The capital of the country is Georgia. Map of Georgia. Transport in Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is a beautiful country with a rich history, hospitable people and amazingly beautiful nature. This country has everything for tourists: magnificent architecture, national color and, of course, world-famous Georgian hospitality.

Georgia is a country located in the central and western part of Transcaucasia. The area is 69,700 km2, 2/3 of the territory is occupied by mountains. In the north of the state there is the Greater Caucasus Range where the highest peak of the state is located - Shkhara, with a height of 5068 m.

Climatic conditions

Climatic conditions in Georgia are different. On the border of the Black Sea coast, summer is warm and humid, temperatures range from + 24 to + 26 degrees. Winters here are mild from + 5 to – 6 degrees.

In lowland areas, summer is hotter from + 28 to +30 C, sometimes reaching + 40 degrees. Winters are cooler from +2 to – 4. In the highlands the temperature reaches minus 18 degrees.

The wettest region of the Georgian Republic, with a subtropical climate, receives about 5500 mm of precipitation per year. Influenced by the Caspian and Black Seas, the eastern territories have a more temperate continental climate - from 500 to 1600 mm of precipitation per year.

State structure

Based on the constitution adopted in August 1995, Georgia is a presidential republic. The main legislative body is the parliament, elected for 4 years. The capital of the country is Tbilisi, the state currency is lari.

Attention! Is Georgia a republic or a state? A state is a political organization by society that extends its power over a certain territory. According to the form of government, states are:

  • monarchies;
  • republics.

A republican form of government is a form of government in which all government bodies are elected for a certain period of time. Thus, a republic is one of the forms of government.

According to the law, the head of state is the president, elected by vote for a term of 5 years. The head of state cannot occupy the main post of the country more than two times in a row.

The executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister, who is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the army and the main representative of the state on foreign policy. Officially, the state includes:

  • autonomous republics: Abkhazia and Adjara;
  • 10 edges;
  • 59 municipalities;
  • 4 cities of republican designation: Batumi, Kutaisi, Poti, Rustavi.

In fact, the unrecognized republics are not subordinate to the Georgian authorities. These territories are considered by the OSCE and a number of Western countries to be occupied by the Russian Federation.

Is Georgia Russia?

People are often interested in the question: is Georgia Russia or not? This confusion occurs for several reasons. The first - from the 19th century, the Republic of Georgia was part of the Russian Empire, and in the 20th century, the USSR. And only after the collapse of the Soviet Union it became an independent state.

The second reason is the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflict, which ended in 2008 with the “Five Day War”. After which these territories were recognized by the Russian Federation as independent, sovereign republics.

Attention! There is a visa-free regime between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and citizens of the Russian Federation can visit these territories using a general passport.

According to the international status, the territories of these republics are part of Georgia, but in fact they are not subordinate to the Georgian authorities. Answering the question about the sovereignty of Georgia, we can say with confidence that today, Georgia is a sovereign, independent state that is not part of the Russian Federation.

Name

The official name of Georgia within the state is “Sakartvelo”. Comes from the cradle of Georgian statehood, one of the main historical and geographical regions - “Kartli”. In Europe, it has the official name - georgia or georgian, in honor of St. George, who is the patron saint of Georgian lands.

Attention! According to some information, in the Middle Ages there were about 370 churches of St. George in the state.

In the Russian version, the name “Georgia”, according to some information, appeared from the Arab-Persian “Gurj” or “Gurzhistan”, which can be translated as “country of wolves”.

Population of the country

At the beginning of 2019, the country’s inhabitants numbered 3,729,600 people, of which the overwhelming majority are Georgians - 86%; in addition, according to the national statistical service, the following people live in the state:

  • Azerbaijanis – 6.3%;
  • Armenians – 4.5%;
  • Russians – 0.7%;
  • Ossetians – 0.4%, etc.

Attention! The military invasion of South Ossetia by the Georgian army is known as the “Five Day War”. It involved the armed forces of Russia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia on the one hand, and Georgia on the other. The result of the fighting was the forcing of Georgia to peace and the complete loss of Georgian control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The military contingent of Russian peacekeepers in this region has been increased.

Historical chronicle

Georgian statehood begins from the times of Diaokhi and Colchis, formed in the 12th – 8th centuries BC. e. In the 4th century BC. e. In the eastern part of present-day Georgia, the Iberian kingdom was formed, which lasted until the 6th century AD.

The country experienced periods of unification and splits in the 11th – 12th centuries, thanks to David the Builder, Queen Tamara and George III, Georgia was united and gained independence, becoming the largest power in the region.

From the 13th to 15th centuries, the state experienced destructive raids by the Mongol hordes. In 1783, Irakli II signed the Treaty of Georgievsk, on the basis of which the state came under the full protectorate of Russia.

