Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Georgia (country)

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Country straddling Eastern Europe and West Asia in the Caucasus}}
{{Redirect|Republic of Georgia|the U.S. state|Georgia (U.S. state)|other uses}}
{{pp-move}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Georgia
| common_name            = Georgia
| linking_name           = Georgia (country)
| native_name            = {{native name|ka|საქართველო|}} <br />{{transliteration|ka|Sakartvelo}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Georgia.svg
| image_coat             = Greater coat of arms of Georgia.svg
| coa_size               = 95
| national_motto         = <br />{{native phrase|ka|ძალა ერთობაშია|paren=no}}<br />{{transliteration|ka|[[Dzala ertobashia]]}}<br />"Strength is in Unity"
| national_anthem        = <br />{{native name|ka|თავისუფლება|paren=no}}<br />{{transliteration|ka|[[Tavisupleba]]}}<br />"Freedom"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Tavisupleba_instrumental.ogg]]}}
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Georgia (orthographic projection with inset).svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Locator map of Georgia.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Europe<br />(claimed borders)|default=1}}
| map_caption            = Georgia in dark green; [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|uncontrolled<br />territory]] in light green
| image_map2             = 
| capital                = [[Tbilisi]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|41|43|N|44|47|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Georgian language|Georgian]]
| regional_languages     = [[Abkhaz language|Abkhaz]]{{efn|In the [[Abkhazian Autonomous Republic|Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia]].<ref>{{citation |chapter=Article 8 |title=Constitution of Georgia|title-link=Constitution of Georgia (country)}}. In [[Abkhazian Autonomous Republic|Abkhazian AR]], also [[Abkhaz language|Abkhazian]].</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parliament.ge/uploads/other/28/28803.pdf |title=Constitution of Georgia |website=Parliament of Georgia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210071629/http://parliament.ge/uploads/other/28/28803.pdf |archive-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>}}
| languages_type         = Spoken languages<ref name="geostat.ge" />
| ethnic_groups          = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
|86.8% [[Georgians]]|6.2% [[Azerbaijanis in Georgia|Azerbaijanis]]|4.5% [[Armenians in Georgia|Armenians]]|0.7% [[Russians in Georgia|Russians]]|2.1% [[Demographics of Georgia (country)#Ethnic groups|other]]}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2014{{Ref label|population|a|}}
| religion               = {{ublist |item_style=white-space;
|{{Tree list}}
* 87.3% [[Christianity in Georgia (country)|Christianity]]
** 83.4% [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgian Orthodoxy]]
** 3.9% other [[List of Christian denominations|Christian]]
{{Tree list/end}}
|10.7% [[Islam in Georgia (country)|Islam]] |2% [[Religion in Georgia (country)|other]] / [[Irreligion|none]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/population/Census_release_ENG_2016.pdf |title=საქართველოს მოსახლეობის საყოველთაო აღწერის საბოლოო შედეგები |date=28 April 2016 |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010074805/http://geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/population/Census_release_ENG_2016.pdf  }}</ref>}}
| religion_year          = 2014
| demonym                = [[Georgians|Georgian]]
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Georgia|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Salome Zourabichvili]]
| leader_title3          = [[Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia|Chairperson of<br />the Parliament]]
| leader_name3           = [[Shalva Papuashvili]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Georgia|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Irakli Kobakhidze]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Georgia|Parliament]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Georgia (country)|Establishment history]]
| established_event1     = {{nowrap|[[Colchis]] and [[Kingdom of Iberia|Iberia]]}}
| established_date1      = 13th c. BC – 580 AD
| established_event2     = [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]] and [[Kingdom of the Iberians]]
| established_date2      = 786–1008
| established_event3     = [[Unification of the Georgian realm]]
| established_date3      = 1008
| established_event4     = [[Triarchy and collapse of the Kingdom of Georgia|The Tripartite division]]
| established_date4      = 1463–1810
| established_event5     = [[Georgia within the Russian Empire|Russian annexation]]
| established_date5      = 12 September 1801
| established_event6     = [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|{{nowrap|Independence from}} the Russian Empire]]
| established_date6      = 26 May 1918
| established_event7     = [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|Red Army invasion]]
| established_date7      = 12 February 1921
| established_event8     = [[Georgian SSR]]
| established_date8      = 25 February 1921
| established_event9     = {{nowrap|Independence from}} {{nowrap|the Soviet Union}} <div style="text-align:right;">{{•}}[[Act of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia|Declared]]<br />{{•}}Finalized</div>
| established_date9      = <br /><br />9 April 1991<br />26 December 1991
| established_event10    = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of Georgia (country)|Current constitution]]}}
| established_date10     = 24 August 1995
| area_km2               = 69,700
| area_footnote          = 
| area_rank              = 119th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 26,911
| percent_water          = 
| population_census      = {{DecreaseNeutral}} 3,713,804{{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref name="2014 Census" />
| population_census_year = 2014
| population_estimate    = {{DecreaseNeutral}} 3,688,647{{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-05-07|title=Demographic Portal|url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/41/population}}</ref><br /> 4,012,104{{Ref label|population2|b|}}
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 126th
| population_density_km2 = 57.6
| population_density_sq_mi = 149.1
| population_density_rank = 137th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $82.210&nbsp;billion{{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref name="IMFWEO.GE">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=915,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Georgia) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 101st
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $22,357<ref name="IMFWEO.GE" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 75th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $30.023&nbsp;billion{{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref name="IMFWEO.GE" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 112th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $8,165<ref name="IMFWEO.GE" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 86th
| Gini                   = 34.2 <!-- number only -->
| Gini_year              = 2021
| Gini_change            = decrease<!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref               = {{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GE |title=GINI index (World Bank estimate) – Georgia |publisher=[[World Bank]] |website=data.worldbank.org |access-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720065529/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GE |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.802 <!-- number only -->
| HDI_year               = 2021 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = steady <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI_ref                = {{Ref label|population|a|}}<ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908052326/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |archive-date=2022-09-08 |url-status=live|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=8 September 2022|access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 63rd
| currency               = [[Georgian lari]] (₾)
| currency_code          = GEL
| time_zone              = [[Georgia Time]] GET
| utc_offset             = +4
| utc_offset_DST         = 
| DST_note               = 
| time_zone_DST          = 
| date_format            = dd.mm.yyyy
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[+995]]
| iso3166code            = GE
| cctld                  = [[.ge]], [[.გე]]
| footnote_a             = {{Note|population}} Not including [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|occupied territories]].
| footnote_b             = {{Note|population2}} Including [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|occupied territories]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}
}}
'''Georgia''' ({{Lang-ka|საქართველო|tr}}, {{IPA-ka|sakʰartʰʷelo|IPA|Sakartvelo.ogg}}) is a [[Boundaries between the continents#Modern definition|transcontinental]] country in Eastern Europe<ref>Encyclopedic World Atlas, George Philip & Son, [[Oxford University Press]]: 2002, p.104</ref><ref>''[[Histories (Herodotus)|Histories]]'' 4.38. C.f. James Rennell, ''The geographical system of Herodotus examined and explained'', Volume 1, Rivington 1830, [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_enQ-AAAAcAAJ/page/n274 p. 244]</ref><ref>[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]", [https://www.britannica.com/place/Caucasus Caucasus], June 2021: "One widely accepted scheme draws the dividing line along the crest of the Greater Caucasus range, putting the portion of the region north of the line in Europe and the portion south of it in Asia. Another puts the western portion of the Caucasus region in Europe and the eastern part (the bulk of Azerbaijan and small portions of Armenia, Georgia, and Russia's Caspian Sea coast) in Asia..."</ref> and West Asia. It is part of the [[Caucasus]] region, bounded by the [[Black Sea]] to the west, Russia to the north and northeast, Turkey to the southwest, Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southeast. Georgia covers an area of {{convert|69700|km2|sqmi|abbr=out}}.<ref>[[Nana Bolashvili]], Andreas Dittmann, Lorenz King, Vazha Neidze (eds.): ``National Atlas of Georgia``, 138 pages, Steiner Verlag, 2018, {{ISBN|978-3-515-12057-9}}</ref> It has a [[Demographics of Georgia (country)|population]] of 3.7&nbsp;million,{{efn|Excluding Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two [[List of states with limited recognition|partially recognized states]] under [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|Russian occupation]]. The [[Government of Georgia (country)|government of Georgia]] considers the two republics as integral parts of the country, with [[International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|international support]].}}<ref name="statspopulation">{{cite web|title=Population and Demography |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia, Geostat |url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/316/population-and-demography |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> of which over a third live in the capital and [[List of cities and towns in Georgia (country)|largest city]], [[Tbilisi]]. [[Georgians]], who are indigenous to the region, constitute a majority.

Georgia has been inhabited since prehistoric times, hosting the world's earliest known sites of [[winemaking]], gold mining, and textiles.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41977709 'World's oldest wine' found in 8,000-year-old jars in Georgia]. BBC News: 13 November 2017</ref><ref name="archeologyMethodTheory2014322">{{cite journal|last=Doce|first=Elisa Guerra|year=2004|title=The Origins of Inebriation: Archaeological Evidence of the Consumption of Fermented Beverages and Drugs in Prehistoric Eurasia|journal=[[Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory]]|volume=22|issue=3| pages=751–782 | doi=10.1007/s10816-014-9205-z | s2cid=143750976 }}</ref> The [[Classical antiquity|classical era]] saw the emergence of several kingdoms, such as [[Colchis]] and [[Kingdom of Iberia|Iberia]], that formed the nucleus of the modern Georgian state. In the early fourth century, [[Georgians]] officially [[Christianization of Iberia|adopted Christianity]], which contributed to their [[Unification of the Georgian realm|gradual unification]] and [[ethnogenesis]]. In the [[High Middle Ages]], the [[Kingdom of Georgia]] reached [[Georgian Golden Age|its Golden Age]] during the reign of King [[David IV of Georgia|David IV]] and Queen [[Tamar of Georgia|Tamar]]. The kingdom subsequently declined and [[Triarchy and collapse of the Kingdom of Georgia|disintegrated]] under the hegemony of various regional powers, including the [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]], the [[Ottoman Empire]], and [[History of Iran|Persia]], before being [[Georgia within the Russian Empire|gradually annexed]] into the [[Russian Empire]] starting in 1801.

After the [[Russian Revolution]] in 1917, Georgia briefly emerged as [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|an independent republic]] under [[Treaty of Poti|German protectorate]],<ref name="Soviet power">{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Stephen |date=27 October 2020|title=The establishment of Soviet power in Transcaucasia: The case of Georgia 1921–1928|journal=Soviet Studies|volume=40|issue=4|page=627 |doi=10.1080/09668138808411783}}</ref> but was [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|invaded and annexed]] by the [[Soviet Union]] in 1922, becoming [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|one]] of its [[Republics of the Soviet Union|constituent republics]]. In the 1980s, an independence movement grew quickly, leading to [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|Georgia's secession from the Soviet Union]] in April 1991. For much of the [[Post-Soviet states|subsequent decade]], the country endured economic crises, [[Post-Soviet conflicts|political instability]], and secessionist wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Following the peaceful [[Rose Revolution]] in 2003, Georgia strongly pursued a pro-Western foreign policy, introducing a series of [[Potential enlargement of the European Union|democratic and economic reforms aimed at integration]] into the European Union and [[Enlargement of NATO|NATO]]. The country's Western orientation soon led to [[Georgia–Russia relations|worsening relations with Russia]], which culminated in the [[Russo-Georgian War]] of 2008 and continued Russian occupation of [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|parts of Georgia]].

Georgia is a [[representative democracy]] governed as a [[unitary state|unitary]] [[parliamentary republic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Georgia |at=Article 1.1, 7.2, 45, 52 and 54 |url=https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/30346?publication=36 |publisher=The Legislative Herald of Georgia |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=2022-03-25}}</ref><ref name=undp>{{cite web |url=https://www.ge.undp.org/content/georgia/en/home/projects/PARLIAMENT.html |title=Consolidating Parliamentary Democracy in Georgia |publisher=UNDP Georgia |access-date=2022-03-25 |archive-date=19 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619184258/https://www.ge.undp.org/content/georgia/en/home/projects/PARLIAMENT.html  }}</ref> It is a [[developing country]] with a very high [[Human Development Index]]. Economic reforms since independence have led to higher levels of [[Index of Economic Freedom|economic freedom]], as well as reductions in [[Global Corruption Barometer|corruption indicators]], [[List of countries by percentage of population living in poverty|poverty]], and [[List of countries by unemployment rate|unemployment]]. Georgia is only the [[Legality of cannabis|second country in the world to legalize cannabis]], and the only former socialist state to do so. The country is a member of international organizations, including the [[Council of Europe]], [[Eurocontrol]], [[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation|BSEC]], [[GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development|GUAM]], [[Energy Community]]. As part of the [[Association Trio]], Georgia is a [[Potential enlargement of the European Union|candidate for EU membership]].<ref>[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2023/12/14-15/ European Council, 14–15 December 2023]</ref>

== Name of Georgia ==
=== Etymology ===
{{anchor|Etymology}}
{{Main|Names of Georgia}}
[[File:World map by Pietro Vesconte - Georgia.jpg|thumb|left|150px|"Georgia" on a medieval ''mappa mundi'', AD 1320.]]
[[Ancient Greeks]] ([[Strabo]], [[Herodotus]], [[Plutarch]], [[Homer]], etc.) and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] ([[Titus Livius]], [[Tacitus]], etc.) referred to early western Georgians as [[Colchians]] and eastern Georgians as [[Caucasian Iberians|Iberians]] ({{lang|grc-Latn|Iberoi}}, {{lang|grc|Ἰβηροι}} in some Greek sources).<ref>{{cite book |author=David Braund |title=A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia, 550 BC-AD 562 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/georgiainantiqui0000brau/page/17 17–18] |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-19-814473-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/georgiainantiqui0000brau}}</ref>

The first mention of the name ''Georgia'' is in Italian on the {{lang|la|[[mappa mundi]]}} of [[Pietro Vesconte]] dated 1320.<ref>[[Rouben Galichian]] (2007) Countries South of the Caucasus in Medieval Maps: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. pp. 188–189</ref> At the early stage of its appearance in the Latin world, the name was often spelled ''Jorgia''.<ref>Boeder; et al. (2002). Philology, typology and language structure. Peter Lang. p. 65. {{ISBN|978-0820459912}}</ref> Lore-based theories were given by traveler [[Jacques de Vitry]], who explained the name's origin by the popularity of [[Saint George|St. George]] among Georgians,<ref>[[Grigol Peradze|Peradze, Gregory]]. "The Pilgrims' derivation of the name Georgia". ''Georgica'', Autumn, 1937, nos. 4 & 5, 208–209</ref> while [[Jean Chardin]] thought that ''Georgia'' came from the Greek {{lang|grc|γεωργός}} ('tiller of the land'). These centuries-old explanations for the word ''Georgia''/''Georgians'' are now mostly rejected by the scholarly community, who point to the [[Persian language|Persian]] word {{lang|fa-Latn|gurğ}}/{{lang|fa-Latn|gurğān}} ({{lang|fa|گرگ}}, '[[wolf]]'<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hock|first1=Hans Henrich|last2=Zgusta|first2=Ladislav|title=Historical, Indo-European, and Lexicographical Studies|date=1997|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-012884-0|page=211}}</ref>) as the likely root of the word.{{sfnp|Mikaberidze|2015|p=3}} Under this hypothesis, the same Persian root was later adopted in numerous other languages, including Slavic and West European languages.{{sfnp|Mikaberidze|2015|p=3}}{{sfnp|Rapp|2014|p=21}}

The native name is {{lang|ka-Latn|Sakartvelo}} ({{wikt-lang|ka|საქართველო}}; 'land of [[Kartvelians]]'), derived from the core central Georgian region of [[Kartli]], recorded from the 9th century, and in extended usage referring to the entire medieval [[Kingdom of Georgia]] prior to the 13th century. The Georgian [[circumfix]] {{lang|ka-Latn|sa}}-X-{{lang|ka-Latn|o}} is a standard geographic construction designating 'the area where X dwell', where X is an [[ethnonym]].<ref name="Rapp">Rapp, Stephen H. (2003), ''Studies in Medieval Georgian Historiography: Early Texts And Eurasian Contexts'', pp. 419–423. Peeters Publishers, {{ISBN|90-429-1318-5}}</ref> The self-designation used by [[Georgians|ethnic Georgians]] is {{lang|ka-Latn|Kartvelebi}} ({{lang|ka|ქართველები}}, i.e. 'Kartvelians'), first attested in the ''[[Umm Leisun inscription]]'' found in the [[Old City of Jerusalem]].

The medieval ''[[the Georgian Chronicles|Georgian Chronicles]]'' present an eponymous ancestor of the Kartvelians, [[Kartlos]], a great-grandson of [[Japheth]] who medieval chroniclers believed to have been the root of the local name of their kingdom. However, scholars agree that the word ''Kartli'' is derived from the ''Karts'', a proto-Kartvelian tribe that emerged as a dominant regional group in ancient times.{{sfnp|Mikaberidze|2015|p=3}} The name {{lang|ka-Latn|Sakartvelo}} ({{lang|ka|საქართველო}}) consists of two parts. Its root, {{lang|ka-Latn|kartvel-i}} ({{lang|ka|ქართველ-ი}}), specifies an inhabitant of the core central-eastern Georgian region of [[Kartli]], or Iberia as it is known in sources of the [[Eastern Roman Empire]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Constantine Porphyrogenitus|title=De Administrando Imperio|editor1=Gyula Moravcsik |others=translated by [[Romilly James Heald Jenkins|R.J.H Jenkins]]|publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies|year=1967|title-link=De Administrando Imperio|author-link=Constantine Porphyrogenitus}}</ref>

=== Name ===
The official name of the country is ''Georgia'' per Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Georgia (country)|Georgian Constitution]].<ref>{{citation|chapter=Article 2.1 |title=Constitution of Georgia|publisher=Legislative Herald of Georgia |chapter-url=https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/30346?publication=36|quote=‘Georgia’ is the name of the state of Georgia.}}</ref> In Georgia's two official languages ([[Georgian language|Georgian]] and [[Abkhaz language|Abkhaz]]), the country is named საქართველო (''Sak'art'velo'') and Қырҭтәыла (''Kərttʷʼəla'') respectively. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution in 1995 and following the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|dissolution of the USSR]], the country was commonly called the "Republic of Georgia" to distinguish it from the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|State of Georgia]] in the United States, although that name did not carry legal recognition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Tbilisi |title=Tbilisi |date=11 July 2023 |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |quote=Tbilisi, formerly Tiflis, capital of the republic of Georgia}}</ref>

Several languages continue to use the Russian variant of the country's name, ''Gruzia'', which the Georgian authorities have sought to replace through diplomatic campaigns. Since 2006, Israel,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/by-georgia-dont-call-us-gruzia |title='By Georgia! Don't call us Gruzia' |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=The Jerusalem Post |last=Horovitz |first=David}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/scaucasus/georgia/2324328.html |title=Japan intends to officially use 'Georgia' instead of 'Gruzia' |date=21 October 2014 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Trend News Agency}}</ref> and South Korea<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eurasianet.org/georgia-stop-calling-me-gruzia |title=Georgia: Stop Calling Me "Gruzia" |date=28 June 2011 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Eurasianet |last=Lomsadze |first=Giorgi}}</ref> legally changed their appellation of the country to variants of the English ''Georgia''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rferl.org/a/georgia_asks_friends_to_stop_calling_it_gruzia/24264848.html |title=Georgia Asks Friends To Stop Calling It 'Gruzia' |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |last=Rekhviashvili |first=Jimsher}}</ref> In 2020, Lithuania became the first country in the world to adopt ''Sakartvelas'' in all official communications.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1317371/lithuania-approves-sakartvelo-as-official-name-for-georgia |title=Lithuania approves Sakartvelo as official name for Georgia |date=11 January 2021 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=LRT}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Georgia (country)}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of Georgian (country) history}}

=== Prehistory ===
{{see also|Prehistoric Georgia}}
The oldest traces of [[archaic humans]] in what is now Georgia date from approximately 1.8&nbsp;million years ago in the form of the [[Dmanisi hominins]], a subspecies of ''[[Homo erectus]]'' representing the oldest-known fossils of hominins in [[Eurasia]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/oddly-enough/georgian-archaeologists-find-18-million-year-old-human-tooth-2022-09-09/ |title=Georgian archaeologists find 1.8-million-year-old human tooth |date=9 September 2022 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Buffered by the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]] and benefiting from the [[Black Sea]] ecosystem, the region seems to have served as a [[Refugium (population biology)|refugium]] throughout the [[Pleistocene]],<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Earliest Occupation of Europe |last=Roebroeks |first=Wil |publisher=Modderman Stichting / Faculty of Archaeology – Leiden University |year=1993 |isbn=9789073368071 |location=Leiden |pages=207–209}}</ref> while the first continuous primitive settlements date back to the [[Middle Paleolithic]], close to 200,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite book |title=საქართველოს ისტორია |last=Tsotskolauri |first=Avtandil |publisher=Saunje |year=2017 |isbn=978-9941-451-79-9 |location=Tbilisi |pages=12–17}}</ref> During the [[Upper Paleolithic]], settlements developed mostly in Western Georgia, in the valleys of the [[Rioni]] and [[Qvirila]] rivers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1040618220304328 |title=Filling the gaps: Late Upper Palaeolithic settlement in Gvardjilas Klde, Georgia |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=ScienceDirect |last=Kot |first=Małgorzata}}</ref>

