[344] The Georgian folk song "Chakrulo" was one of 27 musical compositions included on the Voyager Golden Records that were sent into space on Voyager 2 on 20 August 1977. During the classical era, several independent kingdoms became established in what is now Georgia, such as Colchis and Iberia. Also, the population registration system from birth to death was non-functional. Zurabishvili was backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The opposition made accusations of fraud, which the Georgian Dream denied. [82], He was soon deposed in a bloody coup d'tat, from 22 December 1991 to 6 January 1992. At present, the forest cover generally remains outside of the low-lying areas and is mainly located along the foothills and the mountains. An Arab incursion into western Georgia led by Marwan II, was repelled by Leon I (r. 720740) jointly with his Lazic and Iberian allies in 736. Georgia's Five Cross Flag. Other prominent peaks include Mount Kazbek at 5,047m (16,558ft), Shota Rustaveli Peak 4,960m (16,273ft), Tetnuldi 4,858m (15,938ft), Ushba 4,700m (15,420ft), and Ailama 4,547m (14,918ft). The region between Kazbek and Shkhara (a distance of about 200km (124mi) along the Main Caucasus Range) is dominated by numerous glaciers. [178], Georgia applied for EU membership on 3 March 2022, soon after the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [1] Georgia's moderate climate and moist air, influenced by the Black Sea, provide the best conditions for vine cultivation. [204][205][206][207] While human rights activists maintained that the protests were peaceful, the government pointed out that many protesters were masked and armed with heavy sticks and molotov cocktails. [306], Islam is represented by both Azerbaijani Shia Muslims (in the south-east) ethnic Georgian Sunni Muslims in Adjara, and Laz-speaking Sunni Muslims as well as Sunni Meskhetian Turks along the border with Turkey. [282][d] Georgia was also once home to significant ethnic German communities, numbering 11,394 according to the 1926 census. [352] Historically, Georgia has been famous for its physical education; the Romans were fascinated with Georgians' physical qualities after seeing the training techniques of ancient Iberia. Peter Lang. [246] Of factors contributing to HDI, education had the most positive influence[247] as Georgia ranks in the top quintile in terms of education. [272] Additional projects also include the construction of the economically important KarsTbilisiBaku railway, which was opened on 30 October 2017 and connects much of the Caucasus with Turkey by standard gauge railway. The Kingdom of Georgia collapsed into anarchy by 1466 and fragmented into three independent kingdoms and five semi-independent principalities. [187] As of 2015[update], 31 Georgian servicemen have died in Afghanistan,[188] most during the Helmand campaign. In 2016, 2,714,773 tourists brought approximately US$2.16billion to the country. [273][274], Air and maritime transport is developing in Georgia, with the former mainly used by passengers and the latter for transport of freight. [37] In 337 AD King Mirian III declared Christianity as the state religion, giving a great stimulus to the development of literature, arts, and ultimately playing a key role in the formation of the unified Georgian nation,[38][39] The acceptance led to the slow but sure decline of Zoroastrianism,[40] which until the 5th century AD, appeared to have become something like a second established religion in Iberia (eastern Georgia), and was widely practised there.[41]. "[128] In their 2022 report[update] Freedom House lists Georgia as a partly free country, recognizing a trajectory of democratic improvement surrounding the 201213 transfer of power, yet observing a gradual backslide in later years. Pyotr Bagration, one of the descendants of the abolished house of Bagrationi, would later join the Russian army and rise to be a prominent general in the Napoleonic wars. A period of unrest ensued, which ended as Abkhazia and eastern Georgian states were unified under a single Georgian monarchy, ruled by King Bagrat III of Georgia (r. 9751014), due largely to the diplomacy and conquests of his energetic foster-father David III of Tao (r. 9661001). Ca. Georgia is a small country. ed., Nasmyth, Peter, I. Gagoshidze "The Achaemenid influence in Iberia" Boreas 19. De facto separate since Georgian independence, offers were made to give South Ossetia autonomy again, but in 2006 an unrecognized referendum in the area resulted in a vote for independence. [250][251], As of 2001, 54 per cent of the population lived below the national poverty line but by 2006 poverty decreased to 34 per cent and by 2015 to 10.1 per cent. [25][26], The territory of modern-day Georgia was inhabited by Homo erectus since the Paleolithic Era. [50], The 29-year reign of Tamar, the first female ruler of Georgia, is considered the most successful in Georgian history. [69], In the summer