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Georgia - A Brief Profile
Overview
With its strategically valuable position at a crossroads between Europe, Russia, and Asia, Asia, Georgia has a rich and ancient history. It is the second-oldest Christian country, and has its own
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distinctive ancient alphabet and language and a expertise in winemaking which is thousands of years old.
Georgia has also been a focus of rivalry for powerful nations through history with the Persian, Ottoman and Russian Empires competing for influence. After a brief period of independence from Russia, it became part of the Soviet Union in 1921 and remained a satellite republic for 70 years. After Independence in 1991 the United States has taken an active interest in the stability, security and economy of Georgia.
Although Georgia enjoyed relative affluence during Soviet times, the years immediately following independence were not easy. Although Georgians now enjoy many more rights, freedoms and opportunities than in Soviet times, the country has struggled with a severe economic crisis periods of political instability. Civil war and armed conflicts led to the displacement of around 300,000 people and added to an increase in poverty and the emergence of new social and gender disparities.
Public dissatisfaction with the conduct of parliamentary elections led to the peaceful "Rose Revolution" of November 2003 which ousted President Eduard
Shevardnadze from office.
The new government's pledges to introduce reforms and tackle corruption appear to have increased confidence outside Georgia, and have led to an increase in bilateral and multilateral loans.
However there is a pressing need to improve infrastructure and increase spending on healthcare and education if long-term growth is to be achieved.
Population - the basics 1
Total population : 4,315,200 2
Young People (of age 15-24): 716,700
Women: 52.7% of the population
Life expectancy: for women - 74.7; for men - 69.1; average - 72
Population growth rate: (- 0.82%)
Fertility rate: 10.7 per 1,000 population
Proportion of people living below the poverty line: 55%
Proportion of people living in extreme poverty; 17%
Most recent census: 2002
Economy
After a severe economic crisis at the beginning of the 1990s, Georgia has made a significant economic recovery since 1995, with the support of the IMF and World Bank. There has been a growth in GDP and a drop in inflation.
Georgia's main economic activity is farming, with the production of citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts and grapes. In addition to wine production there is mineral mining and production of metals, machinery and chemicals.
Most forms of energy have to be imported but Georgia has also benefited from being a transit country for energy pipelines, notably the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which has brought investment and created jobs.
Administration
The capital of Georgia is Tblisi. There are nine regions or mkhare, nine cities and two autonomous republics
Georgia's head of state is the President, who is elected by popular vote for five years. The current President is Mikheil Saakashvili (since January 2004). As well as being head of state, the President also acts as head of government for the ministries which govern state security and defense.
The Prime Minister heads the remaining ministries. The current Prime Minister is Zurab Noghaideli.
Parliament is the one-chamber Supreme Council, which has 235 seats. MPs are elected by popular vote for four-year terms.
The last election was in March 2004. The next is due to be held in Spring 2008.