, which led to considerable resistance and repression. A new concept of the ‘Soviet man’ was developed, who was not supposed to belong to any nationality and was only supposed to follow Marxist ideology. Propaganda was spread in all areas of art.

Repression in the 1930s

The biggest wave of repression hit Georgia in the 1930s. The population increasingly realised that communist ideas were utopian. This led to a ‘political cleansing’ under Stalin. The red terror affected all social classes and areas of life. Thousands of people were arrested, exiled or shot. The intellectual elite of society was hit particularly hard. In 1937-1938, 29,051 people officially fell victim to the repression, 14,372 of them by shooting.

The Second World War brought further heavy losses for Georgia, which fought as part of the Soviet Union. According to official figures, 700,000 Georgians fought, of whom 300,000 lost their lives.

Collapse of the Union

The Soviet Union collapsed violently. On 9 April 1989, a peaceful demonstration in Tbilisi was attacked by the army, leaving several dead and injured. Two years later, Georgia declared independence again and, under the leadership of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, a leading member of the National Movement, regained its sovereignty after 70 years of Soviet rule.

The new republic faced major challenges such as economic hardship and crime. A civil war and the separatist wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia led to ethnic cleansing and 300,000 refugees.

Rose Revolution and reforms

The ‘Rose Revolution’ of 2003 brought the ‘National Movement’ under Mikheil Saakashvili to power. The unarmed revolution forced President Eduard Shevardnadze to resign. The new government implemented vigorous reforms, particularly in the police, education system and army. Georgia declared a clear orientation towards the West and was described by the Western world as a ‘beacon of democracy’.

However, the reforms were overshadowed by human rights violations and growing dissatisfaction. A seven-day conflict in South Ossetia in 2008 led to further ethnic cleansing and an increase in the number of refugees. In the 2012 elections, the National Movement lost its majority and a coalition called Georgian Dream took power. This party was founded by the Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia.

Culture and Literature of Georgia

Early history and ancient cultures

Georgia’s culture is one of the oldest in the world. The territory of present-day Georgia was once part of the Kura-Arxi culture, which flourished from the second half of the 4th millennium BC to the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Later, the Colchian culture developed in the west of the country, which flourished from the end of the 2nd millennium BC to the end of the 1st millennium BC and was particularly known for its advanced metallurgy.

An outstanding testimony to this culture is the Vani treasure, which shows that the artisans and artists of the time were able to create fine objects in gold and silver. This tradition of goldsmithing continued in the Middle Ages, when Christianity shaped Georgian culture and produced gold and silver work, particularly in the form of icons and ecclesiastical objects.

Folk songs and dance

Georgian folk music, especially polyphony, is an important part of the country’s cultural identity. These multi-voiced songs have a long tradition dating back to pre-Christian times. Each of the different Georgian folk songs is unique and reflects the diversity and richness of Georgian culture. Well-known choirs such as Basiani, Erisioni and Rustavi carry this tradition out into the world.

One outstanding example is the song ‘Tschakrulo’ from Kakheti, which is recognised as an intangible world heritage site. Other old and important songs come from the mountainous region of Svaneti, such as the song ‘Lile’, which is dedicated to the sun.

Georgian folk dance is also an integral part of the country’s cultural identity. The dances vary greatly from region to region and are deeply rooted in Georgian tradition. The Sukhishvilebi dance ensemble, which has made Georgian dance famous worldwide, is particularly well known.

Architecture

Georgian architecture, especially religious architecture, is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The earliest churches, such as the Church of Zion in Bolnisi (5th century), show influences from Mesopotamia. In the Middle Ages, an independent Georgian architectural style developed, characterised by cruciform ground plans and richly decorated facades. Important examples are the Bagrati Cathedral and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

The fortified towers and houses in Svaneti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are unique. The 12th-century cave city of Vardzia is another architectural highlight and testament to the engineering skills of the time.

