-

"
".
:

40'

47'
41' 44'

,

-
(

).

.
- ( 1 092.9
).

( 189.7

),

(122.2
), (117.9 ),
(
), (72.2 ),
(50.2 ),
(47.3 ), (20.2
),

83,8%,
- 6,5%, - 5,7%, - 1,5%,

 - 0,9%, - 0,3%, - 0,2%,

- 0,1%, - 0.1%, - 0.1%.
: .
.
: , 1 USD - 1,7 (24.02.2010 .
)

:
1
- , 7 - , 19
- , 3 - , 8

,
,
26

, 28
- , 14 - , 23
- .

,
,

.

,
.

.
,

,
.
,
.

,
330 , 48 , 11
160 .

..

(,
).

(,

"")

. ..

.
,
.. IV-III
;
: , , -
;

,
-
-
(, . Nikofsis;

,
.

47
-)
(
).

I .
: .
, . .

.
-4

30-

(),

326

-:
. -4 ()

.
.
-5

"
",

-6

" ".

-5

.
VI-IX

; .
-
XI-XII ,


:
1089 II
16
. IV
,

.
1103

,
-

,
,

(1184-1213).

,
.
(1195) (1202)
.

"".

-13 40-

, .

V
(1286-
1346).
1386-1403
-.

XV-XVIII

(,

).
-18 VI

;
,

,
1709

, 1712
"".
1744-1798 .. II, " "

(-)

.
1783

,
" " .
-18

1801

-
(. 1801

18

12

http://www.amsi.ge/istoria/sab/moskovi0.html);

(.:
- ).
1801-1865

, .

.

(1811).
1917

- . 1918
26

,

. 1920 7
.

,
,
,

.
1921

1990

.
1921-1990
.

.
1989 9 ,

1990

28 .

"

",
.
1991 31
-
,

. 9

.
1991 26 -
,
87%

.

(
)

1992

.
, ,


..

.

2003

"
".

, 2008

(7-11

).
,

,

: ,

-4
20- .
().

.
,

, ;

()

. . :

.
V
,

.
466-468
.
,
12 ,

.
VI

.
XI VI
.

,
-

(,
),

-;

- ;
. 1852-69

. 1917 . 12 (25)

-.
1978 II, -

, -
,
83 ;
12 .


(
).
7 .
- .

;
,

-:
: , ,
, , .

:
,
,
,
,
,
,
;

: , ;
: , ,
, , -;
, ""
,

-, ,
;

:
, ;

: , ,
, , ;
: , (,
-, ).

:
, " " (-,
-,

) --
.
- , , , , , . 33
- (), - 28 5 .

(. . IV ) (492-493
.).

,

() 1990- 2000-2003 , . -

 , . . I-II .

,
, ,
" ".
.

"".
,
.

,
,

GEORGIA
Area 69,700 sq. km
The country is situated between 40 - 47 degrees E and 41 - 44 degrees N
At the boundary of Europe and Asia -in the west of Central Caucasus
(southern portion of the Caucasus mountains).

Boarders: Southeast - Azerbaijan, Southwest - Turkey, North - Russia,

South - Armenia.
The Georgian culture has evolved over the country's long history,
providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based
on the Georgian Language and alphabet. The elements of both - Asian and
European civilization are reflected in original Georgian culture.
Capital - Tbilisi (2002 population: 1,092,900
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, 1 USD = approximately 1.7 GEL
(according to the data of 01.02.2007)
Official holidays: 1 January - New Year's Day, 7 January - Christmas, 19
January - Epiphany, 3 March - Mothers' Day, 8 March - Women's Day, 26 May
- Independence Day, 28 August - Feast of the Virgin Mary, 14 October Svetitskhovloba, (Celebration of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral), 23 November - St.
George's Day.
Climate
The climate is dry and continental in eastern Georgia with hot summers and
mild winters. The climate in western Georgia and on the Black Sea coast is
warm and semitropical.
Flora
and
Fauna
Despite its small territory Georgia is home to highly diverse flora. The
country's varied geographical and climatic zones have given rise to a wide
variety of plant species. The flora of western and eastern Georgia are quite
distinct. The climate is dry and semidry in non coniferous zones of eastern
Georgia and therefore green areas and foliage are sparse there. Western
Georgia, with its wet climate, is distinguished by dense forests and a diverse
range of plants. Georgia's fauna represents a mixture of Central Asian and
African fauna. Hundreds of species of mammals, 330 kinds of birds, 48 types
of reptiles, 11 kinds of amphibians and 160 kinds of fish are found in Georgia.
Georgia is situated on the border of two continents, Europe and Asia.
Historical Outline
The name of the country Georgia is Sakartvelo in Georgian Language;
The Georgians call Kartvels themselves; The term Sakartvelo comes from the
ethnonym
Kartvel.
According to the foreign sources in the 4th century B.C. King Parnavaz I
established the first eastern Georgian state . Christianity first reached Georgia
in the 1st century A.D. The Apostles Andrew the First called, Simon the Zealot