In 1918, thanks to the efforts of the Social Democrats, against the backdrop of disagreement with the terms of signing the Brest-Litovsk Peace, the Georgian Democratic Republic was formed. In 1921, the army of the RSFSR entered Georgia, as a result of which Soviet power was established.

Attention! In the same year, after the Red Army established Soviet power, the parliament of the Democratic Republic of Georgia decided to move and continue its activities abroad. In exile, parliamentarians called themselves the “National Government of Georgia.”

The following year, the GSSR became part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and in 1936, the GSSR became a union republican cell in the USSR.

After the collapse of the Union in 1991, a referendum declared the independence of the Republic of Georgia from the USSR. More than 90% of the population took part in the voting, 98% of them voted to secede from the Soviet Union. Only in the regions: Abkhazia and South Ossetia announced a different attitude in this regard. Which resulted in the desire of the republics to secede from Georgia.

Bottom line

Despite the fact that Georgia left the CIS, Russians can stay on its territory for 90 days without a visa. To do this, you don’t even need to visit the embassy - all documents are processed at the border, upon crossing which you will need to pay a standard fee of 50 lari (about 30 dollars).

True, there is a rather important point - you will not be able to get to Georgia through the territories of the unrecognized republics: South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian Border Service may regard this as illegal border crossing. Therefore, plan your route in advance because Georgia is a unique state with a rich history, picturesque nature and hospitable people, which is definitely worth visiting.

This culturally rich state is located on the territory of Western Asia and the Middle East. Life in this country has always been turbulent, but this did not stop its inhabitants from amassing a rich cultural and historical heritage.

The climate in this country is mild and warm, and due to the fact that it is geographically partially located in Western Asia, its flora and fauna are extremely diverse and interesting.

The territory of Georgia (georgia) on modern maps occupies almost 70 thousand square meters. kilometers, it also has a maritime border with the Black Sea of ​​about 310 kilometers. There are many ranges throughout the country, which is why the country is distinguished by the presence of many mountains and hills. Geologists associate a large number of ridges with the movement and melting of glaciers.

The natural conditions there are very diverse and are distinguished by their beneficial effects on the human body. Thanks to this, Georgia is a favorite country for tourists around the world.

The lack of developed shipping throughout the long existence of the country is explained primarily by the fact that there were no bays and bays on the coast that were suitable in size and conditions.

Landscape

The country for the most part has mountainous terrain, but there are also:

  • Lowland plains;
  • Highland areas;
  • Plateau-like areas.

Soils

There are many different plants on the territory of the country, this is mainly due to the fact that the climate there does not change much in winter and summer, and there are red soils, soils of the humid tropical zone, soils of moderately humid forests and even semi-deserts.

Earthly riches

Rich in fossil treasures, the earth contains large amounts of:

  • Manganese ore. The approximate reserve of deposits is 200 million tons;
  • Stone coals. The approximate reserve of deposits is 400 million tons;
  • Copper ores. The approximate reserve of deposits is 250 million tons;
  • Oil. The approximate reserves of the deposits are 30 million tons.

They also extract a lot of raw materials used as building materials, such as:

  • Useful clays;
  • Limestone;
  • Raw materials for the production of cement and bricks;
  • Gypsum and talc.


One of the main riches of Georgia is their healthy mineral waters. There are more than 2 thousand fresh springs and 22 mineral water springs. World-famous Borjomi and Sairme are distributed to 24 countries around the world in a volume of 40 billion liters per year.

The country's territory has 27,000 square kilometers of forests.

Climate

One half of the territory is in the subtropical, and the other in the Mediterranean climate zone.

The Great Caucasus Range retains cold northern winds, and thanks to this, a warm and humid climate is maintained along the entire coastline. Several types of palm trees and many fruit trees grow there.

The temperature rarely drops below zero, the winter months pass at 5-8 degrees Celsius, and in the summer at 24-28 degrees.

Population

The total population in Georgia as of 2017 is 3,718,200 people. According to the latest population census, the percentage of nationalities and nationalities is known.

  • Georgians – 83.83%;
  • Azerbaijanis – 6.28%;
  • Armenians – 4.53%;
  • Russians – 0.71%;
  • Ossetians – 0.39%;
  • Yazidis – 0.33%

State structure

The basis for the modern constitution of Georgia, which was adopted in 1995, is the previous constitution of 1921. located in the eastern part of the country.

The head of the country is the president, who is elected by secret ballot. The term of office is 5 years; one candidate cannot be elected more than 2 times in a row. He is the de facto head of state, the supreme commander and the main representative in contact with other countries.

The highest legislative power belongs to parliament. It has 150 deputies, 77 are chosen from a list of possible candidates, and 71 from single-member constituencies.

However, it is worth noting that the autonomous republics of Abkhazia and Adjara are not under the control of the Georgian parliament.

