___ Interesting facts and information about Georgia. ___

1. GEORGIA is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurazia. It borders Russia, Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

2. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi. The name of the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi has been derived from the Georgian word for warm.

3. In 1991, Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union. (Members of the former USSR were Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Estonia – from WW2, Latvia – from WW2, Lithuania – from WW2 and Moldova – from WW2).

4. The country of Georgia is nearly 84% Orthodox Christian. Christianity became the official religion in the fourth century.

5. Shortly after Georgia’s independence, civil war and conflict broke out in the region of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali). In order to contain the situation, peacekeeping forces were deployed in both the regions.

6. The native people of Georgia call themselves Kartvelebi. They call their country Sakartvelo. The origins of the country's name in English are obscure. One theory points to the Middle Ages when Christian crusaders swept through the region on their way to the Holy Land. At that time, it was part of the Persian Empire and the people here were known as "Gurj". They were also devotees of St George. Theory has it that the crusaders made the connection and named the country Georgia. These days, there's no mistaking the link to St George. A golden statue of the saint slaying a dragon dominates Tbilisi's central square. He is also Georgia's patron saint and the national flag featuring his red cross on a white background is everywhere.

7. The highest mountain range in Europe is the Caucasus Mountains marking the border between Georgia and Russia.

8. Worldwide, Georgians are acknowledged for their warm hospitality and friendliness. Guests are seen as a gift and foreigners are guests of the country. Georgians thus easily open their homes and hearts to visitors, and often invite tourists to dine with them.

9. The vineyards, colourful markets, ancient churches and modern ski resorts are amongst the most popular attractions.

10. Georgian is one of only 17 original languages with its own 33-letter alphabet: ა, ბ, გ, დ, ე, ვ, ზ, თ, ი, კ, ლ, მ, ნ, ო, პ, ჟ, რ, ს, ტ, უ, ფ, ქ, ღ, ყ, შ, ჩ, ც, ძ, წ, ჭ, ხ, ჯ, ჰ.

11. The currency of Georgia is Lari.

12. Wine making is an ancient tradition in Georgia. Georgia is one of the oldest wine producing regions of the world.

13. The Rioni and Mtkvari are the two main rivers of Georgia.