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General information


Population : 3.7milion people (131st in the World, 31st in Europe)
Total Area : 69,700 km^2 (119th in the World, 24th in Europe)
Official languages : Georgian, Abkhazian
Official currency : Georgian lari(GEL)
Capital : Tbilisi , Kutaisi(legislative)
Population density : 53.5 people/km^2 (137th in the World, 43th in Europe)
Top 5 biggest cities : Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori

Georgia is a representative democratic semi-presidential republic, with the President as the head of state, and Prime Minister as the head of government. The executive branch of power is made up of the President and the Cabinet of Georgia. The Cabinet is composed of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, and appointed by the President. Notably, the Ministers of Defense and Interior are not members of the Cabinet and are subordinated directly to the President of Georgia.

The Georgian state is highly centralized, except for the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and Adjara and the former autonomous region of South Ossetia. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which had autonomy within the Georgian SSR during Soviet rule, unilaterally seceded from Georgia in the 1990s. While, as of 2016, the Georgian government recognizes Abkhazia as autonomous within Georgia, it does not recognize South Ossetia as having any special status.

Georgia is divided into 2 autonomous republics (avtonomiuri respublika), 9 regions (mkhare), and a capital territory.
Autonomous republics: Abkhazia, Ajaria.
Mkhares: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli.
Capital city: Tbilisi




Where South Ossetia would technically be:




National sport : Rugby

Wrestling



National animals : Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Wolf


*Fun fact: The name “Georgia” originally came from the Persian word for wolf: gurğ/gurğān.


National instrument: Panduri






The significance of the 26th of May

The 26th of May commemorates the adoption of the Act of Independence, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918, in the aftermath of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia. Sadly for Georgia, it was reconquered by the Soviets in 1921 and became a Soviet Republic. It then regained its independence in 1991.

Independence Day is associated with military parades, fireworks, concerts, fairs, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history and culture of Georgia.

This year’s festivities will be even crazier, as it marks 100 years since the signing of the Act of Independence!.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish good health and prosperity upon the people of Georgia/Sakartvelo!











Top 8 places visited by tourists


Tusheti National Park














Cascading down the northern edges of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, right on the cusp of Russia and Chechnya, the Tusheti National Park is the historic home of the eponymous Tush peoples. It’s also breathtaking in the extreme; big on relief and made up largely of soaring peaks and grass-clad hills. There are few roads in sight, and the villages that can be found nestled amidst the misty mountaintops are historic, brick-built affairs like Dartlo, which can be seen protruding almost organically from the Georgian lands, encompassed in rural sheep farms (the region is particularly famous for its wool and cheeses) and swathes of spruce forests to boot.




Tbilisi








The great up-and-coming capital of this up-and-coming country, Tbilisi is the nerve centre of Georgia’s drive towards modernity. It’s also a town steeped in history, making it a great place to explore the republic’s fine balance of the old and the new. The city sprawls out along the ridges that bubble about the banks of the Mtkvari River. The district of Old Tbilisi forms its heart; a medley of mysterious Byzantine churches, timber balconies and the occasional piece of striking modern art (check out Sioni Street). Above, draped over the hills, the mighty precipices, cathedral tops and bulwarks of Narikala stand firm, while well-to-do Vake district babbles with public fountains and pretty parks.



Mtskheta







Situated just a short ride out of the capital of Tbilisi, UNESCO-attested Mtskheta clutches the low-lying banks of the Aragvi River confluence. Hailed for its countless Christian sites and importance as one of the nerve centres of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the town draws huge crowds throughout the year. They come to see the beautiful rises and magnificent frescoes of the great Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which stands as one of the finest examples of medieval Georgian religious architecture and a revered pilgrimage site for Georgians right across the country, or the Jvari Monastery on the hill, soaring high above Mtskheta – a curious mix of tetraconch architecture, Hellenistic, Byzantine and Georgian styles hidden between its apses.




