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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; small livestock sector

Budget [time series]

revenues: $441 million expenditures: $606 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$1.3 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 million disbursements)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic gains in 1995-97, increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. Georgia still suffers from energy shortages, although energy deliveries are steadily improving. Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery on the development of an international transportation corridor through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. The construction of a Caspian oil pipeline through Georgia-scheduled to open in early 1999-should spur greater western investment in the economy. A growing trade deficit, continuing problems with corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

4.558 million kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

1,175 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

7.1 billion kWh (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

lari per US$1 (end of period)-1.32 (December 1997), 1.28 (December 1996), 1.24 (December 1995)

Exports [time series]

total value: $400 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel re-exports partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria (1996)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$8.1 billion (1997 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 29% industry: 16% services: 55% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$1,570 (1997 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

11.8% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $733 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment partners: Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan (1996); note-EU and US send humanitarian food shipments

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8.1% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

steel, aircraft, machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

7.1% (1997 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 2.2 million (1996) by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

2 national broadcast stations, 3 regional broadcast stations

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

poor service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (December 1990 est.) domestic: NA international: landline to CIS members and Turkey; satellite earth station-1 Eutelsat; leased connections with other countries via the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic mail and telex service available

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

672,000 (1993 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

Unemployment rate [time series]

16% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate [time series]

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Coastline [time series]

310 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 m

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Irrigated land [time series]

4,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 9% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 34% other: 28% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Terrain [time series]

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; 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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

53 rayons (raionebi, singular-raioni), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abashis, Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat'umi), Akhalgoris, Akhalk'alak'is, Akhalts'ikhis, Akhmetis, Ambrolauris, Aspindzis, Baghdat'is, Bolnisis, Borjomis, Chiat'ura*, Ch'khorotsqus, Ch'okhatauris, Dedop'listsqaros, Dmanisis, Dushet'is, Gardabanis, Gori*, Goris, Gurjaanis, Javis, K'arelis, Kaspis, Kharagaulis, Khashuris, Khobis, Khonis, K'ut'aisi*, Lagodekhis, Lanch'khut'is, Lentekhis, Marneulis, Martvilis, Mestiis, Mts'khet'is, Ninotsmindis, Onis, Ozurget'is, P'ot'i*, Qazbegis, Qvarlis, Rust'avi*, Sach'kheris, Sagarejos, Samtrediis, Senakis, Sighnaghis, T'bilisi*, T'elavis, T'erjolis, T'et'ritsqaros, T'ianet'is, Tqibuli*, Ts'ageris, Tsalenjikhis, Tsalkis, Tsqaltubo*, Vanis, Zestap'onis, Zugdidi*, Zugdidis note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Constitution [time series]

adopted 17 October 1995

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: #25 Antonelli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 995-32-989-967 or 995-32-933-803 (operator assisted)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 393-5959

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; elected president 5 November 1995; inaugurated 26 November 1995); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected chairman of the Government Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded; previously elected chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992; elected president 5 November 1995); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000) election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE elected president; percent of vote-Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 393-4537

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

tie-line FAX 997-0200; 933-759 or 938-951

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's recommendation; Constitutional Court

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Supreme Council or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-CUG 24%, NDP 8%, AGUR 7%, all other parties received less than 5% each; seats by party-CUG 107, NDP 34, AGUR 32, Progress Bloc (DUG, Political Association "Georgian Proprietors," Political Union of Young Democrats, Solidarity) 4, SPG 4, others 9, Abkazian deputies 12, independents 29, not filled 4

Capital (National capital) [time series]

T'bilisi

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 May (1991)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Eduard SHEVARDNADZE]; National Democratic People's Party [Mamuka GIORGADZE]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTARIA]; Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Union of Traditionalists or UGT [Akaki ASTANTIANI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Vakhtang RCHEULISHVILI]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Greens Party [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; United Republican Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman]; National Independent Party or NIP [Irakli TSERETELI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or GSDP [Guram MUCHAIDZE, secretary general]; Conservative-Monarchist Party or GCMP [Temur ZHORZHOLIANI]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

supporters of ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) remain a source of opposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

79 million lari (1997); note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

8.8% (1998 approved budget)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,286,126 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 1,017,954 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 40,946 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 22% (male 562,623; female 540,378) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,631,296; female 1,756,087) 65 years and over: 12% (male 235,042; female 383,101) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.72 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.1 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

51.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 64.79 years male: 61.36 years female: 68.4 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Net migration rate [time series]

-6.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

5,108,527 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.92% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.54 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates to Western Europe GERMANY

Transportation

Airports [time series]

28 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 20,700 km paved: 19,354 km unpaved: 1,346 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 87,730 GRT/122,769 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 5, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi

Railways [time series]

total: 1,583 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 1,583 km 1.520-m gauge (1993)

Transportation - note (Transportation-note) [time series]

transportation network is in poor condition and disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair