ATTENTION: Kids to Adopt has CLOSED effective Oct 31, 2013.

Georgia Country Info

Georgia is a transcontinental country, located partially in Eastern Europe and partially in Southwest Asia. The country experiences a temperate seasonal climate. It was known as the ‘Kingdom of Georgia’ in the 11th century, which declined in the 13th century and later, got absorbed into the Russian Empire, in the 19th century. From 1918 to 1921, Georgia enjoyed a brief period of independence, as a Democratic Republic. In 1922, the country became a part of the Soviet Union and finally gained independence in 1991. For some more interesting and fun facts about Georgia, read on.

Interesting & Fun Facts about Georgia

  • The capital city of Georgia is Tbilisi.
  • The official language of the country is Georgian.
  • The currency of Georgia is Lari.
  • Georgia is a representative democracy, structured as a secular, unitary, presidential republic.
  • Georgia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development.
  • Georgia aspires to join NATO and even the European Union.
  • The native people of Georgia call themselves Kartvelebi.
  • Christianity was declared the state religion of Georgia as early as AD 337.
  • The Likhi Range of mountains divides the country into eastern and western halves.
  • The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount Shkhara, with an altitude of 5,201 meters (17,059 ft).
  • The Voronya Cave (aka Krubera-Voronia Cave), situated in Georgia, is the deepest known cave in the world.
  • The two major rivers in Georgia are Rioni and Mtkvari.
  • Wine making is an ancient tradition in Georgia.
  • There are four UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites located in Georgia.
  • Perhaps the most famous Georgian was Josif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, popularly known as Josef Stalin or man of steel. Born in 1879, Stalin became the second leader of the USSR (after Lenin). Stalin led the USSR until his death in 1953.
  • Georgia gained its independence from the USSR at the end of 1991.
  • It is known that people inhabited Georgia from very early times. Skulls of early man have been found in the country dating back 1.7 million years.
Population:
  • 4,600,825 (July 2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 121
Age structure:
  • 0-14 years: 16.1% (male 395,929/female 345,071)
  • 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 1,503,360/female 1,616,234)
  • 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 302,103/female 453,110) (2010 est.)
Median age:
  • total: 38.8 years
  • male: 36.3 years
  • female: 41.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
  • -0.325% (2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 219
Birth rate:
  • 10.7 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 182
Death rate:
  • 9.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 61
Net migration rate:
  • -4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 196
Urbanization:
  • urban population: 53% of total population (2008)
  • rate of urbanization: -0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
  • at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
  • under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
  • 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
  • total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  • total: 15.67 deaths/1,000live births
  • country comparison to the world: 120
  • male: 17.64 deaths/1,000 live births
  • female: 13.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
  • total population: 76.93 years
  • country comparison to the world: 63
  • male: 73.61 years
  • female: 80.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  • 1.44 children born/woman (2010 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 194
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
  • less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 135
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
  • 2,700 (2007 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 133
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
  • fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
  • country comparison to the world: 113
Nationality:
noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian
Ethnic groups:
  • Georgian 83.8%,
  • Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%,
  • Russian 1.5%,
  • other 2.5% (2002 census)
Religions:
  • Orthodox Christian 83.9%,
  • Muslim 9.9%,
  • Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%,
  • Catholic 0.8%,
  • other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)
Languages:
  • Georgian 71% (official),
  • Russian 9%,
  • Armenian 7%,
  • Azeri 6%,
  • other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Literacy:
  • definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  • total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  • total: 13 years male:
  • 13 years female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
  • 2.9% of GDP (2008) country
  • comparison to the world: 151

Georgia Adoption Program