Zviad Gamsakhurdia became the first president of Georgia, but the conflict within the country made his reign short-lived.

Neighbours

It is impossible to give a definite answer to the question of which countries Georgia borders with. On its territory there are two neighboring autonomous republics, whose independence Georgia and the UN Council do not recognize, calling their position illegal and occupied by Russia.

Officially, Georgia’s neighbors are four countries:

  • Türkiye. The length of the border is 275 kilometers;
  • Armenia. The length of the border is 196 kilometers, according to Armenia, and 224 kilometers, according to Georgia;
  • Azerbaijan. The length of the border is 480 kilometers;
  • Russia. The length of the border is 897 kilometers, and if we recognize the autonomy of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, then 365 kilometers.

In 1990, elections to the State Duma were held. The victory was won by the party of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who was proclaimed the first president of the Georgian republic.

At the end of March 1991, a referendum was held, which raised the question of Georgian independence. In fact, the purpose of the referendum was separation from the USSR. The country was fully supported by the US Congress.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia have declared their intention to secede from Georgia and become independent republics with an autonomous form of government.

After the collapse of the USSR, major military conflicts occurred between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the result of which was that the autonomies were beyond the control of the Georgian government.

For many years, autonomy was not recognized by anyone except nearby Russia. But after the brief South Ossetian conflict in 2008, the world community recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but many Russophobes still claim that the territories are under occupation.

Change of power

On May 26, 1991, Zviad Gamsakhurdia won the first presidential elections. But already in December, the national guard under the leadership of Tengiz Kitovani, with the support of the Mkhedrioni military formation, rebelled. The president was forced to leave the country and go to Armenia, but under pressure from the Georgian authorities, he could not stay there for long and went to Chechnya, where he was an honored guest.


In 1992, Eduard Shevardnadze, who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the USSR before the collapse, was called to the main leadership post of the State Council of Georgia (the main administrative body created by the revolutionary government).

Already in 1993, Gamsakhurdia returned from the Chechen Republic to his native Zugdidi province, to the location of his supporters. This led to a bloody conflict for power. Shevardnadze's power was in a precarious state after the defeat in Abkhazia, and he was forced to ask for help from Russia. In December 1993, Gamsakhurdia was killed under mysterious circumstances; the official version was that he committed suicide, but a bullet hole in the back of his head makes many think about murder.

Terrible living conditions and the threat to statehood in the country led to a change of government in 2003. Shevardnadze was forced to resign as president.

A country's economy

According to available data, it is known that in 2017, 9.1% of the population in Georgia was below the poverty line. GDP per capita is 10,100 US dollars.

Industry

Heavy and large industry in Georgia is developing mainly due to enterprises organizing the extraction of minerals and those that produce food. Otherwise, most of the factories and enterprises are idle due to unnecessary use or lack of funding.

Agriculture

Agricultural products in Georgia are produced either by private estates or small farms. Since most farmers there work manually and rarely use a lot of farm equipment, the efficiency of such activities is quite low. More than 50% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities, but this brings only 12% to the annual growth of the country's GDP.

On the territory of Georgia, only 16% of the total area is suitable for use. Every year this number decreases due to improper use of land and lack of fertilizers.

Currency

The national currency is lari, which is divided into 100 tetri. Today, one lari is equal to approximately twenty-five Russian rubles.

Results

Georgia is a country with a very comfortable climate and is therefore an attractive destination for tourists. There are many spas there that can offer you healthy treatments and mineral waters.

The entire history of this country is saturated with violent conflicts. Since ancient times, Georgian kings have built majestic castles and fortifications, which today are educational and interesting monuments of history.

Who does Russia border on in the south? There are a number of countries that are located next to the Russian Federation in this area: one of such states is Georgia. For many centuries they were friendly countries, but certain events made adjustments to their strong bond, practically terminating diplomatic relations. Despite political disagreements, entry into this country for residents of the Russian Federation is still simplified.

Recently, Russian-Georgian relations have begun to improve. For example, back in that year, Georgia made changes regarding the stay of Russian tourists in the country: now you can safely use visa-free entry. Many who want to visit here ask the question: “what is the situation on the border of Georgia with Russia at the present time”? It is worth noting that the situation is calm, everything is proceeding as normal: the main thing is to follow certain travel rules.

Territorial neighbors

Russia and Georgia are neighboring states: the southern border of the Russian Federation with Georgia runs through the Caucasus Mountains from the Black to the Caspian Sea. Who else does Russia border on this side? For example, with South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Azerbaijan. But here we will talk in more detail about the land border between Russia and Georgia, about the rules that must be followed when crossing it and certain nuances.

Border

The Russian-Georgian land border passes through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, which is located 50 km from Vladikavkaz; as for the remaining checkpoints, they are now closed. The length of the state border of Georgia is 2148 km. The country is located next to such states as Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. The border between Georgia and Russia is about 900 km long.

