Country Information
Official name:Georgia
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Territory: 69,700 sq km
Population: 4,69 million people
Capital: T'bilisi
Airport: Tbilisi Airport (TBS/UGGG)
Major cities: 9 cities: Chiat'ura, Gori, K'ut'aisi, P'ot'i, Rust'avi, T'bilisi, Tqibuli, Tsqaltubo, Zugdidi.
Main languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
Climate: Warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Average temperatures: During late spring and early fall temperatures range from daytime highs in the 70s and low 80s F/21-27 C to nighttime lows in the 50s and 60s F/12-17 C. Spring weather can be quite unsettled, with occasional intense thunderstorms (and even tornadoes). While tropical storms can bring rain in the fall, it's generally mild, sunny and drier then. Summer can get very hot, with temperatures at or above 100 F/37 C and with very high humidity. The mountains in the north may be cooler in summer and colder in winter by about 10 F/5 C. Winters are mild in Georgia, though the temperature does drop to freezing or below for at least a few days everywhere in the state. Cold snaps alternate with mild periods from mid November to mid March.
Monetary unit: Lari (GEL)
Local time: Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +3 hours. Daylight saving time: +1 hour
National holidays: 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
Major tourist sights:
Batumi:
Batumi is an exotic-looking subtropical city on the Black Sea (Pontus Euxinus or Hospitable Sea, as it was called 2500 years ago by the descendants of the legendary Argonauts). Palms, cypresses, magnolias, oleanders, lemon and orange trees, thuja and box trees grow flowering and fragrant in this thriving border town. Batumi is an industrial city and an old trading port. It has a variety of entertainment facilities, and a dolphinarium, of which the locals are extremely proud. Nearby are the botanical gardens, which are a genuine highlight. In the far southwest of Georgia, Batumi is a good point of entry if you're coming from Turkey, but mind the border guards if they're stroppy, and don't pay customs a single lari. By air, Batumi is just over an hour from Tbilisi.
Kakheti:
Kakheti (also known as Kahetia) is a striking region of rich, fertile soil surrounding the town of Telavi. Consequently, it has become the major vine-growing region of the country. According to locals, this tradition of wine-making stretches back some 8000 years. Today you can see vineyards stretching to the horizon along the Main Kakhetian Highway. A Georgian scholar recently described grape vines as 'the living principle which innervated the economy, daily life, vision and character of the Georgian people.' Kakhetian vine-growers cultivate some two dozen types of grape, and many offer tastings and cellar-door sales. Easily accessible by train or bus, Kakheti is about 50km (30mi) north east of Tbilisi.
Tskhinvali:
Not really difficult to get to (buses operate from Tbilisi), Tskhinvali is nevertheless a more adventurous destination than many towns in Georgia. Capital of the trou