Signs of agriculture date back to at least the [[6th millennium BC]], especially in Western Georgia, while the [[Kura (river)|Mtkvari]] basin became stably populated in the [[5th millennium BC]], as evidenced with the rise of various cultures closely associated with the [[Fertile Crescent]], including the [[Trialetian Mesolithic]], the [[Shulaveri–Shomu culture]], and the [[Leyla-Tepe culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://journals.openedition.org/paleorient/602 |title=Rethinking architectural techniques of the Southern Caucasus in the 6th millennium BC: A re-examination of former data and new insights |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=Paleorient |last=Baudouin |first=Emmanuel}}</ref> Archaeological findings show that settlements in modern-day Georgia were responsible for the first use of fibers, possibly for clothing, more than 34,000 years ago,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/09/oldest-known-fibers-discovered/ |title=Oldest-known fibers to be used by humans discovered |date=10 September 2009 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=The Harvard Gazette |last=Lavole |first=Amy}}</ref> the [[Georgian wine|first cases of viticulture]] ([[7th millennium BC]]),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/sponsor-content-secret-birthplace-of-wine |title=Discover the Secret Birthplace of Wine |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=National Geographic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202151005/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/sponsor-content-secret-birthplace-of-wine |archive-date=2 December 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=This is a sponsored content article not written by National Geographic or subject to its editorial process|date=February 2024}} and the [[Sakdrisi|first signs of gold mining]] ([[3rd millennium BC]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://journals.openedition.org/archeosciences/2037?lang=en |title=Bronze Age gold in Southern Georgia |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=ArcheoSciences |last=Hauotmann |first=Andreas}}</ref>

The [[Kura–Araxes culture|Kura-Araxes]], [[Trialeti culture|Trialeti]], and [[Colchian culture]]s coincided with the development of proto-Kartvelian tribes that may have come from [[Anatolia]] during the expansion of the [[Hittites|Hittite Empire]], including the [[Mushki]], [[Laz people|Laz]], and [[Byzeres]]. Some historians have suggested that the collapse of the Hittite world in the [[Late Bronze Age collapse|Late Bronze Age]] led to an expansion of the influence of these tribes to the [[Mediterranean Sea]], notably with the [[Tabal|Kingdom of Tabal]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Historical-Ethnological problems of Georgia, the Caucasus and the Near East |last=Javakhishvili |first=Ivane |publisher=Tbilisi State University |year=1950 |location=Tbilisi |pages=130–135}}</ref>

=== Antiquity ===
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|image1=Armaztsikhe throne leg1.JPG
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|footer=Claw foot of the royal [[throne]] and ''[[patera]]'' depicting emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] uncovered near [[Mtskheta]], 2nd century AD.
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[[File:Svetitskhoveli fresco. King Mirian.jpg|thumb|upright|King [[Mirian III]] converted the nation to Christianity in the 4th century.]]
The classical period saw the rise of a number of Georgian states, including [[Colchis]] in western Georgia where [[Greek mythology]] located the [[Golden Fleece]] sought after by the [[Argonauts]]. Archaeological evidence points to a wealthy kingdom in Colchis as early as the 14th century BC<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/1715 |title=Archaeologists discover 14th–12th centuries BCE Colchis artefacts in western Georgia |date=13 May 2022 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Agenda.ge}}</ref> and an extensive trade network with [[Greek colonisation|Greek colonies]] on the eastern Black Sea shore (such as [[Sukhumi|Dioscurias]] and [[Phasis (town)|Phasis]]),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://journals.openedition.org/mediterranee/8317 |title=Geoarchaeology of Phasis (Georgia) |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Journal of Mediterranean Geography |last=Lichell |first=Vakhtang}}</ref> though the entire region would be annexed first by [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]] and then by the [[Roman Republic]] in the 1st century BC.

Eastern Georgia remained a decentralized mosaic of various clans (ruled by individual ''[[mamasakhlisi]]'') until the 4th century BC when it was conquered by [[Alexander the Great]], eventually leading to the creation of the [[Kingdom of Iberia]] under the protectorate of the [[Seleucid Empire]], an early example of advanced state organization under one king and an aristocratic hierarchy.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lives and Legends of the Georgian Saints|publisher=[[Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary|St. Vladimir's Seminary Press]]|edition=2nd|year=1997|author=David Marshall Lang|isbn=978-0-913836-29-3|author-link=David Marshall Lang}}</ref> Various wars with the [[Roman Empire]], [[Parthian Empire|Parthia]], and [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]] made Iberia regularly change its allegiance, though it remained a Roman client state for most of its history.

In 337, King [[Mirian III of Iberia|Mirian III]] adopted Christianity as the state religion of Iberia, beginning the christianization of the Western Caucasus region and solidly anchoring it in Rome's sphere of influence by abandoning the ancient [[Georgian mythology|Georgian polytheistic religion]] heavily influenced by [[Zoroastrianism]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Studies in Christian Caucasian History|author=Cyril Toumanoff|publisher=[[Georgetown University Press]].|year=1967|pages=83–84, 377|author-link=Cyril Toumanoff}}</ref> However, the [[Peace of Acilisene]] in 384 formalized the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] control over the entire Caucasus, though Christian rulers of Iberia sought to rebel at times, leading to devastating wars in the 5–6th centuries, most famously under the rule of King [[Vakhtang I of Iberia|Vakhtang Gorgasali]] who expanded Iberia to its largest historical extent by capturing all of western Georgia and building a new capital in [[Tbilisi]].

=== Medieval unification of Georgia ===
[[File:Near Mestia, Svan towers (35252565354).jpg|thumb|Northwestern Georgia is home to the [[Middle Ages|medieval]] defensive [[Svan towers]] of [[Ushguli]] and [[Mestia]].]]
In 580, the Sasanian Empire abolished the Kingdom of Iberia, leading to the disintegration of its constituent territories into various feudal regions by the [[early Middle Ages]]. The [[Roman–Persian Wars]] plunged the region into chaos, with both [[Persia]] and [[Constantinople]] supporting various warring factions in the [[Caucasus]]; however, the [[Byzantine Empire]] was able to establish control over Georgian territories by the end of the 6th century, ruling Iberia indirectly through a local ''[[Kouropalates]]''.<ref>{{harvnb|Asatiani|2009|pp=48–50}}</ref>

In 645, the Arabs invaded southeastern Georgia, starting an [[Early Muslim conquests|extended period of Muslim domination]] in the region and leading to the establishment of several feudal states seeking independence from each other, such as the [[Emirate of Tbilisi]] and the [[Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti|Principality of Kakheti]].<ref>{{harvnb|Asatiani|2009|pp=54–61}}</ref> Western Georgia remained mostly a Byzantine protectorate, especially following the [[Lazic War]].<ref>{{harvnb|Asatiani|2009|pp=47–48}}</ref>

[[File:Bediacup.jpg|thumb|[[Bedia Chalice]], a medieval Georgian goldsmithery dated {{circa}} 999 AD.]]

The lack of a central government in Georgia allowed the rise of the [[Bagrationi dynasty]] in the early 9th century. Consolidating lands in the southwestern region of [[Tao-Klarjeti]], Prince [[Ashot I of Iberia|Ashot I]] (813–830) used infighting between Arab governors to expand his influence to Iberia and was recognized as Presiding Prince of Iberia by both the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] and the Byzantine Empire. Though Ashot's descendants formed competing princely lines, [[Adarnase IV of Iberia|Adarnase IV]] managed to unify most Georgian lands (except for Kakheti and Abkhazia) and was crowned [[Kingdom of the Iberians|King of the Iberians]] in [[AD 888|888]], restoring the monarchy abolished three centuries prior.<ref>{{harvnb|Asatiani|2009|pp=67–70}}</ref>

In Western Georgia, the [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]] benefited from the weakening of Byzantium in the region to unify various tribes and become one of the most powerful states of the Caucasus in the 8th century.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nation-building in the post-Soviet borderlands|last=Smith|first=Graham|author2=Vivien Law|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1998|isbn=978-0-521-59968-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/nationbuildingin0000unse/page/56 56]|url=https://archive.org/details/nationbuildingin0000unse/page/56}}</ref> In the 9th-10th centuries, Abkhazia grew its influence through several military campaigns and came to control much of Iberia and competing with the Bagrationi. Dynastic conflicts eventually weakened Abkhazia in the second half of the 10th century while in Tao-Klarjeti, Prince [[David III of Tao|David III]] used his influence within [[Byzantine Anatolia]] to empower the Bagrationi. Bagrat III, heir of the Bagrationi dynasty, successively became King of Abkhazia (978), Prince of Tao-Klarjeti ([[AD 1000|1000]]), and King of the Iberians (1008), allowing him to unify most Georgian feudal states and be crowned in 1010 as [[List of monarchs of Georgia|King of Georgia]].

=== Golden Age and Division ===
For much of the 11th century, the nascent Georgian kingdom experienced geopolitical and internal difficulties, with various noble factions opposed to the centralization of the Georgian state. They were often backed by the Byzantine Empire, which feared a dominion of the Caucasus region by the Bagrationi dynasty and in some instances fueled internal conflict through aristocratic families seeking more power. However, ties between Byzantium and Georgia were normalized when the two countries faced a new common enemy, the rising [[Seljuk Empire]] in the 1060s. Following the decisive Byzantine defeat at the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071, Constantinople started to retreat from eastern Anatolia and entrusted Georgia with its administration, placing Georgia [[Georgian–Seljuk wars|at the forefront]] of Turkish in the 1080s.

[[File:David IV, fresco.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[David IV of Georgia|David the Builder]], the original architect of the Golden Age. Fresco from [[Gelati monastery]].]]
The Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. This period during the reigns of [[David IV of Georgia|David IV]] (r. 1089–1125) and his great-granddaughter [[Tamar of Georgia|Tamar]] (r. 1184–1213) has been widely termed as the [[Georgian Golden Age]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Modern History of Soviet Georgia |author=David Marshall Lang|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=London |year=1976|page=29|isbn=978-0-8371-8183-7|author-link=David Marshall Lang}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Trust and Conflict: Representation, Culture and Dialogue|editor1= Ivana Marková |editor2=Alex Gillespie|page=43 |series=Cultural Dynamics of Social Representation|year=2011|isbn=978-0-415-59346-5}}</ref> The Golden Age of Georgia left a legacy of great cathedrals, romantic poetry and literature, and the epic poem ''[[The Knight in the Panther's Skin]]'', considered a national epic.<ref>{{cite book |title=Georgian Literature and Culture|author1=Howard Aronson|author2=Dodona Kiziria|publisher=Slavica |year=1999|page=119|isbn= 978-0-89357-278-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Suny|first1=Ronald Grigor |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia|date=1996|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=978-0-7881-2813-4 |page=184|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B2W1YOG3N10C|quote=The Knight in the Panther Skin occupies a unique position as the Georgian national epic.|access-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221175149/https://books.google.com/books?id=B2W1YOG3N10C|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref>

David IV suppressed dissent of feudal lords and centralized power in his hands to effectively deal with foreign threats. In 1121, he decisively defeated much larger Turkish armies during the [[Battle of Didgori]] and abolished the [[Emirate of Tbilisi]].<ref name="javaxisvili">{{cite book |language=ka |author-link=Ivane Javakhishvili |last=Javakhishvili |first=Ivane |year=1982 |title=k'art'veli eris istoria |trans-title=The History of the Georgian Nation |volume=2 |pages=184–187 |publisher=[[Tbilisi State University]] Press}}</ref>

[[File:Tamar (Vardzia fresco detail).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Tamar of Georgia|Queen Tamar]], the first woman to rule medieval Georgia in her own right.{{sfnp|Eastmond|2010|p=109}}]]
The 29-year reign of Tamar, the first female ruler of Georgia, is considered the most successful in Georgian history.{{sfnp|Eastmond|2010|p=93}} Tamar was given the title "king of kings"{{sfnp|Eastmond|2010|p=109}} and succeeded in neutralizing her opposition, while embarking on an energetic foreign policy aided by the downfall of the rival powers of the Seljuks and Byzantium. Supported by a powerful military élite, Tamar was able to build on the successes of her predecessors to consolidate an empire which dominated the Caucasus, and extended over large parts of present-day Azerbaijan, Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northern Iran, and used the vacuum of power left by the [[Fourth Crusade]] to create the [[Empire of Trebizond]] as a Georgian vassal state.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeEeAQAAMAAJ| title=Imagining history at the crossroads: Persia, Byzantium, and the architects of the written Georgian past, Volume 2 p 652 | publisher=University of Michigan 1997 |access-date= 25 September 2016| year=1997 | isbn=978-0-591-30828-0 }}</ref>

The revival of the Kingdom of Georgia was set back after Tbilisi was captured and destroyed by the Khwarezmian leader [[Jalal al-Din Mangburni|Jalal ad-Din]] in 1226,<ref>{{cite book|author=René Grousset, Rene|title='The Empire of the Steppes|publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]]|year=1991|page=260}}</ref> followed by devastating invasions by Mongol ruler [[Genghis Khan]]. The Mongols were expelled by [[George V of Georgia|George V the Brilliant]] (r. 1299–1302), known for reuniting eastern and western Georgia and restoring the country's previous strength and Christian culture. After his death, local rulers fought for their independence from central Georgian rule, until the total disintegration of the kingdom in the 15th century. Georgia was further weakened by several disastrous invasions by [[Timur]]. Invasions continued, giving the kingdom no time for restoration, with both [[Qara Qoyunlu]] and [[Aq Qoyunlu]] Turkomans constantly raiding its southern provinces.

=== Tripartite division===
[[File:Alexander III by Castelli (2).jpg|thumb|left|upright|King [[Alexander III of Imereti|Alexander III]] stabilized western Georgia.]]
The Kingdom of Georgia [[Collapse of the Georgian realm|collapsed]] into anarchy by 1466 and fragmented into three independent kingdoms and five semi-independent [[Principality|principalities]]. Neighboring large empires subsequently exploited the internal division of the weakened country, and beginning in the 16th century, various Ottoman and Iranian forces subjugated western and eastern regions of Georgia, respectively.{{sfnp|Mikaberidze|2015|p=xxxi}} This pushed local Georgian rulers to seek closer ties with Russia. In 1649, the [[Kingdom of Imereti]] sent ambassadors to the Russian royal court, with Russia returning the favor in 1651. In the presence of these ambassadors, [[Alexander III of Imereti]] swore an oath of allegiance to Tsar [[Alexis of Russia]] on behalf of Imereti.<ref>" ნ. ტოლჩანოვის იმერეთში ელჩობის მუხლობრივი აღწერილობა, 1650–1652", გამოსცა ი. ცინცაძემ, თბ., 1970, გვ. 37–38</ref> Subsequent rulers also sought assistance from Pope [[Innocent XII]] but without success.<ref>გურამ შარაძე, [http://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/handle/1234/293835 ბედნიერებისა და სათნოების საუნჯე], თბილისი, გამომცემლობა საბჭოთა საქართველო, 1984: pp. 436–437.</ref>

The rulers of regions that remained partly [[Autonomy|autonomous]] organized rebellions on various occasions. As a result of incessant [[Ottoman–Persian Wars]] and deportations, the population of Georgia dwindled to 784,700 inhabitants at the end of the 18th century.<ref>{{cite book|last1=ჯაოშვილი|first1=ვახტანგ |title=საქართველოს მოსახლეობა XVIII-XX საუკუნეებში: დემოგრაფიულ-გეოგრაფიული გამოკვლევა|date=1984 |publisher=მეცნიერება|page=72|edition=1st}}</ref> [[Eastern Georgia (country)|Eastern Georgia]], composed of the regions of [[Kartli]] and [[Kakheti]], had been under Iranian [[suzerainty]] since the [[Peace of Amasya]] signed with neighbouring rivalling Ottoman Turkey ([[Safavid Georgia]]). With the death of [[Nader Shah]] in 1747, both kingdoms broke free and were reunified through [[Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti|a personal union]] under the energetic king [[Heraclius II of Georgia|Heraclius II]], who succeeded in stabilizing Eastern Georgia to a degree.{{sfnp|Fisher|Avery|Hambly|Melville|1991|p=328}}
[[File:Erekle II (crop).jpg|thumb|upright|King [[Heraclius II of Georgia|Heraclius II]] was caught between rival regional powers.]]
In 1783, Russia and the eastern Georgian [[Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti]] signed the [[Treaty of Georgievsk]], which made eastern Georgia protectorate of Russia, guaranteed its territorial integrity and the continuation of its reigning Bagrationi dynasty in return for prerogatives in the conduct of Georgian foreign affairs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/georgia.htm|script-title=ru:Георгиевский трактат|trans-title=Treaty of Georgievsk|date=24 July 1783|publisher=[[Moscow State University]]|access-date=1 February 2015|language=ru |archive-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501155836/http://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/georgia.htm}}</ref>

Despite its commitment to defend Georgia, Russia rendered no assistance when the [[Qajar dynasty|Iranians]] invaded in 1795, [[Battle of Krtsanisi|capturing and sacking Tbilisi]] and massacring its inhabitants.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.academia.edu/9137125|title=Relations between Tehran and Moscow, 1797–2014|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref> Although Russia initiated a [[Persian Expedition of 1796|punitive campaign against Persia]] in 1796, the Russian Imperial authorities subsequently violated key promises of the Georgievsk Treaty and in 1801 proceeded to annex eastern Georgia, while abolishing the Georgian royal [[Bagrationi dynasty]], as well as the [[autocephaly]] of the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]]. [[Pyotr Bagration]], one of the descendants of the abolished house of Bagrationi, later joined the Russian army and became a prominent general in the Napoleonic wars.<ref>{{citation |last=Mikaberidze |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Mikaberidze |title=Peter Bagration: The Best Georgian General of the Napoleonic Wars |date=2009 |url=http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/bagration/c_bagration1.html |series=The Napoleon Series |editor-last=Burnham |editor-first=Robert |access-date=19 February 2019 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816052429/http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/bagration/c_bagration1.html}}</ref>

=== Within the Russian Empire ===
[[File:George XII of Georgia.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The reign of [[George XII of Georgia|George XII]] was marked by instability.]]
{{Main|Georgia within the Russian Empire}}
On 22 December 1800, [[Tsar]] [[Paul I of Russia]], at the alleged request of the Georgian King [[Giorgi XII of Kartli-Kakheti|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,{{sfnp|Gvosdev|2000|p=85}}{{sfnp|Avalov|1906|p=186}} and confirmed by Tsar [[Alexander I of Russia|Alexander I]] on 12 September 1801.{{sfnp|Gvosdev|2000|p=86}}{{sfnp|Lang|1957|p=249}} The [[Bagrationi]] royal family was deported from the kingdom. The Georgian envoy in [[Saint Petersburg]] reacted with a note of protest that was presented to the Russian vice-chancellor Prince Kurakin.{{sfnp|Lang|1957|p=251}}

In May 1801, under the oversight of General Carl Heinrich von Knorring, Imperial Russia transferred power in eastern Georgia to the government headed by General [[Ivan Petrovich Lazarev]].{{sfnp|Lang|1957|p=247}} The Georgian nobility did not accept the decree until 12 April 1802, when Knorring assembled the nobility at the [[Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral|Sioni Cathedral]] and forced them to take an oath on the [[Imperial Crown of Russia]]. Those who disagreed were temporarily arrested.{{sfnp|Lang|1957|p=252}}

In the summer of 1805, Russian troops on the Askerani River near Zagam defeated the Iranian army during the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–13)|1804–13 Russo-Persian War]] and saved Tbilisi from reconquest now that it was officially part of the Imperial territories. Russian suzerainty over eastern Georgia was officially finalized with Iran in 1813 following the [[Treaty of Gulistan]].<ref>Timothy C. Dowling [https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728 ''Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208103437/https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728 |date=8 February 2017 }} pp 728 ABC-CLIO, 2 December 2014 {{ISBN|1598849484}}</ref> Following the annexation of eastern Georgia, the western Georgian [[kingdom of Imereti]] was annexed by Tsar Alexander I. The last Imeretian king and the last Georgian Bagrationi ruler, [[Solomon II of Imereti|Solomon II]], died in exile in 1815, after attempts to rally people against Russia and to enlist foreign support against the latter, had been in vain.{{sfnp|Suny|1994|p=64}}

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. The principality of [[Guria]] was abolished and incorporated into the Empire in 1829, while [[Svaneti]] was gradually annexed in 1858. [[Samegrelo|Mingrelia]], although a Russian protectorate since 1803, was not absorbed until 1867.<ref>Allen F. Chew: ''An Atlas of Russian History: Eleven Centuries of Changing Borders''. [[Yale University Press]], 1970, p. 74.</ref>

Russian rule offered the Georgians security from external threats, but it was also often heavy-handed and insensitive. By the late 19th century, [[Svaneti uprising of 1875–1876|discontent with the Russian authorities]] grew into a national revival movement led by [[Ilia Chavchavadze]]. 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. Both peasants and workers found expression for their discontent through revolts and strikes, culminating in the [[Revolution of 1905]]. Their cause was championed by the [[socialism|socialist]] [[Menshevik]]s, who became the dominant political force in Georgia in the final years of Russian rule.