Batumi






Neon lights and bustling seaside promenades, soaring high-rises and the pulse of modernity are what set Batumi of the Black Sea firmly apart from Georgia’s wealth of ancient and medieval towns. But despite its stylish edge, Batumi is actually one of the oldest cities in the country, with roots going back to the age of ancient Greek colonialism. Nightlife is big, coalescing in Georgian wine bars and cafes along the beachside Boulevard.





Zugdidi

A fine stepping stone for further explorations in Svaneti, the Samegrelo region, the Georgian Black Sea coast and the autonomous region of Abkhazia, Zugdidi is shrouded by the serrated ridges of the Greater Caucasus just south of where the mountains claim the land. A relatively new town (at least as Georgia’s wealth of ancient and medieval centres goes), this regional capital is home to the elegant facades and enthralling architectural exhibitions of the Dadiani Palace, which rises in beautiful crenulations against the flowing waters of the Chkhoushi River right in the heart of the centre. Others will come to seek a spot of adventure in the Martvili Canyon, or hit the famous hot springs that lurk in the hinterlands close to the city.



Vardzia









Cut and carved meticulously into the sandy rock faces that rise like phalanxes against the meanders of the Mtkvari River in the deep Georgian south, Vardzia remains without question one of the most dramatic sights to behold in the country. It’s estimated that the various tiers of monolith churches, caves and shrines seen here were inhabited from at least the middle of the 12th century, when the dynatstic kings of the Bagrationi are thought to have commissioned the first constructions on the sheer-cut edge of Mount Erusheti. The real must-see, however, remains the glorious Church of the Dormition; a rock-carved shrine which displays an enthralling montage of murals and iconostasis that fuse Oriental, Byzantine and Romanesque styles alike.


Gudauri








Set more than 2,000 meters above the low valleys that carve their way through the heart of the Greater Caucasus range on the edge of northern Georgia, Gudauri has risen and risen in recent years to establish itself as the country’s prime winter sports destination and also a fine alternative to the bustling ski fields of the Alps. Skiers and boarders here enjoy a relatively snow-sure set of pistes that range from 22 kilometers of blue beginner runs to a welcome 10 kilometers of challenging black runs.


Lake Bateti





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Bateti Lake is a lake located in Kareli Municipality, Georgia. The water area of the lake is only 0.02 m². Maximal depth is 12 meters.







5 oldest artifacts discovered in Georgia!

*The 1st wine!
*80000 years old.





*The 1st remains of human bones besides Africa!
*1.8 milion years old.




*The 1st thread in the world!
*34.000 years old.




*Oldest gold mines in the world!
*6.000 years old - Sakdrisi mines



*Metalurgy and smith craft!
*5.000 years ago












Famous people from Georgia

David IV - also known as David the Builder ,of the Bagrationi dynasty, was a king of Georgia from 1089 until his death in 1125.Popularly considered to be the greatest and most successful Georgian ruler in history and an original architect of the Georgian Golden Age, he succeeded in driving the Seljuk Turks out of the country, winning the major Battle of Didgori in 1121. His reforms of the army and administration enabled him to reunite the country and bring most of the lands of the Caucasusunder Georgia’s control. A friend of the church and a notable promoter of Christian culture, he was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

(1073-1125)


Alexander Kartveli - was an influential aircraft engineer and a pioneer in American aviation history. Kartveli achieved important breakthroughs in military aviation in the time of turbojet fighters. He is considered to be one of the most important and innovative aircraft designers in U.S. history and the world.

(1896-1974)


Dimitri Amilakhvari -was a French military officer and Lieutenant Colonel of the French Foreign Legion, of Georgian origin who played an influential role in the French Resistanceagainst Nazi occupation in World War II, and became an iconic figure of the Free French Forces

(1906-1942)



Shota Rustaveli - mononymously known simply as Rustaveli, was a medieval Georgian poet. He is considered to be the preeminent poet of the Georgian Golden Age and one of the greatest contributors to Georgian literature. Rustaveli is the author of The Knight in the Panther's Skin, which is considered to be a Georgian national epic poem.

