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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

5 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios [time series]

3.02 million (1997)

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 telephones/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, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service available

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

554,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

150 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Televisions [time series]

2.57 million (1997)

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]

1 lari (GEL) = 100 tetri

Debt - external [time series]

$1.8 billion (1998)

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 continues to experience large budget deficits due to a failure to collect tax revenues. 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 growing trade deficit, continuing problems with tax evasion and corruption, and political uncertainties cloud the short-term economic picture. However, revived investment could spur higher economic growth in 2000, perhaps up to 6%.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.123 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

700 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

350 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.96 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 14.66% hydro: 85.34% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

lari per US$1 (end of period) - 1.9503 (December 1999), 2.0245 (1999), 1.3898 (1998), 1.2975 (1997), 1.2628 (1996), 1.24 (December 1995)

Exports [time series]

$330 million (1999 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 27%, Turkey 20%, Azerbaijan 10%, Armenia 8% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $11.7 billion (1999 est.)

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

agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (1999 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1999 est.)

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

3.5% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$840 million (1999 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

EU 22%, Russia 15%, Turkey 12%, Azerbaijan 12%, US 7% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-0.3% (1998 est.)

Industries [time series]

steel, aircraft, machine tools, electric locomotives, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

19% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.08 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

industry and construction 20%, agriculture and forestry 40%, services 40% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

60% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

14.5% (1998 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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 [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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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 telephone: [995] (32) 989-967 FAX: [995] (32) 933-759

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537

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 9 April 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, 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 31 October 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - CUG 41.85%, AGUR 25.65%, IWSG 7.8%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG 130, AGUR 59, IWSG 15, Abkhaz deputies 12, independents 14, other 5

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]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman]; Greens Party [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi Topadze]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; National Independent Party or NIP [Irakli TSERETELI, chairman]; People's Party [Mamuka GIORGADZE]; Socialist Party or SPG [Vakhtang RCHEULISHVILI]; Union for "Revival" Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Union of Traditionalists or UGT [Akaki ASATIANI]; United Republican Party or URP [Nodar NATADZE, chairman]

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

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Russian troops remain garrisoned at four military bases and as peacekeepers in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The country continues to move toward a market economy and greater integration with Western institutions.

Military

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

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

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$27 million (FY99)

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

1% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,291,190 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,021,072 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 40,694 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20% (male 517,829; female 497,155) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,630,814; female 1,755,323) 65 years and over: 13% (male 238,090; female 380,327) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.87 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.52 deaths/1,000 population (2000 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]

52.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 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: 64.48 years male: 60.9 years female: 68.23 years (2000 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]

-2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

5,019,538 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.62% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, 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: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.41 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

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 and Russia [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

28 (1994 est.)

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 [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: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 103,080 GRT/158,803 DWT ships by type: cargo 10, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 6 (1999 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 [time series]

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