Here are some useful Information and links about Georgia and Tbilisi - the capital of Georgia.

 

About Georgia   |   Geography   |   Tbilisi - the Capital   |   Climate   |   Useful Links

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About Georgia

Geographic location:
Longitude: 400 - 470 E
Latitude: 410 - 440 N

Land bordaries:
1970 km (1224 miles)
Land border: 1655 km (1028 miles)
Georgian section of the Black Sea coast line: 315 km (195 miles)
Armenia: 164 km
Azerbaijan: 322 km
Russia: 723 km
Turkey: 252 km

Area:
69.700 km² (26,911 sq miles)

Country name:
Local name - "Sakartvelo",
In English - "Georgia"

Capital:
Tbilisi (pop. 1 253 000)

President:
Mikhail Saakashvili

Country code:
GEO

Internet code:
ge

Administrative divisions:
The country is divided into 11 regions: Kakheti, Lower Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Inner Kartli, Samtskhe-Djavakheti, Imereti, Guria, Ajara, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo-Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Abkhazia.

Population:
4,960,951 (July 2002 est.) Rural: 44% Urban: 56%

Nationality:
noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Ethnic groups:
Georgian 70.1%; Armenian 8.1%; Russian 6.3%; Azeri 5.7%; Ossetian 3%; Abkhaz 1.8%; other 5%

Languages:
Georgian 71% (official); Russian 9%; Armenian 7%; Azeri 6%; other 7%

Religions:
Main religion is Greek Orthodoxy: 65%; Muslim 11%; Russian Orthodox 10%; Armenian Apostolic 8%; unknown 6%; Catholics, Baptists, Judaists

Agricultural products:
Citrus, Grapes, Tea, Vegetables, Fruit, Melons.

Natural Resources:
Oil, coal, peat, iron, magnum, copper, projectile-zinc, arsenic, mercury, andezit, barite, talc, serpentit, agate, quartz, basalt, granite, diorite, marble, forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Industries:
Steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese), chemicals, wood products, wine

International Organization Participation:
BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Currency:
On the territory of Georgia payment can only be made in Georgian Lari - GEL.
One Lari equals to 100 Tetri. Payments (shopping in stores and markets, paying restaurant, hotel and other services) are made in cash or by credit cards.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at special exchange shops in the streets of big towns. Currency other than EURO, USD, DM and RR can be exchanged in the banks. Western Union and large banks provide monetary transfers. Foreign Credit cards - VISA CARD, EURO-CARD, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS are used in banks, markets, restaurants, hotel and etc. although it takes a little while to transfer the money.

Time:
GMT + 3 (GMT + 4 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October)

Telephony:
Country code: 995. The area code for Tbilisi is 32

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Geography

Georgia is a mountainous country. It is located to the East of the Black Sea right at the junction of two continents - Europe an Asia. The Northern geographical boundaries run along the Great Caucasian Range, which includes the Main Caucasian Range, and its other chains stretch to the South. The Southern boundary coincides with the mountainous system of the Minor Caucasus, including the Meskheti - Trialeti volcanic plateau. Georgia bordered to the north by Russia, to the east by Azerbaijan, to the south by Armenia and to the south-west by Turkey. The Western part of the country is washed by the Black Sea.

Principal cities:
Kutaisi: 241.100
Rustavi: 158.000
Batumi: 137.100
Zugdidi: 105.000 including IDP from Abkhazia
Chiatura: 70.000
Gori: 70.000
Poti: 50.900

Highest mountains:
Shkhara - 5068 m (16,627 ft)
Janga - 5059 m (16,597 ft)
Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek) - 5047 m (16,558 ft)
Shota Rustaveli - 4860 m (15,944 ft)
Tetnuldi - 4858 m (15,938 ft)
Ushba - 4700 m (15,419 ft)
Ailama - 4547 m (14,917 ft)

Longest rivers:
Mtkvari (Kura in Russian) - 1364 km (847.5 miles)
Chorokhi - 438 km (272.1 miles)
Alazani - 351 km (218.1 miles)
Rioni - 327 km (203.1 miles)
Tori - 320 km (198.8 miles)
Enguri - 213 km (132.3 miles)

Largest lakes:
Paravani - 37.5 sq.km (14.4 sq ml)
Kartsakhi - 26.3 sq.km (10.1 sq ml)
Paliastomi - 18.2 sq.km (7.0 sq ml)
Tabatskuri - 14.2 sq.km (5.4 sq ml)
Khanchali -13.3 sq.km (5.1 sq ml)
Jandari - 10.6 sq.km (4.0 sq ml)

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Tbilisi - the Capital

The capital of Georgia Tbilisi stands on the banks of the River Mtkvari, in a valley surrounded by hills. The name of city comes from its hot sulphury springs ("tbili" means "warm" in Georgian). Once King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting and he killed a pheasant. The bird fall into the thermal spring and was healed. The king decided to found a city at this site.

Despite the wars and fires which caused innumerable changes in the topography of Tbilisi, the old part of the city still retains much of its original layout, a spider's web of narrow binding streets and alleyways. Today it is a major economic and cultural centre of Georgia. Its territory reaches now more than 350 sq. kilometres, and it's population - almost 2 millions.

It is best seen from the top of Mount Mtatsminda. With its warm climate, stone houses built around vine-draped courtyards, and winding streets, the city has a lively, Mediterranean atmosphere. The old city, spreading out from the south bank of the river, has numerous frescoed churches (the most noteworthy being the 6th - century Sioni Cathedral), 19th - century houses with arcaded open galleries on the upper floors, a castle and a surprising number of cafes and enticing tourist shops selling locally produced arts and crafts. Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi's main thoroughfare, features an assortment of stylish public buildings testifying to the city's prosperity at the turn of the century. The Georgian State Museum on Rustaveli Avenue houses a collection of icons, frescoes and porcelain, as well as an outstanding display of jewellery discovered in pre-Christian Georgian tombs. The Georgian Museum of Arts, in the centre of town, includes many works by the much-loved 19th - century 'primitive' artist, Niko Pirosmani.

The Narikala Fortress, first established by the Persians in the fourth century AD and most recently rebuilt in the 17th century, is a good vantage point for views over the old city. Visitors can still experiment with health-giving sulphur baths in a domed, oriental-style 19th - century bath house just north of the Metekhi Bridge. Popular with visitors today. The open-air Museum of Ethnography, located in a western suburb, has interesting examples of rural buildings and artefacts. Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue is the base for the Georgian State Philharmonic Orchestra and the internationally known Georgian National Dance Troupe.

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Climate

Georgia's climate is affected by subtropical influences from the west and Mediterranean influences from the east. The Greater Caucasus range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north. The relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones are ranging from humid subtropical to the eternal snow and glaciers.

West Georgia
Along the Black Sea coast, from Abkhazia to the Turkish border, and in the region known as the Kolkhida Lowlands inland from the coast, the dominant subtropical climate features high humidity and heavy precipitation. Several varieties of palm treet grow there. Midwinter average temperature here is 5C and the midsummer average is 22C.

East Georgia
The plains of eastern Georgia are shielded from the influence of the Black Sea by mountains of Likhi that provide a more continental climate. Average temperature in Summer here is 20-24C, in winter 2-4C. Humidity is lower.

Alpine and highland regions in the east and west, as well as semiarid region on the Iori Plateau to the southeast have distinct microclimates. Alpine conditions start at 2,100 meters and above 3,600 meters year-round snow and ice is present.

In general, the best time to visit is from mid April through October, when days are warm or hot. Tbilisi can be very hot in July and August. Evenings tend to be cool, even in the summer. The climate varies considerably from east to west; in the eastern mountains, the weather is dryer and more extreme. The western part of Georgia, near the Black Sea, has a more moderate climate. No matter when you go, be sure to take along a sweater for the cool evenings.

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Useful Links

History of Georgia, Tbilisi, Discover Georgia