Country name: Georgia Country name in Georgian: Sakartvelo Location: Eastern Europe/Southwestern Asia (Caucasus) Longitude: 40° - 47°E; Latitude: 41° - 44° N Black Sea equatorial countries are: Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Rumen, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The neighbor countries of Georgia are: Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Area: 69 700 sq.km Land border: 1655 km< Black Sea coast line: 315 km Climate: Continental - Subtropical Population: 4.5 million people. Ethnic groups: Georgian 83.8%; Armenian 5.7%; Azeri 6.5%; Russian 1.5%; others – 2, 5%. Language: Georgian – official Religious: the main religion is Orthodox Christianity. Also there are Catholics, Islam, Gregorian and Judies. Time zone: GTM + 4 Capital City: Tbilisi. Population – 1.3 million people. Country code: GEO http://www.satellitedishcanada.com/win/can_6000frame.html Internet code: ge Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL) Telephone code of country: +995 Telephone code of Tbilisi: 32 President: Mikhail Saakashvili Political structure: Democratic republic The Highest Mountain: Mt. Shkhara - 5068 m The Longest River: Mtkvari (Kura) 1364 km (847.5 miles) The Largest lake: Paravani: 37.5 sq.km (14.4 sq ml) The highest pass: Nakara (3203 m.) Water resources: 26 060 rivers, waterfalls, and springs; 860 lakes; 1 unnatural Tbilisi Sea Mineral waters: Borjomi, Likani, Nabeglavi, Sairme and others. Geography and climate Georgia is a small slice of sumptuous beauty sandwiched between Turkey and Russia, on the coast of the Black Sea. In spite of its proximity Russia, its climate couldn’t be more different - think Sicily, not Siberia. Georgia is in the South Caucasus, a region straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Georgia’s northern border runs along the crest of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, and includes the southern flanks of the highest mountain in Europe. Georgia’s highest mountain, Shkhara, stretches to over 5193 meters - way higher than Mont Blanc. The Caucasus is often said to be the boundary of Europe and Asia. It might be a cliché to say that Georgia is on the crossroads of civilizations, the place where East meets West, but there’s an element of truth in that - while Georgian is definitely a European country, it also the most exotic country in Europe. In the South of the country are the Lesser Caucasus, but don’t let the name fool you, with peaks reaching over 3000 meters, they are serious mountains. Georgia borders the Black sea, Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Hundreds of years ago it sat on the legendary Silk Road, and now it is developing as a gateway from the Black Sea to the larger Caspian and Central Asian regions. Georgia is one of the most diverse and unique countries of Europe. Its climate ranges from alpine meadows and coniferous forests to semi-desert and lush, subtropical coastlines with tea plantations and kiwi fruit. It also has an astonishing array of National parks, from Vashlovani in the east - home to some of Europe’s last native leopards, to the Kolkheti wetlands in the west, a Mecca for bird watchers the world over. The great wall of the Caucasus Mountains protects the country from the cold winds of the north, meaning that Georgia enjoys very warm weather most of the year, and mild winters that rarely go below freezing are the norm in low-lying areas like Tbilisi. Georgia is divided into eastern and western zones by a small mountain range running down the central axis of the country. As well as being an ancient political boundary between the old Georgian states of Colchis and Iberia, it is also the watershed between rivers that empty into the Black Sea on the western side, and the Caspian Sea on the east. The west of the country, watered by the warm waters of the Black Sea, has a subtropical climate, with very mild winters in low-lying areas, and heavy snowfalls in the mountains. This region is home to temperate rainforests and jungle like vegetation. The east is more arid, and has a more continental climate, though still moderated by the moisture from the Black Sea. Summers are hotter and drier here, especially in regions like Kakheti, which contain areas of semi desert. In Georgia we have a legend that, when God was giving out lands to the peoples of the world, we were late, because we had been drinking all night at a party singing His praises. By the time we got there, God had already apportioned all the land, but because he liked us so much he gave us the small piece he was saving for himself. When you come to Georgia, you might just start thinking that the legend is true.