=== Declaration of independence ===
{{Main|Democratic Republic of Georgia}}
[[File:Noe Schordania.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Noe Zhordania]]]]
After the [[Russian Revolution]] of 1917, the [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic]] was established with [[Nikolay Chkheidze]] acting as its president. The federation consisted of three nations: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref name="Soviet power" /> As the Ottomans advanced into the Caucasian territories of the crumbling Russian Empire, Georgia declared independence on 26 May 1918.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Georgia Celebrates Independence Day|url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/21292/Georgia-Celebrates-Independence-Day-|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Georgia Today on the Web|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705123407/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/21292/Georgia-Celebrates-Independence-Day-}}</ref> The [[Menshevik]] [[Social Democratic Party of Georgia]] won the parliamentary election and its leader, [[Noe Zhordania]], became prime minister. Despite the Soviet takeover, Zhordania was recognized as the legitimate head of the [[Government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in Exile|Georgian Government]] by France, UK, Belgium, and Poland through the 1930s.<ref>Stefan Talmon (1998), ''Recognition of Governments in International Law'', p. 289–290. [[Oxford University Press]], {{ISBN|0-19-826573-5}}.</ref>

The 1918 [[Georgian–Armenian War]], which erupted over parts of disputed provinces between Armenia and Georgia populated mostly by Armenians, ended because of British intervention. In 1918–1919, Georgian general [[Giorgi Mazniashvili]] led an attack against the [[White Army]] led by Moiseev and Denikin to claim the [[Black Sea]] coastline from [[Tuapse]] to [[Sochi]] and [[Adlersky City District|Adler]] for the independent Georgia.<ref name="shirokov">{{cite book|last1=Широков|first1=И. В.|last2=Тарасов|first2=А. А.|title=Наша маленькая Хоста – Исторический очерк|url=http://www.sss-tmas.org/index.php/component/docman/doc_download/14-our-little-khosta?Itemid=|year=2010|location=Sochi|language=ru|access-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220124843/http://www.sss-tmas.org/index.php/component/docman/doc_download/14-our-little-khosta?Itemid=|archive-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> In 1920 [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]] recognized Georgia's independence with the [[Treaty of Moscow (1920)|Treaty of Moscow]]. But the recognition proved to be of little value, as the Red Army [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|invaded Georgia in 1921]] and formally annexed it into the Soviet Union in 1922.<ref name=":0" />

=== Soviet Socialist Republic ===
{{Main|Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgian Affair}}
[[File:Red Army in Tiflis Feb 25 1921.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bolshevik Russia|Bolshevik]] [[Red Army]] in Tbilisi on [[Soviet Occupation Day, Georgia|25 February 1921]]. Saint David's church on the [[Mtatsminda Pantheon|Holy Mountain]] is visible in the distance.]]
In February 1921, during the [[Russian Civil War]], the [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|Red Army advanced into Georgia]] and brought the local Bolsheviks to power. The Georgian army was defeated and the Social Democratic government fled the country. On [[Soviet Occupation Day, Georgia|25 February 1921]], the Red Army entered Tbilisi and established a government of workers' and peasants' [[Soviet (council)|soviets]] with [[Filipp Makharadze]] as acting head of state. Georgia was incorporated into what would soon become the [[Soviet Union]]. Soviet rule was firmly established only after local insurrections were defeated.<ref>Knight, Amy. ''Beria: Stalin's First Lieutenant'', [[Princeton University Press]], [[Princeton, New Jersey]], p. 237, {{ISBN|978-0-691-01093-9}}.</ref> Georgia would remain an unindustrialized periphery of the USSR until the [[first five-year plan]] when it became a major centre for textile goods.

[[Joseph Stalin]], an ethnic Georgian, was prominent among the Bolsheviks.<ref>"[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ethnic-tensions-war-in-the-caucasus-is-stalins-legacy-899615.html Ethnic tensions: War in the Caucasus is Stalin's legacy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180716/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ethnic-tensions-war-in-the-caucasus-is-stalins-legacy-899615.html |date=20 June 2018 }}". ''The Independent''. 17 August 2008.</ref> Stalin was to rise to the highest position, leading the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death on 5 March 1953.

In June 1941, [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] [[Operation Barbarosa|invaded the Soviet Union]] on an immediate course towards Caucasian oil fields and munitions factories. They never reached Georgia, however, and almost 700,000 Georgians fought in the Red Army to repel the invaders and advance towards Berlin. Of them, an estimated 350,000 were killed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian World War II hero's remains return home |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2015/2165 |work=Agenda.ge |date=30 September 2015}}</ref>

After [[Death and state funeral of Joseph Stalin|Stalin's death]], [[Nikita Khrushchev]] became the leader of the Soviet Union and implemented a policy of [[de-Stalinization]]. Khrushchev's purges were met with [[1956 Georgian demonstrations|riots]], which had to be dispersed by military force. This violent turn of events that compromised Georgian loyalty to the Soviet Union, contributing to the nation's consolidation.<ref name="a&c">[[Svante Cornell|Cornell, Svante E.]] (2002), ''Autonomy and Conflict: Ethnoterritoriality and Separatism in the South Caucasus: Cases in Georgia'', pp. 146–149. [[Uppsala University]], Department of Peace and Conflict Research, {{ISBN|91-506-1600-5}}</ref> [[1978 Georgian demonstrations]] saw the return of mass anti-Soviet protests, but this time government backed down.

Throughout the remainder of the Soviet period, Georgia's economy continued to grow and experience significant improvement, though it increasingly exhibited blatant corruption and alienation of the government from the people. With the beginning of [[perestroika]] in 1986, the Georgian Soviet leadership proved so incapable of handling the changes that most Georgians, including [[wikt:Special:Search/rank and file|rank and file]] communists, concluded that the only way forward was a break from the existing Soviet system.

=== After restoration of independence ===
[[File:1993 Georgia war1.svg|thumb|[[Georgian Civil War]] and the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)|War in Abkhazia]] in August–October 1993]]
On 9 April 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the [[Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia|Supreme Council]] of Georgia [[Act of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia|declared independence]] after a [[Georgian independence referendum, 1991|referendum]] held on 31 March.<ref name="GovtofGeorgia">{{cite web |url=http://gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=193 |title=Government of Georgia:About Georgia |publisher=gov.ge |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821030240/http://gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=193 |archive-date=21 August 2016 }}</ref> Georgia was the first non-[[Baltic states|Baltic]] republic of the Soviet Union to officially declare independence.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=alTeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA333|title=New Tribalisms: The Resurgence of Race and Ethnicity|first=Michael W.|last=Hughey|date=29 March 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-349-26403-2 |access-date=28 August 2023|via=Google Books}}</ref> In August 1991, Romania became the first country to recognize Georgia.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G4LiAAAAMAAJ&q=%22was+Romania%22|title=Coming Together Or Falling Apart?: Regionalism in the Former Soviet Union|first1=S. Neil|last1=MacFarlane|first2=Queen's University (Kingston, Ont ) Centre for International|last2=Relations|date=28 August 1997|publisher=Centre for International Relations, Queen's University|isbn=978-0-88911-745-7 |access-date=28 August 2023|via=Google Books}}</ref>

On 26 May, [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] was elected as the first President of independent Georgia. Gamsakhurdia stoked Georgian nationalism and vowed to assert Tbilisi's authority over regions such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia that had been classified as autonomous within the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgian SSR]].<ref name="princeton">{{cite web |title=Georgia: Abkhazia and South Ossetia |url=https://pesd.princeton.edu/?q=node/274 |website=www.pesd.princeton.edu |publisher=Encyclopedia Princetoniensis |access-date=16 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804112845/https://pesd.princeton.edu/?q=node%2F274 |archive-date=4 August 2018 }}</ref>

He was soon deposed in a [[1991–92 Georgian coup d'état|bloody ''coup d'état'']], from 22 December 1991 to 6 January 1992. The coup was instigated by part of the National Guards and a paramilitary organization called "[[Mkhedrioni]]" ("horsemen"). The country then became embroiled in a bitter [[Georgian Civil War|civil war]], which lasted until 1994. Simmering disputes within two regions of Georgia; Abkhazia and South Ossetia, between local separatists and the majority Georgian populations, erupted into widespread inter-ethnic violence and wars.<ref name="princeton" /> Supported by Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia achieved ''de facto'' independence from Georgia, with Georgia retaining control only in small areas of the disputed territories.<ref name="princeton" /> [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] (Soviet [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Soviet Union)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] from 1985 to 1991) returned to Georgia in 1992 and was elected as head of state in [[1992 Georgian general election|that year's elections]], and as president in [[1995 Georgian presidential election|1995]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 July 2014|title=Obituary: Eduard Shevardnadze|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26327394|access-date=2021-07-06}}</ref>

During the [[War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)]], roughly 230,000 to 250,000 Georgians<ref name="hrwreport">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Georgia2.htm |title=Georgia/Abchasia: Violations of the laws of war and Russia's role in the conflict |date=March 1995 |publisher=Hrw.org |access-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220133323/http://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/Georgia2.htm |archive-date=20 February 2001 |url-status=live }}</ref> were expelled from Abkhazia by Abkhaz separatists and North Caucasian volunteers (including Chechens). Around 23,000 Georgians fled South Ossetia while 100,000 Ossetians fled Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 1996|title=Russia – The Ingush–Ossetian conflict in the Prigorodnyi region|url=http://hrw.org/reports/1996/Russia.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513003516/http://hrw.org/reports/1996/Russia.htm|archive-date=13 May 2007|access-date=18 July 2007|publisher=Human Rights Watch/Helsinki}}</ref>

[[File:Georgia, Tbilisi - Rose Revolution (2003).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Rose Revolution]] in 2003]]
In 2003, Shevardnadze (who won re-election in 2000) was deposed by the [[Rose Revolution]], after Georgian opposition and international monitors asserted that 2 November parliamentary elections were marred by fraud.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112204a.shtml |title=EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight – Georgia's Rose Revolution: Momentum and Consolidation |publisher=Eurasianet.org |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-date=5 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805074544/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112204a.shtml}}</ref> The revolution was led by [[Mikheil Saakashvili]], [[Zurab Zhvania]] and [[Nino Burjanadze]], former members and leaders of Shevardnadze's ruling party. Mikheil Saakashvili was elected as President of Georgia in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabula.ge/ge/elections-2016/history |title=არჩევნების ისტორია|publisher=Tabula|date=17 August 2016|access-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013905/http://www.tabula.ge/ge/elections-2016/history|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live|language=ka}}</ref>

Following the Rose Revolution, a series of reforms were launched to strengthen the country's military and economic capabilities, as well as to reorient its foreign policy westwards. The new government's efforts to reassert Georgian authority in the southwestern autonomous republic of [[Adjara]] led to a major [[Ajaria Crisis|crisis]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Georgia moves to rein in Ajaria |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3685117.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=5 May 2004}}</ref>

The country's newly pro-Western stance, along with accusations of Georgian involvement in the [[Second Chechen War]],<ref>{{Cite news | last= Gorshkov | first= Nikolai | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/2269057.stm | title= Duma prepares for Georgia strike | work= BBC News | date= 19 September 2002 | access-date= 24 July 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090929222413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/2269057.stm | archive-date= 29 September 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> resulted in a severe deterioration of [[Georgia-Russia relations|relations with Russia]], fuelled also by Russia's open assistance and support to the two secessionist areas. Despite these increasingly difficult relations, in May 2005 Georgia and Russia reached a bilateral agreement<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=10007 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080813052136/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=10007 |url-status=live|archive-date=13 August 2008 |title=Russia, Georgia strike deal on bases |publisher=Civil Georgia, Tbilisi |date=30 May 2005 | access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> by which Russian military bases (dating back to the Soviet era) in [[Batumi]] and [[Akhalkalaki]] were withdrawn. Russia withdrew all personnel and equipment from these sites by December 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=16321|title=Russia Hands Over Batumi Military Base to Georgia|publisher=Civil Georgia, Tbilisi|date=13 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514043306/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=16321|archive-date=14 May 2011|url-status=live | access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> while failing to withdraw from the [[Gudauta]] base in Abkhazia, which it was required to vacate after the adoption of the [[Adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty]] during the [[1999 Istanbul summit]].<ref>[http://www.leader.viitorul.org/print.php?l=ro&idc=48&id=271 Russia's retention of Gudauta base – An unfulfilled CFE treaty commitment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205180219/http://www.leader.viitorul.org/print.php?l=ro&idc=48&id=271 |date=5 February 2017 }} Socor, Vladirmir. The Jamestown Foundation. 22 May 2006</ref>

=== Russo-Georgian War ===
[[File:South Ossetia war russian tank.jpg|thumb|A Russian armoured column in South Ossetia.]]
{{Main|Russo-Georgian War}}
{{See also|International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia}}
There was a [[2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis|Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis]] in April 2008.<ref name="shelling">{{cite web|last=Whitmore|first=Brian|date=12 September 2008|title=Is The Clock Ticking For Saakashvili?'|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_The_Clock_Ticking_For_Saakashvili/1199512.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903102314/http://www.rferl.org/content/Is_The_Clock_Ticking_For_Saakashvili/1199512.html|archive-date=3 September 2014|access-date=3 September 2014|website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref><ref name="tall_order">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7364544.stm |title=Russia criticised over Abkhazia |work=BBC News |date=24 April 2008 |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815002113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7364544.stm |archive-date=15 August 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> A bomb explosion on 1 August 2008 targeted a car transporting Georgian peacekeepers. South Ossetians were responsible for instigating this incident, which marked the opening of hostilities and injured five Georgian servicemen, then several South Ossetian militiamen were killed by snipers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af25400a-739d-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c,dwp_uuid=f2b40164-cfea-11dc-9309-0000779fd2ac.html|title=Countdown in the Caucasus: Seven days that brought Russia and Georgia to war|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|date=26 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920023223/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af25400a-739d-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c%2Cdwp_uuid%3Df2b40164-cfea-11dc-9309-0000779fd2ac.html|archive-date=20 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="feud">{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB121884450978145997 |title=Smoldering Feud, Then War |author1=Marc Champion |author2=Andrew Osborn |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=16 August 2008}}</ref> South Ossetian separatists began shelling Georgian villages on 1 August. These artillery bombardments caused Georgian servicemen to return fire periodically.<ref name="shelling" /><ref name="feud" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/19/georgia-russia-eu-media-inquiry|title=Georgia calls on EU for independent inquiry into war|author=Luke Harding|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 November 2008|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913101015/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/19/georgia-russia-eu-media-inquiry|archive-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Allison">{{cite journal|author=Roy Allison|url=http://commonweb.unifr.ch/artsdean/pub/gestens/f/as/files/4760/39349_201918.pdf|title=Russia resurgent? Moscow's campaign to 'coerce Georgia to peace'|journal=[[International Affairs (journal)|International Affairs]]|volume=84|issue=6|year=2008|pages=1145–1171|doi=10.1111/j.1468-2346.2008.00762.x|access-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423221417/http://commonweb.unifr.ch/artsdean/pub/gestens/f/as/files/4760/39349_201918.pdf|archive-date=23 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/prb0836-e.htm |title=The Conflict Between Russia and Georgia |author=Jean-Rodrigue Paré |publisher=Parliament of Canada |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102030749/http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/prb0836-e.htm |archive-date=2 January 2016 }}</ref>

On 7 August 2008, the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili announced a unilateral [[ceasefire]] and called for peace talks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18931 |title=Saakashvili Appeals for Peace in Televised Address |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=7 August 2008 | access-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019155639/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18931 |archive-date=19 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> More attacks on Georgian villages (located in the South Ossetian conflict zone) were soon matched with gunfire from Georgian troops, who then proceeded to move in the direction of the capital of the [[self-proclaimed]] Republic of South Ossetia ([[Tskhinvali]]) on the night of 8 August, reaching its centre in the morning of 8 August.<ref name="Jamestown Goals">{{cite web |url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Bswords%5D=8fd5893941d69d0be3f378576261ae3e&tx_ttnews%5Ball_the_words%5D=Georgia%20Moscow%20proxy&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33872&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=56f9d06976 |title=The Goals Behind Moscow's Proxy Offensive in South Ossetia |publisher=[[The Jamestown Foundation]] |date=8 August 2008 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026162658/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Bswords%5D=8fd5893941d69d0be3f378576261ae3e&tx_ttnews%5Ball_the_words%5D=Georgia%20Moscow%20proxy&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33872&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=56f9d06976 |archive-date=26 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-08-09/news/0808080649_1_south-ossetia-russian-peacekeeping-troops-russian-president-dmitry-medvedev/2|title=Georgian conflict puts U.S. in middle|website=Chicago Tribune|date=9 August 2008|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016124315/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-08-09/news/0808080649_1_south-ossetia-russian-peacekeeping-troops-russian-president-dmitry-medvedev/2|archive-date=16 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news |author=Peter Finn |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/16/AR2008081600502_pf.html |title=A Two-Sided Descent into Full-Scale War |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=17 August 2008 |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106085255/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/16/AR2008081600502_pf.html |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Russian military expert [[Pavel Felgenhauer]], the Ossetian provocation was aimed at triggering Georgian retaliation, which was needed as a [[pretext]] for a Russian military invasion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33888 |title=The Russian-Georgian War was Preplanned in Moscow |date=14 August 2008 |author=Pavel Felgenhauer |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820185319/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33888 |archive-date=20 August 2014 }}</ref> According to Georgian intelligence and several Russian media reports, parts of the regular (non-peacekeeping) Russian Army had already moved to South Ossetian territory through the [[Roki Tunnel]] before the Georgian military action.<ref name="NYTFreshev">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/europe/16georgia.html | work=The New York Times | first=C.J. | last=Chivers | title=Georgia Offers Fresh Evidence on War's Start | date=15 September 2008 | access-date=28 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616163055/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/europe/16georgia.html | archive-date=16 June 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/11sep2008/voshli.html |script-title=ru:СМИ: российские войска вошли в Южную Осетию еще до начала боевых действий |publisher=NEWSru.com |date=11 September 2008 |language=ru  |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102030749/http://www.newsru.com/russia/11sep2008/voshli.html |archive-date=2 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Russia accused Georgia of "aggression against South Ossetia" and began a large land, air and sea invasion of Georgia under the pretext of a "[[peace enforcement]]" operation on 8 August 2008.<ref name="roudik">{{cite web|publisher=Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/russian-georgia-war.php |title=Russian Federation: Legal Aspects of War in Georgia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716042951/http://www.loc.gov/law/help/russian-georgia-war.php |archive-date=16 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Allison" /> [[Military of Abkhazia|Abkhaz forces]] opened a second front on 9 August with the [[Battle of the Kodori Valley]], an attack on the Kodori Gorge, held by Georgia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-abkhazia-kodori-idUSL932653720080809 |title=Abkhaz separatists strike disputed Georgia gorge |work=Reuters |date=9 August 2008 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134849/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/08/09/us-georgia-abkhazia-kodori-idUSL932653720080809 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tskhinvali was seized by the Russian military by 10 August.<ref name="radar">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia11|title=I got my children out minutes before the bombs fell|work=The Guardian|date=11 August 2008|first=Luke|last=Harding|access-date=24 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305004656/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia11|archive-date=5 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Russian forces occupied Georgian cities beyond the disputed territories.<ref name="new_front_deeper">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Russia opens new front, drives deeper into Georgia |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hV2N6fVKS5slf10A13Dj_uIdaZ4QD92GE8780 |date=11 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814211308/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hV2N6fVKS5slf10A13Dj_uIdaZ4QD92GE8780 |archive-date=14 August 2008}}</ref>

