Georgia

At A glance

Capital City: Tbilisi

Land size: 69,700 sq km

Population: 4,935,518 (2022 est.)

Official language: Georgian

Currency: Georgian Lari (ლ / GEL)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Gelati Monastery
• Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
• Upper Svaneti
• Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/


Georgia offers many experiences that will leave you in awe. Begin your adventure in the charming capital city of Tbilisi, where you can wander through its winding streets, admire the diverse architecture, and indulge in the vibrant food scene. Journey through the picturesque wine region of Kakheti, with its vineyards and centuries-old winemaking traditions. Explore the rugged beauty of Svaneti, with its medieval towers and pristine nature.

Georgia's historical treasures, natural wonders, and vibrant culture offer the perfect setting for a memorable horseback riding vacation. Ride through the stunning landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains, where snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and crystal-clear lakes create a perfect setting for horseback riding adventures.
Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Georgian people, experiencing their equestrian traditions, savoring delicious local cuisine, and embracing the heartfelt rhythms of traditional Georgian music and dance.

 

Brief History

The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s.

Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. 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 in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Mounting public discontent over ineffective government services, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party.

SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.

In the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/

 

Cultural Insights

 

Transportation

The greatest culinary divide is between the western and eastern region. In the west, there is a greater emphasis on vegetarian food, predominantly prepared with walnuts. Herbs and spices, especially tarragon, basil, coriander, fenugreek, and pepper make western Georgian food hot and spicy. In the eastern area, the food is heavier, with more of an accent on mutton and pork. Among people in the mountains, the most popular food is khinkali, a cooked meat dumpling that usually is accompanied by beer. The most popular sauce, tkemali, is made of wild plums; other sauces are based on walnuts with spices, or pomegranate juice.

Both men and women may kiss one another on the cheek in public places. Kissing on the lips and intimate hugging in public are not approved. Shaking hands is common, but women shake hands less often than men do. Either the person with higher social status or the woman is supposed to initiate greeting and define its form.
In the countryside, it is common to greet strangers. Men may embrace while walking in the street. In general, the closer the relationship, the smaller the distance at which people stand. Women are not supposed to gaze at a stranger or smoke on the street.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Georgia.html

 

Money

Although prices are occasionally quoted in US dollars and euros, Georgian law requires that all goods and services are paid for in local currency.

Credit and debit cards are widely used in Tbilisi, but less so in the regions.

ATMs can be found in major towns. Make sure you have sufficient cash in local currency if travelling to rural or remote areas.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia

 

Health

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Ambulance services are not widely available outside Tbilisi and training and availability of emergency responders may fall below U.S. standards.

Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Outside Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited. Most health care providers in Georgia only accept cash payments.

Georgia strictly regulates types and quantities of prescription medications that may be brought into the country. Check with the Ministry of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Georgia. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Travelers carrying prohibited prescription drugs have been detained and face heavy fines or arrest.

Air pollution is a significant problem in Tbilisi. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling, if necessary.

Georgia has eight venomous snake species that are active between March and October. Few medical facilities have antivenin serum. Treat all snakes as potentially venomous.

Water quality is variable across Georgia. Bottled water is widely available.

There is a significant risk of rabies in Georgia. The CDC recommends some travelers complete the rabies vaccine series prior to arriving in country.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Georgia.html

 

Electricity

Georgia operates on a 220V supply voltage and uses type C and F plugs.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.

The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with sockets E and F and has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Georgia: Georgia Standard Time (GMT+4)

International country code – 995

Georgia’s government moved fast following the collapse of the Soviet Union to liberalize the country’s telecom market. This resulted in a relatively high number of networks competing in the under-developed fixed-line segment as well as in the emerging mobile market; both segments remain dominated by just a few companies.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/


Phrasebook

English	Georgian
Hello!	Gamarjoba
Goodbye	Nakhvamdis
Good morning	Dila mshidobisa
Good evening	Gamarjoba
Good night	Ghame mshvidobisa
Please	Tsota
Thank you	Gmadlobt
Yes	Diakh
No	Ara

Source: https://fsi-languages.yojik.eu/languages/PeaceCorps/Georgian/Georgian%20Audio%20Language%20Files/
GE_Georgian_Language_Lessons.pdf

 

Entry Requirements

 

Embassies and Consulates

US Embassy in Tbilisi
29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue
Didi Dighomi Tbilisi, 0131
Phone: (995 32) 227-77-24 from the United States / (032) 227-77-24 from a local cellphone

Consulate of Canada to Georgia in Tbilisi
34 Rustaveli Avenue, Third Floor
Tbilisi, 0108
Phone: (995 32) 298-2072

Source: for USA: https://ge.usembassy.gov/contact/#Non-Emergency
For Canada: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/georgia-georgie/tbilisi-tbilissi.aspx?lang=eng

 

UNESCO Sites

Gelati Monastery
Founded in 1106 in the west of Georgia, the Monastery of Gelati is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia, a period of political strength and economic growth between the 11th and 13th centuries. It is characterized by the facades of smoothly hewn large blocks, balanced proportions and blind arches for exterior decoration. The Gelati monastery, one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, was also a centre of science and education and the Academy it housed was one of the most important centres of culture in ancient Georgia.

Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
The historic churches of Mtskheta, former capital of Georgia, are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture in the Caucasus. They show the high artistic and cultural level attained by this ancient kingdom.




Upper Svaneti
Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and tower-houses. The village of Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as dwellings and as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region.

Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands
The property comprises seven component parts, within an 80km long corridor along the warm-temperate and extremely humid eastern coast of the Black Sea. They provide a series of the most typical Colchic ecosystems at altitudes ranging from sea level to more than 2,500 metres above it. The main ecosystems are ancient deciduous Colchic rainforests and wetlands, percolation bogs and other mire types of the distinct Colchic mire region. The extremely humid broad-leaved rainforests comprise a highly diverse flora and fauna, with very high densities of endemic and relict species, with significant numbers of globally threatened species and relict species, which survived the glacial cycles of the Tertiary. The site is home to approximately 1,100 species of vascular and non-vascular plants, including 44 threatened vascular plan species, and almost 500 species of vertebrates, and a high number of invertebrate species. The site also harbours 19 threatened animal species including sturgeon, notably the critically endangered Colchic Sturgeon. It is a key stopover for many globally threatened birds that migrate through the Batumi bottleneck.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ge