GEORGIA-Country in the Caucasus Region of Eurasia.

• Capital : Tbilisi
• Currency : Georgian Lari(GEL)
• Official language : Georgian
• GEORGIA-Country in the Caucasus Region of Eurasia also known as Land of the wolves

GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA

TIMELINE

• 1918-1921 – Georgia is briefly an independent state after separating from the Russian Empire.
• 1921 – After the Red Army invasion, Georgia and Abkhazia are declared Soviet Socialist republics
• 1922 – The South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast is created within Georgia.
• 1931 – Abkhazia’s status is reduced to an autonomous republic within Georgia.
• 1990 – South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia. April 9, 1991 – Georgia declares independence.
• 1991 – 1992 – Civil war breaks out in Georgia. Zviad Gamsakhurdia is deposed as president
• 1992 – Abkhazia declares its independence from Georgia, leading to armed conflict.
• September 1993 – Abkhazia separatist forces defeat the Georgian military
• May 1994 – A ceasefire is agreed upon And signed between the Georgian government and Abkhaz separatists. Russian peacekeeping forces are deployed to the area.
• October 2001 – Fighting resumes between Abkhaz troops and Georgian paramilitaries. Russia states that it believes Georgia is harboring Chechen rebels, a claim denied by Georgia.
• September 2002 – Russian President Vladimir Putin sends a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UN Security Council members, and members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe stating that Georgia must respond to accusations they are harboring Chechen militants or face military action from Russia.
• October 2002 – Tensions with Russia are defused after Shevardnadze, Georgia’s president, promises to work with Russia to fight Chechen rebels.
• July 2005 – Under terms of a deal reached in May, Russia starts to withdraw its troops from two Soviet-era military bases.
• May-June 2006 – Tensions between Georgia and Russia rise again when Georgia demands that Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia have visas.
• November 12, 2006 – A referendum is voted upon in which South Ossetians overwhelmingly demand demand independence.
• Russia signs an order recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• In response, President Bush releases a statement saying, in part, ” United States condemns the decision by the Russian president to recognize as independent states the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia…. The territorial integrity and borders of Georgia must be respected, just as those of Russia or any other country.”

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ABKHAZIA ANS SOUTH OSSETIA

A World Map showing the data of international recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence by nation :

• Red part shows Abkhazia and South Ossetia
• Green part Shows that the states that recognize both Abkhazia and South Ossetia
• Yellow part shows that states that recognize South Ossetia as independent

RUSSIA INVASION 2008

WHY IS GEORGIA LAND OF THE WOLVES?

• The name of the country ‘Georgia’ is believed to originate from the Persian word “gorg” which means ‘land of wolves’

• Georgia history goes back at least 3500 years and Christianity (the state religion) was adopted 2000 years ago.

LARGEST RIVER OF GEORGIA: ALTAMAHA RIVER

• The Altamaha river, located in South Georgia is the largest river in Georgia.
• The river was named for a Yamassee Indian chief, Altamaha.
• Steamboats traveled up and down the river carrying travelers and items to be sold.
• The river played a large role in Georgia’s history.Many of the large cotton plantations were located along the banks of the river.

TOP SIGHTS OF GEORGIA

Narikala Fortress: Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Mtkvari River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulfur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi.

Uplistsikhe: Uplistsikhe is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10 kilometres east of the town of Gori, Shida Kartli. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River.

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi: The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Constructed between 1995 and 2004, it is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious buildings in the world by total area.

Ananuri Fortress Complex: Ananuri is a castle complex on the Aragvi River in Georgia, about 45 miles from Tbilisi.

Gelati Monastery: Gelati is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi in the Imereti region of western Georgia,founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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