of 1805, Russian troops on the Askerani River near Zagam defeated the Iranian army during the 180413 Russo-Persian War and saved Tbilisi from reconquest now that it was officially part of the Imperial territories. Cross-dome architecture developed in Georgia during the 9th century; before that, most Georgian churches were basilicas. Rustavi International Motorpark originally built in 1978 was re-opened in 2012 after total reconstruction[356] costing $20million. [339][340], Georgia is known for its folklore, traditional music, dances, theatre, cinema, and art. [27] In fact, early metallurgy started in Georgia during the 6th millennium BC, associated with the Shulaveri-Shomu culture. [115][116], President of France Nicolas Sarkozy negotiated a ceasefire agreement on 12 August 2008. [268], Today transport in Georgia is provided by rail, road, ferry, and air. Russian suzerainty over eastern Georgia was officially finalized with Iran in 1813 following the Treaty of Gulistan. It was the last direct election of a Georgian president, as additional constitutional reforms removed the popular vote. Soviet rule was firmly established only after the insurrection was swiftly defeated. [163], The explicit western orientation of Georgia, deepening political ties with the US and European Union, notably through its EU and NATO membership aspirations, the US Train and Equip military assistance programme, and the construction of the BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline, have frequently strained Tbilisi's relations with Moscow. The biggest part, 72% of the military budget is allocated for maintaining defence forces readiness and potency development. [citation needed] The military budget of Georgia for 2021 is 900 ($280) million. [145], On 31 October 2020, the ruling Georgian Dream again led by Bidzina Ivanishvili secured over 48% of votes in the parliamentary election under a different electoral system. Brief on Georgia. For the U.S. state, see. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The 1989 census recorded 341,000 ethnic Russians, or 6.3 per cent of the population,[288] 52,000 Ukrainians and 100,000 Greeks in Georgia. It was an "official" reason, but instability of economic relations with Russia is well known, as they use the economic ties for political purposes. [225] The area can be split into two separate sub-regions; the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, which run parallel to the Greater Caucasus Range, and the Southern Georgia Volcanic Highland. [284], Today 83.4 per cent of the population practices Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with the majority of these adhering to the national Georgian Orthodox Church. [219] This was used as a justification for Russian invasion of Georgia during the 2008 South Ossetia war after which Russia recognized the region's independence. [252] In 2015, the average monthly income of a household was 1,022.3 (about $426). [1] The party is member of Union of Communist Parties Communist Party of the Soviet Union . [83], During the War in Abkhazia (19921993), roughly 230,000 to 250,000 Georgians[84] were expelled from Abkhazia by Abkhaz separatists and North Caucasian volunteers (including Chechens). Country straddling Western Asia and Eastern Europe in the Caucusus, "Republic of Georgia" redirects here. [78] The Georgian uprising on Texel against the Germans was the last battle of the Second World War in Europe. [270] Passenger services are operated by the state-owned Georgian Railway whilst freight operations are carried out by a number of licensed operators. [62], On 22 December 1800, Tsar Paul I of Russia, at the alleged request of the Georgian King George XII, signed the proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-Kakheti) within the Russian Empire, which was finalized by a decree on 8 January 1801,[63][64] and confirmed by Tsar Alexander I on 12 September 1801. The soil in vineyards is so intensively cultivated that the grapevines grow up the trunks of fruit trees eventually hanging down along the fruit when they ripen. Iranian elements in Georgian art and archeology", Ethnic tensions: War in the Caucasus is Stalin's legacy, "Georgian World War II hero's remains return home". Following the bloodless Rose Revolution in 2003, Georgia strongly pursued a pro-Western foreign policy; it introduced a series of democratic and economic reforms aimed at integration into the European Union and NATO. On 13 April 2006, the discussion of the assessment report on implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan was held at NATO Headquarters, within 26+1 format. Of them, an estimated 350,000 were killed. In 2007, Georgia's real GDP growth rate reached 12 per cent, making Georgia one of the fastest-growing economies in Eastern Europe. [327], Georgian culture evolved over thousands of years from its foundations in the Iberian and Colchian civilizations. Since the fall of the USSR in 1991, Georgia