Georgia The Country

Facts About Georgia

Safety

A good holiday, first and foremost, means a safe holiday. If you intend to travel to Georgia, relax about safety issues. According to Numbeo’s 2016 report, Georgia is the safest country in Europe and 6th in the world following South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

You will feel complete safety while traveling around the country. Here we say that the guest is a gift from God, so Georgians will do their best to treat you with great hospitality. Friendly Georgians are always willing to assist you. You won’t need to take extra care of your pocket and handbag. Relax, and enjoy your precious time in this beautiful country.

No one will disturb you here, though, just in case, Georgian policemen are at your service 24/7. According to recent research, the police is one of the most trusted institutions in the country, and about 74% of the population trusts it. Georgia is ahead of European countries by this indicator. So be calm, relax and enjoy all the best things that country has to offer. We are waiting for you!

Gastronomy

Nothing tells you more about the spirit and culture of a country than its cuisine. Georgian national dishes are amongst the best in the world for their diversity and taste. Each historical province of the country has its own distinct culinary tradition that was refined for centuries. Especially distinguished and unique are Imeretian, Megrelian, and Kakhetian cuisines.

While meat plays an important part in Georgian cuisine, very close attention is also paid to the locally produced vegetables, fruit and greens. Traditional dishes made of their accurate combination first attract you, then astonish you, and eventually, it all ends with gastronomic shock.

The secret of this taste is Georgian soil: a natural extension of a fertile, mineral-rich landscape fed by the pure waters of the Caucasus Mountains. It seems that nature harmoniously lives in products, that are being used to create unique, delicious, and organic Georgian dishes.The traditional Georgian feast is called “Supra”. The list of dishes that will charm you at the “Supra” is endless, yet some of them should be distinguished.

Wine

Hectares of vineyards, Rtveli (Georgian harvesting) accompanied with polyphonic singing, and clay vessels (Kvevri) full of wine – this is Georgia. Wine is everything here – everyone loves it. A vineyard is a sacred place for Georgians and winemaking – our beloved tradition. A country with a population of around 3.5 million, yearly produces approximately 150 million liters of wine.

Georgia has 8000 years of an unbroken tradition of winemaking, which is proved by multiple archeological excavations and historical facts. The modern world recognized Georgia as the homeland of wine. According to one version, the English word – wine derived from the Georgian “ghvino”.

It is worth mentioning that Qvevri wine-making method was included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in 2013. In Georgia, there are more than 500 different endemic species of grape, from which the best quality wine is made. Special and unique Georgian wines are Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kindzmarauli, Tsitska-Tsolikauri, Khvanchkara, Tvishi, Usakhelauri, Ojaleshi, etc.

Geography

Georgia is a small country situated at the crossroad between Europe and Asia. From the south-east, it has a border with Azerbaijan, from the south – with Armenia and Turkey, and from the north – with Russia. The western part of Georgia is washed by the Black Sea. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia founded in the fifth century.

The amazing nature and the diversity of this country were the sources of inspiration for a lot of writers and poets. Here we have everything that the traveler can only dream about: mountains of eternal snow, mountain lakes, alpine meadows, canyon rivers full of flowers and fruit, palm coasts, natural canyons, ancient caves, mineral waters, and sulfur water pools – thus this place is indeed a heaven on Earth!

In Georgia, we have diverse climate zones, which is why it is an all-year-round destination. Here, subtropical and mild climate zones replace each other. Summer is sunny, the temperature fluctuates from 29 ° C to 33 ° C., and in winter – from -2 ° C to 4 ° C. It does not matter who you are and what type of vacation you like, this country will satisfy your every wish and caprice!

Culture

You are about to discover a country of diverse culture, rich history, and unique artifacts. Georgia is home to the first human outside of Africa who settled down here about 2 million years ago. Georgia is an ancient country at the crossroads of the Eastern and Western civilizations, where the European and Asian ways of life and traditions merge for thousands of years. Indeed this country has a lot of amazing things to show you and tell you!
It is impossible to visit Georgia and not get charmed by its traditional architecture, which counts more than 1300 years. On the streets of the city, river canyons, and mountain peaks you will see ancient unique domed temples painted with frescoes created based on Bible.
If you are looking for something very special and mystical, you should definitely visit the monastery complexes carved into the rocks:
Vardzia is a monastery complex built in the 12th century, which consists of churches carved into the rock, cells, secret tunnels, and halls.
Davit Gareja is a complex of monastery caves of the feudal era carved into the rock. Its walls are painted with ancient frescoes.

History

The history of Georgia in the history of struggling for freedom. Nearly all the largest empires in the world attempted to possess this land. But after all, we amazingly managed to survive and preserve our independence. There were times when several huge invaders at the same time struggled for having influence over Georgia. The reason for all these wars was the strategic location of Georgia between Europe and Asia on the major trade artery – the Silk Road.
Georgia existed for 3 years as an independent state before in 1921 it was annexed by the Red Army of the Soviet Union. Despite numerous historical obstacles and wars, the exhausted country managed to survive and on May 26th, 1991 eventually gained its independence. This day is the major national holiday of the country.

This small country managed to stand through all the difficulties that befell it for thousands of years. Unanimity, faith, and struggle brought results and today Georgia is an independent sovereign state. We are proud of our history, of every day, spent on this blessed land since we are one of the most ancient nations – the nation who loved, loves, and will always love freedom!

Religion

As one of the first countries in the world to convert to Christianity in just the 4th century AD today Georgia is distinguished for full religious freedom and tolerance. Here for centuries, people of different faith and religion have coexisted peacefully.

The majority of the population is Christian orthodox. Georgia is one of the few countries where orthodox and catholic churches, synagogues, and mosques are built side by side.

In all regions of Georgia, you will see ancient Christian churches stretched high in the sky that counts thousands of years, and some of them are on a list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Below are the most significant cultural monuments:Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is a Georgian architectural monument of the XI century, located 20 km from Tbilisi in the historical town Mtskheta. This place is especially mystical and holy, as according to the legend the Shroud of Christ is buried under the cathedral.

Jvari Monastery is both the church and the monastery of VI century that is situated on the East of Mtskheta. The view of Mtkvari and Aragvi confluence stretched from here is one of the most beautiful and astonishing views in Georgia.