Political Overview
Georgia is a unitary parliamentary republic that declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Its political system centers on a strong parliament and prime minister, with the president serving as a largely ceremonial head of state. Over the past three decades, Georgia has pursued extensive democratic and economic reforms streamlining bureaucracy, combating corruption, and strengthening the rule of law to align itself more closely with Euro-Atlantic institutions. However, its politics remain shaped by frozen conflicts: since the 2008 war, Russia maintains military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, territories Tbilisi considers occupied, complicating Georgia’s security environment and its aspirations for NATO and EU membership.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Georgia’s cultural identity is rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with continuous habitation since at least the early Bronze Age. The Georgian language, with its unique Mkhedruli script developed in the 11th century, is a core marker of national pride. Georgian Orthodox Christianity adopted in the 4th century permeates art, architecture, and daily life, visible in its hilltop monasteries and illuminated manuscripts. Equally renowned is Georgia’s musical tradition of three-part polyphonic singing, recognized by UNESCO, and its famed supra (feast), where guests are treated to spirited toasts, regional wines, and dishes like khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), binding community and tradition.
Geographical Landscape, Area and Climate
Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia spans approximately 69,700 km², bordered by the Black Sea to the west and flanked by the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges to the north and south. This dramatic topography gives rise to a mosaic of climates: the western coastal zone enjoys a humid subtropical climate with lush rainforests, while the eastern lowlands and river valleys experience a more continental, semi-arid influence. Elevations above 2,000 m bring alpine conditions, supporting winter sports and summer hiking alike, making Georgia both agriculturally fertile and geographically diverse.