Georgian literature

Georgian literature has its roots in the 5th century with hagiographic works such as ‘The Passion of Saint Shushanik’. In the Middle Ages, it reached its peak with the national epic ‘The Knight in the Panther’s Skin’ by Shota Rustaveli.

In the 19th century, Georgian literature experienced a romantic golden age, represented by poets such as Nikolos Baratashvili. The next generation, led by Ilia Chavchavadze, produced works dealing with patriotic and socially critical themes, laying the foundation for the later independence movement.

Literature in the 20th century and the Soviet repressions

Soviet times were difficult for Georgian literature. Many intellectuals were repressed or murdered. Nevertheless, outstanding writers such as Galaktion Tabidze and Konstantine Gamsachurdia created significant works. Socialist realism shaped literature, and many works were used for propaganda. Despite these restrictions, some authors succeeded in continuing Georgia’s rich literary tradition and creating works of lasting value.

Language in Georgia

Official languages

The official language in Georgia is Georgian, which is spoken by around 4 million people worldwide. About 92% of the Georgian population is fluent in the language. Georgian belongs to the South Caucasian language family and has its own alphabet, which has been in use since the 5th century but is probably even older. In the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Abkhazian is also an official language. Abkhazian, also a Caucasian language, is spoken mainly by the approximately 100,000 speakers in Abkhazia. Important state documents and news agencies work in both official languages.

Linguistic diversity

In addition to Georgian and Abkhazian, 23 other languages from six different language families are spoken in Georgia. The most important of these are Azerbaijani, Armenian, Ossetian and Russian. Although these languages have no official status, they are protected and promoted by the state. There are 642 public schools in Georgia where minority languages are taught. University entrance exams and state broadcasting programmes are offered in Armenian, Azerbaijani, Ossetian, English and Russian, in addition to Georgian and Abkhazian.

The importance of the Russian language has declined since Georgia gained independence. During the Soviet era, Russian was an official language and a compulsory subject in schools. Today, Russian is rarely taught as a second foreign language and is better mastered by the older generation. The Russian-speaking population has declined sharply and now accounts for only 1.2% of the total population.

In contrast, English is becoming increasingly important. Although English is not an official language, state documents are often also published in English. English is taught as a compulsory foreign language from the first grade onwards, and many services are offered bilingually, which promotes the spread of English in the country.

Regional languages

There are two regional languages in Georgia: Svan and Mingrelian.

Svan language

Svan is also known as ‘lušnu nin’ or ‘svanuri ena’ and is spoken by approximately 15,000 to 30,000 people, mainly in the Svaneti region and the western Kodori valley in Abkhazia. The language belongs to the South Caucasian language family and is characterised by a greater vowel richness than the other South Caucasian languages. Svan is not an official written language and the Svan traditionally use Georgian as their written language. In Georgia, the Svan are traditionally considered a sub-ethnic group of the Georgians.

Mingrelian language

Mingrelian, also known as ‘Margaluri Nina’, is spoken by about 500,000 people in western Georgia and is the second largest South Caucasian language in the region. Together with the closely related Laz, Mingrelian forms the San group within the South Caucasian language family. Historically, Mingrelian was not a separate written language and is still not officially used as a school or official language. Instead, Georgian serves as the written language for Mingrelian speakers. Recently, Mingrelian has been written informally, e.g. in public forums, with Georgian or, more rarely, Latin letters, but without a standardised orthography. In Abkhazia, the newspaper ‘Gali’ is published in Mingrelian.

Religion in Georgia

In Georgia, the autocephalous Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church has played a dominant role since the country adopted Christianity as its state religion in 337. Around 84 per cent of the population belong to it, and its patriarch, Ilia II, plays an important social role. A concordat grants the Georgian Orthodox Church tax exemption and a special legal status as the only religious community.

There is a Sunni Muslim minority in the region of Adjara, comprising some 376,000 Georgians who converted to Islam under Ottoman rule. Muslims make up about 9.9 per cent of the population, and include a large Shia minority, the Azeris.

Religious minorities

Other religious groups such as Armenians (mainly in the Armenian Apostolic Church), Catholics (including the Armenian Catholic, Roman Catholic and Chaldean Catholic Churches), Protestants (such as Lutherans, Baptists and Pentecostals), Yazidis, Jews and Jehovah’s Witnesses make up about 3.9 per cent of the population.

During the 1990s, there were expropriations of churches and religious buildings of other faiths, which were then transferred to the Georgian Orthodox Church of the Apostles. There have been repeated religiously motivated attacks on minorities such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baptists, which has led to international concern. After action by law enforcement authorities, these attacks have been reduced and Georgia has been removed from a list of countries where religious freedom was at risk.

In 2011, a law was passed that legally protected the status of non-Orthodox religious communities with historical ties or status in a Council of Europe member state, such as Catholics, Baptists, Jews, Muslims and the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Council of Europe expressly welcomed these steps to protect religious minorities in Georgia.

Georgian cuisine and dishes

Georgian cuisine is diverse and characterised by regional preferences, particularly between western and eastern Georgia. Western Georgians prefer spicy dishes and pork, while eastern Georgians prefer milder flavours and beef or lamb.

A special tradition is the supra or keipi, a festive meal at which a tamada says toasts and leads the guests. These toasts honour guests, family members, the dead and the land. The tamada must be witty, as drinking is not the main focus. It can last for hours, and the more important the occasion, the more traditional the food. The hosts show their generosity by serving plenty of food.

Dishes

The dishes are served in three courses:

1. Starters: cucumber and tomato salad with walnut paste, aubergines with walnuts, cooked spinach and vegetables with spices.
2. Main courses: Mzvadi (grilled pork or veal), Khinkali (dumplings with meat filling), Khachapuri (cheese bread), chicken with walnut sauce (Satsivi), mushrooms with Suluguni cheese and corn bread.
3. Desserts: churschchela (nuts in pelamuschi), gozinaki (walnuts and boiled honey), and pelamuschi itself.

Popular dishes:

• Khinkali: stuffed dumplings with meat, cheese or mushrooms.
• Kubdari: savoury meat pie with beef or lamb and spices.
• Khachapuri: cheese bread with Sulguni or Imeretian cheese, sometimes with egg.
• Satsivi: ground walnut and spice sauce served with poultry.
• Shashlik: Grilled skewers of pork, lamb or beef.
• Bean Soup: Hearty with red beans, vegetables and sometimes meat or bacon.
• Champignon Mushrooms with Cheese: Stuffed with cheese mixture, baked or grilled.

Georgian wine

Georgia has the oldest wine-making tradition in the world, dating back over 8000 years and encompassing more than 500 indigenous grape varieties. Wine is not just a drink, but an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition. The Qvevri, large clay vessels in which the wine is fermented and stored, play a central role in winemaking.

The diversity of Georgian wines ranges from full-bodied reds and delicate whites to the unique orange wine. Wine lovers around the world are discovering the uniqueness of Georgian wine, which not only offers pleasure but also a journey through the country’s history and culture.

Production of Georgian wine

The production of Georgian wine is based on centuries-old traditions, in particular the use of qvevri. The grapes are harvested by hand and pressed into the qvevri, where they are fermented with skins and seeds. This method gives the wine a unique texture, colour and aromas.

The Marani, the traditional Georgian wine cellar, is not only a place of wine production, but also a place of community and cultural heritage. Here, families and communities share their knowledge of viticulture and winemaking in an atmosphere of tradition and hospitality.

Wine varieties

The most well-known Georgian wine varieties include Saperavi, a full-bodied red wine, Khikhvi, a fresh white wine, Mtsvane, a versatile white wine, and Khvanchkara, a sweet red wine. Each variety offers a unique sensory experience and reflects the diversity and fascination of the Georgian wine world.