Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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 until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`42 00 N, 43 30 E`
Map references: |  |
`Middle East`
Area: |  |
`total: 69,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 120 land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than South Carolina`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km`
Coastline: |  |
`310 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast`
Terrain: |  |
`largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`4,690 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`63.3 cu km (1997)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`earthquakes`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them`

People

Population: |  |
`4,585,874 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 121`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 15.6% (male 383,856/female 333,617) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,511,844/female 1,620,727) 65 years and over: 16% (male 293,143/female 442,687) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 39.1 years male: 36.6 years female: 41.6 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`-0.326% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 217`
Birth rate: |  |
`10.73 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179`
Death rate: |  |
`9.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 56`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-4.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 53% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`TBILISI (capital) 1.115 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.113 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 (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 15.17 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 118 male: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 77.12 years country comparison to the world: 64 male: 73.8 years female: 80.82 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.45 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 191`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`3,500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 96% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 2% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 93% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 7% of population total: 5% of population (2008)`
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 (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)`
Languages: |  |
`Georgian (official) 71%, 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 (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`3.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 129`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic`
Government type: |  |
`republic`
Capital: |  |
`name: T'bilisi geographic coordinates: 41 43 N, 44 47 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |

`
9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)
regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli
city: Tbilisi
autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)
note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses
`

Independence: |  |
`9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under BAGRAT III)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union`
Constitution: |  |
`adopted 24 August 1995`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law system`
International law organization participation: |  |
`accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is the chief of state and serves as head of government for the power ministries of internal affairs and defense
head of government: Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the prime minister is head of government for all the ministries of government except the power ministries of internal affairs and defense
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013)
election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%, other 13.7%
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 21 May 2008 (next to be held in the spring of 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - United National Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights (a Joint Opposition, nine-party bloc) 17.7%, Christian Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%; seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6, Republican Party 2
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Conservative Party [Kakha KUKAVA]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; For Fair Georgia [Zurab NOGAIDELI]; Georgian Party [Sozar SUBARI]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) [Irakli ALASANIA]; People's Party [Koba DAVITASHVILI; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; United National Movement or UNM [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia`
International organization participation: |  |
`ADB, BSEC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Temuri YAKOBASHVILI chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537 consulate(s) general: New York`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador John BASS embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10`
Flag description: |  |
`white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross flag design appears to date back to the 14th century`
National anthem: |  |
`name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty) lyrics/music: Dawit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE) note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed in 2008 following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and turned negative in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis, but rebounded in 2010. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption. However, the economic downturn of 2008-09 eroded the tax base and led to a decline in the budget surplus and an increase in public borrowing needs. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$22.44 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $21.1 billion (2009 est.) $21.93 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$11.67 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`6.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 -3.8% (2009 est.) 2.4% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$4,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $4,600 (2009 est.) $4,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 11% industry: 27.1% services: 62% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`1.918 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`16.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 13.6% (2006 est.)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`31% (2006)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.6% (2008)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`40.8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 59 37.1 (1996)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`14.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $3.172 billion expenditures: $3.915 billion (2010 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`5.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 1.7% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`8% (25 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the Georgian National Bank`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`25.52% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 21.24% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$1.175 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.122 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$2.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.28 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$3.243 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $3.569 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$733.3 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 110 $327.3 million (31 December 2008) $1.389 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock`
Industries: |  |
`steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85`
Electricity - production: |  |
`7.97 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`6.902 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`628 million kWh (2007 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`430 million kWh (2007 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`994.9 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`13,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139`
Oil - exports: |  |
`1,486 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118`
Oil - imports: |  |
`16,590 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`35 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`8 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`1.73 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`1.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-1.404 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $-1.259 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$2.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $1.893 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Turkey 17.87%, Azerbaijan 12.3%, Bulgaria 9.6%, Canada 8.78%, UK 7.49%, Ukraine 6.82%, Spain 5.27%, US 4.99% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$4.828 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $4.293 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Turkey 16.81%, Azerbaijan 9.72%, Ukraine 9.17%, Russia 7.39%, US 6.63%, Germany 6.22% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$2.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $2.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$3.381 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 121 $7.711 billion (31 December 2008)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.8009 (2010) 1.6705 (2009) 1.47 (2008) 1.7 (2007) 1.78 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`620,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`2.837 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 115`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country
domestic: cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 60 per 100 people; urban fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available
international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`1 state-owned public television station in Tbilisi and 8 privately-owned TV stations; state-run public broadcaster operates 2 networks; dozens of cable TV operators and several major commercial TV stations are operating; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; several dozen private stations broadcast (2008)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.ge`
Internet hosts: |  |
`110,680 (2010) country comparison to the world: 76`
Internet users: |  |
`1.3 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 90`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`22 (2010) country comparison to the world: 133`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`3 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`gas 1,596 km; oil 1,258 km (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 1,612 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2009)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 20,329 km country comparison to the world: 108 paved: 7,854 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,475 km (2006)`
Merchant marine: |  |

`
total: 193
country comparison to the world: 34
by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 151, carrier 1, chemical tanker 3, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 7, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned: 132 (China 11, Denmark 1, Egypt 11, Germany 4, Greece 3, Hong Kong 4, Israel 1, Italy 2, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Pakistan 1, Romania 7, Russia 7, Syria 35, Turkey 22, UAE 1, UK 4, Ukraine 15, US 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)
`

Ports and terminals: |  |
`Bat'umi, P'ot'i`
Transportation - note: |  |
`large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 1,080,840 females age 16-49: 1,122,031 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 893,003 females age 16-49: 931,683 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 29,723 female: 27,242 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`1.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |

`
Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia; Georgia continues to restrain the return of Meshkhetian Turks dispersed by Stalin; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders
`

Refugees and internally displaced persons: |  |
`refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia) IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007)`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011