(1166-1240)


Vazha-Pshavela - simply referred to as Vazha , is the pen name of the Georgian poet and writer Luka Razikashvili , noted Georgian patriot and author of the highest calibre in the field of Georgian literature.

(1861-1915)








Traditional food


Khinkali



Khinkali is a Georgian dumpling, which originated in the Georgian mountain regions of Pshavi, Mtiuleti and Khevsureti. Varieties of khinkali spread from there across different parts of the Caucasus. The fillings of khinkali vary with the area.

Mtsvadi



Mtsvadi can be made with pork, mutton or veal. Beef should be used only if all other options are unavailable. Marinating the meat in pomegranate juice before roasting makes it especially tender, juicy and delicious.

Khachapuri



Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread. The bread is leavened and allowed to rise, and is shaped in various ways, usually with cheese in the middle and a crust which is ripped off and used to dip in the cheese. It is considered to be the national dish.


Kubdari



Kubdari is a meat filled pastry that originates from Georgia’s Svaneti region, where it is also called ‘kuptaari’. It can be made with either beef or pork but the most popular version uses both. It should be made with cut meat and not minced meat.


Satsivi



Satsivi is a food paste in Georgian cuisine made primarily from walnuts and is used in various recipes. The term satsivi is also used as a generic name for a variety of poultry, fish and vegetable appetizers made with the satsivi sauce.

Sulguni



Sulguni is a Georgian cheese. It is similar to mozzarella in texture. It’s salty and it is stringy, so you can unwrap it in sections. Sulguni can be ordered on its own as an appetizer. It is also used as an ingredient in Georgian dishes like khachapuri.

Lobio



Another common side dish is beans, called lobio, made with beans, onions, and herbs. Each recipe we tried was a little different. Some are thick and creamy (our favorite). Some are soupy. Lobio is usually served in a traditional small clay jar.




Traditional desserts

Churchkhela



Churchkhela is a traditional Georgian candle-shaped candy. The main ingredients are grape must, nuts and flour.

Gozinaki



Gozinaki or Gozinaqi is a traditional Georgian confection made of caramelized nuts, usually walnuts, fried in honey, and served exclusively on New Year's Eve and Christmas.

Tklapi



Tklapi is a traditional Georgian puréed fruit roll-up leather. It is spread thinly onto a sheet and sun-dried on a clothesline. It can be sour or sweet.

Pelamushi



Pelamushi is a Georgian dessert porridge made with pressed, condensed grape juice.




Traditional drinks

Wine



What else can be famous than the oldest drink ever made in this area.


Beer



Chacha

Chacha is a Georgian pomace brandy, a clear and strong, which is sometimes called "vine vodka", "grape vodka", or "Georgian vodka/grappa". It is made of grape pomace.






Interesting facts about Georgia


1.The world’s deepest cave is Krubera Cave in Georgia at 2200 m. It take 27 days to reach the bottom of the cave.
2.The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount Shkhara at 5,193 meters above sea level.
3.Forests cover around 40% of Georgia’s territory.
4.UNESCO added the ancient traditional Georgian winemaking method using the Kvevri clay jars to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.
5.There are just 14 independent alphabets in the world and Georgian is one of them.
6.In 337 AD, Christianity was declared as the official religion of Georgia.
7.The name of the capital of Georgia, T’bilisi has been derived from the Georgian word for warm.
8.In ancient times, Georgian merchants sailed as far as the Indian Ocean to trade their merchandise in exchange for spices which they would bring back to sell at high price.
9.The villages of Bochorna and Ushguli are the highest permanent settlements in Europe at 2,345 and 2,100 meters above sea level, respectively.
10.Mtskheta and Kutaisi, both former capitals of Georgia, are among Europe’s 16 oldest cities. Both are over 3.000 years old.






My 5 words when I hear about Israel:
#Mountains,#Antiquity,#Christianity,#Wine,#Rugby

What are your 5?





Special thanks to L 1 0 N, K1boRg and Frank Underwoody and a special video from them:





I leave you with some georgian memes:






Waiting for feedback , comments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!




Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 48/74!








P.S.2. Don't forget to push the flags !