Caucasus, north of Turkey.

GMT + 4.

69,700 sq km (26,911 sq miles).

5 million (UN, 2005).

71.7 per sq km.

Tbilisi. Population: 1.5 million.

Georgia is a mountainous country bordered by the Russian Federation in the north, Turkey in the southeast, Armenia in the south, Azerbaijan in the east and by the Black Sea in the west, which forms a 330km- (206 mile-) long coastline. It includes the two autonomous republics Abkhazia and Ajaria. The state is crossed by the ranges of the Greater Caucasus (highest peak: Mt Kazbek, 5047m/16,554ft). Enclosed high valleys, wide basins, health spas with famous mineral waters, caves and waterfalls combine in this land of varied landscapes and striking beauty.

Under the Constitution of August 1995, the President of Georgia (who is Head of State, Head of the Executive and Commander of the Armed Forces) is directly elected for a five-year term. The Government (headed by the Prime Minister) is accountable to the President. The supreme legislative body is the 235-member Sakartvelos Parlamenti (Georgia Parliament) which is elected every four years, partly by proportional representation and partly in single-seat constituencies.

Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State and Government: President Mickheil Saakashvili was elected in 2004. Recent history: The Parliamentary elections which took place in November 2003 were criticised by international organisations as being flawed. Peaceful demonstrations led to the resignation of President Shevardnadze and the Speaker of Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, was appointed Acting President until presidential elections were held in January 2004. Mickheil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement, who was the main figure behind the November demonstrations, was elected by a landslide victory. Mr Saakashvili's party and coalition partners won the parliamentary elections held in February 2005.
Following Saakashvili's election as President, tensions between the semi-autonomous region of Ajara and its autocratic leader Abashidze grew. Abashidze stepped down. Georgia's Parliament introduced a new Ajaran Constitution and fresh Ajaran legislative elections were held. They were won by a local offshoot of President Saakashvili's National Movement party.

The official language is Georgian, the only language in the Ibera Caucasian family written in ancient script, with its own unique alphabet. Russian, Armenian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhazian are also spoken.

Christian majority, mainly Georgian Orthodox church. Also Eastern Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and other Christian denomination minorities.

Georgians pride themselves on their reputation for gregariousness and hospitality. Visitors sitting in restaurants are likely to be offered drinks by complete strangers. They will then be invited to raise (and empty) their glasses in response to an endless string of elaborate toasts, preferably interpolating a few suitably enthusiastic toasts of their own into the sequence. Smoking is widespread. Visitors may also be entertained in private homes. On such occasions, gifts such as chocolates, flowers or alcohol are well received. On social occasions foreign women will find themselves the object of immense flattery. Those finding such attentions oppressive should avoid giving any hint of encouragement. Appropriate clothing should be worn when entering a church; visitors should ensure they are not wearing shorts and women should cover their heads. Visitors should also be aware that street crime is far from uncommon. Anyone travelling in the republic should be cautious when venturing out after dark, carry as few valuables as possible, and beware of the risk of being robbed and possibly attacked.

220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-type, two-pin plugs are used. The supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March, and visitors are advised to bring a torch with them.