Notes

Georgia is a small country at the boundary of Europe and Asia lying between the mountains of the Great Caucasian Range and the Black Sea. It occupies an area of land of about 70 thousand square kilometers. Its population is about 5.4 million. On land Georgia borders the Russian Federation in the north, Azerbaijan, turkey and Armenia in the south. To the west it is washed by the Black Sea. The landscape of Georgia is very different. It consists of mountains, valleys and hills. The northern part is mountains of the Great Caucasus, the southern part is crossed by the mountain chains of the south Georgian Plato. Both parts are linked by Lych (Surami) Chain. The Surami Range divides our country into the Eastern and Western Georgia. Between the mountains there are several valleys: the Colkhi Valley, the Kartli Valley and the Alazani Valley. Its land varies from the Ice-bound Caucasian summits to flowering fertile valleys covered with vast vineyards, from tea plantations, tangerine and orange gardens to coniferous and broad-leafed forests. The relatively small territory of Georgia covers almost all climatic zones. A humid subtropical climate dominates in west Georgia(it often rains, winter is mild, but summer is rather hot) while in eastern Georgia prevails continental climate. About one third of Georgia is forest land mostly grown with oak, beech, fir, pine, chestnut, walnut, etc. The highland zone is noted for its subalpine and alpine vegetation. There are many rivers in Georgia: the Mtkvari, the Aragvi, the Iori, the Rioni, the Enguri and others, but they are not very deep. Georgia is rich in mineral resources. It contains deposits of coal, high-grade manganese ore, copper, and many other valuable minerals. The country has about 2000 mineral springs varied in their chemical contents. The most famous springs are: Borjomi, Sairme and Nabeglavi. Due to variety of natural factors Georgia is noted for its large number of resorts located mostly at the seaside and in the mountain zone. The Georgians, one of the world’s most ancient people, belong to the southern branch of the European race.The Georgian language is one of the oldest living languages and the Georgian alphabet, one of the fourteen alphabets in the world, was created in the 4th-3rd centuries B.C.The first Georgian states came into existence at the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. Georgia is a Christian country. It was converted to Christianity in 337. Georgia is known for its history and traditions, ancient monuments and beautiful and hospitable people. The Georgians are fond of music. They are famous for their folk songs and dances. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. The important seaports of Georgia are: Batumi, Poti and Sukhumi.