Contact details

And about. the head of the post is Lieutenant Colonel of the Customs Service Oleg Ibragimovich Tsoraev. Duty service telephone number: +7-8672-252-753. Checkpoint opening hours at the moment: from 04:30 to 17:30. During this period, registration of cars and trucks takes place. The schedule may change depending on circumstances, so please check ahead of time for this information.

Road to Georgia: online webcams

Online webcams broadcast entry into Russia and exit into Georgia in real time. With their help, you can assess the current situation, for example, determine how long the queue is at the entrance to the checkpoint and plan your actions based on this. The picture on them changes every 15-20 minutes. The situation on the border between Georgia and Russia is now calm, but due to the summer season there is a large flow of traffic through the crossing.

Border of Russia and Georgia: "Upper Lars"

Regardless of the method of crossing the Georgian border, you will in any case need to go through a checkpoint, so take care of a few things in advance so that your trip is not marred by troubles. It is not possible to cross the border on foot, however, it is allowed to do so by bicycle.

The checkpoint is the only land border crossing through which you can get from Russia to Georgia. In 2009, the solemn completion of the construction of a multilateral automobile checkpoint - Stepantsminda - took place. Everyone who wants to get to Armenia or Georgia by car or bus passes through this place. The Russian-Georgian border passes in this area. The checkpoint is in normal mode, and from that , and on the other hand, as a rule, should work around the clock, however, its work schedule may change depending on natural disasters and other circumstances. For this reason, before leaving, it is better to check whether Upper Lars is open for travel.

In summer, the number of people wishing to cross the border becomes significantly larger, so the load on the checkpoint increases significantly. However, despite this, the Georgian side decided to operate the checkpoint not around the clock, but only for the period from 4:30 am to 5:30 pm. According to the project, the throughput of Upper Lars is 400 transport units per day, but in July 2016 a significant excess of this figure was recorded: sometimes more than 2,000 cars pass through the checkpoint per day.

It is noted that the border between Georgia and Russia is currently not accessible for pedestrians to cross: foreign citizens must be in a car or bus. If the checkpoint operates as usual, then the main traffic flow occurs between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., as well as after 6 p.m.

Village of Verkhniy Lars

This is a Russian, Ossetian village, which also serves as a checkpoint. It is located in North Ossetia on the Georgian Military Road near the border of the two states. Belongs to the urban district of the city of Vladikavkaz. The road to Georgia runs through this settlement. The village is located in a mountainous area on the coast of the Terek River. Since 2009, a checkpoint has been located here. The settlement is located 30 km south of Vladikavkaz towards the Daryali checkpoint, located on the territory of Georgia. Currently, most of the population of Upper Lars has moved to live in neighboring villages and Vladikavkaz.

Visa

Since June last year, new rules have been in effect according to which citizens of 93 countries, including Russians, no longer require a visa if their stay in the country lasts less than one year. The border between Georgia and Russia is thus open to everyone: crossing it does not require an entry document. If a Russian citizen decides to stay in the country for a longer period, he will need to obtain a residence permit. An entry document is important for those who decide to stay in Georgia for a long time in order to obtain education or work. To obtain a visa, please contact the Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow (we do not have a Georgian diplomatic mission).

Crossing Georgia by car: list of documents

When crossing the border, you will need to go through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint - this is the only legal way to enter the country by land. Here is the border between Russia and Georgia. You can drive your car through the checkpoint without any problems, following certain rules.

The main document is a passport. It must contain two blank pages, and the document must not contain notes about visiting South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The foreign passport must be valid after completion of the trip for more than 3 months. In addition to the main document, the driver will have to present a vehicle registration certificate (vehicle registration certificate). The legal owner must have the usual set of documents for the car. Also - a driver's license with duplicate data in Latin.

In the event that the car does not belong to you, and the owner remains in Russia, you must have a power of attorney in your hands, which confirms the right to travel abroad with this car. The document must be certified by a notary. Let us note that in Georgia there is no requirement to have compulsory car insurance, but it is still better to have it, it is not necessary to have an international driving license. There is such a peculiarity: cars registered in Crimea are not allowed into Georgia.

The route for traveling by car when crossing the border starts from the Georgian Military Road. You will see Kazbek, Terek, Daryala Gorge, temples and Basically, first everyone goes to the capital - Tbilisi. Tourists then go to Mtskheta, Ananuri, Telavi, Gremi and other cities. From Tbilisi they also go to Batumi and Borjomi. The most popular resorts here are Gonio, Sarpi, Kobuleti and Kvariati.