and Matthias were the first to preach the teachings of the Christ here. In
approximately 330 AD St. Nino of Cappadocia came to Georgia in order to
spread Christianity. She converted King Mirian, who then declared it the state
religion. It is in this period when wide cultural life began to thrive in Georgia.
The activities of renowned scholars and philosophers of those times Petre
Iberieli and Ioane Lazi command special tribute as well. In the 4th century
AD, schools of rhetoric and philosophy based in Pazisi (modern Poti) were
engaged in translating ancient books and manuscripts. Original hagiographic
literature was also written in Georgian. The Martyrdom of St. Shushanik was
written in the 5th century, followed by The Martyrdom of Evstate Mtskheteli in
the 6th century. Kartli was once again invaded by the Persians in the 5th
century. The United state is unscramble for that time. Gorgasali is notable for
moving the capital of the country from Mtskheta to Tbilisi and implementing a
number of church reforms. It was in the 11th-12th centuries when Georgia
flourished the most. In 1089 King George II yielded the throne to his 16 year
old son Davit. Davit IV went on to become one of the nation's greatest
monarchs. Considered one of the greatest political figures in the nation's
history, Georgians have dubbed this reformer and unifier "Agmashenebeli"
("The Builder"). In 1103, Davit the Builder summoned the heads of the
churches from all over the country to an ecclesiastical gathering later known
as the Ruisi-Urbnisi Church Council. Under King Davit's leadership a regular
army was created which enabled him to defeat the Turks and expel them from
the Georgian land. He brought about 40,000 Kipchaghs from the North
Caucasus and settled them in Georgia in order to increase the might of the
Georgian army; he also punished treacherous and wicked feudal lords and
appointed people who were loyal to him and devoted to the country to
positions of authority. This period of prosperity in Georgia continued during
the reign of Queen Tamar as well (1184-1213). At that time, Georgia was not
only able to defend itself from the Turkish invaders but the country was
already capable of defeating and driving out infidels from other South
Caucasus kingdoms as well. The victories gained in the Battles of Shamkori
(1195) and Basiani (1202) are considered highlights of Georgian history. It
was during the reign of Queen Tamar that Georgia became the most powerful
country in Asia Minor. The 11th and 12th centuries witnessed a Golden Age in
Georgia. This was the time when Shota Rustaveli penned his masterpiece "The
Knight in Panther's Skin". In the 1340s Georgia was conquered by the Mongol
hordes. The leaders of the country were overcome by the invaders. The
country's economy was devastated and the thriving cities were reduced to
ruins. In the years 1386-1403 Tamerlaine the Great raided Georgia eight
times, devastating irrigation canals and laying waste to the country's entire
agriculture system. People fled to the mountains for safe harbour. Continuous
invasions compelled the country to split into separate parts. Economic
recession and treachery among feudal lords resulted in the division of Georgia
into three separate kingdoms: Kakheti, Kartli and Imereti. In the 18th

century, King Vakhtang VI attempted to save the country from economic and
political collapse. With the help of Antimoz Iverieli he established the first
Georgian printing house. The first book printed there in 1712 was "The Knight
in Panther's Skin". In the years 1723-1735 Turkish invaders occupied Georgia
yet again. In 1744-1798, Erekle II (nick-named "Patara Kakhi") occupied the
royal throne in the eastern part of Georgia. He took energetic steps towards
unifying and strengthening the country. As Erekle proved unable to defend
Georgia from invaders with his own forces, he took the decision to appeal to
Orthodox Russia for support. In 1783, the Treaty of Georgievsk was concluded
between the Russian Empire and the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti. According to
this pact Georgian kings were to recognize the power of Russian Empire,
thought it stipulated that Russia was not to interfere in Georgia's internal
affairs. The Imeretian and Mengrelian kingdoms soon shared a similar fate.
At the end of 18th century both Ottoman Empire and Iran simultaneously attacked
Georgia that had been separated into several principalities. Russia, sharing common religion,
continued devastation of Georgia by ignoring the Treaty of Georgievsk in 1801 and abolishing
Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom by the military operation and absorbing this part of Georgia. (See
Manifests of January 18 and September 12, 1801); later Russian Empire annexed Western
Georgia as well (cf.: historical Meskheti became a part of Turkey).

