Georgia
Capital: Tbilisi · Europe
Georgia is a nation of the Caucasus, famed for its ancient wine culture and mountain scenery. At the Europe-Asia crossroads on the Black Sea, with about 3.7 million people, it has a unique script and Orthodox Christian tradition, and is considered one of the birthplaces of wine. Its capital Tbilisi blends old and new. After independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia has pursued a pro-European path, yet tensions with Russia have flared into armed conflict. Caught between great powers, its diplomacy is delicate, and its ancient civilisation and quest for self-determination form a moving Caucasus chapter.
Georgia in world rankings
- 131st largest by population in the world (of 219)
- 123rd largest by area in the world (of 219)
- 101st largest economy (GDP) in the world (of 178)
- 78th highest GDP per capita in the world (of 178)
- Capital
- Tbilisi
- Population
- 3,694,600
- Area
- 69,700 km²
- Currency
- Georgian lari
- GDP
- $38.1B
- GDP per capita
- $9,692
- Life expectancy
- 74.7 yrs
- Urban population
- 61%
- Calling code
- +995
- Internet users
- 84%
- Forest cover
- 41%
- Languages
- Georgian
Georgia compared with Taiwan
How Georgia measures up against Taiwan — home to 23.3 million people across 36,193 km².
Countries bordering Georgia
Latest news — Georgia
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Discover the Ancient Caucasian Kingdom Where Wine, Peaks, and Legends Collide
Nestled at the crossroads of Southwestern Asia and Eastern Europe, Georgia is a land of dramatic landscapes and deep historical roots that stretches from t
Country profile
Background
The region of present-day Georgia once contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis (known as Egrisi locally) and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Persian, Arab, and Turk domination was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short when the Mongols invaded in 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence…
Location
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within…
Climate
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain
largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east;…
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
Ethnic groups
Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)
Religions
Eastern Orthodox Christian (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic Christian 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Roman Catholic Christian, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant Christian, Jewish), none 0.5%,…
Government
semi-presidential republic
Economy
upper-middle income, fast-growing South Caucasus economy; regionally focused exporter of cars, metal ores, and energy; financial and migrant inflows resulting from Ukraine conflict; EU accession talks suspended over disputed election and foreign influence law; low inflation but persistent high unemployment
Cities & destinations in Georgia 16
World Heritage in Georgia 3
Museums in Georgia 6
National parks in Georgia 6
Airports in Georgia 4
Tallest buildings in Georgia 3
Caves in Georgia 12
Nature reserves in Georgia 12
Ports in Georgia 2
Railway stations in Georgia 12
Hospitals in Georgia 2
Hotels in Georgia 7
Shopping malls in Georgia 1
Aquariums in Georgia 5
Churches in Georgia 12
Gardens in Georgia 2
City parks in Georgia 12
Racecourses in Georgia 1
Cemeteries in Georgia 6
Observatories in Georgia 1
Ski resorts in Georgia 1
Mines in Georgia 2
Reservoirs in Georgia 2
Zoos in Georgia 1
Palaces in Georgia 7
Botanical gardens in Georgia 3
Squares & plazas in Georgia 6
Monuments & memorials in Georgia 12
Libraries in Georgia 3
Forts & fortresses in Georgia 12
Power stations in Georgia 10
Glaciers in Georgia 8
Archaeological sites in Georgia 12
Monasteries in Georgia 12
Synagogues in Georgia 7
Mosques in Georgia 5
Cathedrals in Georgia 12
Tallest towers in Georgia 2
Explore Georgia by category
Country fields from Wikidata (CC0); flag via Wikimedia Commons; profile from the CIA World Factbook (public domain); travel guide from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA); GDP, GDP per capita and life expectancy from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0).