Georgia occupies the Central and Eastern parts of the Caucasus. Its neighbor countries are the Russian Federation (in the North), Azerbajan (in the East),Armenia (in the South) and Turkey (in the South-East). The total length of the border is 1968.8km. The length of the land border is 1660.4km.

Georgia occupies 69.7 sq.km.

Georgia is a mountainous country. The Northern geograpical boundaries run along the Great Caucasian Range, which includes the Main Caucasian Range, and its other chains stretch to the South. The Southern boundary coincides with the mountainous system of the Minor Caucasus, including the Meskheti - Trialeti volcanic plateau. Between the Great and Minor Caucasus plains are located. The Western part of the country is washed by the Black Sea. The length of the Georgian section of the Black Sea coast line is 330km.

The biggest cities (hab. population)

Tbilisi - 1225 000, Kutaisi - 221 000, Rustavi - 145 000, Batumi - 115 000

Highest Mountains

Shkhara - 5068m; Janga - 5059m; Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek) - 5047m; Shota Rustaveli 4860m; Tetnuldi - 4858m;
Ushba - 4700m; Ailama - 4547m.

Longest Rivers

Mtkvari (Kura) - 1364km; Tergi - 623km; Chorokhi -438km; Alazani - 351km; Rioni -327km; Tori 320km;
Enguri -213km.

Largest Lakes

Paravani 37.5 sq.km; Kartsakhi - 26.3 sq.km; Paliastomi - 18.2 sq.km; Tabatskuri - 14.2 sq.km;
Khanchali -13.3 sq.km; Jandari - 10.6 sq.km

Climate

Georgian climate is extremely versatile. The relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, ranging from humid subtropical zones to the zones of etemal snow and glaciers. Humid subtropical climate prevails in West Georgia (Cholkci), whereas moderately humid and dry subtropical climatic with a considerably lower level of precipitation is characteristic of the East. High climate zonality is typical of the mountainous areas.

The data on average monthly and annual atmospheric temperature for the period of 1881-1960 (C) gives an idea of the climate in different parts of Georgia

Flora and Fauna

In spite of its small size Georgia is covered with a large variety of vegetation, which is caused by a considerable difference between the Western and Eastern climate. The structure of the landscape as well as of the mountain ranges largely contributed to the geograpical and environmental isolation of the regional ecological systems, wich resulted in a high level of endemic variety.

At present, Indo-Australian tropical flora is the closest in type to the vegetation characteristic of Georgia. forests constitute 38.6% of the country's territory and cover 2.69 million hectares.

In Georgia are registered about 100 species of animals, over 330 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians and about 160 species of fish.

Some of the endemic and endangered species are worth mentioning here. These are the Dagestanian and Caucasian goat, the striped hyena, the Caucasian mink,the Gudaurian fieldvole, the steppe eagle, the Caucasian salamander, etc.

Mineral Resources

Georgia is known for the abundance and variety of mineral waters and is one of the leading countries in this respect. There are more than 500 popular mineral waters such as Borjomi, Sairme, Nabeglavi, Zvare, Java, Kugela, etc.

The territory of Georgia is rich in deposits and occurrences of mineral resources (oil, coal, iron ore, manganum, copper. lead and zink ore, mercury,antimony, non-ore minerals- agate deposits and quartz field spar sands). Andesite,barytes, bentonite clay, diatomite, talc and serpentine are also available.

Georgia is also rich in valuable materials used for facing (basalt, granite, lime stone, marble, etc.).

Currency

On the teritory of Georgia payment can only be made in Georgian Lari. One lari equals to 100 tetri.

All kinds of payments (shopping in stores and markets, paying restaurant, hotel and other services) are made in cash. Only several large hotels and banks accept credit cards and cheques.The most popular foreign currency is the US dollar. It is strongly recommended to have dollars in cash when staying in Georgia. German Marks and Russian Roubles are also used. Foreign currency can be exchanged at special exchange shops in the streets of large towns. Currency other than USD, DM and RR, can be exchanged in the banks.

Monetary transfers are provided by Western Union and large banks.

Recreation, Resorts

There are many places in Georgia which have been known for their healing properties. 102 climatic and health resorts operated in Georgia. Most balneological and balneoclimatic resorts are located on the seaside and in the mountain zone, with beautiful landscapes, numerous springs and healthy climatic conditions. Some of the most famous are Nabeglavi, Zvare, Nunisi, Tkvartcheli, Borjomi, Sairme, Utsera, Sukhumi, Abastumani, Tsagveri, Tsemi, Java, Kojori, Kiketi, Manglisi, Shovi, Bakhmaro, Lebarde and Avadkhara.

The Black Sea coast with its excellent climatic conditions is an important zone of resort development. Climatic resorts located there are Gagra, Pitsunda, Akhali Athoni, Gudauta, Sukhumi, Batumi, Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, Mtsvane Kontskhi, Ureki, etc. The climate here is humid subtropical with mild winters and long summers. The season for sea bathing lasts 5-6 months and the climatic treatment for the whole year.

Mineral waters play an important part in the complex of sanitary and spa treatment. There are almost all types of mineral waters and over 2000 mineral springs in Georgia. The most widespread mineral waters are of the carbon dioxide type. Famous resorts (Borjomi, Shovi, Utsera, Muashi, Nabeglavi, Sairme) use cold and thermal dioxide waters. High thermal properties are characteristic of thermal sulphide, nitric, silicon waters. These waters are used in Tskhaltubo, Tbilisi, Nunisi, Tkvartcheli, Gagra, Sukhumi, Makhinjauri, Zekari, Aspindza.

To give a full picture of Georgian resort resources the presence of medical muds should be also mentioned here. Resort Akhtala functions on the basis of the pseudo volcanic mud of Akhtala hills and the sulphide mud of lake Kumisi is used in the Tbilisi balneological resort.

Traditions

Although much can be said about Georgian traditions, we will only give you a few tips on what is appropriate or inappropriate in the country. Since Georgia is at the junction of Europe and Asia, any tradition here is presented in a moderate way. Besides, you can always ask local people about the details you are interested in.

Family is one of the cornerstones of the Georgian life style. Georgian families are usually extended, i.e. often three generations parents and children live together.

An unusual phenomenon for foreign visitors is the Georgian table, which has a deeper implication than an ordinary meal.

Complicated ritual relationships are manifested in it. The table is led by "tamada", who proposes traditional toasts. Each toast is interpreted by table members before drinking it.

Georgian toats are numerous but the most important and popular are the toats to the guests, friends, ladies, family members, relatives, mother land, those, who passed away, etc. You can extend the list yourself.

In Georgia you never drink wine without toasting, which is not applicable to beer. Traditional tables are usually accompanied by singing.

As mentioned above, the table is led by "tamada", who is the one to propose toasts. If you want to leave the table (this especially concems men), the most appropriate way will be the following: first ask the tamada for permission to propose a toast, then toast to the host family and only after that leave the table.

In restaurants and other places the bill is never split and is paid by one person. Normally, men pay for women.

Anyone is allowed to enter a church, but, in this case it is not recommended to wear a low-necked dress, shorts or bathing suits. Women do not usually enter the church bareheaded.

In high mountainous regions it is not recomended to wear shorts, bathing suits and low-cut dresses.

Some Georgian phrases: