About Georgia

Georgia is situated in the western and central parts of Transcaucasia. It is surrounded by the main Caucasian mountain range on the North and by the branches of the main range on the East and the South and the Black Sea on the West. Black and Caspian Seas, on the crossroad of the ancient Silk Road that connected Asia to Europe. Georgia shares its northern border with the Russian Federation, the south-east border  with Azerbaijan;  in the south it borders Armenia and Turkey. The whole history of the country mostly lived on this territory. The central region of Georgia is Kartli. The name of the people "Kartveli" and the name of the country "Sakartvelo" have originated from this word.
The Georgians are one of the most ancient peoples in the world. In the third millennium BC there existed a single pre-Georgian language. The spoken languages Svanuri (in the second millennium BC) and Megruli (in the first millennium BC) were separated from the main language. The Georgian literary language was based on and developed from the Georgian language proper.
The favorable natural conditions, diversity of her rich nature and the location on the cross-road of different great civilizations in different epochs. The routes connecting the East and the West, the South and the North functioned with various intensity at different stages of history. The geopolitical location was favorable for the contacts with other civilized countries on the one hand, but on the other brought country into the sphere of interests of great Empires.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia. The city covers area of 726 km2 on the both sides of Mtkvari river and has the population of 1.480.000 people (2006 census). Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia) and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center. There are a lot of churches and historical monuments in the Old City, as well as many museums, narrow streets and old houses with the characteristic wooden balconies, wide and open. The statue of Mother of Georgia, overlooking the city from the mountain ridge, attracts attention: welcoming its guests with a bowl of wine in one hand, and a sword in another for the enemies, the statue represents the symbol of Georgia. Once in Tbilisi, guests can see the Church of Anchiskhati (6th c.), Sioni Cathedral (7th c.), the Narikala fortress (4th c.), a synagogue, a mosque, a few museums (historical museum, and an open-air ethnography museum and the funicular make the musts for visitors of the city). 

Regions of Georgia

Mtskheta – Mtianeti 

Mtskheta – Mtianeti   Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთა), one of the oldest cities of the country of Georgia (in Kartli province of Eastern Georgia), is located approximately 20 kilometers north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers. The city (population 19,423 as of January 1, 2008) is now the administrative centre of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

From the 4th c. BC to 5th c. AD Mtskheta was the capital of Iberia (which was the ancient name of Georgia) that represented one of the ancient civilizations of the world. It is with Mtskheta that the formation of Georgian statehood and dissemination of Christianity is associated. In the 4th c. King Mirian, deeply influenced with sermons and preaching of St. Nino, declared Christianity the principal religion throughout the country. Up to this day, the city of Mtskheta remains the centre of Georgian Orthodox Church. Today it is no longer the capital of the country, but it is still the spiritual capital and home to two of Georgia’s greatest churches - Svetitskhoveli - (1010-1029)  , Jvari  Monastery (586-604) , Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church  (4th century ) .

Kakheti

Kakheti is a province in Eastern Georgia. It is bordered by the small mountainous province of Tusheti and mountain-range of Greater Caucasus to the north, Azerbaijan to the east and the south, and the Georgian province of Kartli to the west. Kakheti is geographically divided into the Inner Kakheti to the east of Tsiv-Gombori mountain-range and the Outer Kakheti to the west of it. The major river of the eastern part is Alazani, of the western part - Iori. Kakhetians speak a local dialect of Georgian.

The Georgian David Gareja monastery complex is partially located in this province and is subject to a border dispute between Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities.

Kakheti was an independent feudal principality from the end of the eighth century. It was incorporated into the united Georgian Kingdom at the beginning of the eleventh century, but for less than a decade.

Only in the beginning of the twelfth century did Georgian King David the Builder (1089–1125) incorporate Kakheti into his Kingdom successfully.
After the disintegration of the Georgian Kingdom, Kakheti became an independent Kingdom in the 1460s. In 1762, the Kakhetian Kingdom was united with the neighboring Georgian Kingdom of Kartli, with the capital of the former, Telavi also capital of the Albanian Hereti, becoming the capital of the united Eastern-Georgian Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti and assimilation of Albanians strengthened by church. Both Kingdoms were weakened by frequent Persian invasions. In 1801 the Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti was annexed to the Tsarist Russian Empire.
In 1918–1921 Kakheti was part of independent Democratic Republic of Georgia, in 1922–1936 part of Transcaucasian SFSR and in 1936–1991 part of Georgian SSR. Since the Georgian independence in 1991, Kakheti is a region in the republic of Georgia and Telavi is still its capital.

Georgia is the ancient cradle of winemaking. First cultural species of grapes came out here; unique geographic whereabouts and a diverse ground provide ideal conditions for winegrowing and winemaking.
History of Kakheti winegrowing takes a start from VI millennium BC. Grape leftovers, discovered by the archeologists, date back to the mentioned period and they are the oldest around the globe, that proves once again that Georgia is a homeland of vine. Scientists believe that the word Ghvino (wine, vin, vine), has Georgian origin. 500 out of world-known 2.000 grape species, are Georgian.

The travel infrastructure in Kakheti is fast developing, since it is the most visited region of Georgia. One can choose to stay in a guest house, in a small and comfortable hotel, or a beautiful boutique-style hotel while traveling in this Region. Telavi and Signagi are the most visited towns. Signagi was renovated three years ago. Until recently there were only some family hotels (simple rooms in a family-owned house with a shared bathroom), but now Signagi features several hotels, one of them being the most popular due to its interior and restaurant - "Hotel Pirosmany", named after the famous Georgian artist.

Svaneti

Svaneti   - is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It is inhabited by the Svans, a geographic subgroup of the Georgians.  

Surrounded by 3,000–5,000 meter peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus. Four of the 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region. The highest mountain in Georgia, Mount Shkhara at 5,201 meters (17,059 feet), is located in the province. Prominent peaks include Tetnuldi (4,974m./16,319ft.), Shota Rustaveli (4,960m./16,273ft.), Mt. Ushba (4,710m./15,453ft.), Ailama (4,525m./14,842ft.), as well as Lalveri, Latsgaand others.

The climate of Svaneti is humid and is influenced by the air masses coming in from the Black Sea throughout the year. Average temperatures and precipitation vary considerably with elevation. Annual precipitation ranges between 1000 and 3200mm (39 and 126 inches). The highest amount of precipitation falls on the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The region is characterized by very heavy snowfall in the winter and avalanches are a frequent occurrence. Snow cover may reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in some areas.

The Svans, the indigenous population of Svanetia, are ethnic subgroup of the Georgians. Until the 1930s,Mingrelians and Svans had their own census grouping, but were classified under the broader category of Georgian thereafter. They are Georgian Orthodox Christians, and were Christianized in the 4th-6th centuries. However, some remnants of old paganism have been maintained. Saint George (known as Jgëræg to the locals), a patron saint of Georgia, is the most respected saint. The Svans have retained many of their old traditions, including blood revenge. Their families are small, and the husband is the head of his family. The Svan really respect the older women in families.
Typically bilingual, they use both Georgian and their own, unwritten Svan language, which together with the Georgian, Mingrelian, and Laz languages constitute the South Caucasian or Kartvelian language family. The Svan language is being largely replaced by the Georgian proper.

Svanetia is known for their architectural treasures and picturesque landscapes. The Botany of Svanetia is legendary among travelers. The famous Svanetian towers erected mainly in the 9th-12th centuries, make the region’s villages more attractive. In the province are dozens of Georgian Orthodox churches and various fortified buildings. Architectural monuments of Upper Svanetia are included in a list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Svan culture survives most wonderfully in its songs and dances. Svanetia boasts the most complex form of Georgian polyphonic singing, traditional to Georgian vocal music.

Tusheti

Located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Tusheti is bordered by the Russian republics of Chechnya and Dagestan to the north and east, respectively; and by the Georgian historic provinces Kakheti andPshav-Khevsureti to the south and west, respectively. The population of the area is mainly ethnic Georgians called Tushs or Tushetians (Georgian: tushebi).
Historically, Tusheti comprised four mountain communities of the Alazani Valley. These are Tsova, Gometzari, Chaghma and the Piriq’iti Tusheti (formerly known as Pharsman's Tusheti). Included in the present day Akhmetaraioni, Kakheti region, Georgia, the area comprises ten villages with Omalo being the largest.
Tusheti is  patrimonial society structure maintains ancient customs and chapels of old religious cults. The local residential structures – along with the primitive fortified buildings of military purpose, maintain the same functions; alpine meadows and pine forests are the background of pagan cults celebrations, with the entire community of villagers taking active part in festivities. Paradoxically, the pagan monuments prevail over the Christian ones in this region. Archaic traditions of carpet knitting and clothing styles make the preserved customs of folk handicraft particularly interesting.

Khevsureti/Khevsuria

  -  is a historical-ethnographic region in eastern Georgia. They are the branch of Kartvelian (Georgian) people located along both the northern (Pirikita khevsureti, Georgian: პირიქითა ხევსურეთი) and southern (Piraketa khevsureti, Georgian: პირაქეთა ხევსურეთი) slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains.
Khevsureti region is situated between three deep gorges and four mountain ranges, which are covered with ice and snow. The citadel-village of Shatili boasts a variety of towers that are centuries old and still inhabited. The suspension bridges are used to connect towers and let the villagers move from one dwelling to the other. Even in recent past a place called Anatori ossuary was used by gravely sick Khevsurs: to save their families they used to set out to that place and meet their end in seclusion, keeping their kinfolk safe from the calamities of sweeping epidemic and mortal disease. The warlike character of Khevsurs influenced some historians to the point that they were inclined to relate this tribe of the Georgian highlanders to the Crusaders; but the decisive point, of course, was the presence of the images of the cross in the national attire of the Khevsurs. Along with their bellicose history and experience, they have also a custom of the opposite peaceful nature and ethics: if a young girl or a woman throws her kerchief between the fighting Khevsurs, it signals her order to stop the combat and the men always obey the lady’s interference.