SF 200 HOUR FAMILIARIZATON COURSE Introduction To Georgia GEOGRAPHY Georgia Map Flag of Georgia Georgia is a small country about the size of West Virginia. It is located in the southwestern part of Asia between Turkey and Russia. Its area is approximately 69,875 square kilometers (26,911 sq miles). Georgia, which is in a region known as Caucasia, is located in the wrinkled Alpine zone in the northern periphery of the subtropical zone. Its location represents an eastern gateway to Europe. The Black Sea is to the west, the Russian Federation is to the north, Azerbaijan is to the east, and Armenia and Turkey are south of it. The republic also includes Abkhazia and Ajara, the autonomous republics, as well as South Ossetia. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi, which is one of the oldest cities existing today. The earliest written records of the city date from the fourth century A.D. The city was located on one of the Silk Road routes and has always been an important trade and commerce center. Today, it is a beautiful multi-cultural city with cobbled stone streets and hot springs. Because of its location between Asia and Europe, it is a blend of the East and the West. 1 CLIMATE Fall in Tbilisi Winter in Tbilisi Georgia's climate is affected by the warm moist air that blows from the Black Sea from the west and the Mediterranean influences from the east. The Greater Caucasus mountain range provides a barrier against the cold air from the north. The climatic zones are determined by the distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. Along the Black Sea coast, from Abkhazia to the Turkish border, and in the region known as the Kolkhida Lowlands, the climate is subtropical. Here, there is high humidity and heavy precipitation (1,000 to 2,000 millimeters per year). Several varieties of palm trees grow in these regions, where the midwinter average temperature is 5º C (42° F) and the midsummer average is 22º C (71.6° F). The plains of eastern Georgia have a continental climate. Here, the summers are warmer. Temperatures generally range from 20º C to 24º C (68 - 75.2º F), and the winters are relatively cold with temperatures between 2º C to 4º C (35.6 - 39.2 ºF). The humidity is lower, and rainfall averages 500 to 800 millimeters per year. The alpine and highland regions, as well as a semi-arid region on the Iori Plateau, have distinct microclimates. These higher elevations, in both eastern and western Georgia, are cooler and wetter. Above 3,600 meters, snow and ice are present year-round. 2 TERRAIN Ananuri castle and church in Caucasus Mountains in Svaneti Aragvi gorge The topography of Georgia offers many contrasts. The Greater Caucasus chain occupies the northern region. Its highest peak is Mount Shkhara at 5,068 meters (16,627 feet). The mountains in the north not only include the Great Caucasus but also the Gagra, Bzipi, Kodori, Svaneti, Egrisi, Racha, Lomisi, and Kartli ranges. South of these mountains are the Kolkheti lowlands as well as the Inner Kartli, Lower Kartli and Alazani plains. Still further to the south, the Minor Caucasian ranges rise to a medium height of 2,850 meters (9,350 feet). These mountains include the Meskheti, Shavsheti and other ranges. The southern most area of the country is covered by the volcanic South Georgian Upland, and this region is dissected by river gorges. Mt. Didi Abuli, at 3,301 meters (10,830 feet), is the highest peak in this region. The glaciers of the Greater Caucasus Range are the source for many of the 25,000 rivers in Georgia. These rivers belong to the basin of the Black Sea or to the basin of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Basin contains the Mtkvari River and its numerous tributaries, the Didi Liakhvi, the Aragvi, the Iori, the Alazani, the Paravani, the Algeti, and the Khrami. The rivers of the Black Sea Basin include the Rioni, the Enguri, the Acharistskali, the Bzipi, and others. There are 860 lakes in Georgia. The largest lakes are Lake Paravani (37 sq km) and Lake Paliastomi (17.3 sq km), and the deepest lakes are Lake Ritsa (116 m) and Lake Amtkeli (72-122 m). 3 POPULATION People in the street Tbilisi Georgia's current population is 4,661,473. The ethnic Georgians form the majority of the population at about 83.8 percent of the total population. The rest of the population includes the Azerbaijanis at 6.5 percent of the population, the Armenians at 5.7 percent, and the Russians at 1.5 percent. The Svan and the Mingrelians are two other Georgian groups who are living in Georgia, along with a small number of the Laz people. The Laz people are linguistically different, but they are closely related ethnically and culturally to other Georgians. In addition, there are smaller groups of people living in the country. These groups include Assyrians, Chechens, Greeks, Kabardins, Kurds, Jews, Tatars, Turks, and Ukrainians.Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia has suffered a serious population collapse due to rebellions from the Abkhazians and the Ossetians and from the bad economy. Hundreds of thousands of Georgians have left the country in search of work, and many have immigrated to Russia. In addition, there is a very low birthrate among the remaining population.The main ethnic groups living in Georgia are the Kartleli, Imereli, Megreli, Kakheli, Guruli, Achareli, Rachveli, and Svani, and they are united under the name Kartveli. Georgians are highly educated people. Every second person in Georgia has a university degree. Many are doctors, engineers, musicians, artists, scientists and talented dancers. GOVERNMENT Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and US President George W. Bush. Georgia is a multi-party republic. It operates under a constitution that was established in 1995. The executive branch is headed by the president, and the president is assisted by the prime minister. The president has direct control over those governmental bodies that are responsible for national security; the prime minister is responsible for managing the 4 remaining ministries of the government. In addition, there is a parliament, which is composed of 235 members who are elected by popular vote. The present president, Mikheil Saakashvili, was elected in January 4, 2004. He was the leader of the National Movement-Democrats (NMD). He replaced Eduard Shevardnadze, who resigned in November 2003 during the bloodless Rose Revolution. This revolution followed a political crisis that involved allegations of a ballot fraud during the parliamentary elections of 2003. Georgia has been a democratic republic since the presidential elections and constitutional referendum of October 1995. The president is elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years, which is limited to 2 terms. His constitutional successor is the chairman of the parliament. HISTORY Old Tbilisi Tbilisi There is a Georgian legend that states when God was distributing the lands of the world, the Georgians were feasting. When they heard that God was distributing the lands, they went before him and asked for their share; however, it was too late. God told them that all the land had already been distributed. God then asked them why they were late, and the Georgians replied that they had been feasting and drinking toasts to God. Their story touched God’s heart, so he decided to give them the precious little piece of land he had kept for himself. Georgia has a rich and ancient history. Settlements began between 6000 B.C. and 5000 B.C. with the emergence of tribal unions. Eventually these led to the formation of Georgian states. Two powerful Georgian kingdoms, Colchis and Iberia, were founded between the sixth and third centuries B.C. The Greeks knew of Colchis and had created a legend about it. The legend featured a Golden Fleece, which symbolizes the prosperity of Colchis. The ancient Greek legend told of a fabulously wealthy land where Jason and the Argonauts stole the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes with the help of his daughter Medea. 5 It is likely that the Golden Fleece actually existed. Earlier in this century, remote mountain villagers in Svaneti (a part of ancient Colchis) were observed using sheepskins to trap the fine gold particles in the rivers that flowed from the Caucasus Mountains. The skins were then hung up to dry and then beaten to shake out their contents. However, the wealth of Colchis may have meant something besides gold. The Greeks may have been seeking the rich natural resources of Colchis, such as wood and metal ores, as well as textiles. The ancient Greek writer, Herodotus, referred to the superior quality of Colchian linen. During the Bronze Age (fifteenth to eighth century B.C.), the civilization flourished. The people of this region mastered the skill of smelting and casting of metals. As a result, sophisticated farming implements were created. With its good climate and well-watered lowlands, this region was ideal for promoting progressive agricultural techniques. The first state to exist in Western Georgia was the Kingdom of Colcha or Egrisi. In the third century B.C., the Kingdom of Kartli or Iberia was established in Eastern Georgia. Its capital was Mtskheta. Today, Georgians do not call themselves Georgians; instead, they call themselves Kartvelebi and their land Sakartvelo. These names are derived from Kartlos, who is considered the father of all Georgians. The eleventh and twelfth centuries were a Golden Age for Georgia. A unique Christian culture flourished during this time. The medieval monarchy under the reign of King David the Builder’s great-granddaughter, Queen Tamar (1184-1212), made political and military achievements as well as developments in Georgian culture, which included architecture, literature, philosophy and the sciences.