Border crossing violation

In connection with the armed conflicts that were associated with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a rule was introduced in Georgia according to which the foreign passports of those entering the country should not contain any marks about visiting these republics. The checkpoints located on the border with them are closed, so such entry is considered illegal. As a result of such a violation, travelers may be subject to a fine of 400 to 800 Georgian lari, and in some cases imprisonment.

How to get to Georgia from Moscow?

In this case, the route will run along the Don, bypassing Voronezh. You need to go to Rostov-on-Don. The distance to this point will be approximately 1100 km. Next, the road will go through Oktyabrskaya and Kushchevskaya, then the intersection with the P-217 Caucasus highway. The route goes through Kropotkin, Armavir, Nevinnomysk and Vladikavkaz. Next you need to move along the A-161 Vladikavkaz-Georgia highway. The next point will be crossing the border: here the mountainous terrain begins with dangerous sections, descents and ascents. The route as a whole is about 2000 km, then there is another 200 km to Tbilisi.

customs control

Crossing the border between Russia and Georgia must comply with certain rules. Border control and customs inspection procedures are not subject to any taxes or fees. Filling out the customs declaration is allowed in Russian. On the Georgian side, much attention is paid to checking things. You will need to declare some items that you intend to transport abroad. It is prohibited to take with you: explosives and narcotic substances, extremist literature, weapons and pornographic materials.

Items of historical and cultural value will need to be declared. There are certain rules regarding money: this year the maximum amount should not exceed 30 thousand lari, there are no restrictions on other currencies. If you are carrying a larger amount, you must have current documents confirming their origin. You can take out of the country up to 3,000 lari. Note: to avoid difficulties when leaving Georgia, it is recommended to declare imported cash if its amount exceeds $2,000.

The state duty does not need to be paid if the weight of personal items does not exceed 100 kg, the number of cigarettes is up to 200 pieces, alcohol - up to 10 liters of beer and up to 3 liters of wine, food products weighing no more than 5 kg, and there is also jewelry for personal use.

Documents required for child passengers

Children must be included in their parents' passport or have their own passport. In addition, it is important to have a birth certificate for the child. If a child is traveling without parents - with third parties (close relatives), it is necessary to have written permission from one of the parents or guardian, which will be certified by a notary.

Responsibility for illegal border crossing

Only one crossing between Russia and Georgia is currently open, namely the Kazbegi/Verkhniy Lars checkpoint along the Vladikavkaz-Tbilisi highway. As we noted earlier, the border cannot be crossed through Abkhazia and South Ossetia, since in this case entry will be considered illegal. In this case, you will end up in the bullpen in Georgia, after which you will need to pay a fine equal to approximately 1150 in US dollars. The border between Georgia and Russia, therefore, should only be crossed through this checkpoint.

There have been cases when foreign citizens entered Georgia through the Gantiadi-Adler checkpoint from Abkhazia and from Tskhinvali the Rock-Nizhny Zaramag checkpoint. When entering the country without going through border control, citizens who violate the rules are punished with a fine of about $230, and even imprisonment for a period of 3 to 5 years. In the future, the fine will be increased at least twice. If the illegal border crossing was committed by a group of people, then in this case the violators are punished by imprisonment for a term of 4 to 5 years.

What is the procedure for crossing the border from the Russian side?

You need to drive up to the barrier at the entrance to the checkpoint, and then get a control ticket at the booth. Then, having passed it, go to border control. You enter any free corridor, or the border guard himself points you in the direction. Next comes an inspection of the vehicle. There will be a hole under the car through which the bottom of the car can be seen; if necessary, mirrors can be used during the inspection.

After that stop at the end of the corridor, passengers will need to get out of the car and open all doors and the trunk. Customs officers will inspect the contents of the cabin and may also check all bags. After this procedure, citizens in a car or bus go through passport control and also receive a stamp confirming legal border crossing.

You must go through similar procedures when you leave Georgia. In terms of time, registration can take about 2-3 hours; the procedure for crossing the border from Georgia is much simpler, taking no more than 10-15 minutes.

What is subject to the declaration procedure?

This list includes: live animals, birds, plants, communications and high-frequency equipment, securities, medicines, jewelry, stones, treasures, art objects, antiques, poisonous and radioactive substances, cash and securities worth more than 30 thousand lari , as well as goods intended for commercial activities. To move jewelry, for example, a special permit is required, which must be issued by the Georgian Ministry of Culture.

An individual has the right to fill out a customs declaration in both Russian, Georgian or English.

Note

If you are bringing medications with you, problems may arise when entering Georgia. For example, drugs such as antibiotics and afobazole, which are available for free sale in our country, can only be purchased with a prescription in this country. For this reason, the tourist may not be allowed in or given permission to enter after lengthy proceedings. It is better not to keep them in sight and, at least, not to carry them with you in large numbers. Restrictions apply to agricultural products: they can also be confiscated, especially cheeses.

