2009 Edition

Background

The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations.

Area

total: 69,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 120 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 Shkhara 5,201 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: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Geography - note

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

Irrigated land

4,690 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes

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; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (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

Total renewable water resources

63.3 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 395,929/female 345,071) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,503,360/female 1,616,234) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 302,103/female 453,110) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

10.66 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Death rate

9.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 145

Ethnic groups

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Infant mortality rate

total: 16.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 121 male: 18.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.72 years country comparison to the world: 62 male: 73.41 years female: 80.45 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.)

Median age

total: 38.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 41 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Net migration rate

-4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Population

4,615,807 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Population growth rate

-0.325% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222

Religions

Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Urbanization

urban population: 53% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Administrative divisions

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

Capital

name: T'bilisi geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 47 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 24 August 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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador John F. TEFFT embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Batu KUTELIA chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390

Executive branch

chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the president is both the chief of state and head of government for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008 (next to be held January 2013) election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%

FAX

[1] (202) 393-4537 consulate(s) general: New York

[995] (32) 53-23-10

Flag description

white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century

Government type

republic

Independence

9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation

ACCT (observer), ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts

Legal system

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - United National Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights 17.7%, Christian Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%; seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6, Republican Party 2

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Georgia's Way Party [Salome ZOURABICHVILI]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Council-New Rights (bloc forming joint opposition) [Levan GACHECHILADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; United National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Budget

revenues: $4.596 billion expenditures: $5.345 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8% (25 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the Georgian National Bank

Commercial bank prime lending rate

21.24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 20.41% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$2.915 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 -$2.119 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$7.711 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $5.343 billion (31 December 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.8 (2005) country comparison to the world: 58 37.1 (1996)

Economy - overview

Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of close to 10% in 2006 and 12% in 2007, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, growth slowed to less than 3% in 2008 and is expected to slow further in 2009. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by bringing in newly available supplies from Azerbaijan. It also has an increased ability to pay for more expensive gas imports from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government has made great progress and has reformed the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on corruption since coming to power in 2004. Government revenues have increased nearly four fold since 2003. Due to improvements in customs and tax enforcement, smuggling is a declining problem. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on a determined effort to reduce regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally.

Electricity - consumption

6.902 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - exports

628 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

430 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

8.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Exchange rates

laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004)

Exports

$2.428 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $2.088 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts

Exports - partners

Turkey 16.9%, Azerbaijan 12.4%, Ukraine 8.5%, Canada 8.4%, Bulgaria 8.2%, Armenia 7.7%, US 7.1%, UK 4.2% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 12.5% industry: 27.9% services: 59.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 12.3% (2007 est.) 9.4% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.86 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$21.56 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $21.12 billion (2007 est.) $18.81 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27% (2005)

Imports

$6.261 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $4.984 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

Turkey 14.9%, Ukraine 10.4%, Azerbaijan 9.6%, Germany 7.9%, Russia 6.8%, US 5.7%, China 4.7%, UAE 4.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

-1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Industries

steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 9.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Labor force

2.317 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 99 $1.389 billion (31 December 2007) $668.3 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

1.73 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 174

Natural gas - imports

1.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - production

8 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - proved reserves

8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Oil - consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Oil - exports

1,486 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - imports

16,590 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Oil - production

977.4 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Oil - proved reserves

35 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Population below poverty line

31% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.48 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $1.361 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.754 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 85 $3.374 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$972.4 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $1.154 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$1.606 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 88 $1.379 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

13.6% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Internet country code

.ge

Internet hosts

104,243 (2009) country comparison to the world: 72

Internet users

1.024 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 85

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country domestic: cellular telephone networks now cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 75 per 100 people; urban fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available

Telephones - main lines in use

618,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 93

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.755 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 111

Television broadcast stations

12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Airports

22 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133

Airports - with paved runways

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Heliports

3 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 191 country comparison to the world: 35 by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 148, carrier 2, chemical tanker 1, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 153 (China 10, Cyprus 1, Egypt 12, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong 2, Israel 2, Lebanon 4, Monaco 4, Nigeria 1, Romania 16, Russia 12, Syria 49, Turkey 14, Ukraine 18, UAE 1) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 1,591 km; oil 1,253 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Railways

total: 1,612 km country comparison to the world: 80 broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 20,329 km country comparison to the world: 109 paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006)

Transportation - note

large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair

Georgian Armed Forces

Land Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces note: naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,113,251 females age 16-49: 1,168,021 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 908,282 females age 16-49: 959,290 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 32,355 female: 30,809 (2009 est.)

Military - note

a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia

Military expenditures

0.59% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Military service age and obligation

18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005)

Disputes - international

Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas

IDPs

220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007)

Illicit drugs

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia page last updated on November 11, 2009

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia)