Georgia will hold the presidential election Saturday. Following are some facts and figures about the Caucasian nation which gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Georgia, covering a total area of 69,700 sq km, is bordered by the Black Sea in the west, Turkey and Armenia in the south, Azerbaijan in the east, and Russia in the north.
Georgia has a history dating back to some 4,000 years ago. A former Soviet republic, the Caucasian country declared independence on April 6, 1991, and became the 179th member of the United Nations in 1992.
The terrain of the country is largely mountainous with the Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south. It opens to the Black Sea in the west.
The country's major natural resources include forests, water power, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; and its coastal climate and soil is suitable for tea and citrus growth.
The country has a population of around 4.68 million by July 2005. According to an official census in 2002, Georgian is the major ethnic group in the country, accounting for 83.8 percent of the population. Other groups include Azeris who make up 6.5 percent of the population, Armenians with 5.7 percent and Russians with 1.5 percent.
The official census in 2002 showed that up to 83.9 percent of the citizens are Orthodox Christian. Catholics account for 0.8 percent of the population and Muslims 9.9 percent.
Up to 71 percent of the population speak Georgian, which is the official language in the country. Abkhaz is the official language in its break-away region of Abkhazia. Russian, Armenian, Azeri and some small languages are also spoken in the country.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article