At a Glance

Official Name: Georgia

Continent: Europe

Area: 26,911 square miles (69,700 sq km)

Population: 4,989,285

Capital City: Tbilisi

Largest City: Tbilisi (1,300,000)

Unit of Money: Lari

Major Languages: Georgian (official), Russian

Literacy: 99%

Land Use: 9% arable, 4% crops, 25% meadow, 34% forest, 28% other

Natural Resources: forest, hydropower, manganese

Government: Republic

Defense: 56 million

The Place

Georgia is on the southwestern border of Asia. Its coastline extends for 193 miles (310 km) and meets the Black Sea on the country's western border. The country was once part of the former Soviet Union.

Georgia is a mountainous country, with several mountain ranges making up about 85% of its land area. Dense forests cover much of these regions. The Caucasus Mountains are to the north and form most of the country's border with Russia. The country's highest elevation, Mount Shkhara, is located here. It reaches a height of 17,163 feet (5,201 m) above sea level. Much of southern Georgia is dominated by the Little Caucasus. They are generally less than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) tall.

The western part of Georgia has much lower elevations, rarely exceeding 300 feet (100 m) above sea level. The Kura River begins in the west and flows across the southern part of the country to Azerbaijan. In the southeastern part of the country, the Kartaliniya Plain extends to the country's southern border.

The People

The most populated parts of Georgia lie along the Black Sea and the Kura River Valley. The country's population density averages about 206 people per square mile (73 people per sq km). About 60% of Georgians live in urban areas. Many city dwellers live in one-or two-story homes that are built in close proximity to one another. In rural areas, homes tend to be more spacious.

About 80% of Georgians live in poverty. Some 16% of the work force is unemployed. Approximately 30% of the labor force work in industry, while another 25% are employed by agriculture. Both the health care and education systems suffer from a lack of funding and resources.

Family values and traditions are very important in Georgia. Throughout the year, extended families often gather together to celebrate holidays and special occasions. About one-quarter of the population is under the age of 16. The average life expectancy is 65 years.