Republic of Georgia

Territory: 69 700
Population: 3 729 635
Capital: Tbilisi
Language: Georgian
Dominant religion: Christianity
Greenwich Mean Time: GET (UTC+4)
Electric power: 220V AC, 50A
Internet International: standard
Telephone code: +995

The term "Georgian" does not derive from Saint George, but from the ancient Persian Gurg or Gorg, meaning
wolf, "supposedly a totemic symbol, or from the Greek georgios ("farmer," "cultivator of land").
Self-identification is based mainly on linguistic tradition, and population groups that belong to different ethnolinguistic groups, such as Ossetians, Abkhazians, Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds, are not considered Georgian.
There are some exceptions, such as Jews, who speak Georgian as a native language and have surnames with
Georgian endings, but historically have had a distinct cultural identity. Georgians are subdivided into smaller
regional ethno-cultural entities. All that has specific traditions and customs, folklore, cuisine, and dress and may
speak a different language. Ajarans, unlike the Eastern Orthodox majority, are mostly Sunni Muslims. All these
groups preserve and share a common identity, literary language, and basic system of values.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi, formerly Tiflis , capital of the republic of Georgia, on the Mtkvari (Kura) River at its dissection of the
Trialeti (Trialetsky) and Kartli (Kartliysky, or Kartalinian) ranges. Founded in 458 (in some sources, 455), when
the capital of the Georgian kingdom was transferred there fromMtskheta, the city had a strategic position,
controlling the route between western and eastern Transcaucasia. It was often captured and sacked and knew
many masters: the Persians in the 6th century, the Byzantine Empireand the Arabs in the 7th. In 1122 David
IV (the Builder) of Georgia captured Tbilisi and restored it ... (100 of 437 words)

Famous places in Tbilisi

Old Tbilisi

Narikala

Rustaveli Avenue
and Freedom
Square

Dry bridge

Funicular

Simon Janashia
Museum of
Georgia

Art Museum of
Georgia

Gabriadze
Theater

Holy Trinity
Cathedral

Agmashenebeli
Avenue

Mtkvari

Just 20 km from Tbilisi, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the city is located on an ancient trade
route. Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of Mtskhetas status as a major trading post. Glass perfume
bottles, Greek and Aramaic writings, pottery, metalwork and jewelry have all been unearthed in abundance
here, and many examples are on show in the towns museum.
The ancient geographer Strabo described Mtskheta as a highly developed city with a water supply system,
markets and stone houses. Mtskheta was also the religious centre of the country, with a number of major
shrines to Georgias pagan pantheon; these would later be replaced by churches when St. Nino converted the
country to Christianity in around 337 AD.

Famous places in Mtkvari

Svetitskhoveli
Cathedral

Nino Monastery

Mtskheta State
Archaeological
Museum-Reserve

Bebristsikhe

Jvari Monastery

Armaztsikhe
(Bagineti)

Armazi Fortress

Monastery of ShioMgvime

Zedazeni

Ilia Chavchavadze
Saguramo State
Museum

Gori

The original fortress, constructed on a hilltop, was named Gori (meaning hill in English), and was mentioned in
the Georgian chronicles as early as the VII century. Some historians believe that the fortress was built by
Byzantine Caesar Heraclius to store ammunition battles against the Persians.
Just after the XI century the area became an active center for trade. According to some historians, this was due
to David the Builder founding the town. Because of its geographical location, enemies frequently targeted the
fortress, as conquering it enabled control of the whole Shida Kartli region. The fortress has been invaded many
times and controlled by Ossetians, Iranians and Persians, amongst others. The stronghold has been repeatedly
destroyed and rebuilt.

Famous places in Gori

Gori Fortress

Virgin Mary
Cathedral

HistoricalEthnographic
Museum

State Museum of
Joseph Stalin

Gorijvari

Uplistsikhe

Ateni Gorge

Village Gardateni

Ruisi Cathedral of
Transfiguration

Urbnisi Cathedral

Kutaisi

Kutaisi, the capital of Imereti, is Georgias second largest city after Tbilisi. Elegant, tree lined streets with 19th century houses
stretching down to the banks of the Rioni River, along with several attractive parks, make Kutaisi a very beautiful place to stroll
around and take in the many sights.
In the Jewish Quarter a number of synagogues demonstrate the long history of the Georgian Jewish community. The towns
largest synagogue, built in 1866, can seat 500 worshipers. The magnificent churches of Bagrati and Gelati both UNESCO world
heritages sites testify to the importance of the region.

Famous places in Kutaisi

Bagrati Cathedral

Gelati Monastery

Motsameta Monastery

Kutaisi State Historical

Museum

Historical district of the

city

Vani Archeological
Museum

Sataplia Nature Reserve

Prometheus Cave

Katskhi Pillar

Okatse Canyon

Batumi

Batumithe Pearl of the Black Sea, as it is often calledis located in the autonomous republic of Adjara.
European architects undertook numerous projects in Batumi at the beginning of the 20th century, and today it
remains a hub of architectural innovation.
One of the most beautiful regions in Georgia, Adjara is situated in southwest Georgia on the Black Sea coastline.
Turkey borders Adjara to the south. Adjaras visitors especially admire the regions pristine and unaltered
nature, and it is particularly intriguing for eco tourists.

Famous places in Batumi

Beaches of Adjara

Old Batumi

Batumi Boulevard

Batumi Botanical
Garden

Dolphinarium

Piazza Batumi

Argo Entertainment
Center and Batumi
Cable Car

Gonio-Apsaros Fortress

Makhuntseti Waterfall

Skhalta Monastery