[204][205][206][207] While human rights activists maintained that the protests were peaceful, the government pointed out that many protesters were masked and armed with heavy sticks and molotov cocktails. [226] The wettest periods generally occur during spring and autumn, while winter and summer months tend to be the driest. [119] Russian forces left the buffer areas bordering Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 8 October, and the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia was dispatched to the buffer areas. [138] Ivanishvili has since been called the informal leader of Georgia, arranging political reappointments from behind the scenes. [33] In the 4th century BC, a kingdom of Iberia an early example of advanced state organization under one king and an aristocratic hierarchy was established. [178], Georgia applied for EU membership on 3 March 2022, soon after the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. ", "Ruling party in Georgia decisively wins parliament vote", "Georgian government offers concessions to end crisis", "Transparency International urges dialogue with civil society during political crisis in Georgia", "Georgian Dream, Opposition Reach Consensus over Electoral Reform", "Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president", "Georgia protests: Tbilisi police fire water cannon at demonstrators", "New EU Proposal: Amnesty for Rurua, Melia, 2022 Snap Polls if GD Gets Less than 43% in Locals", "President Michel to Start Consultations after GD's EU-Brokered Deal Withdrawal", "Mikheil Saakashvili: Georgian ex-president arrested returning from exile", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and the Republic of France", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and the Federal Republic of Germany", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and the State of Israel", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and Japan", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Visa Information for Foreign Citizens", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and the Republic of Turkey", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Relations between Georgia and Ukraine", "Relations Between Georgia and the United States of America", "U.S. [135][136], In October 2013, Giorgi Margvelashvili, a candidate of the Georgian Dream party, won the presidential election. [citation needed] The general landscape of eastern Georgia comprises numerous valleys and gorges that are separated by mountains. [81], On 26 May, Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as the first President of independent Georgia. Announces New Military Assistance Program for Georgia", "Why was Georgia not granted EU candidate status? [227], The west-central slopes of the Meskheti Range in Ajaria as well as several locations in Samegrelo and Abkhazia are covered by temperate rain forests. In August 2004, the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia was submitted officially to NATO. [129] In their Democracy Index 2021 report[update] the Economist Intelligence Unit classifies Georgia as a hybrid regime which is above the threshold for an authoritarian regime but below the threshold needed to be classified as a flawed democracy.[130]. The country's Western orientation soon led to worsening relations with Russia, which culminated in the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, and entrenched Russia occupation of a portion of Georgia. In a letter on Monday, Raffensperger called on the GOP's congressional leadership to . [153] Georgia also maintains political, economic, and military relations with France,[154] Germany,[155] Israel,[156] Japan,[157] South Korea,[158] Sri Lanka,[159] Turkey,[160] Ukraine,[161] the United States,[162] and many other countries. As a result of incessant OttomanPersian Wars and deportations, the population of Georgia dwindled to 784,700 inhabitants at the end of the 18th century. [118] In response to Russia's recognition, the Georgian government severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Mingrelia, although a Russian protectorate since 1803, was not absorbed until 1867.[72]. Supported by a powerful military lite, Tamar was able to build on the successes of her predecessors to consolidate an empire which dominated the Caucasus, and extended over large parts of present-day Azerbaijan, Armenia, and eastern Turkey as well as parts of northern Iran,[53] until its collapse under the Mongol attacks within two decades after Tamar's death in 1213.[54]. [249] As a result, budget revenues have increased fourfold and a once large budget deficit has turned into a surplus. One of the most famous late 19th/early 20th century Georgian artists was primitivist painter Niko Pirosmani. [177] On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted a regulation on visa liberalization for Georgians travelling to the EU for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. [52] Tamar was given the title "king of kings" (mepe mepeta). 1955 - Nikolay Bulganin replaces Malenkov as prime minister. [219] This was used as a justification for Russian invasion of Georgia during the 2008 South Ossetia war after which Russia recognized the region's independence. [9] On March 31, 1991, a referendum was held on the restoration of Georgia's independence on the basis of the Independence Act of 26 May 1918. About 86.8% of the population of Georgia comprises of ethnic Georgians. Its Cold War with the United States (1947-1991) filled most of the 20th century with tension that extended throughout the world. The Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. In the early 9th century the Abkhazian Church broke away from Constantinople and recognized the authority of the Catholicate of Mtskheta; the Georgian language replaced Greek as the language of literacy and culture. [287] On the basis of that back-projection, Geostat has corrected its data for these years. After his death, local rulers fought for their independence from central Georgian rule, until the total disintegration of the Kingdom in the 15th century. [334], This long history has provided a national narrative which encompasses the successful preservation of unique culture and identity in a consistent territory, despite external pressures. [327], Georgian culture evolved over thousands of years from its foundations in the Iberian and Colchian civilizations. [234] Although the amount of available information is still very small, a first effort has been made to estimate the number of fungal species endemic to Georgia, and 2,595 species have been tentatively identified as possible endemics of the country. Tourist attractions include more than 2,000 mineral springs, over 12,000 historical and cultural monuments, four of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi and Gelati Monastery, historical monuments of Mtskheta, and Upper Svaneti). [296] On the other hand, at least 160,000 Georgians left Abkhazia after the break-out of hostilities in 1993. [71], From 1803 to 1878, as a result of numerous Russian wars now against Ottoman Turkey, several of Georgia's previously lost territories such as Adjara were recovered, and also incorporated into the empire. [173] The street leading to Tbilisi International Airport has since been dubbed George W. Bush Avenue. [253] 2015 calculations place Georgia's nominal GDP at US$13.98billion. In 1921, communist Russia launched a new military campaign against Georgia and conquered the country in fierce battles, annexing it to the Soviet Union. Throughout the remainder of the Soviet period, Georgia's economy continued to grow and experience significant improvement, though it increasingly exhibited blatant corruption and alienation of the government from the people. As the largest faction, having secured 90 out of 150 seats, Georgian Dream formed the country's next government and continued to govern alone. [319], Most of these institutions offer three levels of study: a bachelor's programme (three to four years); a master's programme (two years), and a doctoral programme (three years). Georgia. [145], On 31 October 2020, the ruling Georgian Dream again led by Bidzina Ivanishvili secured over 48% of votes in the parliamentary election under a different electoral system. The present day Georgian or Kartvelian nation is thought to have resulted from the fusion of aboriginal, autochthonous inhabitants with immigrants who moved into South Caucasus from the direction of Anatolia in remote antiquity. [11] Following World War I, Georgia was invaded and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1922, becoming one of its constituent republics. COVID-19 Travel restrictions for Georgia As of June 15th 2022, Citizens of any foreign countries, traveling to Georgia via any route, are no longer obliged to present either Covid-vaccination certificate or PCR-examination negative result For more information, visit the Georgia official governmental site. (1996). He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts, and makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. . [339][340], Georgia is known for its folklore, traditional music, dances, theatre, cinema, and art. The Georgian army was defeated and the Social Democratic government fled the country. Most countries consider the regions to be Georgian territory under Russian occupation. But the nonprofit organization was accused in Georgia courts of being a communist front, and King's inner circle considered it radical. [139], In October 2016, the ruling party Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections with 48.61 percent of the vote while the opposition United National Movement (UNM) gained 27.04 percent of the vote. [236], Georgia is home to four ecoregions: Caucasus mixed forests, Euxine-Colchic deciduous forests, Eastern Anatolian montane steppe, and Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe. ed., Nasmyth, Peter, I. Gagoshidze "The Achaemenid influence in Iberia" Boreas 19. In economics, the party controls the country's