Georgia

§1. Georgia Introduction

Background:
  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. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as
  peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (but
  are scheduled to withdraw from two of the bases by July 2001). Despite a
  badly degraded transportation network - brought on by ethnic conflict,
  criminal activities, and fuel shortages - the country continues to move
  toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions.

§2. Georgia Geography

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

Geographic coordinates:
  42 00 N, 43 30 E

Map references:
  Commonwealth of Independent States

Area:
  total: 69,700 kmē
  land: 69,700 kmē
  water: 0 kmē

Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than South Carolina

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

Coastline:
  310 km

Maritime claims:
  NA

Climate:
  warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

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

Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek)
    5,048 m

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

Land use:
  arable land: 9%
  permanent crops: 4%
  permanent pastures: 25%
  forests and woodland: 34%
  other: 28% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:
  4,000 kmē (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:
  earthquakes

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

§3. Georgia People

Population:
  4,989,285 (July 2001 est.)

Age structure:
  0-14 years: 19.59% (male 498,575; female 478,663)
  15-64 years: 67.91% (male 1,632,338; female 1,755,910)
  65 years and over: 12.5% (male 241,824; female 381,975) (2001 est.)

Population growth rate:
  -0.59% (2001 est.)

Birth rate:
  11.18 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate:
  14.58 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate:
  -2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
  52.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 64.57 years male: 61.04 years
  female: 68.28 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate:
  1.45 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  less than 0.01% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  less than 500 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  less than 100 (1999 est.)

Nationality:
  noun: Georgian(s)
  adjective: Georgian

Ethnic groups:
  Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%,
  Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%

Religions:
  Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic
  8%, unknown 6%

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

Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99%
  male: 100%
  female: 98% (1989 est.)

§4. Georgia Government

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

Government type:
  republic

Capital:
  T'bilisi

Administrative divisions:
  53 rayons (raionebi, singular - raioni), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular -
  k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular -
  avtom respublika); Abashis, Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri
  Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri
  Respublika** (Bat'umi), Akhalgoris, Akhalk'alak'is, Akhalts'ikhis,
  Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat'is, Bolnisis, Borjomis,
  Chiat'ura*, Ch'khorotsqus, Ch'okhatauris, Dedop'listsqaros, Dmanisis,
  Dushet'is, Gardabanis, Gori*, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K'arelis, Kaspis,
  Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, K'ut'aisi*, Lagodekhis,
  Lanch'khut'is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts'khet'is,
  Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget'is, P'ot'i*, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Rust'avi*,
  Sach'kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis, T'bilisi*,
  T'elavis, T'erjolis, T'et'ritsqaros, T'ianet'is, Tqibuli*, Ts'ageris,
  Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Tsqaltubo*, Vanis, Zestap'onis, Zugdidi*, Zugdidis
  note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative
    centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in
    parentheses)

Independence:
  9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

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

Constitution:
  adopted 17 October 1995

Legal system:
  based on civil law system

Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously
    elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992; Council has
    since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11
    October 1992; president since 26 November 1995); note - the president is
    both the chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously
    elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992; Council has
    since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11
    October 1992; president since 26 November 1995); note - the president is
    both the chief of state and head of government
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
  elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election
    last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held NA 2005)
  election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote
    - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80%

Legislative branch:
  unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or
  Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
  four-year terms)
  elections: last held 31 October and 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA
    2003)
  election results: percent of vote by party - CUG 41.85%, AGUR 25.65%, IWSG
    7.8%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG
    130, AGUR 58, IWSG 15, Abkhaz deputies 12, independents 17, other 3

Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's
  recommendation); Constitutional Court

Political parties and leaders:
  Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Eduard SHEVARDNADZE]; Georgian United
  Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Industry Will
  Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP
  [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; Socialist Party or SPG [Temur GAMTSEMLIDZE];
  Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; United Republican
  Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Georgian refugees from Abkhazia (Abkhaz faction in Georgian Parliament);
  separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia; supporters of the
  late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA remain a source of opposition

International organization participation:
  BSEC, CCC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
  IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
  ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
  WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New
    Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
  telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390
  FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537

Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth S. YALOWITZ embassy: #25 Antoneli
    Street, T'bilisi 380026
  mailing address: use embassy street address
  telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68
  FAX: [995] (32) 933-759

Flag description:
  maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle
  divided horizontally with black on top, white below

§5. Georgia Economy

Economy - overview:
  Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism;
  cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and
  copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals,
  machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its
  energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable
  internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the
  economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF
  and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains since 1995, increasing
  GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy continues to
  experience large budget deficits due to a failure to collect tax revenues.
  Georgia also still suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the
  distribution network in 1998, and deliveries are steadily improving. The
  country is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of
  an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of
  P'ot'i and Bat'umi. The growing trade deficit, continuing problems with tax
  evasion and corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term
  economic picture.

GDP:
  purchasing power parity - $22.8 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
  1.9% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:
  purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
  agriculture: 32% industry: 23%
  services: 45% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line:
  60% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4.1% (2000 est.)

Labor force:
  3.08 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation:
  industry 20%, agriculture 40%, services 40% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:
  14.9% (1999 est.)

Budget:
  revenues: $437 million
  expenditures: $626 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million
    (1999)

Industries:
  steel, aircraft, machine tools, electric locomotives, trucks, tractors,
  textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine

Industrial production growth rate:
  -0.3% (1998 est.)

Electricity - production:
  7.975 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source:
  fossil fuel: 20.38% hydro: 79.62%
  nuclear: 0%
  other: 0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption:
  7.117 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports:
  850 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports:
  550 million kWh (1999)

Agriculture - products:
  citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; livestock

Exports:
  $372 million (2000 est.)

Exports - commodities:
  citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of
  machinery and metals; chemicals; fuel reexports; textiles

Exports - partners:
  Russia 19%, Turkey 16%, Azerbaijan 8%, Armenia 6% (1999)

Imports:
  $898 million (2000 est.)

Imports - commodities:
  fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment

Imports - partners:
  EU 22%, Russia 19%, Turkey 12%, US 12% (1999)

Debt - external:
  $1.9 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:
  $212.7 million (1995)

Currency:
  lari (GEL)

Currency code:
  GEL

Exchange rates:
  lari per US dollar - 1.9798 (December 2000), 1.9762 (2000), 2.0245 (1999),
  1.3898 (1998), 1.2975 (1997), 1.2628 (1996)

Fiscal year:
  calendar year

§6. Georgia Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
  620,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
  30,000 (1997)

Telephone system:
  general assessment: NA domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have
    cellular telephone networks; urban 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: Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between
    P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by
    microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch;
    international electronic mail and telex service are available

Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:
  3.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
  12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:
  2.57 million (1997)

Internet country code:
  .ge

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
  6 (2000)

Internet users:
  20,000 (2000)

§7. Georgia Transportation

Railways:
  total: 1,583 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
    lines
  broad gauge: 1,583 km 1.520-m gauge (1993)

Highways:
  total: 33,900 km
  paved: 29,500 km (these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in
    addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with
    gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather)
  unpaved: 4,400 km (these roads are made of unstabilized earth and are
    difficult to negotiate in wet weather) (1990)

Waterways:
  none

Pipelines:
  crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)

Ports and harbors:
  Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi

Merchant marine:
  total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 131,316 GRT/190,289 DWT
  ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 2, petroleum
    tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)

Airports:
  31 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 2
  under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
  914 to 1,523 m: 4
  under 914 m: 6 (2000 est.)

Transportation - note:
  transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic conflict,
  criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and
  repair

§8. Georgia Military

Military branches:
  Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Forces, National Guard,
  Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military manpower - military age:
  18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
  males age 15-49: 1,296,199 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
  males age 15-49: 1,024,574 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
  males: 41,561 (2001 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
  $23 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
  0.59% (FY00)

Military - note:
  a CIS peacekeeping force consisting 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

§9. Georgia Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  none

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