Animal Rules

Pets with whom you are going on a trip must have with you. If, for example, there is a dog with you, you must have a record of standard vaccinations in the international veterinary passport of the animal, in particular, there must be a note about the rabies vaccination, which was given to the pet within a maximum of a year before visiting the country, and at least a month before. 3-5 days before your trip, fill out a certificate of form No. 1 at the veterinary clinic.

Transit

In order to travel through the territory of Georgia to another country, for example, Armenia, you can also take advantage of visa-free entry by presenting a foreign passport. Transit passengers are subject to the same rules as those who decide to stay in Georgia.

Obtaining a visa

A visa to Georgia is required for those Russians who plan to stay in the country for a period exceeding a year. Previously, the maximum time during which one could stay abroad was three months. In the event that a tourist or your private visit should last for a long time, or you plan to work or study in Georgia, then a visa will need to be obtained in advance in Russia. To clarify details on this issue, you need to contact the Georgian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy.

Visa-free entry

Russian citizens who are going to take a short trip to Georgia do not have to worry about having a visa and other documents that would need to be specially collected for the trip. Visa-free entry is valid for all types of transport. Upon entry and exit, stamps with dates will be affixed; accordingly, based on the information contained in these marks, control will be carried out over compliance with the period of stay in the country.

To cross the border by air, it will be enough to have only one document - a passport. If there is a need to stay in the state for a period of more than a year, then it will be necessary to apply for a residence permit.

About Georgia

Georgia is a unique country with ancient history and culture, friendly people who are famous throughout the world for their hospitality. This is a country of majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities and distinctive traditions.

IN Georgia each of us will find something of our own, because in this country, without traveling long distances, you can see the entire planet - there are mountains, forests, valleys, plains, rivers, the sea, and even deserts. This is a country of year-round recreation. In winter, the famous ski resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani await us for vacation, in summer - magnificent beaches and resorts of Adjara, spring and autumn are the best time for excursion, health, gastronomic and wedding tours! Georgia attracts tourists from all over the world. This mysterious country enchants them with its secrets, hospitable people, vibrant and rich cuisine, stunning nature and much more.

Geography. Georgia is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, in the central and western part of Transcaucasia. In the west it is washed by the Black Sea and borders Turkey, in the south it borders with Armenia, in the east with Azerbaijan, and through the Caucasus Range in the north with Russia. The capital and largest city of the country is Tbilisi.

The territory of Georgia occupies 69,700 square meters. km, mostly mountainous, more than a third covered with dense forests. The highest point of the Caucasus Range is Mount Shkhara (5068 m). The Lesser Caucasus Range runs through the south of the country; here the highest points do not exceed 3000 meters.

The capital, Tbilisi, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Georgia, with almost 1,700 years of history and about 1.5 million inhabitants. Translated from Georgian, Tbilisi means Warm.

The official language is Georgian.

The government structure is a unitary parliamentary-presidential republic.

Climate.N in the west of the country the climate is subtropical, in the east it is transitional from subtropical to temperate. Summer is hot and long. The average August temperature throughout almost the entire country is +23–26 °C.

Population. The country's population is about 5 million. The vast majority of the population of Georgia are Orthodox Christians (83.9%).

Visa.G Citizens of Belarus and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus do not require a visa to visit Georgia, provided that the duration of the visit does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. Attention!!! If your passport contains notes about visiting Abkhazia or South Ossetia entry into the territory of Georgia will be denied, including arrest and deportation.

The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Georgia and must have at least 2 blank pages for stamping.

Time. The time difference with Minsk is plus 1 hour.

Money. Lari (GEL). 1 lari = 100 tetri. There are both metal coins and paper banknotes. You can exchange money at bank branches or exchange offices. There is no commission for currency exchange at Georgian exchange offices. You can pay using a credit card in hotels, large restaurants and shops. In case of unexpected expenses, you can receive money throughout the country through the Western Union system.

Transport. Various types of public transport are common in Georgia: buses, minibuses, taxis, and there is a metro in Tbilisi. The country has a developed railway network. There are 3 international airports in Batumi, Kutaisi and Tbilisi.

Connection.Georgia's dialing code is +995.

The shops. Shops are usually open from 9-10 am to 6-7 pm, many modern shops in Tbilisi follow a 12-hour opening hours: from 9 to 21 or from 10 to 22, and supermarkets are often open around the clock. Markets and fairs open from 5-6 am and close shortly after noon.

TAX FREE. With the help of the TAX FREE system, foreign citizens are given the opportunity to return value added tax after leaving Georgia. The product must be purchased from a store that has the right to issue a special receipt for the refund of VAT, and the delivery of the product must be subject to VAT. The purchase price must exceed 200 Georgian lari in one receipt. Removal of goods must occur no later than three months after arrival. The product must be packaged in a special sealed plastic bag in which the seller places the product, the integrity of the seal must be maintained. A special receipt for VAT refund is required. The goods reflected in a special receipt for VAT refund must be completely exported from the territory of Georgia.

Story. Georgia is the intersection of two greatest cultures - the culture of the West and the culture of the East. Many centuries ago, the main roads of the Great Silk Road passed here. The first mention of the creation of the Georgian state dates back to the distant 10th century. In these ancient times, several Georgian principalities united into one single state, which, however, did not last very long - only three centuries. The “Golden Age” of Georgia occurred between the beginning of the 11th and the beginning of the 13th centuries. The peak of its prosperity is considered to be the reign of Queen Tamara, nicknamed the Great (1184-1210). In the 18th century Georgian principalities were able to unite again, and later most of them became part of the Russian Empire. Georgia has always been and today remains a multinational, hospitable country.

Attractions. For thousands of years, Georgia has accumulated its cultural baggage, from time immemorial to the present day, and thanks to traditions and love for its homeland, it has been carefully preserved for posterity. Cyclopean fortresses, ancient cities and temples, breathtaking landscapes that open up for viewing from observation platforms and mountain serpentines, karst caves, dinosaur tracks near Kutaisi, the oldest wine cellars in the world, stylish modern architecture along with twisted Tbilisi balconies - all this will not leave you indifferent not a single tourist.

There are about 150 museums and 12,000 historical monuments in Georgia, 3 of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List: Mtskheta - a museum city, the ancient capital of Georgia; the architectural complex of Gelati, including a medieval academy, a central temple with unique mosaic frescoes and tombs of Georgian kings; Upper Svaneti with its historical towers.

Kitchen. Georgian cuisine takes a well-deserved place on the culinary Olympus. Food for Georgians is one of the most important parts of Georgian culture. The basis of the cuisine, contrary to popular belief, is not meat, but a variety of dairy and vegetable products, as well as cereals, from which everyday dishes are mainly prepared. Among the meat dishes, the most typical ones are “mtsvadi” kebab, unique “khinkali” dumplings made from lamb richly seasoned with herbs and spices, “Lori” ham, fried or smoked “kupaty” sausages, “buglama” lamb stewed with spices, boiled meat with seasonings “ khashlama", hot liver dish "Kuchmachi", loin on a spit, "chanakhi", various types of pilaf, fried beef fillet "basturma", "kaurma", giblet broth with garlic "hashi", soup "kharcho", cold soup from by-products “muzhuzhi” (more like jellied meat), “bozbashi” with lamb, etc. Poultry dishes are everywhere on the table - the famous “satsivi” of all types, poultry broth seasoned with flour, vinegar-egg mixture and onions - “chikhirtma”, the famous “chakhokhbili” and “tabaka” chickens, chicken soup with nuts, scrambled eggs with nuts, chicken stuffed with rice, as well as a variety of fish - with “tsotskhali” sauce, trout with nuts, fish kebab, etc. Well and, of course, greens. This is both the basis of the kitchen and its main asset. A Georgian table is simply unthinkable without greens and a wide variety of vegetables.

Georgian cheese deserves special compliments. Many varieties of cheese are made - “Suluguni” from Western Georgia, young cheese with mint “Gadazelili” from Imereti, lamb cheese “Guda” from Teuleti, Tushino and Kobi cheeses from Javakheti, fried Suluguni or cheese soup - all this is only a tiny part of the application cheese in this country. Greens and cheese are used as an ingredient in almost every Georgian dish!

The national pride of Georgians is, of course, wine! It was in Georgia that the culture of grape cultivation and winemaking arose. Back in the 6th millennium BC, people living in these places produced wine. Georgian wines are something special! These wines are not like the wines of other countries. Unlike France or Italy, in Georgia wines are aged not in glass bottles, but in special jugs - “qvevri”. Largely thanks to this, Georgian wines have such a unique, original taste! Here are just some brands of Georgian wines - “Kindzmarauli”, “Manavi”, “Mukuzani”, “Napareuli”, “Alazani Valley”, “Akhasheni”, “Khvanchkara”, “Tsolikouri”, “Chkhaveri”, “Argveta”, “Kardanakhi” ", "Khirsa", "Psou", "Samo", "Yeniseli", etc.

Holidays in Georgia. Thanks to the state program for the development of tourism, the ultra-modern resort city of Batumi has grown on the Black Sea coast of Georgia. Once famous for its cargo port, today Batumi has become a mecca for seaside holidays. Modern hotels, entertainment complexes, a huge number of bars, restaurants and beach bungalows are located on the city streets and on the seaside boulevard right by the sea, nightclubs and casinos are within walking distance regardless of your vacation spot. In addition to Batumi, smaller resorts are also extremely popular among vacationers - Kobuleti, Ureki, Anaklia, Kvariati, etc. A huge advantage of most Georgian resorts is the unity of beauty (the beaches on one side are washed by the sea, on the other, framed by mountains) and balneological health opportunities.

Balneological and health resorts of Georgia: Borjomi, Tskhaltubo, Sairme, Abastumani. Georgia has long been known for its health resorts due to the presence of unique mineral waters and a combination of mountain and sea air. There are 22 main sources of mineral waters on the territory of the republic, the most famous of which are Zvare, Sairme, Nabeglavi, Borjomi, etc. Georgia supplies its healing mineral water to more than 25 countries of the world.

The oldest health resorts from the times of the Russian Empire and the Soviet period are now experiencing a rebirth. In Borjomi, new sanatoriums and boarding houses are being revived and built, the medical buildings of the famous Tskhaltubo have again begun to conduct health procedures using radon waters, in Abastumani and Bakuriani they continue to be treated with the unique healing properties of the local mountain air.

One of the most popular types of recreation in Georgia is undoubtedly a vacation in the mountains. The purest mountain air and incredible landscapes, rafting on mountain rivers, mountaineering, trekking and hiking, mountain biking from year to year attract lovers of active recreation to the Caucasus Mountains. Many marked routes make active tourism in Georgia attractive to everyone.

Winter holidays in Georgia, of course, are primarily associated with alpine skiing and snowboarding. Considering that about 70% of the territory is occupied by the mountain systems of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Ranges, the ski resorts of Georgia are among the most popular winter resorts in the CIS. The most famous ski resort in Georgia can be called the village Gudauri, located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. Many kilometers of pistes, endless opportunities for freeride and off-piste skiing, modern cable cars and cozy chalets annually attract thousands of skiers and snowboarders.

Tours to Georgia are relevant at any time of the year! Flights to Georgia are offered from Minsk or Moscow. Direct flights are operated from Minsk to Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi.

Souvenirs. From Georgia you can bring many unique souvenirs and gifts for friends. Among the main ones: wine; chacha - Georgian grape vodka; Georgian sweets - churchkhela, dried persimmon, pastila, baklava, gozinaki, a wheel of real Georgian suluguni cheese; seasonings or in Georgian - hops-suneli; kubdari, lobiani and khachapuri; wine horn; dagger, saber, gun; highlander costume, national costume; handmade jewelry with Georgian cloisonné enamel; magnets, keychains, postcards, the flag of Georgia, decorative plates, cups and T-shirts with various national designs, etc. Georgian scarves are often brought from Georgia. Tourists love to buy daggers. But in this case, a document confirming the purchase is required, which is taken immediately in the store.

Welcome to hospitable Georgia!

Georgia is a country in the western part of Transcaucasia. A satellite map of Georgia shows that the country borders Russia, Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. De jure, Georgia includes the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are considered occupied by Russia.

The country is divided into 10 regions and two autonomous republics (Abkhazia and South Ossetia). The largest cities are Tbilisi (the capital), Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi and Zugdidi.

The economy of Georgia is based on light and food industries, agriculture and metal ore mining. Over the past few years, the economic situation of the state has largely depended on external financing and investment inflows.

Mount Kazbek in Georgia

Brief history of Georgia

XII-VIII centuries BC e. – states of Diaokhi and Colchis

VI century BC e. – Colchis State

IV-III centuries BC e. – Iberian kingdom

63 – Colchis becomes part of the Roman Empire

XI-XIII centuries – golden age of Georgia

1460 – collapse of Georgia into several kingdoms

Sighnaghi city in Kakheti

1801-1864 – the states of Georgia are part of the Russian Empire

1864-1918 - as part of the Russian Empire

1918-1921 – Georgian Democratic Republic

1922 – Georgian SSR

1991 – independent state of Georgia

1992-1993 – civil war in Abkhazia

2003 – velvet revolution of roses

2008 – war in South Ossetia

Old town of Tbilisi and Narikala fortress

Sights of Georgia

On a detailed satellite map of Georgia you can see that about 7% of the country’s territory is occupied by nature reserves and national parks. Among the natural attractions are the Vashlovani and Borjomi-Kharagauli national parks, Mount Kazbek, Cross (Gudaur) Pass and Lake Paravani.

Numerous religious attractions have been preserved on the territory of Georgia: ancient temples, monasteries and churches. Among them are the monasteries of Samtavro, Motsameta and Gelati, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Gergeti Church and Metekhi Church.

Motsameta Monastery

It is worth visiting historical sights such as the Old Town and the Narikala fortress in Tbilisi, the cave city of Uplistsikhe, the fortresses of Khertvisi and Ananuri, the village of Mestia and the rock city of Vardzia.

Finally, many come to Georgia to relax on the beaches of the Black Sea and enjoy Georgian wine, cuisine and mineral waters.