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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note 2 national broadcast stations, 3 regional broadcast stations

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: local--T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks with about 10,000 customers total; urban areas 20 telephones/100 people; rural areas 4 phones/100 people; intercity--a fiber-optic line connects T'bilisi to K'ut'aisi (Georgia's second largest city); nationwide pager service international: Georgia and Russia are working on a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present international service is available by microwave, land line, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service available

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

760,000 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $364 million expenditures: $568 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)

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 (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$212.7 million (1995)

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, made substantial economic gains since 1995, increasing GDP growth and slashing inflation. The Georgian economy suffered some setbacks in late 1998, including a large budget deficit due to a failure to collect tax revenue and to the impact of the Russian economic crisis. Georgia also still suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the distribution network in 1998, and 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. The global economic slowdown, a growing trade deficit, continuing problems with corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture.

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

6.949 billion kWh (1996)

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

300 million kWh (1996)

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

404 million kWh (1996)

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

6.845 billion kWh (1996)

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

fossil fuel: 29.88% hydro: 70.12% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

lari per US$1 (end of period)--1.82 (December 1998), 1.32 (December 1997), 1.28 (December 1996), 1.24 (December 1995)

Exports [time series]

$230 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel reexports

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Armenia, Bulgaria, Turkey, US, UK, Italy, Germany, Romania (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity--$11.2 billion (1998 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?$2,200 (1998 est.)

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

4% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$931 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan (1996); note?EU and US send humanitarian food shipments

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-0.3% (1998 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) [time series]

10.5% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.08 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

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: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands 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]

earthquakes

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; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (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)

Capital [time series]

T'bilisi

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 Kenneth S. YALOWITZ embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

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; president since 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; president since 26 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 2000) election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE elected president; percent of vote--Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%

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, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, 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 (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA 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 4, SPG 4, others 9, Abkazian deputies 12, independents 29, not filled 4

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 May (1991)

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

Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG groups: Democratic Union of Georgia or DUG, Political Association "Georgian Proprietors"--Electoral Association "T'bilisi", Political Union of Young Democrats "Our Choice", Political Union Tanadgoma)

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

supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA remain a source of opposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia; Georgian refugees from Abkhazia (Abkhaz faction in Georgian Parliament)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence from the Soviet Union in December 1991, Georgia began to stabilize in 1994. Political settlements for separatist conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia remain elusive. The conflict in South Ossetia has been dormant since spring 1994, but sporadic violence continues between Abkhaz forces and Georgian partisans in western Georgia. Russian peacekeepers are deployed in both regions and a UN Observer Mission is operating in Abkhazia. As a result of these conflicts, Georgia still has about 250,000 internally displaced people. In 1995, Georgia adopted a new constitution and conducted generally free and fair nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections. In 1996, the government focused its attention on implementing an ambitious economic reform program and professionalizing its parliament. Violence and organized crime were sharply curtailed in 1995 and 1996, but corruption remains rife. Georgia has taken some steps to reduce its dependence on Russia, acquiring coastal patrol boats in 1997 to replace Russian border units along the Black Sea coast. In 1998, Georgia assumed control of its Black Sea coast and about half of its land border with Turkey in line with a June 1998 agreement with Russia. Since 1997, Georgia's parliament has sharpened its rhetoric against Russia's continued military presence on Georgian territory. In February 1998 an assassination attempt was made against President SHEVARDNADZE by supporters of the late former president Zviad GAMSAKHURDIA. In October 1998, a disaffected military officer led a failed mutiny in western Georgia; the armed forces continue to feel the ripple effect of the uprising. Georgia faces parliamentary elections this fall, and presidential elections next spring. After two years of robust growth, the economy, hurt by the financial crisis in Russia, slowed in 1998.

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]

$57 million (1998)

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

1% (1998)

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

males age 15-49: 1,287,225 (1999 est.)

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

males age 15-49: 1,018,309 (1999 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: 40,604 (1999 est.)

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

a CIS peacekeeping force consisting of Russian troops is deployed in the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21% (male 544,055; female 522,491) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,628,993; female 1,753,527) 65 years and over: 12% (male 236,124; female 381,309) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.64 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.3 deaths/1,000 population (1999 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]

52.01 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz (official in Abkhazia)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 64.63 years male: 61.13 years female: 68.32 years (1999 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]

-4.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

5,066,499 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.74% (1999 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: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.53 children born/woman (1999 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 via Central Asia to Western Europe

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: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 86,667 GRT/121,679 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, oil tanker 5, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 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