economic system, and private ownership is illegal, although this facet of communist rule has changed in some countries like China. [168], In 2011, the North Atlantic Council designated Georgia as an "aspirant country". Ever since its turbulent founding in 1918, Georgia has been highly dependent on the German Empire, the primary nation guaranteeing Georgian independence. [196] However, following the reforms brought by the peaceful revolution, the level of corruption in the country abated dramatically. On 25 February 1921, the Red Army entered Tbilisi and established a government of workers' and peasants' soviets with Filipp Makharadze as acting head of state. On 29 October 2004, the North Atlantic Council of NATO approved the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Georgia, and Georgia moved on to the second stage of Euro-Atlantic Integration. [194] The police introduced a 0-2-2 (currently, 1-1-2) emergency dispatch service in 2004. Soviet rule was firmly established only after the insurrection was swiftly defeated. The Upper Svaneti fortifications, and the castle town of Shatili in Khevsureti, are some of the finest examples of medieval Georgian castle architecture. "Christianity and the Georgian Empire" (early history) Library of Congress, March 1994, webpage: Sketches of Georgian Church History by Theodore Edward Dowling, Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. The former communist countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia needed to reform the financing of their healthcare systems and make efforts to strengthen the role of primary care while limiting the role of hospital care. [151], Georgia maintains good relations with its direct neighbours Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, and is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Community of Democratic Choice, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development[152] and the Asian Development Bank. Since February 2021, Irakli Gharibashvili has been the Prime Minister of Georgia. by Juergen T Steinmetz. Combined population of urban (23,433 in 1922) and rural (2,326 in 1917) communities. [297] Of the Meskhetian Turks who were forcibly relocated in 1944, only a tiny fraction returned to Georgia as of 2008[update]. Qiushi 0001-01-01. 1955 - Warsaw Treaty Organisation, or Warsaw Pact, set up. The responsibility for such actions does not cause dangerous consequences for the public. "It's a communist regime. 9 also warned of "color revolution." This term originated in the first decade of this century, when a series of antiauthoritarian popular uprisings in former Soviet states became known by colorful names, including Georgia's Rose Revolution (2003), Ukraine's Orange Revolution (2004), and Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution (2005). Since 2004 the Georgian Railways have been undergoing a rolling programme of fleet-renewal and managerial restructuring which is aimed at making the service provided more efficient and comfortable for passengers. Georgia . The native name is Sakartvelo (; 'land of Kartvelians'), derived from the core central Georgian region of Kartli, recorded from the 9th century, and in extended usage referring to the entire medieval Kingdom of Georgia by the 13th century. In recent years Georgia has invested large amounts of money in the modernization of its transport networks. [73] The Menshevik Social Democratic Party of Georgia won the parliamentary election and its leader, Noe Zhordania, became prime minister. The party was founded on 23 February 1992 as the Socialist Labour Party. [23], Today, the official name of the country is Georgia, as specified in the Georgian constitution which reads "Georgia is the name of the state of Georgia. [203], The government came under criticism for its alleged use of excessive force on 26 May 2011 when it dispersed protesters led by Nino Burjanadze, among others, with tear gas and rubber bullets after they refused to clear Rustaveli Avenue for an independence day parade despite the expiration of their demonstration permit and despite being offered to choose an alternative venue. These in turn are subdivided into 67 districts and 5 self-governing cities. His regime is known as one of the most brutal in world history; tens of millions of . [267] Other tourist attractions are Cave City, Ananuri Castle/Church, Sighnaghi and Mount Kazbek. [241] Georgia's main imports are vehicles, ores, fossil fuels and farmaceuticals. The incorporation of the Golden Fleece into the myth may have derived from the local practice of using fleeces to sift gold dust from rivers. Georgia, Georgian Sakartvelo, country of Transcaucasia located at the eastern end of the Black Sea on the southern flanks of the main crest of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. [291] Initially the out-migration was driven by non-Georgian ethnicities but increasing numbers of Georgians emigrated as well,[292] due to the war, the crisis-ridden 1990s, and the subsequent bad economic outlook.