embarked on a major structural reform designed to transition to a free market economy. [12][13] It is a developing country with a very high Human Development Index. is georgia a communist country. [52] Tamar was given the title "king of kings" (mepe mepeta). [181] STC Delta now produces a variety of military equipment, including armoured vehicles, artillery systems, aviation systems, personal protection equipment, and small arms. In 2019, Georgia ranked 61st on the Human Development Index (HDI). [153] Georgia also maintains political, economic, and military relations with France,[154] Germany,[155] Israel,[156] Japan,[157] South Korea,[158] Sri Lanka,[159] Turkey,[160] Ukraine,[161] the United States,[162] and many other countries. [73] The Menshevik Social Democratic Party of Georgia won the parliamentary election and its leader, Noe Zhordania, became prime minister. This period also brought social and economic change to Georgia, with new social classes emerging: the emancipation of the serfs freed many peasants but did little to alleviate their poverty; the growth of capitalism created an urban working class in Georgia. Other airports in the country are largely underdeveloped or lack scheduled traffic, although, as of late, efforts have been made to solve both these problems. NGO "Tolerance", in its alternative report about its implementation, speaks of a rapid decrease in the number of Azerbaijani schools and cases of appointing headmasters to Azerbaijani schools who do not speak the Azerbaijani language. [12] [13] It is a developing country with a very high Human Development Index. In emerging Europe's wealthiest nation, Slovenia, GDP per-capita in 2019 was 23,170 euros. Members of parliament are elected for four-year terms. [310], The special status of the Georgian Orthodox Church is officially recognized in the Constitution of Georgia and the Concordat of 2002, although religious institutions are separate from the state. Despite the revitalization of the Iberian monarchy, remaining Georgian lands were divided among rival authorities, with Tbilisi remaining in Arab hands. In 2018, more than 1.4million tourists from Russia visited Georgia. It was founded in June 1994 through the merger of the Stalin Society, the Georgian Workers Communist Party and the Union of Communists of Georgia. Two major rivers in Georgia are the Rioni and the Mtkvari. Announces New Military Assistance Program for Georgia", "Why was Georgia not granted EU candidate status? 'Kartvelians'), first attested in the Umm Leisun inscription found in the Old City of Jerusalem. referred to early western Georgians as Colchians and eastern Georgians as Iberians (Iberoi, in some Greek sources). [337], The Georgian language, and the Classical Georgian literature of the poet Shota Rustaveli, were revived in the 19th century after a long period of turmoil, laying the foundations of the romantics and novelists of the modern era such as Grigol Orbeliani, Nikoloz Baratashvili, Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, and Vazha-Pshavela. Georgia: in the mountains of poetry 3rd rev. [242][243] The World Bank dubbed Georgia "the number one economic reformer in the world" because it has in one year improved from rank 112th to 18th in terms of ease of doing business,[244] and by 2020 further improved its position to 6th in the world. [266] According to the government, there are 103 resorts in different climatic zones in Georgia. In preparation for the 2012 parliamentary elections, Georgia implemented constitutional reforms to switch to a parliamentary democracy, moving executive powers from the President to the Prime Minister. [225] Out of the abovementioned peaks, only Kazbek is of volcanic origin. Communism is both a political system and an economic one. [174] On 2 October 2006, Georgia and the European Union signed a joint statement on the agreed text of the GeorgiaEuropean Union Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The new government's efforts to reassert Georgian authority in the southwestern autonomous republic of Adjara led to a major crisis in 2004. A communist state, also known as a Marxist-Leninist state, is a one-party state that is administered and governed by a communist party guided by Marxism-Leninism. [229] A number of large carnivores live in the forests, namely Brown bears, wolves, lynxes and Caucasian Leopards. The 2014 census, carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), found a population gap of approximately 700,000 compared to the 2014 data from the National Statistical Office of Georgia, Geostat, which was cumulatively built on the 2002 census. [299][300][301][302][303][304] The official languages of Georgia are Georgian, with Abkhaz having official status within the autonomous region of Abkhazia. Since 2004 the Georgian Railways have been undergoing a rolling programme of fleet-renewal and managerial restructuring which is aimed at making the service provided more efficient and comfortable for passengers. The medals depict the famous statue "Motherland" Calls, which was . This law prohibits communist symbolism and ideology along with fascist symbolism and ideology. [79] Georgia was the first non-Baltic republic of the Soviet Union to officially declare independence. Georgia's decision to boost its presence in the coalition forces in Iraq was an important initiative. [199] Since 2012 stagnation in corruption fighting efforts can be observed, according to Transparency International. [193], The new Patruli force was first introduced in the summer of 2005 to replace the traffic police, a force which was accused of widespread corruption. The coup was instigated by part of the National Guards and a paramilitary organization called "Mkhedrioni" ("horsemen"). by Juergen T Steinmetz. "It's a communist regime. The country is a member of international organizations, such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, Eurocontrol, the EBRD, the BSEC, the GUAM, the ADB, the WTO, and the Energy Community. Free shipping for many products! Georgia was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, alongside Armenia and Azerbaijan, in 1921 which in 1922 would become a founding member of the Soviet Union. The country has sizeable hydropower resources. [351], The most popular sports in Georgia are football, basketball, rugby union, wrestling, judo, and weightlifting. Total length of roads in Georgia, excluding the occupied territories, is 21,110 kilometres (13,120mi) and railways 1,576km (979mi). Meanwhile in Georgia, the communists terrorized dissidents, abolished democratic freedoms and persecuted the Church. In Greek mythology, Colchis was the location of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in Apollonius Rhodius' epic tale Argonautica. [259] Georgia was ranked 63rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, down from 48th in 2019. Located on the crossroads of protracted RomanPersian wars, the early Georgian kingdoms disintegrated into various feudal regions by the early Middle Ages. [176] On 13 December 2016, EU and Georgia reached the agreement on visa liberalization for Georgian citizens. [217] In addition, another territory not officially autonomous has also declared independence. [319], Most of these institutions offer three levels of study: a bachelor's programme (three to four years); a master's programme (two years), and a doctoral programme (three years). COVID-19 Travel restrictions for Georgia As of June 15th 2022, Citizens of any foreign countries, traveling to Georgia via any route, are no longer obliged to present either Covid-vaccination certificate or PCR-examination negative result For more information, visit the Georgia official governmental site. This period during the reigns of David IV (r. 10891125) and his great-granddaughter Tamar (r. 11841213) has been widely termed as Georgia's Golden Age or the Georgian Renaissance. [34], After the Roman Republic completed its brief conquest of what is now Georgia in 66 BC, the area became a primary objective of what would eventually turn out to be over 700 years of protracted Irano-Roman geo-political rivalry and warfare. The Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and western halves. [109] Russian forces occupied Georgian cities beyond the disputed territories. The party was founded on 23 February 1992 as the Socialist Labour Party. [225] Historically, the western portion of Georgia was known as Colchis while the eastern plateau was called Iberia.[226]. [248], Since coming to power the Saakashvili administration accomplished a series of reforms aimed at improving tax collection. [60], However, despite this commitment to defend Georgia, Russia rendered no assistance when the Iranians invaded in 1795, capturing and sacking Tbilisi while massacring its inhabitants, as the new heir to the throne sought to reassert Iranian hegemony over Georgia. 1955 - Nikolay Bulganin replaces Malenkov as prime minister. The Georgian army was defeated and the Social Democratic government fled the country. Georgian wine has been a contentious issue in recent relationships with Russia. [22] The Georgian circumfix sa-X-o is a standard geographic construction designating 'the area where X dwell', where X is an ethnonym. Michael W. Hughey, Springer, Mar 29, 2016. In addition, 435 were wounded, including 35 amputees. Georgia's flag has an important meaning and symbolism. Lore-based theories were given by the traveller Jacques de Vitry, who explained the name's origin by the popularity of St. George amongst Georgians,[16] while traveller Jean Chardin thought that Georgia came from Greek ('tiller of the land'). The following four universities are also located in Tbilisi: Georgian Technical University,[324] which is Georgia's main and largest technical university, The University of Georgia (Tbilisi),[325] as well as Caucasus University[326] and Free University of Tbilisi. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union on an immediate course towards Caucasian oil fields and munitions factories. [191] The US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law-Enforcement Affairs has provided assistance to the training efforts and continues to act in an advisory capacity. There are several architectural styles for castles, towers, fortifications and churches. On 26 May 2012, Saakashvili inaugurated a new Parliament building in the western city of Kutaisi, in an effort to decentralize power and shift some political control closer to Abkhazia. Rugby is considered Georgia's national sport. Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. The Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. [71], From 1803 to 1878, as a result of numerous Russian wars now against Ottoman Turkey, several of Georgia's previously lost territories such as Adjara were recovered, and also incorporated into the empire. For example, the Khevsureti region of Georgia has three styles of wrestling. [92], Tensions between Georgia and Russia began escalating in April 2008. [321] Gross primary enrolment ratio was 117 per cent for the period of 20122014, the 2nd highest in Europe after Sweden. Unified Communist Party of Georgia. Economic reforms since independence have led to higher levels of economic freedom, as well as reductions in corruption indicators, poverty, and unemployment. [18] The name Sakartvelo () consists of two parts. The high-water mark of Communist activity in Georgia occurred in the early 1930s, when the state's economy was suffering from the ravages of the Great Depression. [21] Ancient Greeks (Strabo, Herodotus, Plutarch, Homer, etc.) [175] In June 2014, the EU and Georgia signed an Association Agreement, which entered into force on 1 July 2016. The revival of the Kingdom of Georgia was set back after Tbilisi was captured and destroyed by the Khwarezmian leader Jalal ad-Din in 1226. [256] A perception of economic stagnation led to a 2019 survey of 1,500 residents finding unemployment was considered a significant problem by 73% of respondents, with 49% reporting their income had decreased over the prior year. By 1994 the gross domestic product had shrunk to a quarter of that of 1989.[240]. [35][36] From the first centuries AD, the cult of Mithras, pagan beliefs, and Zoroastrianism were commonly practised in Georgia. He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts, and makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. On 29 October 2004, the North Atlantic Council of NATO approved the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Georgia, and Georgia moved on to the second stage of Euro-Atlantic Integration. [86] The revolution was led by Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze, former members and leaders of Shevardnadze's ruling party. (1996). [345], Georgian cuisine and wine have evolved through the centuries, adapting traditions in each era. Legislative authority is vested in the Parliament of Georgia. [355], The first and only race circuit in the Caucasian region is located in Georgia. However, subsequent Iranian and Ottoman invasions further weakened local kingdoms and regions. [46] This early Georgian renaissance, which preceded its Western European analogue, was characterized by impressive military victories, territorial expansion, and a cultural renaissance in architecture, literature, philosophy and the sciences. The USSR was also the largest communist country. Among other things a flat income tax was introduced in 2004. [14] At the early stage of its appearance in the Latin world, it was not always written in the same transliteration, and the first consonant was being spelt with J as Jorgia. Between 6001,000 metres (1,9693,281ft) above sea level, the deciduous forest becomes mixed with both broad-leaf and coniferous species making up the plant life. The government of Georgia is carried out under a semi-presidential representative democracy. [137] However, the new constitution made the role of president largely ceremonial. This country held its first democratic republic elections in 1990. [44][45] The most prosperous period of the Abkhazian kingdom was between 850 and 950. The species number of invertebrates is considered to be very high but data is distributed across a high number of publications. [341], Television, magazines, and newspapers in Georgia are all operated by both state-owned and for-profit corporations which depend on advertising, subscription, and other sales-related revenues. [195], Prior to the Rose Revolution, Georgia was among the most corrupt countries in the world. [253] 2015 calculations place Georgia's nominal GDP at US$13.98billion. [134] Due to the incomplete transition to parliamentary democracy, a year of uneasy cohabitation between rivals Ivanishvili and Saakashvili followed until the October 2013 presidential elections.

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