In 1865, Georgia was all but completely annexed by the Russian Empire.
The Russians ignored Georgian habits and traditions and sought to eradicate
Georgian language and culture. Almost all frescos in all Georgian cathedrals
were white-washed and both the status of the Patriarch and the autocephaly
of the Georgian Church were abolished. In February of 1917 the Democratic
Republic of Georgia with a provisional government was established. In March
of the same year, Georgian church regained its autocephaly and a new
patriarch, Kirion, was elected. On 26 May 1920 Russia recognized Georgia's
independence, which was followed by the de facto acknowledgement of the
country by Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan. In February of 1921Tbilisi
was occupied by the Soviet Red Army and the government of Georgia was
forced to flee.
Recent
History
Elections held on 28 October 1990 put an end to Soviet Georgia. The Round
Table - Free Georgia party, headed by former dissident Zviad Gamsakhurdia
won a convincing victory. On 31 March 1991, a referendum on the restoration
of the country's independence was overwhelmingly approved. Georgia's
Declaration of Independence was adopted at a session of the Supreme Council
on 9 April 1991. On 26 May 1991, the first presidential elections were held.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia won 87% of the vote and became the first president of
independent Georgia.
The Georgia mage the official statement about its Internal and external
policy. The same authority confermented the status of the occupant to the
Russian (SU) military forces placed in Georgia. Russia hasn't accommodated
the freedom of Georgia and overthrew the legal government of Georgia in the

beginning of 1992. The Kremlin surrended the Georgian authority to the

marionette regime of E. Shevardnadze. E. Shevardnadze, despite the so called
official balanced politics, revert Georgia to the Russian Geopolitical Space.
The Rose Revolution became the reason of overthrew of the occupation
regime of E. Shevardnadze in 2003. The new government of M. Saakashvili
denied the Pro-Russian politics and chose the pro-west policy. The same
government reinstated the ocupant status to the Russian army in the official
territory of Georgia.
Religion
The spread of Christianity in Georgia started in the 330s AD, when St. Nino of
Cappadocia, the enlightener of Georgia, came to the country to preach Christ's
teachings. Through her prayers she healed Queen Nana and converted King
Mirian to Christianity. Legend has it that while the king was out hunting, all of
a sudden it turned pitch dark. He felt scared and started to pray to Nino's
God. Immediately afterwards the sky became bright again. King Mirian then
declared Christianity as the state religion. The magnificence of the
Svetitskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta seems to exceed the human creative
capacities. The Georgian Orthodox cross has a unique shape. It is called St.
Nino's cross, because Nino made it from the vine branches and tied it together
with her own hair. This cross is the symbol of her conversion of the Georgians
to Christianity. Before the spread of Christianity, Georgians worshipped fire
and the Mazdean idols. King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 4th century A.D.
granted the title of Catholicos to the Archimandrite and thus the autocephaly
of the Iberian church was ensured. In the 19th century, when Georgia fell the
victim to Russian annexation, the Georgian church lost its independence. The
title of Catholicos was abolished and the Georgian and Russian churches were
joined together. In 1917, the autocephaly of the Georgian church was
restored and a new Catholicos was elected. In 1917-1920 the Georgian church
struggled for complete independence, yet it managed to achieve this goal only
in 1933. It is thought that the first people to preach Christianity in Georgia
were the Apostle Andrew the First Called, Simon the Zealot and Bartholomew.
The Georgian Orthodox church was established in Georgia in the 330s AD
when Christianity was declared the state religion. The first Episcopal
Cathedral, the headquarters of Georgian Othodoxy, was located in Mtskheta,
which was the capital Kartli. The head of the Kartli regional church was
granted the title of Archbishop. Until the 5th century, the Georgian Orthodox
church hierarchically was subject first to Constantinople and then to Antioch
patriarchates. In the years 466-468 A.D., during the reign of King Vakhtang
Gorgasali, almost simultaneously, 12 churches were established in Kartli
region and the head of the church was given the title of the Catholicos. The
Georgian Church later became autocephalous. The Assyrian Brothers
contributed a lot to strengthening the Christian faith in Georgia. In the 11th
century, the Patriarchate established in Georgia was fourth in the world, but in
the times of Davit IV the Builder the Georgian church was brought under the

