Georgia is loacte in southwestern Asia and bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (but are scheduled to withdraw from two of the bases by July 2001).

Despite a badly degraded transportation network – brought on by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages – the country continues to move toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions. Georgia is a newly independent nation, and while living conditions are improving, they’re not yet at the western standards desired by the government. Tourist facilities outside of the capital, Tbilisi, are not highly developed and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Despite this, and despite an area in the north of the country being basically off-limits due to separatist control, terrorist activity and an abundance of land mines, Georgia presents a proud face to the world. Its culture is ancient and built around a vast variety of influences; its people are a mix of traditional and very modern.

Where to go:

1. Tbilisi City

Tbilisi is the capital city of the country of Georgia. The city lies along the Kura (Mtkvari) river. The former Turkish name of Tbislisi was “Tiflis”. With more that 1.345 million inhabitants, the city covers an area of 350 km² (135 square miles). As capital of the former Soviet state Georgia, Tbilisi is an important industrial, social, and cultural center. It is nowadays emerging as a major transit route for global energy/trade projects ( for example : the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline). The city is located along one of the historic Silk Road routes and plays an important role as a trade/transit center due to its strategic location at the crossroads between Russia’s North Caucasus, Turkey, and the Transcaucasia republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Although the Citysearch is characterized by smallish red roofs and old town houses, Tbilisi has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. Tbilisi is famous for its historical monuments and gorgeous architecture, which include the Sioni Cathedral Church that dates from the 5th century and the ancient Narikhala fortress . Visitors can also take in the local theater scene. Three of the city’s most famous and long-established theaters are situated in Rustaveli Avenue, including the Paliashvili Opera House , founded in 1851. In recent times, Tbilisi is known for the peaceful Rose Revolution which took place around the city’s Freedom Square and nearby locations, after falsified parliamentary elections of 2003 led to the resignation of the Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze.