|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Georgia | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | 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 until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (but are scheduled to withdraw from two of the bases by July 2001). Despite a badly degraded transportation network - brought on by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages - the country continues to move toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions. |
| Georgia | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | 4,989,285 (July 2001 est.) |
| 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% |
| Religions: | Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6% |
| Languages: | Georgian 71% (official),
Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia |
| Georgia | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: | conventional
long form: none
conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic |
| Government type: | republic |
| Capital: | T'bilisi |
| Administrative divisions: | 53 rayons (raionebi,
singular - raioni), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i),
and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular -
avtom respublika); Abashis, Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri
Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri
Respublika** (Bat'umi), Akhalgoris, Akhalk'alak'is, Akhalts'ikhis,
Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat'is, Bolnisis, Borjomis,
Chiat'ura*, Ch'khorotsqus, Ch'okhatauris, Dedop'listsqaros, Dmanisis,
Dushet'is, Gardabanis, Gori*, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K'arelis,
Kaspis, Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, K'ut'aisi*, Lagodekhis,
Lanch'khut'is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts'khet'is,
Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget'is, P'ot'i*, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Rust'avi*,
Sach'kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis, T'bilisi*,
T'elavis, T'erjolis, T'et'ritsqaros, T'ianet'is, Tqibuli*, Ts'ageris,
Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Tsqaltubo*, Vanis, Zestap'onis, Zugdidi*,
Zugdidis note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) |
| Independence: | 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) |
| Constitution: | adopted 17 October 1995 |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE
(previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March
1992; Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman
of Parliament 11 October 1992; president since 26 November 1995);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992; Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; president since 26 November 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80% |
| Political parties and leaders: | Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Eduard SHEVARDNADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; Socialist Party or SPG [Temur GAMTSEMLIDZE]; Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; United Republican Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman] |
| Flag description: | maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below |
| Georgia | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 1995, increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy continues to experience large budget deficits due to a failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also still suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the distribution network in 1998, and deliveries are steadily improving. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. The growing trade deficit, continuing problems with tax evasion and corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture. |
| Industries: | steel, aircraft, machine tools, electric locomotives, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine |
| Currency: | lari (GEL) |