control of the state and Giorgi Chqondideli was appointed its supervisor. The
Orthodox Church played a significant role in developing literacy in Georgia;
there were schools and academies functioning within monasteries and
churches (in Iqalto and Gelati) where the priests and the monks were
engaged in scholarly activities; they also created important works of
hymnography. After Georgia became part of the Russian Empire the
autocephaly of Georgian church and the position of the Catholicos-Patriarch
were abolished. The Georgian Church was absorbed by the Russian synod and
turned into its Exarchate. In the years 1852-69 church property was
transferred to the state treasury and the clergy started to receive regular
salaries. On 25 March 1917, the Georgian church again managed to restore its
autocephaly and in September of the same year a new Catholicos-Patriarch
was elected. In 1978 Ilia II was elected Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia;
since his accession to this holy rank, numerous churches and cathedrals have
been built and restored in our country with his blessing. The Sameba (Holy
Trinity) cathedral commands special tribute, for it is the most outstanding
among them. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. It is 83
meters tall; 12 churches and chapels will be situated on its premises.
Georgian
Language
The Georgian language is the state language of Georgia, though in the
Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Abkhaz has co-official status. Some seven
million people speak Georgian worldwide.
The Georgian Language belongs to the Kartvelian Group of the IberianCaucasian Family. The Georgian Language is realized with numerous variates;
The provincial sub-systems of the Georgian language are: Kartvelian dialects:
Central dialects:Kakhetian, Kartlian, Imeretian, Lechkhumian, Gurian
Marginal dialects:
Meskhian dialects: Acharian, Livanan, Machakhelian, Imerkhevian, Taoan,
Samtskhean,
Javakh;
Her dialects: Kakian, Aliabatian;
Pkhovian dialects: Chagma-Tush, Pshavian, Khevsur, Khevian, MtiulGudamaqarian. Tsova-Tush may be considered here too;
Rachian
dialects:
Lower
Rachian,
Upper
Rachian;
Svan dialects: Lashkh, Lentekhian, Cholur, Balskvemoan, Balszemoan;
Zan dialects: Megrelian, Laz (Khopan, Vitsean-Arkabean, Atinan);
Dialects of the Georgians outside Georgias historical territory:
Fereiadanian, the Georgian language of Chveneburebi in Turkey
(Georgian spoken in Bursa-Inegol) and speech of the Qizlar-Mozdokian.
Modern Georgian is written in an alphabet called Mkhedruli, which
evolved from the Nuskhuri script, which in turn grew out of Asomtavruli. The
Mkhedruli alphabet consists of 33 rounded letters (28 consonants and 5
vowels), each of which represents one sound. The phonetic correspondence
between modern written and spoken Georgian is almost exact. The
Asomtavruli inscriptions found on the cover of Davit's plate (the 4th century

A.D.) and on the walls of the Bolnisi Sioni church (492-493 A.D.) are
considered to be the oldest examples of Georgian writing. Archaeological
excavations at Nekresi monastery (Kakheti region) conducted in the 1990s
and in the years 2000-2003 and led by late Georgian archaeologist and
academician Levan Chilashvili provided evidence that the Georgian alphabet
was created long before the Christian era. In the course of the excavations the
remains of a pagan temple were found. A ceramic vine vessel and vine press
were found at the site with inscriptions dated back to the 1st-2nd centuries
B.C.
Georgian
Character
The Georgians are one of the most hospitable peoples in the world. They
greatly respect their traditions and customs and believe that "guests are
envoys of God". The Georgians treat friendship to be of paramount importance
and value it above all else. The main character traits of the Georgians are
depicted in Rustaveli's immortal narrative poem The Knight in Panther's Skin.
Georgians are a proud and freedom-loving people who highly value
individuality.