|RNature and climate:|N Georgia is situated at the south side of the Caucasian mountainchain, the north side of the Armenian highlandplateau and the Kura-river valley there between.
the highest peak reaches 5 638 m.a.s.l.
A third of the area is forested.
Average temperature in January is 0°C and in July +25°C.
Percipitation between 500 and 2000 mm, most in the western parts.
|RPeople:|N 70% georgians, 7% Armenians and 6% Russians.
|REconomy:|N Extensive forestry, but agriculture dominates by tradition. Half of the cultivated area is artificially irrigated and the most important crops are citrusfruits, maize, tea, bamboo, tobacco, grapes and silk.
Georgia have great natural resources such as manganese, tungsten, iron ore, coal and hydroelectric power.
An extensive heavy industry has been developed since World War II, for example steelworks and transport manufacturing works.
The Georgian Black Sea coast have an old tradition as recreational area and attracts many tourists, up to now mainly from the former Sovjet Union.
|RHistory:|N During the antic period Greece had some colonies in the area and during a short period it was a part of the empire of Alexander the Great. After that it came in the persian sphere of interest.
Georgia was Christianized during the 4th century and since 470 AD the town Tbilisi have been the capital.
787 the Bagration dynasty seized power, made Georgia an independent country and led the nation to e period of great prosperity, especially in the 11th nd 12th centuries.
The Mongol expansion in the 13th century reached Georgia.
During the 18th century Russia gained great influence and in 1802 the last king of the Bagration-dynasty handed over the sovereignty to the Russian tzar.
During the Russian revolution 1917 an independent republic was proclaimed in Georgia. This republic was internationally recognized, but was conquered by the Sovjet Union in 1921. It was transformed to an autonomous republic within the Sovjet Union in 1936.
Strong national forces rose in 1989 and Sovjet troops intervened against the national demonstrations.
The independent republic of Georgia was proclaimed in April 1991 but was not recognized until the Sovjet Union disbanded December 5 1991.
Since independence political unrest have dominated. The first president was forced away and several coups have been made. Different groups have been involved in hard fightings and the situation is like a civil war with many participants.
