Geography of Georgia

We have carefully compiled this information to give the reader an overview of the climate, nature and geography of Georgia. If the information provided here is insufficient, you can fill out the form below and ask us your questions. We are always ready to answer your questions and help you.

Alle Themen über Georgien

Where is Georgia?

Georgia’s geographical location is truly unique. Often referred to as the ‘Balcony of Europe’, Georgia is located in Western Asia. Due to different interpretations of the inner-Eurasian border, it is sometimes considered part of Europe. Georgia’s neighbouring countries are:

• Turkey
• Russia
• Azerbaijan
• Armenia

The country borders the Black Sea to the west.

Territory  

With an area of around 69,700 square kilometres, it is roughly the size of Bavaria. Eighty-seven per cent of the country is covered by mountains and foothills. In the north, the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus extends, in the south the western foothills of the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian volcanic highlands.

Between them, the Kolkheti Plain (known as Colchis in ancient times) extends in the west and the Transcaucasian Depression, which is divided into the Inner Kartli, Lower Kartli and Alazani plains, in the east. The Lichi range, which runs from north to south, separates western and eastern Georgia.

There are three autonomous republics in Georgia: the Republic of Adjara in the south-west, Abkhazia in the north-west and South Ossetia, which was historically called Samachablo, in the north.

The most important cities in Georgia are Tbilisi, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Ambrolauri, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, Mtskheta, Gori, Rustavi, Telavi, Batumi, Sukhumi, Tskhinvali, Poti, Mestia, Pitsunda and Zugdidi.

Mountains and rivers

The highest mountain, Schkhara in the Greater Caucasus, is 5201 metres high. The imposing mountain Kazbek (5047 metres) is also in Georgia. The longest river, the Kura (Georgian Mtkwari), has a total length of 1364 kilometres and crosses the country from south (Lesser Caucasus) to east over a length of 351 kilometres.

Other important rivers are the Alazani (351 km), the Rioni (333 km) and the Enguri (213 km). The largest lake is Lake Paravani, which lies at an altitude of 2073 metres and covers an area of 37.5 square kilometres.

Nature

Georgia’s geographical position is the main reason for the country’s natural diversity. Due to the different climate zones, Georgia is home to a rich variety of species. Isolated valleys have favoured the emergence of unique plant and animal species that only occur in this region.

WWF ranks Georgia as one of the world’s 238 most important ecoregions. IUCN has recognised it as a global hotspot of plant diversity and BirdLife International has identified it as an area of global importance for endemic birds.

Flora

Some 44 per cent of the country is covered by forest, five per cent of which is considered primeval forest. About 40 per cent of the forests have retained their natural structure. Deciduous forests with oaks and beeches dominate at lower altitudes, while conifers such as spruces and firs, including the Nordmann fir, grow at higher altitudes. Above the timberline, subalpine and alpine mats spread out. The southern highlands, the lowlands and the Transcaucasian Depression used to be mainly steppes, but are now largely cultivated.

The country is home to around 4,100 plant species, of which about 1,000 are endemic and another 1,000 are common in the Caucasus. Of the 400 tree and shrub species in Georgia, about 61 are endemic. Of these, 60 are considered globally endangered and are on the Red List.

Fauna

Georgia is home to a wide variety of vertebrates, including about 322 bird species, 84 fish species, 52 reptile species, 13 amphibian species and about 105 mammal species. The mammals include predators such as brown bears, wolves, lynx, golden jackals and the extremely rare Caucasian leopard. The Asian lion and the Caspian tiger became extinct in historical times.

Wetlands provide a habitat for the rare otter. The Caucasian black grouse, which is found only in this mountain range, has its largest population in Georgia. There are also several native species of lizard. The country is rich in invertebrates, too: 600 species of spider have been identified so far.

Climate

Georgia’s interesting geographical location also determines the country’s climate. The Caucasus shields Georgia from icy air masses from the north, while the Black Sea warms the country. The climate zones range from a humid subtropical climate in the west to a dry and temperate continental climate in the east.

The average air temperature ranges from 15°C in the west to 11°C-13°C in the east. The average precipitation in the west is about 3000 mm, while in the east it is only about 400 mm. Spring in Georgia is short and characterised by abrupt climate fluctuations, while summer is often oppressively hot. Autumn is sunny and warm, while winter brings little snow at lower altitudes but a lot at high altitudes.

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