Overview

Georgia, called Sakartvelo by Georgians, is a European country occupying about 27,000 square miles (69,700 square kilometers). It is almost half the size of Illinois and is located in the mountainous region of Transcaucasia. Georgia is bounded by Russia to the north and northeast, Azerbaijan to the east, the Black Sea to the west, and Armenia and Turkey to the south. The country's population, which was 5.5 million in 1995, is predominantly Georgian. The Georgians comprise 71 percent of the population. Ethnic minorities include Armenians (8 percent), Russians (6.5 percent), Azerbaijanis (4.6 percent), Greeks (3 percent), Ossets (3 percent), and Abkhazians (2 percent). There are also smaller groups of Ukrainians, Turks, Persians, and Jews. Georgians are Christians and belong to the Georgian Orthodox Church. Islam and Judaism, which are practiced by ethnic minorities, are tolerated.

Georgia has a rich cultural heritage that is expressed in the original architecture of its churches, castles, and fortresses. The country...