Introduction
Background
Georgia once contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. Many powers have since dominated the country, including the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Georgia was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1921 and regained its independence after the Soviet collapse in 1991. Georgia achieved EU candidate status in December 2023.
Geography
Area
total : 69,700 sq km
land: 69,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
People and Society
Population
total: 4,900,961
Ethnic groups
Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)
Languages
Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1% (including Abkhaz, the official language in Abkhazia) (2014 est.)
Religions
Eastern Orthodox Christian (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic Christian 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Roman Catholic Christian, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant Christian, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.5% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Tbilisi
Executive branch
chief of state: President Salome ZOURABICHVILI (since 16 December 2018)
head of government: Prime Minister Irakli KOBAKHIDZE (since 8 February 2024)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Parliament (150 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador David ZALKALIANI (since 7 June 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Robin L. DUNNIGAN (since 12 October 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products, such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$83.656 billion (2023 est.)
$77.838 billion (2022 est.)
$70.151 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$22,200 (2023 est.)
$21,000 (2022 est.)
$18,900 (2021 est.)
Exports
$15.161 billion (2023 est.)
$13.24 billion (2022 est.)
$8.086 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 11%, Azerbaijan 10%, Russia 9%, Armenia 8%, Bulgaria 7% (2022)
Exports - commodities
copper ore, cars, fertilizers, iron alloys, wine (2022)
Imports
$17.791 billion (2023 est.)
$15.665 billion (2022 est.)
$11.151 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Turkey 17%, Russia 12%, China 8%, US 8%, Germany 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, natural gas, packaged medicine, copper ore (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