During the conflict, there was a campaign of [[Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia|ethnic cleansing against Georgians in South Ossetia]], including destruction of Georgian settlements after the war had ended.<ref name="Fact-finding">{{cite web|url=http://www.ceiig.ch/pdf/IIFFMCG_Volume_I.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007030130/http://www.ceiig.ch/pdf/IIFFMCG_Volume_I.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2009|title=Report. Volume I|date=September 2009|publisher=Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia |page=27}}</ref><ref name="Damage">{{cite news |title=Amnesty International Satellite Images Reveal Damage to South Ossetian Villages After... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/09/idUS200979+09-Oct-2008+PRN20081009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222225015/https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/09/idUS200979%2B09-Oct-2008%2BPRN20081009 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |work=Reuters |date=9 October 2008 }}</ref> The war displaced 192,000 people and while many were able to return to their homes after the war, a year later around 30,000 ethnic Georgians remained displaced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4922c0b22.pdf |title=Civilians in the line of fire |publisher=Amnesty International |date=November 2008 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222042133/http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4922c0b22.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia Marks Anniversary of War |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8188904.stm |date=7 August 2009 |work=BBC News |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808040149/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8188904.stm |archive-date=8 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview published in ''Kommersant'', South Ossetian leader [[Eduard Kokoity]] said he would not allow Georgians to return.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Эдуард Кокойты: мы там практически выровняли все |url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1011783 |date=15 August 2008 |publisher=Kommersant |language=ru |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916181813/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1011783 |archive-date=16 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rights Groups Say South Ossetian Militias Burning Georgian Villages |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Ossetian_Militias_Burn_Georgian_Villages/1292746.html |date=30 September 2008 |publisher=RFE/RL |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903102226/http://www.rferl.org/content/Ossetian_Militias_Burn_Georgian_Villages/1292746.html |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[President of France]], [[Nicolas Sarkozy]], negotiated a ceasefire agreement on 12 August 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19069 |title=Russia Endorses Six-Point Plan |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=12 August 2008 | access-date=29 December 2021 }}</ref> Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as separate republics on 26 August.<ref name="kremlin">{{cite web|url=http://kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/08/26/1543_type82912_205752.shtml|title=Statement by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev|publisher=The Kremlin|date=26 August 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080902001442/http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/08/26/1543_type82912_205752.shtml|archive-date=2 September 2008}}</ref> The Georgian government severed diplomatic relations with Russia.<ref name="break">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7588428.stm |title=Georgia breaks ties with Russia |work=BBC News |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073511/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7588428.stm |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Russian forces left the buffer areas bordering Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 8 October and the [[European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia]] was dispatched to the buffer areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://civil.ge/archives/117657 |title=Russia Completes 'Most of Withdrawal' – EU Monitors |publisher=Civil Georgia|date=8 October 2008| access-date=2023-02-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://civil.ge/archives/117667 |title=Moscow Says EU Monitors Fully Control 'Buffer Zones' |publisher=Civil Georgia|date=9 October 2008| access-date=2023-02-22}}</ref> Since the war, Georgia has maintained that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|occupied Georgian territories]].<ref name="parliament.ge">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=98&info_id=20047 |title=Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on the Occupation of the Georgian Territories by the Russian Federation |date=29 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903224516/http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=98&info_id=20047 |archive-date=3 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19330 |title=Abkhazia, S.Ossetia Formally Declared Occupied Territory |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=28 August 2008 | access-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903230132/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19330 |archive-date=3 September 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Georgian Dream government (2012–present) ===
[[File:Bidzina_Ivanishvili_2013-07-19.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Bidzina Ivanishvili]], founder of [[Georgian Dream]].]]
In preparation for the [[2012 Georgian parliamentary election|2012 parliamentary elections]], Georgia implemented constitutional reforms to switch to a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]], moving executive powers from the President to the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia's Constitutional Changes |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/georgia-s-constitutional-changes |work=International Crisis Group |date=1 March 2012|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> The transition was set to start with the October 2012 parliamentary elections and to be completed with the [[2013 Georgian presidential election|2013 presidential elections]].
Against the expectations of the ruling United National Movement (UNM) of president Mikheil Saakashvili, a 6-party [[Coalition#Government and politics|coalition]] centred around the newly founded [[Georgian Dream]] party won the [[Georgian parliamentary election, 2012|parliamentary elections in October 2012]], bringing an end to nine years of UNM rule and marking the first peaceful electoral transfer of power in Georgia. President Saakashvili acknowledged the defeat of his party on the following day.<ref>{{Citation|title=Saakashvili Concedes Defeat in Parliamentary Election|newspaper=Civil.ge|date=2 October 2012|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=25299| access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> Georgian Dream was founded, led and financed by tycoon [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]], the country's richest man, who was subsequently elected by parliament as new Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian tycoon Ivanishvili confirmed as prime minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-parliament-idUSBRE89O0Z820121025 |work=Reuters |date=25 October 2012|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> Due to the incomplete transition to parliamentary democracy, a year of uneasy [[Cohabitation (government)|cohabitation]] between Ivanishvili and Saakashvili followed until the [[2013 Georgian presidential election|presidential election in October 2013]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia: Conflict Rather than Cohabitation |url=https://eurasianet.org/georgia-conflict-rather-than-cohabitation |work=Eurasianet |date=8 February 2013|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia's Historic Transition Faces Crucial Tests In 2013 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgias-historic-transition-faces-crucial-tests-in-2013/24799963.html |work=RFE/RL |date=16 December 2012|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> which was won by [[Giorgi Margvelashvili]] from the Georgian Dream party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia PM ally Giorgi Margvelashvili 'wins presidency' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24696261 |work=BBC News |date=27 October 2013}}</ref> With the completed transfer of power, Prime Minister Ivanishvili stepped aside and named one of his close business associates, [[Irakli Garibashvili]], as the next Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irakli Garibashvili Named as Georgia's Next Prime Minister |url=https://jamestown.org/program/irakli-garibashvili-named-as-georgias-next-prime-minister/ |work=Jamestown Foundation |date=4 November 2013 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> Ivanishvili has since been called the informal leader of Georgia, arranging political reappointments from behind the scenes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Did Georgia's 'Informal Leader' Pressure Prime Minister To Resign? |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/caucasus-report-georgia-garibashvili-resigns/27447558.html |work=RFE/RL |date=24 December 2015 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> Saakashvili left Georgia shortly after the election. In 2018 he was convicted in absentia on corruption charges and abuse of power, which he denied.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mikheil Saakashvili: Georgian ex-president arrested returning from exile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58767420 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2021}}</ref>

Georgian Dream won the [[2016 Georgian parliamentary election|parliamentary elections]] with 48.61% of the vote while UNM received 27.04%.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ruling party in Georgia decisively wins parliament vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-election-idUSKCN1272AT |work=Reuters |date=7 October 2016 |language=en}}</ref> As result of the mixed proportional-majoritarian voting system, this translated into a parliamentary [[supermajority]] of 115 out of 150 seats (77%). This electoral imbalance became a key issue of political and civil society strife in the following years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Constitutional Amendments Initiated |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30072 |work=Civil.ge |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian government offers concessions to end crisis |url=https://eurasianet.org/georgian-government-offers-concessions-to-end-crisis |work=Eurasianet |date=24 June 2019 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Transparency International urges dialogue with civil society during political crisis in Georgia |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/georgia-political-crisis-dialogue-with-civil-society |work=Transparency International |date=30 November 2019 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> In the [[2018 Georgian presidential election|2018 presidential election]], the Georgian Dream party backed [[Salome Zourabichvili|Salome Zurabishvili]], who won in the second round, becoming the first woman in Georgia to hold the office in full capacity.<ref>Speaker [[Nino Burjanadze]] held the office as female interim President twice, in 2003 and 2007</ref> This was the last direct election of a Georgian president, as additional constitutional reforms removed the popular vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46376344 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2018}}</ref>

After international mediation to overcome the deep political crisis in the runup to the 2020 parliamentary elections, an amended electoral system was adopted, specifically for the [[2020 Georgian parliamentary election|2020 elections]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian Dream, Opposition Reach Consensus over Electoral Reform |url=https://civil.ge/archives/341385 |work=Civil.ge|date=8 March 2020 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> Nine parties were elected to parliament. Georgian Dream secured over 48% of votes, which translated into 90 out of 150 seats. They were thus able to continue to govern alone. The opposition made accusations of fraud, which Georgian Dream denied. Thousands of people gathered outside the Central Election Commission to demand a new vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia protests: Tbilisi police fire water cannon at demonstrators |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54868053 |work=BBC News |date=8 November 2020}}</ref> This led to a new political crisis that was (temporarily) resolved by an EU brokered agreement,<ref>{{cite news |title=New EU Proposal: Amnesty for Rurua, Melia, 2022 Snap Polls if GD Gets Less than 43% in Locals |url=https://civil.ge/archives/413785 |work=Civil.ge|date=18 April 2021 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> from which the Georgian Dream later withdrew.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Michel to Start Consultations after GD's EU-Brokered Deal Withdrawal |url=https://civil.ge/archives/434558 |work=Civil.ge|date=29 July 2021 |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> In February 2021, Prime Minister [[Giorgi Gakharia]] resigned and Irakli Garibashvili became Prime Minister once more.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia country profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17301647 |work=BBC News |date=22 February 2021}}</ref>

Since the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022]], Georgia has topped the list of countries which Russian exiles departed to after the war began; Russians are allowed to stay in Georgia for at least one year without a visa, though many Georgians view the presence of more Russian citizens in Georgia as a security risk.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shota Kincha |date=22 May 2022 |title=Russian exiles get a chilly reception in Georgia – VoxEurop |language=en-US |work=Voxeurope |url=https://voxeurop.eu/en/russian-exiles-get-a-chilly-reception-in-georgia/ |access-date=2022-06-26}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{| class="wikitable floatright"
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Salome Zourabichvili at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg|130px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Irakli Kobakhidze Cropped.jpg|168px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Salome Zourabichvili]]<br /><small>[[President of Georgia|President]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Irakli Kobakhidze]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Georgia|Prime Minister]]</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of Georgia (country)}}
Georgia is a [[Representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[parliamentary]] republic, with the [[President of Georgia|President]] as the largely ceremonial<ref>''[[BBC]]'' [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46376344 Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president], 29 November 2018</ref> head of state, and Prime Minister as the head of government. The executive branch of power is made up of the [[Cabinet of Georgia]]. The Cabinet is composed of ministers, headed by the [[Prime Minister of Georgia|Prime Minister]], and appointed by the Parliament. [[Salome Zurabishvili]] is the current President of Georgia after winning 59.52% of the vote in the [[Georgian presidential election, 2018|2018 Georgian presidential election]]. Since February 2021, [[Irakli Gharibashvili]] has been the prime minister of Georgia.

[[Legislature|Legislative]] authority is vested in the [[Parliament of Georgia]]. It is unicameral and has 150 members, known as deputies, of whom 30 are elected by plurality to represent single-member districts, and 120 are chosen to represent parties by proportional representation. Members of parliament are elected for four-year terms.

Different opinions exist regarding the degree of political freedom in Georgia. Saakashvili believed in 2008 that the country is "on the road to becoming a European democracy."<ref name=misha>{{cite news|title=Georgia Leader: Country on Right Track |publisher=Fox News |date=7 January 2008 |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan07/0,4670,GeorgiaPresidentialElection,00.html |access-date=17 October 2008 |first=Lynn |last=Berry  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108095512/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan07/0%2C4670%2CGeorgiaPresidentialElection%2C00.html |archive-date=8 January 2008 |quote=In an interview with The Associated Press, Saakashvili acknowledged Georgia's path had not been smooth but said the election demonstrated that the former Soviet republic was on the road to becoming a European democracy.}}</ref> In {{As of|alt=their 2022 report|2023}} [[Freedom House]] lists Georgia as a partly free country, recognizing a trajectory of democratic improvement surrounding the 2012–13 transfer of power, yet observing a gradual backslide in later years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Georgia: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report|publisher=[[Freedom House]] |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/georgia/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=5 February 2023 |quote=Georgia holds regular and competitive elections. Its democratic trajectory showed signs of improvement during the period surrounding a change in government in 2012–13, but recent years have featured backsliding. Oligarchic influence affects the country's political affairs, policy decisions, and media environment, and the rule of law is undermined by politicization. Civil liberties are inconsistently protected.}}</ref> In {{As of|alt=their [[Democracy Index]] 2021 report|2023}} the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] classifies Georgia as a hybrid regime which is above the threshold for an authoritarian regime but below the threshold needed to be classified as a flawed democracy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Democracy Index 2021: the China challenge|url= https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/eiu-democracy-index-2021.pdf?mkt_tok=NzUzLVJJUS00MzgAAAGDWhBlxfqM9cMZEewC0HoBG0xhm9PFkxb-_IqDsjlxRZgDssKgB0pHGt7yS48UFv94hU4ZW0C_jXaFfmK_5TbL23wtQarQv22nFbg8ZTnHQrrcPg |website=Economist Intelligence Unit|pages=44–47|language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Nato poster tbilisi.jpg|thumb|upright|Pro-[[NATO]] poster in [[Tbilisi]]|left]]

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 [[Georgia Train and Equip Program|Train and Equip]] military assistance programme, and the construction of the [[Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline]], increasingly strained Tbilisi's relations with Moscow in the early 2000s. Georgia's decision to boost its presence in the coalition forces in Iraq was an important initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=8271 |title=U.S. Announces New Military Assistance Program for Georgia |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=5 November 2004 | access-date=29 December 2021 }}</ref> The European Union has identified Georgia as a prospective member,<ref name="EU perspective">[[European Parliament]], [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2014-0009 Resolution 2014/2717(RSP)], 17 July 2014: "...pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – like any other European state – have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the Union…"</ref> and Georgia has sought membership.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/06/24/why-was-georgia-not-granted-eu-candidate-status |title=Why was Georgia not granted EU candidate status? |author=Jorge Liboreiro |work=Euronews |date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

Georgia is currently working to become a full member of [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]]. In August 2004, the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia was submitted officially to NATO. On 29 October 2004, the [[North Atlantic Council]] of NATO approved the [[NATO#International Partnership Action Plans|Individual Partnership Action Plan]] (IPAP) of Georgia, and Georgia moved on to the second stage of Euro-Atlantic Integration. In 2005, the agreement on the appointment of [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) liaison officer between Georgia and NATO came into force, whereby a liaison officer for the South Caucasus was assigned to Georgia. On 2 March 2005, the agreement was signed on the provision of the host nation support to and transit of NATO forces and NATO personnel. On 6–9 March 2006, the IPAP implementation interim assessment team arrived in Tbilisi. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?sec_id=89&lang_id=ENG |title=Georgia's way to NATO |publisher=Mfa.gov.ge |date=27 May 2010 |access-date=2 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827220629/http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?sec_id=89&lang_id=ENG |archive-date=27 August 2008 }}</ref> In 2009 the Georgia-NATO Interparliamentary Council was created within the [[NATO Parliamentary Assembly]] to hold twice yearly meetings to discuss all aspects of Georgia-NATO cooperation. The majority of Georgians and politicians in Georgia support the push for NATO membership.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/NDI_November%202016%20poll_press%20release_ENG.pdf |title=NDI Poll: Economy Still Top Concern for Georgians; Support for NATO and EU Stable |publisher=National Democratic Institute |date=16 January 2017 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233237/https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/NDI_November%202016%20poll_press%20release_ENG.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2017 }}</ref>
[[File:Batumi International Conference, on 19 July 2021 05 (cropped).jpg|thumb|President of Georgia [[Salome Zourabichvili]], President of Moldova [[Maia Sandu]], President of Ukraine [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] and [[President of the European Council]] [[Charles Michel]] during the 2021 [[Batumi]] International Conference.  In 2014, the EU signed [[European Union Association Agreement|Association Agreements]] with all three states.]]

In 2011, the [[North Atlantic Council]] designated Georgia as an "aspirant country".<ref>[http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_81943.htm?mode=pressrelease Press Release (2011) 145]. NATO. 7 December 2011. Accessed 3 January 2011.</ref> Since 2014, Georgia–NATO relations are guided by the Substantial NATO–Georgia Package (SNGP), which includes the NATO–Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre and facilitation of multi-national and regional military drills.<ref>{{cite web |title=Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/pdf_2016_06/20160614_1606-georgia-sngp-factsheet-en.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910182923/http://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/pdf_2016_06/20160614_1606-georgia-sngp-factsheet-en.pdf |archive-date=2016-09-10 |url-status=live |publisher=NATO |access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, Russian Foreign Minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] said that "NATO approaching our borders is a threat to Russia."<ref>{{cite news |title=Lavrov: If Georgia Joins NATO, Relations Will Be Spoiled |url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/17482/Lavrov%3A-If-Georgia-Joins-NATO%2C-Relations-Will-Be-Spoiled |work=Georgia Today |date=26 September 2019 |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927125849/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/17482/Lavrov%3A-If-Georgia-Joins-NATO%2C-Relations-Will-Be-Spoiled  }}</ref> He was quoted as saying that if [[NATO]] accepts Georgian membership with the article on collective defence covering only Tbilisi-administered territory (i.e., excluding the Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both of which are currently Russian-supported [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognized breakaway republics]]), "we will not start a war, but such conduct will undermine our relations with NATO and with countries who are eager to enter the alliance."<ref name=LavrovNATO2019>{{cite web|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/2582 |title=Russian FM Lavrov supports resumption of flights to Georgia as Georgians 'realised consequences' of June 20|publisher=Agenda.ge |date=26 September 2019 |access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref>

[[George W. Bush]] became the first sitting US president to visit the country.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4531273.stm |title=Europe &#124; Bush praises Georgian democracy |work=BBC News |date=10 May 2005 |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219051617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4531273.stm |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The street leading to [[Tbilisi International Airport]] has since been dubbed George W. Bush Avenue.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush.html Bush Heads to Europe for G – 8 Summit], ''The New York Times''</ref> On 2 October 2006, Georgia and the European Union signed a joint statement on the agreed text of the Georgia–European Union Action Plan within the [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP). The Action Plan was formally approved at the EU–Georgia Cooperation Council session on 14 November 2006, in [[Brussels]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13747 |title=EU, Georgia Sign ENP Action Plan |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=3 October 2006 | access-date=29 December 2021 }}</ref> In June 2014, the EU and Georgia signed an [[Association Agreement]], which entered into force on 1 July 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/9740/EU/Georgia%20Association%20Agreement |title=EU/Georgia Association Agreement |publisher=EEAS |date=13 September 2016 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080904/https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/9740/EU/Georgia%20Association%20Agreement |archive-date=28 February 2017 }}</ref> On 13 December 2016, EU and Georgia reached the agreement on visa liberalization for Georgian citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/20-visa-liberalisation-georgia/ |title=Visas: Council confirms agreement on visa liberalisation for Georgia |publisher=European Council – Council of the European Union |date=20 December 2016 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228075025/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/20-visa-liberalisation-georgia/ |archive-date=28 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted a regulation on visa liberalization for Georgians travelling to the EU for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dsms.consilium.europa.eu/952/Actions/Newsletter.aspx?messageid=10910&customerid=8798&password=enc_4343363430443232_enc |title=Visas: Council adopts regulation on visa liberalisation for Georgians |publisher=European Council – Council of the European Union |date=27 February 2017 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233648/http://dsms.consilium.europa.eu/952/Actions/Newsletter.aspx?messageid=10910&customerid=8798&password=enc_4343363430443232_enc |archive-date=27 February 2017 }}</ref>

Georgia applied for EU membership on 3 March 2022, soon after the beginning of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="ge-candidacy">{{cite news|url=https://civil.ge/archives/477258|title=Georgia's PM Signs Application to Join the EU|author=Civil.ge| publisher=Civil.ge| date=3 March 2022| access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>

On 14 December 2023, Georgia was granted [[EU Candidate]] status by the [[European Council]]. [[Charles Michel]] said that "EUCO granted candidate status to Georgia and that the council decided to open accession negotiations to Ukraine and Moldova".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil Georgia {{!}} BREAKING: Georgia Granted EU Candidate Status |url=https://civil.ge/archives/574502 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=civil.ge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=European Council grants EU candidate status to Georgia – Council President |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2023/4908 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Agenda.ge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bayer |first=Lili |date=14 December 2023 |title=Deal reached to open EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova – Europe live |language=en-GB |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/14/eu-summit-viktor-orban-aid-ukraine-live-latest-updates |access-date=2023-12-14 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 2023 |title=EU to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67722252 |access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref> Georgia is currently an EU candiate.

=== Military ===
{{Main|Defense Forces of Georgia|Role of Georgia in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)}}
[[File:Didgori Meomari.jpg|thumbnail|right|Georgian-built [[STC Delta#Military and civilian production|Didgori Warrior]].]]
Georgia's military is organized into [[Georgian Land Forces|land]] and [[Georgian Air Force|air]] forces collectively known as the Georgian Defense Forces (GDF). The mission and functions of the GDF are based on the [[Constitution of Georgia (country)|Constitution of Georgia]], Georgia's Law on Defense and National Military Strategy, and international agreements to which Georgia is signatory.{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}  As of 2021, Georgia's military budget was 900[[Georgian lari|₾]] (${{To USD|900|GEO|round=yes}}) million, of which newly two-thirds is allocated for maintaining defence forces readiness and potency development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Budget |url=https://mod.gov.ge/uploads/public/%E1%83%91%E1%83%98%E1%83%A3%E1%83%AF%E1%83%94%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98/dazust.biujeti.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806090740/https://mod.gov.ge/uploads/public/%E1%83%91%E1%83%98%E1%83%A3%E1%83%AF%E1%83%94%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98/dazust.biujeti.pdf |archive-date=2021-08-06 |url-status=live |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=Ministry of Defence of Georgia }}</ref> After its independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia began to develop its own [[military industry]], namely through the state owned [[STC Delta]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Delta History|url=http://delta.gov.ge/en/history/|access-date=21 July 2016|work=STC Delta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705230154/http://delta.gov.ge/en/history/|archive-date=5 July 2016}}</ref> The country produces a range of indigenous [[STC Delta#Military and civilian production|military equipment]], including armoured vehicles, artillery systems, aviation systems, personal protection equipment, and small arms.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delta Products|url=http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/|access-date=21 July 2016|work=STC Delta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715003423/http://delta.gov.ge/en/product/|archive-date=15 July 2016}}</ref>

Georgian military personnel have served in several international operations. During later periods of the [[Iraq War]], Georgia had up to 2,000 soldiers serving in the American-led [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Multi-National Force]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6433289.stm|work=BBC News|title=Georgia to double troops in Iraq|date=9 March 2007|access-date=21 July 2016|first=Matthew|last=Collin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222093803/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6433289.stm|archive-date=22 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Georgia also participated in the [[NATO]]-led [[International Security Assistance Force]] in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]]; with 1,560 troops in 2013, it was at that time the largest contributor among non-[[NATO]] countries<ref name="civil1">{{cite news|title=MoD Releases Details on Georgian Troops Wounded in May 13 Helmand Attack|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26057|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619224603/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26057|url-status=live|archive-date=19 June 2013 | access-date=29 December 2021|newspaper=Civil Georgia|date=14 May 2013}}</ref> and in per capita terms.<ref>{{cite news|title=Georgia deploying 750 soldiers to Afghanistan|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=georgia-deploying-750-soldiers-to-afghanistan-2010-04-08|access-date=21 July 2016|newspaper=Hurriyet Daily News|date=4 August 2010|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506192621/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=georgia-deploying-750-soldiers-to-afghanistan-2010-04-08|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/6809222/Why-Georgia-sends-troops-to-Afghanistan.html |title=Why Georgia sends troops to Afghanistan |author=Mikheil Saakashvili |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429042325/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/6809222/Why-Georgia-sends-troops-to-Afghanistan.html |archive-date=29 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Over 11,000 Georgian soldiers rotated through Afghanistan during the course of the war,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ostroska|first1=Jessica|title=Georgian Army ends mission in Helmand|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/news/georgian-army-ends-mission-in-helmand.html|website=Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force|access-date=21 July 2016|date=16 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050637/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/news/georgian-army-ends-mission-in-helmand.html|archive-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> of whom [[Coalition casualties in Afghanistan|32 were killed]],<ref>[https://www.old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30328 Georgian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan] : "bringing the total number of Georgia’s Afghanistan death toll to 32", 4 August 2017</ref> most of them during the [[Helmand province campaign|Helmand campaign]], and 435 were wounded, including 35 amputees.<ref name=civil2>{{cite news |title=Georgian Troops End Mission in Helmand |url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=27498 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140805223625/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=27498  |archive-date=5 August 2014 | access-date=29 December 2021 |agency=Civil Georgia |date=17 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Georgian Soldier Succumbs to Injuries Suffered in Afghanistan|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=28333|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171011201239/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=28333|archive-date=11 October 2017 | access-date=29 December 2021|work=Civil Georgia|date=8 June 2015}}</ref>

=== Law enforcement ===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Georgia (country)}}
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is charged with internal law enforcement. In recent years, the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has undergone a radical transformation, with the police having now absorbed a great many duties previously performed by dedicated independent government agencies. New duties performed by the police include border security and customs functions and contracted security provision; the latter function is performed by the dedicated 'security police'.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

In 2005, President [[Mikheil Saakashvili]] fired the entire traffic police force (numbering around 30,000 police officers) of the Georgian National Police due to corruption.<ref name="mcclatchydc.com">{{cite web|author=Mark McDonald, Knight Ridder Newspapers |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/190/story/11216.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111043128/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/190/story/11216.html  |archive-date=11 January 2013 |title=Firing of traffic police force stands as a symbol of hope in Georgia &#124; McClatchy |publisher=Mcclatchydc.com |access-date=30 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4849472 |title=Georgia's National Police Corruption Project |publisher=NPR |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127222146/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4849472 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> A new force was then subsequently built around new recruits.<ref name="mcclatchydc.com" /> The [[US State Department|U.S. 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.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707233212/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0OXU/is_8_60/ai_n15387346 Building security in the Republic of Georgia] ''Andrew Stamer'' Retrieved 1 June 2007</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.gov.ge/?l=E&m=0&sm=3&st=120&id=211 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614173627/http://www.president.gov.ge/?l=E&m=0&sm=3&st=120&id=211  |archive-date=14 June 2011 |title=Remarks by President Saakashvili at the CIS Summit in Tbilisi |publisher=President of Georgia |date=3 June 2005 |access-date=23 December 2007}}</ref> The police introduced a 0–2–2 (currently, 1–1–2) [[Emergency telephone number|emergency dispatch]] service in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://georgia.usembassy.gov/wardenmessage20041019.html |title=Security Notice |publisher=American Embassy Tbilisi |access-date=23 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815111418/http://georgia.usembassy.gov/wardenmessage20041019.html |archive-date=15 August 2007 }}</ref>

=== Corruption ===
{{Main|Corruption in Georgia}}
Prior to the [[Rose Revolution]], Georgia was among the most corrupt countries in the world.<ref name=forpol>{{cite web| last1 =Berglund| first1 =Christopher |last2=Engvall |first2=Johan | title =How Georgia Stamped Out Corruption on Campus| work =Foreign Policy | date =3 September 2015| url =https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/03/how-georgia-stamped-out-corruption-on-campus/}}</ref> However, following the reforms brought by the peaceful revolution, corruption in the country abated dramatically. In 2010, [[Transparency International]] (TI) named Georgia "the best corruption-buster in the world."<ref name=econ>{{cite news| title =Lessons from Georgia's fight against graft| newspaper =The Economist| date =7 February 2012| url =https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/02/tbilisi%E2%80%99s-corruption-busters}}</ref> In 2012, the [[World Bank]] called Georgia a "unique success" of the world in fighting corruption, noting "Georgia's experience shows that the vicious cycle of endemic corruption can be broken and, with appropriate and decisive reforms, can be turned into a virtuous cycle."<ref name=bank>{{cite web| title =Georgia's Fight Against Corruption in Public Services Wins Praise| work =The World Bank| date =31 January 2012| url =http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2012/01/31/georgias-fight-against-corruption-in-public-services-wins-praise}}</ref>

Although Georgia has been very successful in reducing blatant forms of corruption, other more subtle corrupt practices have been noted. For example, in its 2017 report, [[Council of Europe]] observed that while most day-to-day corruption has been eliminated, there are some indications of a "[[Clientelism|clientelistic]] system" whereby the country's leadership may allocate resources in ways that generate the loyalty and support it needs to stay in power.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806dc116|title=Fourth Evaluation Round on Georgia}} [[Council of Europe]], 17 January 2017</ref> Since 2012 stagnation in corruption fighting efforts can be observed, according to Transparency International.<ref>{{cite web| title =Georgia's anti-corruption reforms stall amid political crisis and allegations of state capture| work =Transparency International| date =28 January 2021| access-date=29 December 2021| url =https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/cpi-2020-georgia-anti-corruption-reforms-stall-political-crisis-state-capture}}</ref> Since 2016 the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index hovers around 56 out of 100 points. In comparison, that places Georgia in the top 50 out of 180 countries, among Central European and [[Mediterranean]] EU member states.<ref>{{cite web| title =Corruption Perception Index 2020| work =Transparency International| date =28 January 2021| access-date=29 December 2021| url =https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020/index/geo}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Georgia}}
Human rights in Georgia are guaranteed by the [[Constitution of Georgia (country)|country's constitution]]. There is an independent human rights ''public defender'' elected by the [[Parliament of Georgia]] to ensure such rights are enforced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ombudsman.ge |title=Georgia's public defender |publisher=Ombudsman.ge |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721025943/http://www.ombudsman.ge/ |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> Georgia has ratified the [[Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]] in 2005. 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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minelres.lv/reports/georgia/Shadow_Report_Georgia_2008.pdf |title=Alternative report on the implementation by Georgia of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the region of Kvemo Kartli – Tbilisi, 2008 – p. 58–59 |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718173634/http://www.minelres.lv/reports/georgia/Shadow_Report_Georgia_2008.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref>

The government came under criticism for its alleged use of excessive force on 26 May 2011 when it dispersed [[2011 Georgian protests|protesters]] led by [[Nino Burjanadze]], among others, with tear gas and rubber bullets after they refused to clear [[Rustaveli Avenue]] for an independence day parade despite the expiration of their demonstration permit and despite being offered to choose an alternative venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.az/articles/Georgia/37341 |title=US, Britain, call for probe into May 26 events in Georgia |publisher=News.Az |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601003707/http://www.news.az/articles/georgia/37341 |archive-date=1 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Rachel Denber, Europe and Central Asia deputy director |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/05/26/georgia-police-used-excessive-force-peaceful-protests |title=Georgia: Police Used Excessive Force on Peaceful Protests &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702215753/http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/05/26/georgia-police-used-excessive-force-peaceful-protests |archive-date=2 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tbilisi Mayor's Offers Protesters Alternative Venues for Rally|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23518|publisher=Civil.ge | access-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722174050/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23518|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ABC-AP">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13688230|title=Georgian Police Say 2 Killed in Protest Dispersal|last=Misha |first=Dzhindzhikhashvili |date=26 May 2011|work=[[ABC News]]|agency=Associated Press|access-date=24 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122114205/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13688230|archive-date=22 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Audio, Video Recordings Implicate Protest Leaders to 'Plotting Violence'|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23537|publisher=Civil.ge | access-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025190210/http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=23537|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Georgian opposition leader Nino Burjanadze said the accusations of planning a coup were baseless, and that the protesters' actions were legitimate.<ref name="ABC-AP" /><ref>{{cite news |author=Luke Harding in Moscow and agencies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/09/georgia-protests-mikheil-saakashvili |title=Thousands gather for street protests against Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=3 July 2011 |date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906100645/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/09/georgia-protests-mikheil-saakashvili |archive-date=6 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since independence, Georgia maintained harsh policies against drugs, handing out lengthy sentences even for [[marijuana]] use. This came under criticism from human rights activists<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Strongly Against of Marijuana Decriminalization|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=28323 | access-date=29 December 2021|work=Civil Georgia|date=4 June 2015}}</ref> and led to protests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/tamar-papalashvili/fighting-back-against-georgia-s-war-on-drugs |title=Fighting back against Georgia's war on drugs |publisher=openDemocracy |date=15 December 2016 |access-date=2017-01-14 |archive-date=13 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113074224/https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/tamar-papalashvili/fighting-back-against-georgia-s-war-on-drugs  }}</ref> In response to lawsuits from civil society organizations, in 2018 the [[Constitutional Court of Georgia]] ruled that "consumption of marijuana is an action protected by the right to free personality"<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2018/09/05/berlin-is-out-tbilisi-is-in-georgias-capital-is-this-years-most-exciting-city/?sh=5ff1accb479d Berlin is Out, Tbilisi is In], [[Forbes]], September 2018</ref> and that "[Marijuana] can only harm the user's health, making that user him/herself responsible for the outcome. The responsibility for such actions does not cause dangerous consequences for the public."<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian Court Abolishes Fines For Marijuana Consumption |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgian-constitutional-court-abolishes-fines-for-marijuana-consumption/29399496.html |access-date=9 August 2018 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=30 July 2018}}</ref> With this ruling, Georgia became one of the [[Legality of cannabis|first countries in the world to legalize cannabis]], although using the drug in the presence of children is still illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wayne |first1=Shawn |title=Smoking Marijuana Legalized in Georgia |url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/11592/Smoking-Marijuana-Legalized-in-Georgia |access-date=9 August 2018 |work=Georgia Today |date=30 July 2018 |archive-date=8 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808160506/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/11592/Smoking-Marijuana-Legalized-in-Georgia  }}</ref>

== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)}}
{{See also|Russian-occupied territories in Georgia}}
[[File:Georgia high detail map.png|thumb|Map of Georgia highlighting the disputed territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region (''South Ossetia''), both of which are outside the control of the central government of Georgia]]
Georgia is [[Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)|administratively divided]] into 9 regions, 1 capital region, and 2 autonomous republics. These in turn are subdivided into 67 [[List of municipalities in Georgia (country)|districts]] and 5 self-governing cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mreg.reestri.gov.ge/|title=Registry of Municipalities|publisher=National Agency of Public Registry|access-date=2022-10-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020853/https://mreg.reestri.gov.ge/|archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref>

Georgia contains two official autonomous regions, of which one has declared independence. Officially autonomous within Georgia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=221 |title=Government of Georgia – Abkhazia |publisher=Government.gov.ge |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717122413/http://www.government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> the de facto independent region of Abkhazia declared independence in 1999.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3261059.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: Abkhazia | date=8 February 2011 | access-date=30 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420194315/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3261059.stm | archive-date=20 April 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, another territory not officially autonomous has also declared independence. South Ossetia is officially known by Georgia as the Tskinvali region, as it views "South Ossetia" as implying political bonds with Russian [[North Ossetia]].<ref name="BBC South Ossetia">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3797729.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: South Ossetia | date=8 February 2011 | access-date=30 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217055824/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3797729.stm | archive-date=17 February 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was called [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast]] when Georgia was part of Soviet Union. Its autonomous status was revoked in 1990. 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.<ref name="BBC South Ossetia" />

In both Abkhazia and South Ossetia large numbers of people had been given Russian passports, some through a process of forced [[passportization]] by Russian authorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osce.org/home/73289 |title=Human Rights in the Occupied Territories of Georgia |publisher=[[Osce.org]] |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616083143/http://www.osce.org/home/73289 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Russian Passportization|url=http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/russian-passportization/|access-date=30 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115192814/http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/russian-passportization/|archive-date=15 November 2012}}</ref> Georgia considers the regions as occupied by Russia.<ref name="parliament.ge" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Abkhazia, S. Ossetia Formally Declared Occupied Territory|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19330| access-date=29 December 2021|work=Civil Georgia|date=28 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903230132/http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19330|archive-date=3 September 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The two self-declared republics gained [[International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|limited international recognition]] after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. Most countries consider the regions to be Georgian territory [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|under Russian occupation]].<ref name="smr">{{cite web|url=http://www.smr.gov.ge/docs/doc216.pdf |title=The Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories (431-IIs) |date=23 October 2008 |publisher=[[State Ministry for Reintegration (Georgia)|State Ministry for Reintegration]] |access-date=1 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624083638/http://www.smr.gov.ge/docs/doc216.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2014 }}</ref>

{{Regions of Georgia}}
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:600px;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! Region !! Centre !! Area (km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population<ref name="2014 Census">{{cite web|url=http://census.ge/files/results/Census_release_ENG.pdf|title=2014 General Population Census Main Results General Information — National Statistics Office of Georgia|access-date=2022-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808154843/http://census.ge/files/results/Census_release_ENG.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> !! Density
|-
| Abkhazia || [[Sukhumi]] || style="text-align:right"|8,660|| style="text-align:right"|''242,862<sup>est</sup>'' || style="text-align:right"|28.04
|-
| [[Adjara]] || [[Batumi]] || style="text-align:right"|2,880|| style="text-align:right"|333,953 || style="text-align:right"|115.95
|-
| [[Guria]] || [[Ozurgeti]] ||style="text-align:right"|2,033|| style="text-align:right"|113,350 || style="text-align:right"|55.75
|-
| [[Imereti]] || [[Kutaisi]] || style="text-align:right"|6,475|| style="text-align:right"|533,906 || style="text-align:right"|82.45
|-
| [[Kakheti]] || [[Telavi]] || style="text-align:right"|11,311|| style="text-align:right"|318,583 || style="text-align:right"|28.16
|-
| [[Kvemo Kartli]] || [[Rustavi]] ||style="text-align:right"|6,072|| style="text-align:right"|423,986 || style="text-align:right"|69.82
|-
| [[Mtskheta-Mtianeti]] || [[Mtskheta]] || style="text-align:right"|6,786|| style="text-align:right"|94,573 || style="text-align:right"|13.93
|-
| [[Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti]] || [[Ambrolauri]] || style="text-align:right"|4,990|| style="text-align:right"|32,089 || style="text-align:right"|6.43
|-
| [[Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti]] || [[Zugdidi]] || style="text-align:right"|7,440|| style="text-align:right"|330,761 || style="text-align:right"|44.45
|-
| [[Samtskhe-Javakheti]] || [[Akhaltsikhe]] || style="text-align:right"|6,413|| style="text-align:right"|160,504 || style="text-align:right"|25.02
|-
| [[Shida Kartli]] || [[Gori, Georgia|Gori]] || style="text-align:right"|5,729|| style="text-align:right"|''300,382<sup>est</sup>'' || style="text-align:right"|52.43
|-
| [[Tbilisi]] || [[Tbilisi]] || style="text-align:right"|720|| style="text-align:right"|1,108,717 || style="text-align:right"|1,539.88
|}

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map GEO present.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Köppen climate classification map of Georgia]]
Georgia is a mountainous country situated almost entirely in the [[South Caucasus]], while [[Eastern Georgia (country)|some slivers]] of the country are situated north of the [[Greater Caucasus#Watershed|Caucasus Watershed]] in the [[North Caucasus]].<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100270/Caucasus 'Caucasus (region and mountains, Eurasia)'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427041609/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100270/Caucasus |date=27 April 2010 }}. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2010: "Occupying roughly {{convert|170000|mi2|km2|abbr=on}}, it is divided among Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia and forms part of the traditional dividing line between Europe and Asia. It is bisected by the Caucasus Mountains; the area north of the Greater Caucasus range is called Ciscaucasia and the region to the south Transcaucasia. Inhabited from ancient times, it was under nominal Persian and Turkish suzerainty until conquered by Russia in the 18th–19th centuries."</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cesww.fas.harvard.edu/ces_definition.html|title=CESWW – Definition of Central Eurasia|publisher=Cesww.fas.harvard.edu|access-date=6 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805052739/http://cesww.fas.harvard.edu/ces_definition.html|archive-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> The country lies between latitudes [[41st parallel north|41°]] and [[44th parallel north|44° N]], and longitudes [[40th meridian east|40°]] and [[47th meridian east|47° E]], with an area of {{convert|67900|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. The [[Likhi Range]] divides the country into eastern and western halves.<ref name="Cac">{{cite web|url=http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/geo/geo_geography.htm |title=Georgia:Geography |publisher=Cac-biodiversity.org |access-date=3 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511110424/http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/geo/geo_geography.htm |archive-date=11 May 2011 }}</ref> Historically, the western portion of Georgia was known as Colchis while the eastern plateau was called Iberia.<ref name="NAG">[[Nana Bolashvili]], Andreas Dittmann, Lorenz King, Vazha Neidze (eds.): '''''National Atlas of Georgia – Nationalatlas von Georgien''''', 138 pages, Steiner Verlag, 2018{{ISBN|978-3-515-12057-9}}</ref>

The [[Greater Caucasus]] Mountain Range forms the northern border of Georgia.<ref name="Cac" /> The main roads through the mountain range into Russian territory lead through the Roki Tunnel between [[Shida Kartli]] and North Ossetia and the [[Darial Gorge]] (in the Georgian region of [[Khevi]]). The southern portion of the country is bounded by the [[Lesser Caucasus]] Mountains.<ref name="Cac" /> The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range is much higher in elevation than the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, with the highest peaks rising more than {{convert|5000|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].

[[File:Kasbek from Tsminda Gergeti (10600419415).jpg|thumb|left|Mount Kazbek in northeastern Georgia]]

The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount [[Shkhara]] at {{convert|5203|m|ft|0}}, and the second highest is Mount [[Janga (mountain)|Janga]] at {{convert|5059|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level. Other prominent peaks include [[Mount Kazbek]] at {{convert|5047|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, [[Shota Rustaveli Peak]] {{convert|4960|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, [[Tetnuldi]] {{convert|4858|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, [[Ushba]] {{convert|4700|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, and [[Ailama]] {{convert|4547|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cac" /> Out of the abovementioned peaks, only Kazbek is of [[volcanic]] origin. The region between [[Kazbek]] and Shkhara (a distance of about {{convert|200|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} along the Main Caucasus Range) is dominated by numerous glaciers.<ref name="NAG"/>

The term Lesser Caucasus Mountains is often used to describe the mountainous (highland) areas of southern Georgia that are connected to the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range by the Likhi Range.<ref name="Cac" /> The overall region can be characterized as being made up of various, interconnected mountain ranges (largely of volcanic origin) and plateaus that do not exceed {{convert|3400|m|ft|0}} in elevation. Prominent features of the area include the [[Javakheti Volcanic Plateau]], lakes, including [[Tabatskuri Lake|Tabatskuri]] and [[Paravani Lake|Paravani]], as well as mineral water and hot springs. Two major [[List of rivers of Georgia (country)|rivers in Georgia]] are the [[Rioni River|Rioni]] and the [[Mtkvari River|Mtkvari]].<ref name="NAG"/>

=== Topography ===
[[File:Zemo Svaneti, June, 2018-10.jpg|thumb|Svaneti region of Georgia]]
[[File:სვანეთი,ქურულდის ტბები.jpg|thumb|right|Mountain lakes in the country's northwest]]
The landscape within the nation's boundaries is quite varied. Western Georgia's landscape ranges from low-land marsh-forests, swamps, and [[temperate rainforest]]s to eternal snows and glaciers, while the eastern part of the country even contains a small segment of [[semi-arid]] plains.<ref name="NAG"/>

Much of the natural habitat in the low-lying areas of western Georgia has disappeared during the past 100 years because of the [[agricultural development]] of the land and urbanization. The large majority of the forests that covered the Colchis plain are now virtually non-existent with the exception of the regions that are included in the national parks and reserves (e.g. [[Lake Paliastomi]] area). At present, the forest cover generally remains outside of the low-lying areas and is mainly located along the foothills and the mountains. Western Georgia's forests consist mainly of deciduous trees below {{convert|600|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]] and contain species such as [[oak]], [[hornbeam]], [[Oriental Beech|beech]], [[elm]], [[ash tree|ash]], and [[Sweet Chestnut|chestnut]]. Evergreen species such as [[Buxus|box]] may also be found in many areas. Ca. 1000 of all 4000 higher plants of Georgia are [[endemic]] to this country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.endemic-species-caucasus.info/ |title=Endemic Species of the Caucasus |publisher=Endemic-species-caucasus.info |date=7 January 2009 |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412080946/http://www.endemic-species-caucasus.info/ |archive-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Kościół Vanis Kvabebi we wsi Vardzia.jpg|thumb|A chapel in the cave city of [[Vardzia]], with the valley of the [[Kura (Caspian Sea)|Kura River]] below.]]

