Georgia is a fabulous ancient country, eternal enigma for foreign visitors, one of which was Jason together with his Argonauts, who escaped the wrath of the King Ayetes together with beautiful Medea and The Golden Fleece. Time cannot change spirit of adventure that awaits you in this mystical land, where East meets West and you admire natural interlacing of oriental mystique and western elegance.

Therefore, the famous Silk Road route goes through Georgia, connecting Europe with Central Asia. It is a place, which you cannot avoid to visit, and then you cannot forget it. This country inspired many famous poets, composers and artists. Outstanding landscape varying from the Caucasian mountains to the Black Sea resorts, observing Orthodox churches on the tops of the hills, rich woods and mineral springs, will leave an unforgettable joy of touching ancient history and great culture.

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Georgia, one of the most ancient countries in the world, is situated at the cross-roads of Europe and Asia. About the size of Switzerland, it occupies 69,700 sq. km between the Black and Caspian Seas, with a population of about 4.5 million people. The national language, Georgian, is over 2,000 years old with its own alphabet.

Georgia has a rich scenic variety: it lies mostly in the Caucasus Mountains, and its northern boundary to Russia is partly defined by the Greater Caucasus range. The Lesser Caucasus range, which runs parallel to the Turkish and Armenian borders, and the Surami and I

mereti ranges, which connect the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, create natural barriers that are partly responsible for cultural and linguistic differences among regions. Its western coast is defined by the Black Sea coast.

The largest river is the Mtkvari. Starting in Turkey, flowing via Armenia and Georgia it discharges into the Caspian Sea. Second largest river is Rioni-it takes its beginning in the Greater Caucasus and empties into the Black Sea at the port town of Poti.
Population
Tbilisi - 1225 000, Kutaisi - 221 000, Rustavi - 145 000, Batumi - 115 000

CLIMATE

Georgia 's climate is warm and pleasant and Mediterranean-like on the Black Sea coast.

The warm climate of Georgia is determined in big part by the mountains of the Greater Caucasus, which keep cold northern winds away from Georgia. Winters are short and mild, and also high mountain regions offer a lot of sun.

The relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones range from humid subtropical to the eternal snow and glaciers.

West Georgia: Along the Black Sea coast, from the Russian to the Turkish border, and in the region known as the Colchic Lowlands, inland from the coast, the dominant subtropical climate features high humidity and heavy precipitation, which allows several varieties of palm trees to grow there. Midwinter average temperature here is 5�C and the midsummer average is 22�C.

East Georgia: The plains of eastern Georgia are shielded from the influence of the Black Sea by the Likhi Mountains that provide a more continental climate. The average temperature in summer here is 20-24�C, in winter 2-4�C. Humidity is lower.

Alpine and highland regions in the east and west, as well as the semi-arid region on the Lori Plateau to the southeast have distinct microclimates. Alpine conditions start at 2,100 meters above sea level and above 3,600 meters year-round snow and ice is present.

HISTORY
Georgia is a part of ancient civilization. It is a country of Christian culture having its own script, legends and traditions. The first Georgian state was created 3,500 years ago. Ancient Greeks and Romans showed great interest toward Georgian culture. According to the ancient Greek legend, the Georgian state of " Colchis" was visited by the Argonauts  searching for the Golden Fleece. If the Argonauts are to be considered the first tourists in the world, then Georgia can be considered one of the most ancient tourist destinations in the world!
Among their many cultural achievements, the Georgians have their own unique alphabet, which is one of only 14 in the world. Georgians are also credited with discovering iron. The ancient Greek word for iron (Halibus) comes from a Georgian tribe called the Halibs.
Wine historians also acknowledge that Georgia is the cradle of viniculture. The State Museum of Georgia preserves a special tool, produced in the 3 rd millennium BC. that was used for the cultivation of grapes. It is not by coincidence that the Georgian national ornament is the variation of vine. Of the 2,000 varieties of grapes grown in the world, at least 500 are growing in Georgia.
The history of Christianity is also closely connected with Georgian history. The apostles St Andrew the First-called  and St Simon the Canaanite preached Christianity in Georgia in the 1st century. According to legend, Georgia was also visited by the holy Virgin), and the robe of Jesus is buried in Georgia. On the site of the robe’s burial the great cathedral, Svetitskhoveli (Life-giving Pillar) was erected in the 11th century. This place is considered to be one of the holiest places for Christians. Christianity was declared the official religion in Georgia in 337.
Until the middle of 15th century Georgia played a major role as the connecting bridge between Europe and Asia, only in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople did the country lose this significant role.
For more than 300 years Georgia was divided between Turkey and Iran. For two centuries it was hidden from the world as a province of the Russian Empire, then the Soviet Union. On April 9, 1991 Georgia declared its independence and has once again assumed its place on the world map. 1992 Georgia became the 179th member of the UN various international and regional organizations. In November 2003 the non-violent, democratic Rose Revolution took place and launched the 3rd wave of Eastern Europe liberation’s Today Georgia is a presidential democracy led by the president Mikheil Saakashvili.

