1998 Edition

Area

total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area-comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Coastline

310 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 m

Environment-current issues

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

Environment-international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification

Geographic coordinates

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Irrigated land

4,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

Land use

arable land: 9% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 34% other: 28% (1993 est.)

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia

Map references

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims

NA

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Terrain

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland

Age structure

0-14 years: 22% (male 562,623; female 540,378) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,631,296; female 1,756,087) 65 years and over: 12% (male 235,042; female 383,101) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

11.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

14.1 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%

Infant mortality rate

51.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7%

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.79 years male: 61.36 years female: 68.4 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality

noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Net migration rate

-6.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

5,108,527 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.92% (1998 est.)

Religions

Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.54 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

53 rayons (raionebi, singular-raioni), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abashis, Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat'umi), Akhalgoris, Akhalk'alak'is, Akhalts'ikhis, Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat'is, Bolnisis, Borjomis, Chiat'ura*, Ch'khorotsqus, Ch'okhatauris, Dedop'listsqaros, Dmanisis, Dushet'is, Gardabanis, Gori*, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K'arelis, Kaspis, Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, K'ut'aisi*, Lagodekhis, Lanch'khut'is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts'khet'is, Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget'is, P'ot'i*, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Rust'avi*, Sach'kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis, T'bilisi*, T'elavis, T'erjolis, T'et'ritsqaros, T'ianet'is, Tqibuli*, Ts'ageris, Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Tsqaltubo*, Vanis, Zestap'onis, Zugdidi*, Zugdidis note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Constitution

adopted 17 October 1995

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code

GG

Executive branch

chief of state: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; elected president 5 November 1995; inaugurated 26 November 1995); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; elected president 5 November 1995); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000) election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE elected president; percent of vote-Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%

FAX

[1] (202) 393-4537 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: #25 Antonelli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 995-32-989-967 or 995-32-933-803 (operator assisted)

tie-line FAX 997-0200; 933-759 or 938-951

Flag description

maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below

Government type

republic

Independence

9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 393-5959

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's recommendation; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Eduard SHEVARDNADZE]; National Democratic People's Party [Mamuka GIORGADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTARIA]; Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Union of Traditionalists or UGT [Akaki ASTANTIANI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Vakhtang RCHEULISHVILI]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Greens Party [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; United Republican Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman]; National Independent Party or NIP [Irakli TSERETELI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or GSDP [Guram MUCHAIDZE, secretary general]; Conservative-Monarchist Party or GCMP [Temur ZHORZHOLIANI] Political pressure groups and leaders: supporters of ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) remain a source of opposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-CUG 24%, NDP 8%, AGUR 7%, all other parties received less than 5% each; seats by party-CUG 107, NDP 34, AGUR 32, Progress Bloc (DUG, Political Association "Georgian Proprietors," Political Union of Young Democrats, Solidarity) 4, SPG 4, others 9, Abkazian deputies 12, independents 29, not filled 4

National capital

T'bilisi

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 May (1991)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture-products

citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; small livestock sector

Budget

revenues: $441 million expenditures: $606 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1996 est.)

Currency

lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon

Debt-external

$1.3 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 million disbursements)

Economy-overview

Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains in 1995-97, increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. Georgia still suffers from energy shortages, although energy deliveries are steadily improving. Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. The construction of a Caspian oil pipeline through Georgia-scheduled to open in early 1999-should spur greater western investment in the economy. A growing trade deficit, continuing problems with corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.

Electricity-capacity

4.558 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

1,175 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

7.1 billion kWh (1996)

Exchange rates

lari per US$1 (end of period)-1.32 (December 1997), 1.28 (December 1996), 1.24 (December 1995)

Exports

total value: $400 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel re-exports partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria (1996)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$8.1 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 29% industry: 16% services: 55% (1997 est.)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$1,570 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

11.8% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $733 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment partners: Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan (1996); note-EU and US send humanitarian food shipments

Industrial production growth rate

8.1% (1997 est.)

Industries

steel, aircraft, machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate-consumer price index

7.1% (1997 est.)

Labor force

total: 2.2 million (1996) by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)

Radio broadcast stations

2 national broadcast stations, 3 regional broadcast stations

Radios

NA

Telephone system

poor service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (December 1990 est.) domestic: NA international: landline to CIS members and Turkey; satellite earth station-1 Eutelsat; leased connections with other countries via the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic mail and telex service available

Telephones

672,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

3

Televisions

NA

Unemployment rate

16% (1996 est.)

Airports

28 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)

Highways

total: 20,700 km paved: 19,354 km unpaved: 1,346 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 87,730 GRT/122,769 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 5, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi

Railways

total: 1,583 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 1,583 km 1.520-m gauge (1993)

Transportation-note

transportation network is in poor condition and disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures-dollar figure

79 million lari (1997); note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

8.8% (1998 approved budget)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 1,286,126 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 1,017,954 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

18 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 40,946 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

none

Illicit drugs

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates to Western Europe