The west-central slopes of the [[Meskheti Range]] in [[Ajaria]] as well as several locations in Samegrelo and Abkhazia are covered by [[temperate rain forests]]. Between {{convert|600|-|1000|m|ft|0}} above sea level, the deciduous forest becomes mixed with both broad-leaf and coniferous species making up the plant life. The zone is made up mainly of beech, [[Caucasian Spruce|spruce]], and [[Nordmann Fir|fir]] forests. From {{convert|1500|-|1800|m|ft|0}}, the forest becomes largely coniferous. The tree line generally ends at around {{convert|1800|m|ft|0}} and the alpine zone takes over, which in most areas, extends up to an elevation of {{convert|3000|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].<ref name="NAG"/>
Eastern Georgia's landscape (referring to the territory east of the [[Likhi Range]]) is considerably different from that of the west, although, much like the Colchis plain in the west, nearly all of the low-lying areas of eastern Georgia including the [[Mtkvari]] and [[Alazani]] River plains have been [[deforestation|deforested]] for agricultural purposes.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} The general landscape of eastern Georgia comprises numerous valleys and gorges that are separated by mountains. In contrast with western Georgia, nearly 85 per cent of the forests of the region are deciduous. Coniferous forests only dominate in the [[Borjomi Gorge]] and in the extreme western areas. Out of the deciduous species of trees, [[beech]], [[oak]], and [[hornbeam]] dominate. Other deciduous species include several varieties of [[maple]], [[aspen]], ash, and [[hazelnut]].<ref name="NAG"/>

At higher elevations above {{convert|1000|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]] (particularly in the [[Tusheti]], [[Khevsureti]], and [[Khevi]] regions), [[Scots Pine|pine]] and [[birch]] forests dominate. In general, the forests in eastern Georgia occur between {{convert|500|-|2000|m|ft|0}} above sea level, with the alpine zone extending from 2,000–2,300 to 3,000–3,500 metres (6,562–7,546 to 9,843–11,483&nbsp;ft). The only remaining large, low-land forests remain in the [[Alazani]] Valley of Kakheti.<ref name="NAG"/>

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Waterfall in Mtirala National Park.JPG|thumb|right|Parts of Western Georgia have a subtropical climate, with frequent rain and plenty of green vegetation.]]
[[File:Chaukhi Mountain & Tina Lake, Juta Valley, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia.jpg|thumb|right|A small [[alpine lake]] in northeastern Georgia.]]
The climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nation's small size. There are two main climatic zones, roughly corresponding to the eastern and western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgia's climate and protects the nation from the penetration of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south.<ref name="Georgia">{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=G. Melvyn |last2=Lang |first2=David Marshall |title=Georgia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>

Much of western Georgia lies within the northern periphery of the humid subtropical zone with annual precipitation ranging from {{convert|1000|–|2500|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}, reaching a maximum during the Autumn months. The climate of the region varies significantly with elevation and while much of the lowland areas of western Georgia are relatively warm throughout the year, the foothills and mountainous areas (including both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains) experience cool, wet summers and snowy winters (snow cover often exceeds {{convert|2|m|disp=or}} in many regions).<ref name="Georgia" />

Eastern Georgia has a transitional climate from humid subtropical to continental. The region's weather patterns are influenced both by dry Caspian air masses from the east and humid Black Sea air masses from the west. The penetration of humid air masses from the Black Sea is often blocked by mountain ranges ([[Likhi Range|Likhi]] and [[Meskheti]]) that separate the eastern and western parts of the nation.<ref name="NAG"/> The wettest periods generally occur during spring and autumn, while winter and summer months tend to be the driest. Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. As in the western parts of the nation, elevation plays an important role in eastern Georgia where climatic conditions above {{convert|1500|m|ft|0}} are considerably colder than in the low-lying areas.<ref name="NAG"/>

=== Biodiversity ===
{{See also|List of fauna of Georgia (country){{!}}List of fauna of Georgia|List of fish of the Black Sea}}
[[File:Female Georgian Shepherd - Khevi, Georgia (3).jpg|thumb|[[Georgian Shepherd]] Dog]]
[[File:Ჯიხვი ლაგოდეხის ნაკრძალში.jpg|thumb|[[East Caucasian tur]] on the cliffs of [[Lagodekhi Protected Areas]].]]
Because of its high landscape diversity and low latitude, Georgia is home to about 5,601 species of animals, including 648 species of [[vertebrate]]s (more than 1% of the species found worldwide) and many of these species are endemics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biodiversity-georgia.net/index.php?taxon=Chordata |title=Eucariota, Animalia, Chordata |publisher=Institute of Ecology |date=2015 |website=Georgian Biodiversity Database |access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625014140/http://www.biodiversity-georgia.net/index.php?taxon=Chordata |archive-date=25 June 2016 }}</ref> A number of large [[carnivore]]s live in the forests, namely [[Brown bear]]s, [[wolf|wolves]], [[lynx]]es and [[Persian leopard|Caucasian Leopards]]. The [[common pheasant]] (also known as the Colchian Pheasant) is an endemic bird of Georgia which has been widely introduced throughout the rest of the world as an important [[game bird]]. The species number of [[invertebrate]]s is considered to be very high but data is distributed across a high number of publications. The spider checklist of Georgia, for example, includes 501 species.<ref name="Caucasus-spiders.info">{{cite web|url=http://caucasus-spiders.info/introduction/checklists/ |title=Caucasian Spiders " Checklists & Maps |publisher=Caucasus-spiders.info |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328225817/http://caucasus-spiders.info/introduction/checklists/ |archive-date=28 March 2009 }}</ref> The Rioni River may contain a breeding population of the critically endangered [[bastard sturgeon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?364051/ship-sturgeon-georgia |title=Dramatic Double Sturgeon Discovery in Georgia |publisher=WWF |date=15 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref>

Slightly more than 6,500 species of [[Fungus|fungi]], including lichen-forming species, have been recorded from Georgia,<ref>Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. ["Flora of Spore Producing Plants of Georgia (Summary)"]. 888 pp., Tbilisi, Academy of Science of the Georgian SSR, 1986</ref><ref name="cybertruffle1">{{cite web |url=http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/robigalia/eng/index.htm |title=Cybertruffle's Robigalia – Observations of fungi and their associated organisms |publisher=cybertruffle.org.uk |access-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920032737/http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/robigalia/eng/index.htm |archive-date=20 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> but this number is far from complete. The true total number of fungal species occurring in Georgia, including species not yet recorded, is likely to be far higher, given the generally accepted estimate that only about seven per cent of all fungi worldwide have so far been discovered.<ref>Kirk, P.M., Cannon, P.F., Minter, D.W. and Stalpers, J. "Dictionary of the Fungi". Edn 10. CABI, 2008</ref> Although the amount of available information is still very small, a first effort has been made to estimate the number of fungal species endemic to Georgia, and 2,595 species have been tentatively identified as possible endemics of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/gruzfung/eng/endelist.htm |title=Fungi of Georgia – potential endemics |publisher=cybertruffle.org.uk |access-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173031/http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/gruzfung/eng/endelist.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> 1,729 species of plants have been recorded from Georgia in association with fungi.<ref name="cybertruffle1" /> According to the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]], there are 4,300 species of vascular plants in Georgia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iucn.org/content/georgia-%E2%80%93-haven-biodiversity|title=Georgia – a haven for biodiversity|date=7 December 2012|website=IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature|access-date=29 June 2019}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Georgia is home to four ecoregions: [[Caucasus mixed forests]], [[Euxine-Colchic deciduous forests]], [[Eastern Anatolian montane steppe]], and [[Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> It had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 7.79/10, ranking it 31st globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Georgia (country)|Agriculture in Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Free Trade Agreements of Georgia.svg|thumb|350px|
{{legend|#aa0000|Georgia}}
{{legend|#008000|Countries with whom Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA)}}
{{legend|#aade87|Countries with whom Georgia has General Schemes of Preference (GSP)}}]]
Archaeological research demonstrates that Georgia has been involved in commerce with many lands and empires since ancient times, largely due its location on the Black Sea and later on the historical [[Silk Road]]. Gold, silver, copper and [[iron ore|iron]] have been mined in the [[Caucasus Mountains]]. [[Georgian wine]] making is a very old tradition and a key branch of the country's economy. The country has sizeable [[hydropower]] resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Energy Informationa Administration "World Hydroelectricity Installed Capacity" |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/international/iealf/table64h.xls |publisher=Eia.doe.gov |access-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123080428/http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/international/iealf/table64h.xls |archive-date=23 November 2010 }}</ref> Throughout Georgia's modern history agriculture and tourism have been principal economic sectors, because of the country's climate and topography.

For much of the 20th century, Georgia's economy was within the Soviet model of [[command economy]]. Since the fall of the USSR in 1991, Georgia embarked on a major structural reform designed to transition to a [[free market]] economy. As with all other [[post-Soviet states]], Georgia faced a severe economic collapse. The civil war and military conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia aggravated the crisis. The agriculture and industry output diminished. By 1994 the gross domestic product had shrunk to a quarter of that of 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World Bank in Georgia 1993–2007|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTCOUASSEVAL/Resources/GeorgiaCAE.pdf|publisher=World Bank|access-date=14 August 2013|year=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723093221/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTCOUASSEVAL/Resources/GeorgiaCAE.pdf|archive-date=23 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the early 21st century visible positive developments have been observed in the economy of Georgia. In 2007, Georgia's [[real GDP]] growth rate reached 12 per cent, making Georgia one of the fastest-[[Economic growth|growing economies]] in Eastern Europe. Georgia has become more [[Globalization|integrated]] into the global trading network: its 2015 imports and exports account for 50% and 21% of GDP respectively.<ref name=wits15>{{cite web|title=World Integrates Trade Solution – Country Snapshot Georgia |url=https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/GEO/Year/2015/Summarytext|publisher=World Bank|access-date=2022-10-07|year=2015}}</ref> Georgia's main imports are vehicles, ores, fossil fuels and pharmaceuticals. Main exports are ores, ferro-alloys, vehicles, wines, mineral waters and fertilizers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Georgia Imports|url=https://wits.worldbank.org/CountrySnapshot/en/GEO|publisher=World Bank|access-date=2022-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=External Merchandise Trade|url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/765/external-merchandise-trade|publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia Geostat|access-date=2022-10-07}}</ref> 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 Index|ease of doing business]],<ref>[http://www.doingbusiness.org/EconomyRankings/ World Bank Economy Rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915084658/http://www.doingbusiness.org/economyrankings/ |date=15 September 2008 }}.</ref> and by 2020 further improved its position to 6th in the world.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Annual-Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf|title=Doing Business 2019|last=World Bank|publisher=World Bank Publications|year=2018|isbn=978-1-4648-1326-9|pages=5, 11, 13|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004640/http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Annual-Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2021, it ranked 12th in the world for [[Index of Economic Freedom|economic freedom]]. In 2019, Georgia ranked 61st on the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI). Between 2000 and 2019, Georgia's HDI score improved by 17.7%.<ref>[http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/GEO.pdf "Briefing note for countries on the 2020 Human Development Report"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522120247/https://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/GEO.pdf |date=22 May 2022 }}, [[United Nations Development Program]], 2020</ref> Of factors contributing to HDI, education had the most positive influence<ref>[http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/GEO.pdf "Briefing note for countries on the 2020 Human Development Report": Figure 1: Trends in Georgia's HDI component indices 2000–2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522120247/https://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/GEO.pdf |date=22 May 2022 }}, [[United Nations Development Program]], 2020</ref> as Georgia [[Education Index|ranks in the top quintile]] in terms of education.

Georgia is developing into an international transport corridor through [[Batumi]] and [[Poti]] ports, [[Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway|Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway line]], an oil pipeline from [[Baku]] through Tbilisi to [[Ceyhan]], the [[Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline]] (BTC) and a parallel gas pipeline, the [[South Caucasus Pipeline]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/operationsprojects/pipelines/SCP.html |title=South Caucasus Pipleline |access-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928111754/http://www.bp.com/en_az/caspian/operationsprojects/pipelines/SCP.html |archive-date=28 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since coming to power the Saakashvili administration accomplished a series of reforms aimed at improving tax collection. Among other things a [[flat income tax]] was introduced in 2004.<ref>The Financial Times – [http://search.ft.com/ftArticle?queryText=georgia+tax&y=0&aje=true&x=0&id=061018006831 Flat taxes could be a flash in the pan, IMF research says]{{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref> As a result, budget revenues have increased fourfold and a once large [[budget deficit]] has turned into a [[budget surplus|surplus]].<ref>[[World Bank]], [http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:21725423~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html World Development Indicators 2008]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418130043/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0%2C%2CcontentMDK%3A21725423~pagePK%3A64133150~piPK%3A64133175~theSitePK%3A239419%2C00.html |date=18 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investingeorgia.org/about_us/faq/|title=Frequently Asked Questions: I. Macroeconomic Environment|website=investingeorgia.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628104040/http://www.investingeorgia.org/about_us/faq/ |archive-date=28 June 2010 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=188&lang=eng|title=Living conditions|publisher=GeoStat|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203041659/http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=188&lang=eng|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, the average monthly income of a household was 1,022.3[[Georgian lari|₾]] (about [[US dollar|$]]426).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=182&lang=eng|title=Households Income|publisher=GeoStat|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225024530/http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=182&lang=eng|archive-date=25 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> 2015 calculations place Georgia's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|nominal GDP]] at US$13.98&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=119&lang=eng |title=Gross Domestic Product (GDP) |publisher=GeoStat |access-date=26 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203043733/http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=119&lang=eng |archive-date=3 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Georgia's economy is becoming more devoted to [[Service economy|services]] ({{as of|2016|lc=y}}, representing 59.4 per cent of GDP), moving away from the [[agricultural sector]] (6.1 per cent).<ref>{{cite web|title=Services, value added (% of GDP) – Georgia|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.SRV.TOTL.ZS?locations=GE|publisher=World Bank|access-date=2022-10-07|year=2015}}</ref> Since 2014, unemployment has been gradually decreasing each year but remained in double digits and worsened during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/683/Employment-Unemployment|title=Employment and Unemployment|access-date=8 August 2021}}, [[National Statistics Office of Georgia]].</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iri.org/resource/georgia-poll-reflects-widespread-concern-over-economic-issues |title=Georgia Poll Reflects Widespread Concern over Economic Issues |publisher=[[International Republican Institute]] |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>

Georgia's telecommunications infrastructure is ranked the last among its bordering neighbours in the World Economic Forum's [[Network Readiness Index]] (NRI) – an indicator for determining the development level of a country's information and communication technologies. Georgia ranked number 58 overall in the 2016 NRI ranking,<ref name="NRI">{{cite web|url=http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2016/networked-readiness-index/|title=Networked Readiness Index 2016|publisher=World Economic Forum|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221235737/http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2016/networked-readiness-index/|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> up from 60 in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2015/network-readiness-index/|title=Networked Readiness Index 2015|publisher=World Economic Forum|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125102711/http://reports.weforum.org/global-information-technology-report-2015/network-readiness-index/|archive-date=25 January 2017}}</ref> Georgia was ranked 65th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023, down from 48th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=WIPO |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |language=en |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |last3=Wunsch-Vincent |first3=Sacha |last4=León |first4=Lorena Rivera |last5=World Intellectual Property Organization |date=12 December 2023 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |isbn=9789280534320 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2021-09-02|website=www.wipo.int|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2013|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2021-09-02|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Gudauri Ski Resort, Gudauri, Georgia (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|[[Gudauri]] is the most visited ski resort of Georgia.]]
Tourism is an increasingly significant part of the Georgian economy. In 2016, 2,714,773 tourists brought approximately US$2.16&nbsp;billion to the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gnta.ge/statistics/ |title=Georgian National Tourism Administration – Researches |publisher=Georgian National Tourism Administration |access-date=26 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228023216/http://gnta.ge/statistics/ |archive-date=28 February 2017 }}</ref> In 2019, the number of international arrivals reached a record high of 9.3&nbsp;million people<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gnta.ge/statistics/|title=Statistics|date=February 2018|publisher=MIA|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> with foreign exchange income in the year's first three-quarters amounting to over US$3&nbsp;billion. The country plans to host 11 million visitors by 2025 with annual revenues reaching US$6.6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.economy.ge/uploads/ecopolitic/turizmi-/sakartvelos%20turizmis%20strategia%202025.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718103823/http://www.economy.ge/uploads/ecopolitic/turizmi-/sakartvelos%20turizmis%20strategia%202025.pdf |archive-date=2017-07-18 |url-status=live|title=Georgia Tourism Strategy}}</ref> According to the government, there are 103 resorts in different [[Köppen climate classification|climatic zones]] in Georgia. Tourist attractions include more than 2,000 [[Spring (hydrology)|mineral springs]], over 12,000 historical and cultural monuments, four of which are recognized as [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s ([[Bagrati Cathedral]] in [[Kutaisi]] and [[Gelati Monastery]], historical monuments of [[Mtskheta]], and [[Upper Svaneti]]).<ref>[http://www.investingeorgia.org/sectors/tourism/ Invest in Georgia: Tourism] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626105604/http://www.investingeorgia.org/sectors/tourism/ |date=26 June 2010 }}</ref> Other tourist attractions are [[Uplistsikhe|Cave City]], [[Ananuri]] Castle/Church, [[Sighnaghi]] and [[Mount Kazbek]]. In 2018, more than 1.4&nbsp;million tourists from Russia visited Georgia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russian Flight Ban Could Cost Georgia $300M, Experts Say |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/06/24/russian-flight-ban-could-cost-georgia-300m-experts-say-a66132 |work=The Moscow Times |date=24 June 2019}}</ref>

== Transport ==

{{Main|Transport in Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Stadler KISS for Georgian Railways (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|The [[Georgian Railways]] represent a vital artery linking the Black Sea and [[Caspian Sea]] – the shortest route between Europe and Central Asia.]]
Today transport in Georgia is provided by [[Georgian Railway|rail]], road, ferry, and air. Total length of [[Roads in Georgia (country)|roads in Georgia]], excluding the [[Russian-occupied territories in Georgia|occupied territories]], is {{convert|21110|km}} and railways – {{convert|1576|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geostat.ge/media/42476/Yearbook_2021.pdf |title=Statistical Yearbook of Georgia 2021 |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia |page=200 |date=28 December 2021 |access-date=31 December 2021 }}</ref> Positioned in the Caucasus and on the coast of the Black Sea, Georgia is a key country through which energy imports to the European Union from neighbouring Azerbaijan pass.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

In recent years Georgia has invested large amounts of money in the modernization of its transport networks. The construction of new highways has been prioritized and, as such, major cities like Tbilisi have seen the quality of their roads improve dramatically; despite this however, the quality of inter-city routes remains poor and to date only one motorway-standard road has been constructed – the [[S1 highway (Georgia)|ს 1 (S1)]], the main east–west highway through the country.

The Georgian railways represent an important transport artery for the Caucasus, as they make up the largest proportion of a route linking the Black and [[Caspian Sea]]s. In turn, this has allowed them to benefit in recent years from increased energy exports from neighbouring Azerbaijan to the European Union, Ukraine, and Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=407&lang=eng |title=Georgian Railway |publisher=Railway.ge |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506073139/http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=407&lang=eng |archive-date=6 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Passenger services are operated by the state-owned [[Georgian Railway]] while freight operations are carried out by a number of licensed operators. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=245&lang=eng |title=Georgian Railway |publisher=Railway.ge |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007083201/https://railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=245&lang=eng |archive-date=7 October 2012 }}</ref> Infrastructural development has also been high on the agenda for the railways, with the key Tbilisi railway junction expected to undergo major reorganization in the near future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=242&lang=eng |title=Georgian Railway |publisher=Railway.ge |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506073016/http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=242&lang=eng |archive-date=6 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional projects also include the construction of the economically important [[Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway]], which was opened on 30 October 2017 and connects much of the Caucasus with Turkey by [[standard gauge]] railway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=290&lang=eng |title=Georgian Railway |publisher=Railway.ge |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506072507/http://www.railway.ge/?web=0&action=page&p_id=290&lang=eng |archive-date=6 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line Officially Launched|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-tbilisi-kars-railway-line-officially-launched-azerbaijan-georgia-turkey/28824764.html|access-date=3 November 2017|agency=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=30 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101204253/https://www.rferl.org/a/baku-tbilisi-kars-railway-line-officially-launched-azerbaijan-georgia-turkey/28824764.html|archive-date=1 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 200623-N-O901-0001 USS Porter (DDG 78) in Batumi, Georgia on June 23, 2020.jpg|thumb|[[Batumi Seaport]].]]
Air and maritime transport is developing in Georgia, with the former mainly used by passengers and the latter for transport of freight. Georgia currently has four international airports, the largest of which is by far [[Tbilisi International Airport]], hub for [[Georgian Airways]], which offers connections to many large European cities. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evolutsia.net/kutaisis-airport-georgias-opportunity/ |title=Kutaisi's airport: Georgia's opportunity |publisher=Evolutsia.Net |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229115503/http://www.evolutsia.net/kutaisis-airport-georgias-opportunity/ |archive-date=29 February 2012 }}</ref> There are a number of seaports along Georgia's Black Sea coast, the largest and most busy of which is the Port of Batumi; while the town is itself a seaside resort, the port is a major cargo terminal in the Caucasus and is often used by neighbouring Azerbaijan as a transit point for making energy deliveries to Europe. Scheduled and chartered passenger ferry services link Georgia with Bulgaria,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukrferry.com/eng/schedules/varna-batumi |title=Varna – Batumi |publisher=Ukrferry |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061252/http://www.ukrferry.com/eng/schedules/varna-batumi |archive-date=2 February 2017 }}</ref> Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukrferry.com/eng/schedules |title=Schedules |publisher=Ukrferry |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060856/http://www.ukrferry.com/eng/schedules |archive-date=2 February 2017 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Georgia (country)|Georgians}}
[[File:Caucasus-ethnic en.svg|upright=1.15|thumb|Ethno-linguistic groups in the Caucasus region as of 1995<ref name="ECMI">{{cite web|url=http://www.ecmicaucasus.org/menu/info_maps.html|title=ECMI – European Centre For Minority Issues Georgia|website=www.ecmicaucasus.org|access-date=2 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904143533/http://ecmicaucasus.org/menu/info_maps.html|archive-date=4 September 2014}}</ref>]]
Like most native [[Peoples of the Caucasus|Caucasian peoples]], the Georgians do not fit into any of the main ethnic categories of Europe or Asia. The Georgian language, the most pervasive of the [[Kartvelian languages]], is not [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]], [[Turkic languages|Turkic]], or [[Semitic languages|Semitic]]. The present-day Georgian or Kartvelian nation is thought to have resulted from the fusion of aboriginal, [[Indigenous peoples|autochthonous]] inhabitants with immigrants who moved into [[South Caucasus]] from the direction of [[Anatolia]] in remote antiquity.<ref>History of Modern Georgia, David Marshal Lang, p 18.{{full citation needed|date=June 2022}}</ref>

The population of Georgia totalled 3,688,647 as of 2022,<ref name=geostatpop>{{Cite web |url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/41/population |title=Population and Demography – Population by cities and boroughs (daba), as of 1 January |date=1 January 2021 |access-date=2022-02-02 |work=National Statistics Office of Georgia, Geostat}}</ref>{{efn|name=a|Data not including Abkhazia and South Ossetia}} a decrease from a figure of 3,713,804 of the previous census in October 2014.<ref name="census2014summary">{{Cite web |url=http://census.ge/files/results/Census_release_ENG.pdf |title=Main Results of the 2014 Census (Publication) |work=Census.ge, National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) |pages=2–8 |date=28 April 2016 |access-date=2022-02-02 |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808154843/http://census.ge/files/results/Census_release_ENG.pdf  }}</ref>{{efn|name=a}} The population declined by 40,000 in 2021, a reversal of the trend towards stabilisation of the last decade and, for the first time since independence, the population was recorded to be below 3.7&nbsp;million. According to the 2014 census, [[Ethnic Georgians]] form about 86.8 per cent of the population, while the remainder includes ethnic groups such as [[Abkhazians]], [[Armenians in Georgia|Armenians]], [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Azerbaijanis in Georgia|Azerbaijanis]], [[Pontic Greeks|Greeks]], [[Georgian Jews|Jews]], [[Kists]], [[Ossetians]], [[Russians]], [[Ukrainians]], [[Yezidis]] and others.<ref name="census2014summary" />{{efn|name=a}} The [[Georgian Jews]] are one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. According to the 1926 census there were 27,728 Jews in Georgia.<ref name="census1926">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rngeorgia.html |title=1926 ethnic composition |access-date=2022-05-18 |work=Ethno Kavkaz |language=ru}}</ref>{{efn|Combined population of urban (23,433 in 1922) and rural (2,326 in 1917) communities.{{sfnp|Russian Review|1925|p=499}}}} Georgia was also once home to significant ethnic German communities, numbering 11,394 according to the 1926 census.<ref name="census1926" />{{efn|Estimated 14,000 in 1922.{{sfnp|Russian Review|1925|p=498}}}} Most of them [[Caucasus Germans#Bolnisi, Georgia|were deported]] during World War II.<ref>{{cite web |title=Deutsche Kolonisten in Georgien |publisher=Einung |url=http://einung.org.ge/deutsche-kolonisten-in-georgien/ |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301172241/http://einung.org.ge/deutsche-kolonisten-in-georgien/ |archive-date=1 March 2017 }}</ref>

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. Consecutive research estimated the 2002 census to be inflated by 8 to 9 percent,{{sfnp|Hakkert|2017|pp=1–4}} which affected the annually updated population estimates in subsequent years. One explanation put forward by UNFPA is that families of emigrants continued to list them in 2002 as residents for fear of losing certain rights or benefits. Also, the population registration system from birth to death was non-functional. It was not until around 2010 that parts of the system became reliable again. With the support of the UNFPA, the demographic data for the period 1994–2014 has been retro-projected.<ref name="retroprojection">{{Cite web |title=Retro-projection of main demographic indicators for the period 1994–2014 |work=National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) |date=18 May 2018 |url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/single-archive/3199 |access-date=2022-02-02}}</ref> On the basis of that back-projection, Geostat has corrected its data for these years.