RELIGION AND THE CHURCH

In the pre-Christian period Georgian tribes worshipped national supreme deities and also communal clan tribal deities.
In 337 Georgia adopted Christianity. Mirian, the King of Kartli, declared Christianity the state religion of Georgia. The conversion of Georgia is ascribed to Nino from Capadocia. Thus the Georgian Orthodox Church is  one of the oldest in the East. In the 5th century (around 466-468) the Georgian Church gained autocephaly (became independent).
In the the 11th century the Georgian Patriarchate - the sixth in the world - was formed.
In the towns, along with Georgian population resided Jews, Armenians, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, etc. Synagogues, mosques and churches operated in Georgia. The Orthodox Church pursued a state policy of tolerance with regard to non-Georgian ethnic and religious groups. From ancient times Georgia had cultural centres in Palestine ( Jerusalem), on Sinai Mountain, Athos Mountain and on Cyprus.
At present, on the territory of Georgia operate the Georgian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Armenian-Gregorian parishes, Jewish, Catholic and Muslim (Sunni and Shiites) religious groups and the following sects: Baptists, Adventists, Old Believers, Malaccans, Dukhobors, Evangelists and others.

TIME
GMT 4

CURRENCY

Lari (GEL) = 100 tetri. Notes are in denominations of GEL500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency exchange: US Dollars, Deutschmarks or Rubles can be exchanged at special exchange shops, while other currencies must be exchanged in banks. Cash is the preferred method of payment, and visitors are advised to carry notes in small denominations. There is unlikely to be a substantial difference between rates offered by banks or bureaus de change.

Credit and debit cards: Credit cards are accepted in certain hotels. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services, which may be available.
Traveler’s cheques: US Dollars or Deutschmarks/Euros are recommended.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is unrestricted. The import of foreign currency is permitted. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$500 or equivalent.

BANKING HOURS
Mon-Fri 09-30 to 17-30

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Jan 1 New Year's Day.
Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas.
Jan 19 Epiphany.
Mar 3 Mothers Day.
Apr 27 Orthodox Easter.
May 26 Independence Day.
Aug 24 Constitution Day.
Aug 28 Mariamoba (Assumption).
Oct 14 Svetitskhovloba (Georgian Orthodox Festival).
Nov 23 Giorgoba ( St George's Day).

SOCIAL PROFILE

Food and Drink: The cuisine makes extensive use of walnuts, which are used to thicken soups and sauces (anything including the word satsivi will be served in a rich sauce flavoured with herbs, garlic, walnuts and egg). Walnuts also feature as desserts, coated in caramelized sugar (gozinaki), or in churchkhela, when they are threaded on string then dipped in thickened, sweetened grape juice which is subsequently dried into chewy, flavoursome "candles". Cafés, restaurants and street-food traditions are all better established in Georgia than in many of the other former Soviet republics, and the markets are full of locally grown fruit and vegetables. Local dishes also include pkhali, made which spinach leaves and spices.
Both red and white wine is produced in Georgia. Kindzmareuli, a fruity, red wine, is reputed to have been Stalin's favourite tipple. Tsinandali is a dry white wine, as is Gurdzhaani. Akhasheni and Teliani are two of the commoner red wines, fruity and dry respectively.
Nightlife: Nightlife in the republic is to be found primarily in international hotels. The Georgian State Dancers are highly praised but only occasionally to be glimpsed in Tbilisi, being almost constantly on tour. The Rustaveli Georgian Drama theatre also has a good reputation and is particularly renowned for its Shakespeare productions.

SHOPPING
Georgian ceramics, embroidery and jewellery are all-distinctive, and may be bought in art salons or special tourist shops. Visitors may also develop a liking for locally produced wines and brandies. Antiques such as rugs and icons attract a heavy export duty and must be licensed for export by the Ministry of Culture. Goods acquired in markets or from private individuals will not come with an export license, whereas official tourist shops usually take responsibility for certification.
Social Conventions: Georgians pride themselves on their reputation for gregariousness and hospitality. Visitors sitting in restaurants are likely to be offered drinks by complete strangers. Appropriate clothing should be worn when entering a church; visitors should ensure they are not wearing shorts and women should cover their heads. Tipping: For service in restaurants, cafés or taxis, the bill is usually rounded up