The 1989 census recorded 341,000 ethnic [[Russians in Georgia|Russians]], or 6.3 per cent of the population,<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav043009.shtml Georgia: Ethnic Russians Say, "There's No Place Like Home"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216143900/https://eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav043009.shtml |date=16 February 2018 }}. EurasiaNet.org. 30 April 2009.</ref> 52,000 [[Ukrainians]] and 100,000 [[Greeks in Georgia]].<ref name="emigration" /> The population of Georgia, including the breakaway regions, has declined by more than 1 million due to net emigration in the period 1990–2010.{{sfnp|Hakkert |2017|p=14}}<ref name=emigration>[http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ge412ang.pdf Ethnic minorities in Georgia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501012802/http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ge412ang.pdf |date=1 May 2009}}. Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l'Homme.</ref> Other factors in the population decline include birth-death deficits for the period 1995–2010 and the exclusion of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from the statistics. Russia received by far the most migrants from Georgia. According to United Nations data, this totalled 625,000 by 2000, declining to 450,000 by 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/data/estimates2/estimates19.asp |title=International migrant stock 2019, 'by destination and origin' |work=United Nations |date=2019 |access-date=2022-02-02}}</ref> Initially the out-migration was driven by non-Georgian ethnicities but increasing numbers of Georgians emigrated as well,{{sfnp|Jones|2013|p=204}} due to the war, the crisis-ridden 1990s, and the subsequent bad economic outlook. The 2010 Russian census recorded about 158,000 ethnic Georgians living in Russia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census |work=Russian Census |url=http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/results2.html |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=2022-02-02 |language=ru |archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209035558/http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/results2.html}}</ref> with approximately 40,000 living in Moscow by 2014.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rbth.com/longreads/tbilisi_on_moskva/index.html |title=Georgians in Russia |work=Russia Beyond the Headlines |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=2022-02-02}}</ref> There were 184 thousand immigrants in Georgia in 2014 with most of them hailing from Russia (51.6%), Greece (8.3%), Ukraine (8.11%), Germany (4.3%), and Armenia (3.8%).<ref name="Immigration">{{cite web|url=http://census.ge/files/results/english/29-2_Immigrants%20by%20previous%20country%20of%20residence%20and%20usual%20place%20of%20residence.xls|title=Immigrants by previous country of residence and usual place of residence|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809235430/http://census.ge/files/results/english/29-2_Immigrants%20by%20previous%20country%20of%20residence%20and%20usual%20place%20of%20residence.xls|archive-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>{{efn|name=a}}

In the early 1990s, following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], violent [[separatism|separatist]] conflicts broke out in the autonomous region of Abkhazia and [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast|Tskhinvali Region]]. Many [[Ossetians]] living in Georgia left the country, mainly to Russia's [[North Ossetia]].<ref>Human Rights Watch/Helsinki, [http://hrw.org/reports/1996/Russia.htm Russia: The Ingush–Ossetian Conflict in the Prigorodnyi Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513003516/http://hrw.org/reports/1996/Russia.htm |date=13 May 2007}}, May 1996.</ref> On the other hand, at least 160,000 Georgians left Abkhazia after the break-out of hostilities in 1993.{{sfnp|Hakkert|2017|p=43}} Of the [[Meskhetian Turk]]s who were [[Population transfer in the Soviet Union|forcibly relocated]] in 1944, only a tiny fraction returned to Georgia {{As of|2008|lc=y}}.<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,463af2212,488edfe22,49749c843c,0.html World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Uzbekistan: Meskhetian Turks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016183834/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,463af2212,488edfe22,49749c843c,0.html |date=16 October 2012 }}. Minority Rights Group International.</ref>

The most widespread language group is the [[Kartvelian languages|Kartvelian family]], which includes Georgian, [[Svan language|Svan]], [[Mingrelian language|Mingrelian]] and [[Laz language|Laz]].{{sfnp|Boeder|2002|p=3}}{{sfnp|Boeder|2005|p=6}}{{sfnp|Gamkrelidze|1966|p=69}}{{sfnp|Fähnrich|Sardzhveladze|2000|p={{page needed|date=June 2022}}}}{{sfnp|Kajaia|2001|p={{page needed|date=June 2022}}}}{{sfnp|Klimov|1998|p=14}} The official language of Georgia is [[Georgian language|Georgian]], with [[Abkhazian language|Abkhaz]] having official status within the autonomous region of Abkhazia. Georgian is the primary language of 87.7 per cent of the population, followed by 6.2 per cent speaking [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], 3.9 per cent [[Armenian language|Armenian]], 1.2 per cent Russian, and 1 per cent other languages.<ref name="2014 Language">{{cite web |url=http://census.ge/files/results/english/20_Population%20by%20region%2C%20by%20native%20languages%20and%20fluently%20speak%20Georgian%20language.xls|title=Population by region, by native languages and fluently speak Georgian language|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174125/http://census.ge/files/results/english/20_Population%20by%20region%2C%20by%20native%20languages%20and%20fluently%20speak%20Georgian%20language.xls}}</ref>{{efn|name=a}} Azerbaijani once served as a ''lingua franca'' for communication among various nationalities inhabiting Eastern Caucasus.{{sfnp|Russian Review|1925|p=498}}
{{Largest cities
| country      = Georgia (country)
| stat_ref     = [http://census.ge/files/results/Census_release_ENG.pdf 2014 General Population Census Main Results]
| list_by_pop  = List of cities and towns in Georgia (country)
| div_name     =
| div_link     = Administrative divisions of Georgia (country){{!}}Administrative divisions of Georgia
| city_1 = Tbilisi | div_1= Tbilisi | pop_1 = 1 108 717|img_1 = Jahlinmarceta tbilisi.jpg
| city_2 = Batumi  | div_2 =  Adjara |pop_2 = 152 839 |img_2 = Batumi Dec 2019 08 35 34 145000.jpeg
| city_3 = Kutaisi | div_3 = Imereti |pop_3 = 147 635 |img_3 = 2014 Kutaisi, Fontanna na centralnym placu (06).jpg
| city_4 = Rustavi | div_4 = Kvemo Kartli |pop_4 = 125 103 |img_4 = Rustavi Square.JPG
| city_5 = Gori, Georgia{{!}}Gori | div_5 = Shida Kartli |pop_5 = 48 143
| city_6 = Zugdidi | div_6 = Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti |pop_6 = 42 998
| city_7 = Poti | div_7 = Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti |pop_7 = 41,465
| city_8 = Sokhumi | div_8 = Abkhazia |pop_8 = ''39,100''{{efn|name=occ|Occupied city, estimated data}}
| city_9 = Khashuri | div_9 = Shida Kartli |pop_9 = 33 627
| city_10 = Tskhinvali | div_10 = Shida Kartli |pop_10 = ''30,000''{{efn|name=occ}}
}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Georgia (country)}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Main religions (2014)<ref name="geostat.ge">{{cite web|url=http://geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/population/Census_release_ENG_2016.pdf|title=2014 General Population Census – Main Results|date=28 April 2016|publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat)|access-date=7 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205175903/http://geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/population/Census_release_ENG_2016.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2017}}</ref>{{efn|name=a}}
|label1 = [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christian]]
|value1 = 83.4
|color1 = DarkOrchid
|label2 = [[Muslim]]
|value2 = 10.7
|color2 = MediumSeaGreen
|label3 = [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]]
|value3 = 2.9
|color3 = FireBrick
|label4 = [[Roman Catholicism in Georgia|Roman Catholic]]
|value4 = 0.5
|color4 = Violet
|label5 = Others
|value5 = 2.5
|color5 = YellowGreen
}}
Today 83.4 per cent of the population practices [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]], with the majority of these adhering to the national [[Georgian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |url=http://census.ge/files/results/english/22_Population%20by%20regions%20and%20religion.xls |title=Immigrants by previous country of residence and usual place of residence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809001940/http://census.ge/files/results/english/22_Population%20by%20regions%20and%20religion.xls|archive-date=9 August 2016|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref>{{efn|name=a}} The [[Georgian Orthodox Church]] is one of the world's oldest Christian churches, and claims apostolic foundation by [[Saint Andrew]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriarchate.ge/_en/?action=istoria |title=The History of Georgian Orthodox Church |website=Patriarchate of Georgia |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111023844/http://www.patriarchate.ge/_en/?action=istoria |archive-date=11 January 2015 }}</ref> In the first half of the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion of Iberia (present-day eastern Georgia), following the missionary work of [[Saint Nino]] of [[Cappadocia]].<ref name="Toumanoff1963">{{cite book |author-link=Cyril Toumanoff |last=Toumanoff |first=Cyril |year=1963 |chapter=Iberia between Chosroid and Bagratid Rule |title=Studies in Christian Caucasian History |publisher=Georgetown |pages=374–377 |url=http://rbedrosian.com/Ref/Toumicb/toumicb.html |access-date=4 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208043427/http://rbedrosian.com/Ref/Toumicb/toumicb.html |archive-date=8 February 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Rapp2007">{{cite book|last=Rapp|first=Stephen H. Jr|title=The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWp9JA3aBvcC&pg=PA137|access-date=11 May 2012 |year=2007 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4443-3361-9|page=138|chapter=7 – Georgian Christianity}}</ref> The Church gained [[autocephaly]] during the early Middle Ages; it was abolished during the Russian domination of the country, restored in 1917 and fully recognized by the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patriarchate.ge/geo/martlmadidebluri-eklesiebi/avtokefaluri-eklesiebi|title=მართლმადიდებელი ავტოკეფალური ეკლესიები|publisher=საქართველოს საპატრიარქო|access-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228165838/http://patriarchate.ge/geo/martlmadidebluri-eklesiebi/avtokefaluri-eklesiebi/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>

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.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

Religious minorities of Georgia include Muslims (10.7 per cent), [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Christians]] (2.9 per cent) and Roman Catholics (0.5 per cent).<ref name="Religion" />{{efn|name=a}} 0.7 per cent of those recorded in the 2014 census declared themselves to be adherents of other religions, 1.2 per cent refused or did not state their religion and 0.5 per cent declared no religion at all.<ref name="Religion" />

[[Islam in Georgia (country)|Islam]] is represented by both Azerbaijani [[Shia]] Muslims (in the south-east), ethnic Georgian [[Sunni]] Muslims in Adjara, and [[Laz language|Laz]]-speaking Sunni Muslims as well as Sunni [[Meskhetian Turks]] along the border with Turkey. In Abkhazia, a minority of the Abkhaz population is also Sunni Muslim. There are also smaller communities of [[Greek Muslims]] (of [[Pontic Greek]] origin) and [[Armenian Muslims]], both of whom are descended from Ottoman-era converts to Turkish Islam from [[Eastern Anatolia]] who settled in Georgia following the [[Lala Mustafa Pasha's Caucasian campaign]] that led to the Ottoman conquest of the country in 1578. Georgian Jews trace the history of their community to the 6th century BC;{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} their numbers have dwindled in the last decades due to high levels of immigration to Israel.<ref>Jacobs, Dan Norman. Paul, Ellen Frankel. [https://books.google.com/books?id=M6QK-J-34jMC&pg=PA14 ''Studies of the Third Wave: Recent Migration of Soviet Jews to the United States''] VNR AG, 1 January 1981 {{ISBN|978-0-86531-143-5}} pp. 13–14</ref>

Despite the long history of religious harmony in Georgia,{{sfnp|Spilling|Wong|2008|p={{page needed|date=June 2022}}}} there have been instances of religious discrimination and violence against "nontraditional faiths", such as [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], by followers of the [[defrocked]] Orthodox priest [[Basil Mkalavishvili]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/eca/georgia/georgia_memo_full.htm |title=Memorandum to the U.S. Government on Religious Violence in the Republic of Georgia (Human Rights Watch August 2001) |publisher=Hrw.org |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102220649/http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/eca/georgia/georgia_memo_full.htm |archive-date=2 November 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to traditional religious organizations, Georgia retains [[Secularism and Irreligion in Georgia|secular and irreligious segments of society]] (0.5 per cent),<ref name="Netgazeti">{{cite web |url=http://netgazeti.ge/news/110839/ |title=საქართველოს მოსახლეობის საყოველთაო აღწერის საბოლოო შედეგები |date=28 April 2016 |website=netgazeti.ge |publisher=Netgazeti |access-date=28 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513213217/http://netgazeti.ge/news/110839/ |archive-date=13 May 2016 }}</ref> as well as a significant portion of religiously affiliated individuals who do not actively practice their faith.<ref>[http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-20.pdf Caucasus Analytical Digest No.20] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325085305/http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-20.pdf |date=25 March 2015 }}, [[Heinrich Böll Foundation|Heinrich Böll Stiftung]], 11 October 2010</ref>

=== Education ===
[[File:Tbilisi, Georgia — Tbilisi State University, I Corpus's front view.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi State University]] is the oldest university in Georgia and the Caucasus region.]]
The education system of Georgia has undergone sweeping, though controversial, modernisation since 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4724213.stm|title=Georgia purges education system|date=29 July 2005|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219051630/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4724213.stm|archive-date=19 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Molly Corso (13 May 2005) [http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav041305.shtml Education reform rocks Georgia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731232621/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav041305.shtml |date=31 July 2016 }}. Eurasianet. [[United Nations Development Programme]]. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.</ref>  [[Education in Georgia (country)|Education in Georgia]] is mandatory for all children aged 6–14.<ref name="tempus">[http://www.tempus.ge/EDUCATIONAL%20SYSTEM%20OF%20GEORGIA.html Education system in Georgia]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. National Tempus Office Georgia. Retrieved on 2 September 2008. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The school system is divided into elementary (six years; ages 6–12), basic (three years; ages 12–15), and secondary (three years; ages 15–18), or alternatively vocational studies (two years). Access to higher education is given to students who have gained a secondary school certificate. Only those students who have passed the Unified National Examinations may enroll in a state-accredited higher education institution, based on ranking of the scores received at the exams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://naec.ge/#/en/post/55|publisher=National assessment and examinations center|title=Centralized university entrance examinations|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226132040/http://www.naec.ge/#/en/post/55|archive-date=26 February 2017}}</ref>

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). There is also a certified specialist's programme that represents a single-level higher education programme lasting from three to six years.<ref name="tempus" /><ref>[http://www.mes.gov.ge/index.php?module=text&link_id=50 Education institutions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511223922/http://www.mes.gov.ge/index.php?module=text&link_id=50 |date=11 May 2011 }}. Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. Retrieved on 2 September 2008.</ref> {{As of|2016}}, 75 higher education institutions are accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mes.gov.ge/content.php?id=1855&lang=eng|publisher=Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia|title=Authorized institutions|access-date=23 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022182826/http://mes.gov.ge/content.php?id=1855&lang=eng|archive-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> [[Gross enrolment ratio|Gross primary enrolment ratio]] was 117 per cent for the period of 2012–2014, the 2nd highest in Europe after Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.ENRR?end=2014&locations=GE&start=1981&view=chart|publisher=The World Bank|title=Gross enrollment ratio, primary, both sexes|access-date=23 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023210048/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.ENRR?end=2014&locations=GE&start=1981&view=chart|archive-date=23 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tbilisi has become the main artery of the Georgian educational system, particularly since the creation of the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|First Georgian Republic]] in 1918 permitted the establishment of modern, Georgian-language educational institutions. Tbilisi is home to several major institutions of higher education in Georgia, notably the [[Tbilisi State Medical University]], which was founded as Tbilisi Medical Institute in 1918, and the [[Tbilisi State University]] (TSU), which was established in 1918 and remains the oldest university in the entire Caucasus region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=1297&info_id=6933 |title=New Tbilisi.Gov.Ge – თბილისის მერიის ოფიციალური ვებ გვერდი |publisher=Tbilisi.gov.ge |access-date=5 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220042201/http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=1297&info_id=6933 |archive-date=20 February 2012 }}</ref> The number of faculty and staff (collaborators) at TSU is approximately 5,000, with over 35,000 students enrolled. The following four universities are also located in Tbilisi: [[Georgian Technical University]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtu.ge/Contact/|title=Contact|publisher=gtu.ge|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227215738/http://gtu.ge/Contact/|archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> which is Georgia's main and largest technical university,  [[The University of Georgia (Tbilisi)]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ug.edu.ge/page/full/55|title=Contact|publisher=ug.edu.ge|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301054819/https://www.ug.edu.ge/page/full/55|archive-date=1 March 2017}}</ref> as well as [[Caucasus University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cu.edu.ge/en/contact|title=Contact|publisher=cu.edu.ge|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216212136/http://cu.edu.ge/en/contact|archive-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> and [[Free University of Tbilisi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freeuni.edu.ge/en/contact|title=Contact|publisher=freeuni.edu.ge|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217062548/http://freeuni.edu.ge/en/contact|archive-date=17 February 2017}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Mokvi Gospels (Q-902), 1300.jpg|thumb|Medieval Georgian [[illuminated manuscript]] of [[Mokvi Gospels]], 13th century.]]

Georgian culture evolved over thousands of years from its foundations in the [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Iberian]] and Colchian civilizations.<ref>Georgia : in the mountains of poetry 3rd rev. ed., Nasmyth, Peter</ref> Georgian culture enjoyed a [[Georgian Golden Age|renaissance and golden age]] of [[classical literature]], arts, philosophy, architecture and science in the 11th century.<ref>Rapp, Stephen H. (2003), ''Studies in Medieval Georgian Historiography: Early Texts And Eurasian Contexts''. Peeters Publishers, {{ISBN|90-429-1318-5}}</ref> Georgian culture was influenced by [[Classical Greece]], the [[Roman Empire]], the [[Byzantine Empire]], the various [[History of Iran#Classical antiquity|Iranian empires]] (notably the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]], [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]], [[Sassanian Empire|Sassanian]], [[Safavid Empire|Safavid]], and [[Qajar Empire|Qajar]] empires),<ref>I. Gagoshidze "The Achaemenid influence in Iberia" Boreas 19. (1996)</ref><ref>[[Ehsan Yarshater|Yarshater, Ehsan]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=wBIZAQAAIAAJ "Encyclopædia Iranica"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507035127/https://books.google.com/books?id=wBIZAQAAIAAJ |date=7 May 2016 }} Routledge & Keagan Paul, 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-933273-56-6}} pp 464–479</ref><ref>{{cite book |quote=(...) Iranian power and cultural influence dominated eastern Georgia until the coming of the Russians|title= Vagabond Life: The Caucasus Journals of George Kennan |first=Hans Dieter |last=Kennan|publisher= University of Washington Press |year=2013 |page=32 |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>Willem Floor, Edmund Herzig. [https://books.google.com/books?id=2S_DxLGKw6IC&pg=PA494 ''Iran and the World in the Safavid Age''] I.B.Tauris, 15 September 2012 {{ISBN|1850439303}} p 494</ref> and later, since the 19th century, by the [[Russian Empire]] and the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name="Jones2003">{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Stephen |date=1 September 2003 |title=The role of cultural paradigms in Georgian foreign policy |journal=Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=83–110 |doi=10.1080/13523270300660019 |s2cid=154183255 |issn=1352-3279}}</ref>

This long history has provided a national narrative which encompasses the successful preservation of unique culture and identity in a consistent territory, despite external pressures. Christianity and the Georgian language are particularly important national identifiers.<ref name="Batiashvili2012">{{Cite book |last=Batiashvili |first=Nutsa |date=2012 |title=Memory and Political Change |pages=186–200 |editor-last=Assmann |editor-first=Aleida |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |doi=10.1057/9780230354241_11 |isbn=978-0-230-35424-1 |editor2-last=Shortt |editor2-first=Linda |chapter=The 'Myth' of the Self: The Georgian National Narrative and Quest for 'Georgianness' |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230354241_11}}</ref> These cultural, religious, and later political attributes are associated with a European and Western identity, based on a national perception of these attributes that contrasts with surrounding powers.<ref name="Jones2003"/><ref name="Batiashvili2012"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Beacháin |first1=Donnacha Ó |last2=Coene |first2=Frederik |date=November 2014 |title=Go West: Georgia's European identity and its role in domestic politics and foreign policy objectives |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nationalities-papers/article/abs/go-west-georgias-european-identity-and-its-role-in-domestic-politics-and-foreign-policy-objectives/AB309EDA6F4E1E4D25C97F00DCFF7973 |journal=Nationalities Papers |volume=42 |issue=6 |pages=923–941 |doi=10.1080/00905992.2014.953466 |s2cid=153586649 |issn=0090-5992}}</ref><ref name=carnegie21>{{cite web |url=https://carnegieeurope.eu/2021/04/06/georgia-s-unfinished-search-for-its-place-in-europe-pub-84253 |title=Georgia's Unfinished Search for Its Place in Europe |publisher=Carnegie Europe | date=6 April 2021 | access-date=2022-08-06}}</ref> This self-identity is stronger among the dominant ethnic Georgian population than in the country's minority groups.<ref name=carnegie21/>

Georgia is known for its [[folklore]], traditional music, dances, theatre, cinema, and art. Notable painters from the 20th century include [[Niko Pirosmani]], [[Lado Gudiashvili]], [[Elene Akhvlediani]]; notable ballet choreographers include [[George Balanchine]], [[Vakhtang Chabukiani]], and [[Nino Ananiashvili]]; notable poets include [[Galaktion Tabidze]], [[Lado Asatiani]], and [[Mukhran Machavariani]]; and notable theatre and film directors include [[Robert Sturua]], [[Tengiz Abuladze]], [[Georgi Daneliya|Giorgi Danelia]], and [[Otar Ioseliani]].<ref name="Lang David, Georgians" />

=== Architecture and arts ===
[[File:Hpim3433.jpg|thumb|[[Old Tbilisi]] is the historic part of the city of [[Tbilisi]], the capital of Georgia.]]
[[Architecture of Georgia (country)|Georgian architecture]] has been influenced by many civilizations. There are several [[architectural styles]] for [[castles]], [[tower]]s, [[fortifications]] and churches. The [[Upper Svaneti]] fortifications, and the castle town of [[Shatili]] in [[Khevsureti]], are some of the finest examples of medieval Georgian [[castle architecture]]. Other architectural features of Georgia include [[Rustavelis Gamziri|Rustaveli]] Avenue in Tbilisi and the [[Old Tbilisi|Old Town District]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

Georgian [[ecclesiastic]] art is one of the most notable aspects of Georgian [[Christian architecture]], which combines the classical [[dome]] style with the original [[basilica]] style, forming what is known as the Georgian cross-dome style. Cross-dome architecture developed in Georgia during the 9th century; before that, most Georgian churches were basilicas. Other examples of Georgian [[ecclesiastic]] architecture can be found outside Georgia: [[Bachkovo Monastery]] in Bulgaria (built in 1083 by the Georgian military commander Grigorii Bakuriani), [[Iviron monastery]] in Greece (built by Georgians in the 10th century), and the [[Monastery of the Cross]] in Jerusalem (built by Georgians in the 9th century). One of the most famous late 19th/early 20th century Georgian artists was [[primitivist]] painter [[Niko Pirosmani]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pirosmani.org/pirosmani/ |title=Niko Pirosmani – Short Biographical Information |publisher=Steele Communications |website=Niko Pirosmani |access-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228055000/http://www.pirosmani.org/pirosmani/ |archive-date=28 December 2016 }}</ref>

===Literature===
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 [[Romanticism|romantics]] and novelists of the modern era such as [[Grigol Orbeliani]], [[Nikoloz Baratashvili]], [[Ilia Chavchavadze]], [[Akaki Tsereteli]], and [[Vazha-Pshavela]].<ref name="Lang David, Georgians">Lang David, Georgians.{{full citation needed|date=June 2022}}</ref> The Georgian language is written in three unique [[Georgian scripts|scripts]] which, according to traditional accounts, were invented by King [[Pharnavaz I of Iberia]] in the 3rd century BC.<ref>[[David Marshall Lang|Lang, David Marshall]]. ''Georgia''. p. 515.{{Request quotation|date=March 2012}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2022|reason=Might be Britannica source}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.101languages.net/georgian/writing_system.html|title=Georgian Alphabet|publisher=101languages.net|access-date=30 October 2012|archive-date=28 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028171137/http://www.101languages.net/georgian/writing_system.html}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Georgia (country)}}
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. The [[Constitution of Georgia (country)|Constitution of Georgia]] guarantees freedom of speech.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} The media environment of Georgia remains the freest and most diverse in the [[South Caucasus]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.enpi-info.eu/eastportal/news/latest/38565/Media-freedom-in-Eastern-Partnership-countries:-Georgia-tops-list,-Ukraine-improves-position|title=Media freedom in Eastern Partnership countries: Georgia tops list, Ukraine improves position|date=29 September 2014|website=enpi-info.eu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194716/http://www.enpi-info.eu/eastportal/news/latest/38565/Media-freedom-in-Eastern-Partnership-countries%3A-Georgia-tops-list%2C-Ukraine-improves-position |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> despite the long-term politicization and polarisation affecting the sector. The political struggle for control over the public broadcaster have left it without a direction in 2014 too.<ref name=FH>[[Freedom House]], [https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/georgia Georgia 2015 Press Freedom report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210314/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/georgia |date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Georgia (country)}}
Georgia has an ancient musical tradition, which is primarily known for its early development of [[polyphony]]. Georgian polyphony is based on three vocal parts, a unique tuning system based on perfect fifths, and a harmonic structure rich in parallel fifths and dissonances.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} Three types of polyphony have developed in Georgia: a complex version in Svaneti, a dialogue over a bass background in the Kakheti region, and a three-part partially-improvised version in western Georgia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Georgian Polyphonic Singing, "Chakrulo"|url=http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?s=films_details&pg=33&id=1737|access-date=17 December 2016|work=UNESCO|date=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205180055/http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?s=films_details&pg=33&id=1737|archive-date=5 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Georgian folk song "[[Chakrulo]]" was one of 27 musical compositions included on the [[Voyager Golden Record]]s that were sent into space on [[Voyager 2]] on 20 August 1977.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Untold Story of How "Chakrulo" Ended Up in Space|url=http://www.georgianjournal.ge/discover-georgia/28321-the-untold-story-of-how-chakrulo-ended-up-in-space.html|access-date=21 July 2016|work=Georgian Journal|date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816081734/http://www.georgianjournal.ge/discover-georgia/28321-the-untold-story-of-how-chakrulo-ended-up-in-space.html|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Georgian cuisine}}
[[File:Georgian cuisine banner 1.jpg|thumb|Rather than serving food in [[Course (food)|courses]], traditional ''supras'' often present all that a host has to offer]]
[[Georgian cuisine]] and [[Georgian wine|wine]] have evolved through the centuries, adapting traditions in each era. One of the most unusual traditions of dining is [[Supra (feast)|supra]], or ''Georgian table'', which is also a way of socializing with friends and family. The head of ''supra'' is known as [[tamada]]. He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts, and makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. Various historical regions of Georgia are known for their particular dishes: for example, [[khinkali]] (meat dumplings), from eastern mountainous Georgia, and [[khachapuri]], mainly from [[Imereti]], [[Samegrelo]] and Adjara.<ref name="Tuskadze2017">{{cite book | author = Tiko Tuskadze | date = 13 July 2017 | title = Supra: A feast of Georgian cooking | publisher = Pavilion | isbn = 978-1-911595-45-8 | oclc = 992463647 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8FAmEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT10}}</ref>

=== Wine ===
{{Main|Georgian wine}}
[[File:Rkatsiteli iveriuli.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Rkatsiteli]] ''[[kvevri]]'' wine in a glass. Wine-making is a traditional component of the Georgian economy.]]
Georgia is [[History of wine|one of the oldest wine-producing countries]] in the world. Archaeology indicates that fertile valleys and slopes in and around Georgia have been home to [[grapevine]] cultivation and [[neolithic]] wine production ({{lang-ka|ღვინო}}, ''ɣvino'') for millennia.<ref name="Vinologue">{{citation |author=Miquel Hudin |author2=Daria Kholodolina|title=Georgia: A guide to the cradle of wine |url=http://www.vinologue.com/books/georgia/ |page=300|year=2017|publisher=[[Vinologue]]|isbn=978-1-941598-05-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Traditional winemaking in Georgia – the oldest wine in the world |date=3 February 2014 |website=cycloscope |url=http://cycloscope.weebly.com/blog/traditional-winemaking-in-georgia-the-oldest-wine-in-the-world |access-date=2015-04-15  |archive-date=2015-04-15 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150415080208/http://cycloscope.weebly.com/blog/traditional-winemaking-in-georgia-the-oldest-wine-in-the-world}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Unearthing Georgia's wine heritage |first=Ivan|last=Watson |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/20/georgia.wine.heritage/ |access-date=21 February 2018 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>{{sfnp|Spilling|Wong|2008|p=128}} Local traditions associated with wine are entwined with its national identity.<ref name="Vinologue" /> In 2013, [[UNESCO]] added the ancient traditional Georgian winemaking method using the [[Kvevri]] clay jars to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.<ref name="Vinologue" /><ref name="ich.unesco.org">{{Cite web|title=UNESCO – Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine-making method|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists|access-date=2019-09-09 |website=ich.unesco.org}}</ref>

Georgia's moderate climate and moist air, influenced by the [[Black Sea]], provide the best conditions for vine cultivation. 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. This method of cultivation is called ''maglari''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Georgian feast: the vibrant culture and savory food of the Republic of Georgia |last1= Goldstein |first1= Darra |year=1958 |publisher= University of California Press |location= US|isbn= 0-520-21929-5 |page=4 }}</ref> Among the best-known Georgian wine regions are [[Kakheti]] (further divided into the micro-regions of [[Telavi]] and [[Kvareli]]), [[Kartli]], [[Imereti]], [[Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti]], [[Adjara]] and Abkhazia.

Georgian wine has been a contentious issue in recent relationships with Russia. [[Georgia–Russia relations|Political tensions with Russia]] have contributed to the 2006 [[2006 Russian ban of Moldovan and Georgian wines|Russian embargo]] of Georgian wine, Russia claimed Georgia produced [[counterfeit]] wine. It was an "official" reason, but instability of economic relations with Russia is well known, as they use the economic ties for political purposes.<ref name="rferl 1076202">{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1076202.html|title=Position Unchanged On Russian WTO Negotiations|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=2 February 2012 |access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref> Counterfeiting problems stem from mislabelling by foreign producers and falsified "Georgian Wine" labels on wines produced outside of Georgia and imported into Russia under the auspices of being Georgian produced.<ref name="rferl 1076202" /> The shipment of counterfeit wine has been primarily channelled through [[Government of Russia|Russian]] managed customs checkpoints in Russian occupied Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where no inspection and regulation occurs.<ref name="rferl 1076202" />

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Georgia (country)}}
[[File:Georgia-Italy Rugby match.jpg|thumb|[[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] playing [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] at rugby in the [[Adjarabet Arena]] in Batumi.]]
The most popular sports in Georgia are [[association football|football]], basketball, [[rugby union]], [[wrestling]], judo, and [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]]. Rugby is considered Georgia's national sport.<ref>[https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/444784 Claude Saurel: "Georgia's rugby revolution is only just starting"], [[Rugby World Cup]], 30 August 2019</ref> Historically, Georgia has been famous for its physical education; the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] were fascinated with Georgians' physical qualities after seeing the training techniques of ancient [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Iberia]].<ref>Romans erected the statue of the Iberian King Pharsman after he demonstrated Georgian training methods during his visit to Rome; [[Cassius Dio]], ''Roman History'', LXIX, 15.3</ref> Wrestling remains a historically important sport of Georgia, and some historians think that the [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman style of wrestling]] incorporates many Georgian elements.<ref>Williams, Douglas. ''Georgia in my Heart'', 1999.</ref>

Within Georgia, one of the most popularized styles of wrestling is the Kakhetian style. There were a number of other styles in the past that are not as widely used today. For example, the [[Khevsureti]] region of Georgia has three styles of wrestling. Other popular sports in 19th century Georgia were [[polo]], and [[Lelo burti|Lelo]], a traditional Georgian game very similar to [[rugby football|rugby]].<ref name=Completerugby>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|1-86200-013-1}}) p67</ref>

The first and only race circuit in the Caucasian region is located in Georgia. [[Rustavi International Motorpark]] originally built in 1978 was re-opened in 2012 after total reconstruction<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=45318&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=0 |title=Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company |publisher=Rustavi2.com |date=29 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501161314/http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=45318&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=0 |archive-date=1 May 2013 }}</ref> costing $20&nbsp;million. The track satisfies the [[FIA]] Grade 2 requirements and currently hosts the [[Legends car racing]] series and Formula Alfa competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1tv.ge/news-view/37425/en |title=Georgian National Broadcaster |publisher=1tv.ge |date=30 April 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic|fix-attempted=yes}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Basketball was always one of the notable sports in Georgia, and Georgia had a few very famous [[Soviet Union national basketball team|Soviet Union national team]] members, such as [[Otar Korkia]], [[Mikheil Korkia]], [[Zurab Sakandelidze]] and [[Levan Moseshvili]]. [[BC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]] won the prestigious [[EuroLeague]] competition in [[1961–62 FIBA European Champions Cup|1962]]. Georgia has had five players in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]: [[Vladimir Stepania]], [[Jake Tsakalidis]], [[Nikoloz Tskitishvili]], [[Tornike Shengelia]] and former [[Golden State Warriors]] centre [[Zaza Pachulia]]. Other notable basketball players include the two time EuroLeague champion [[Giorgi Shermadini]] and EuroLeague players [[Manuchar Markoishvili]] and [[Viktor Sanikidze]]. The sport is regaining its popularity in the country in recent years, and the [[Georgia national basketball team]] has qualified for the [[EuroBasket]] tournament five consecutive times since its first appearance in 2011.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}

There are a number of world-class Georgian MMA fighters. [[Ilia Topuria]], [[Merab Dvalishvili]], [[Giga Chikadze]] and [[Roman Dolidze]] are highly-ranked fighters currently signed with the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]].

Georgian athletes have won a total of 40 Olympic medals, mostly in wrestling, judo and weightlifting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olympedia.org/countries/GEO|title=Olympedia – Georgia (GEO)|website=olympedia.org}}</ref> Competitive bodybuilding sanctioned by the European [[International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness|IFBB]] is also popular in the country.<ref>{{cite web | last=Grech | first=Kevin | title=Photos & Results: 2022 IFBB Georgia Grand Prix | website=Evolution of Bodybuilding | date=18 June 2022 | url=https://www.evolutionofbodybuilding.net/photos-results-2022-ifbb-georgia-grand-prix/ | access-date=28 August 2023}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Georgia (country)|Abkhazia}}
* [[Index of Georgia (country)-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Georgia (country)]]{{Clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=n}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |title=History of Georgia |last=Asatiani |first=Nodar |publisher=Publishing House Petite |year=2009 |isbn=978-9941-9063-6-7 |location=Tbilisi}}
* {{cite book|last=Asmus|first=Ronald|author-link=Ronald Asmus|title=A Little War that Shook the World: Georgia, Russia, and the Future of the West |publisher=NYU |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-230-61773-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Avalov|first=Zurab|year=1906|title=Prisoedinenie Gruzii k Rossii |publisher=Montvid |place=S.-Peterburg}}
* {{cite book|last=Boeder|first=W.|year=2002|chapter=Speech and thought representation in the Kartvelian (South Caucasian) languages |editor=Güldemann, T. |editor2=von Roncador, M. |title=Reported Discourse. A Meeting-Ground of Different Linguistic Domains |series=Typological Studies in Language |volume=52 |publisher=Benjamins |pages=3–48 |location=Amsterdam/Philadelphia}}
* {{cite journal|last=Boeder|first=W.|date=Jan–Feb 2005|title=The South Caucasian languages|journal=Lingua |volume=115 |issue=1–2 |pages=5–89|doi=10.1016/j.lingua.2003.06.002 }}
* {{cite book|last=Eastmond|first=Antony |title=Royal Imagery in Medieval Georgia|publisher=Penn State Press |year=2010|isbn=978-0-271-01628-3}}
* {{cite book|last1=Fähnrich|first1=H.|last2=Sardzhveladze|first2=Z. |year=2000 |title=Etymological Dictionary of the Kartvelian Languages |language=ka |location=Tbilisi}}
* {{cite book|last1=Fisher|first1=William Bayne|last2=Avery|first2=P.|last3=Hambly|first3=G. R. G. |last4=Melville|first4=C.|title=The Cambridge History of Iran|volume=7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H20Xt157iYUC|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=Cambridge|year=1991|isbn=978-0-521-20095-0}}
* {{cite journal|last=Gamkrelidze|first=Th.|date=Jan–Mar 1966|title=A Typology of Common Kartvelian |journal=Language |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=69–83|doi=10.2307/411601 |jstor=411601 }}
* {{cite book|last=Goltz|first=Thomas|author-link=Thomas Goltz|title=Georgia Diary: A Chronicle of War and Political Chaos in the Post-Soviet Caucasus |publisher=Thomas Dunne Books |year=2003 |isbn=0-7656-1710-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Gvosdev|first=Nikolas K.|title=Imperial policies and perspectives towards Georgia: 1760–1819 |publisher=Macmillan |place=Basingstoke |year=2000 |isbn=0-312-22990-9}}
* {{Cite report|last=Hakkert|first=Ralph|title=Population Dynamics in Georgia – An Overview Based on the 2014 General Population Census Data |publisher=United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Georgia, National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) |isbn=978-9941-27-278-3 |date=29 November 2017 |url=https://geostat.ge/media/20624/3.-Population-Dynamics_ENGL-_print_F.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105000729/https://geostat.ge/media/20624/3.-Population-Dynamics_ENGL-_print_F.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-05 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-02-02}}
* {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Stephen|title=Georgia: A Political History Since Independence |publisher=I.B. Tauris, distributed by Palgrave Macmillan|year=2013|isbn=978-1-84511-338-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Kajaia|first=O.|year=2001|title=Megrelian-Georgian dictionary |volume=1 |language=ka |location=Tbilisi}}
* {{cite book|last=Klimov|first=G.|year=1998|title=Languages of the World: Caucasian languages |language=ru |publisher=Academia |location=Moscow}}
* {{cite book|last=Lang|first=David M.|title=The last years of the Georgian Monarchy: 1658–1832 |publisher=Columbia University Press |place=New York |year=1957}}
* {{cite book|last=Mikaberidze|first=Alexander|title=Historical Dictionary of Georgia|date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-4146-6|edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JNNQCgAAQBAJ |access-date=1 December 2017}}
* {{cite book|last1=Rapp|first1=Stephen H. Jr.|title=The Sasanian World through Georgian Eyes: Caucasia and the Iranian Commonwealth in Late Antique Georgian Literature|date=2014|publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=978-1-4724-2552-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T8VIBQAAQBAJ}}
* {{cite book|last=Rayfield|first=Donald|author-link=Donald Rayfield|title=Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia|year=2012|publisher=Reaktion Books |isbn=978-1-78023-030-6}}
* {{cite book|last1=Spilling|first1=Michael|last2=Wong|first2=Winnie|year=2008 |title=Georgia |series=Cultures of The World |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-7614-3033-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Suny|first=Ronald Grigor|author-link=Ronald Grigor Suny|title=The Making of the Georgian Nation |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |year=1994 |edition=2nd |isbn=0-253-20915-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC}}
* {{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=The Transcaucasian Soviet Federation |journal=Russian Review|volume=3|issue=24|pages=496–499|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=The Russian Information Bureau |date=15 December 1925|ref={{sfnref|Russian Review|1925}} |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fkHjAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA499|access-date=2022-04-20}}</ref>
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Georgia (country)}}

=== Government ===
* [https://www.gov.ge/ Government of Georgia official website] (in Georgian)
* [https://www.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG Government of Georgia official website] (in English)
* [https://mfa.gov.ge/ Official website] of the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia]]
* [https://gnta.ge/ Official website] of the Georgian National Tourism Administration
* [https://www.amcham.ge/ Official website] of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia

=== General information ===
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Georgia | volume= 11 |last= Bealby |first=John Thomas | pages = 758–761 |short=1}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607040102/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/georgia.htm Georgia] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* {{curlie|Regional/Asia/Georgia}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17301647 Georgia profile] from the [[BBC News]]
* {{Wikiatlas|Georgia}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|28699}}
* [http://amsi.ge/ Association of Modern Scientific Investigation – (AMSI)]

=== News media ===
* [http://civil.ge/ Civil Georgia, daily news about Georgia]

{{Georgia (country) topics}}
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