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Communications

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

6 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.ge

Internet users [time series]

25,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: NA domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available 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 are available

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

620,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

185,500 (2000)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, grapes, tea, hazlenuts, vegetables; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $499 million expenditures: $554 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

lari (GEL)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

GEL

Debt - external [time series]

$1.7 billion (2001)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

37.1 (1996)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

ODA $150 million (2000 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. 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 since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing inflation. However, the Georgian Government suffers from limited resources due to a chronic failure to collect tax revenues. Georgia also suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the T'bilisi distribution network in 1998, but collection rates are low, making the venture unprofitable. The country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a transit state for pipelines and trade. The start of construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline will bring much-needed investment and job opportunities.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

7.611 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

850 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

7.27 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 19.7% hydro: 80.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

lari per US dollar - 2.2 (2002), 2.07 (2001), 1.98 (2000), 2.02 (1999), 1.39 (1998)

Exports [time series]

$515 million (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits, tea, wine

Exports - partners [time series]

Turkey 23%, Italy 12.1%, Russia 11.4%, Greece 8.5%, Netherlands 7.5%, Spain 5.9%, Turkmenistan 4.7%, Ukraine 4.3% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $16.05 billion (2002 est.)

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

agriculture: 20% industry: 25% services: 55% (2002 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2001 est.)

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

5.4% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.9% (1996)

Imports [time series]

$750 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

Turkey 15.6%, Azerbaijan 11.2%, US 9.9%, Russia 9.1%, Germany 7.2%, Italy 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.9%, Romania 4.3%, France 4.2%, Ukraine 4.1% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2000)

Industries [time series]

steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.16 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

31,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

54% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

17% (2001 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 69,700 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 Shkhara 5,201 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

Geography - note [time series]

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

Irrigated land [time series]

4,700 sq km (1998 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: 11.21% permanent crops: 4.09% other: 84.7% (1998 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Asia

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]

9 regions, (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities* (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics** (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Bat'umi), Chiat'ura*, Gori*, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, K'ut'aisi*, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, P'ot'i*, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Rust'avi*, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli, T'bilisi*, Tqibuli*, Tsqaltubo*, Zugdidi* note: the administrative centers of the 2 autonomous republics are shown 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 short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: none

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard M. MILES embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68 FAX: [995] (32) 933-759

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Levan MIKELADZE chancery: Suite 300, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nino BURJANADZE (acting president since 23 November 2003; formerly parliamentary speaker, she assumed the presidency upon the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers election results: Eduard SHEVARDNADZE reelected president; percent of vote - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 80%; note - following the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Nino BURJANADZE became acting president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 2000 (next to be held 4 January 2004 to replace Eduard SHEVARDNADZE)

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, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

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) election results: percent of vote by party (from earlier 1999 elections) - CUG 41.7%, AGUR 25.2%, IWSG 7.1%, all other parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - CUG 130, AGUR 64, IWSG 15, Labor 2, Abkhaz (government-in-exile) deputies 12, independents 12 elections: last held 2 November 2003 but results were invalidated (next to be held spring 2004)

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

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

Citizen's Union of Georgia or CUG [Avtandil JORBENADZE]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG [Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTURIA]; New National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New Right [Levaii GACHECHILADZE]; Republican Party [David BERDZENISHVILI]; "Revival" Union Party or AGUR [Alsan ABASHIDZE]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]

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

Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA

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. Ethnic separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, poor governance, and Russian military bases deny the government effective control over the entirety of the state's internationally recognized territory. Despite myriad problems, some progress on market reforms and democratization has been made. An attempt by the government to manipulate legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of President Eduard SHEVARDNADZE.

Military

Military - note [time series]

a CIS peacekeeping force 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 (includes National Guard), combined Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Forces, Republic Security and Police Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$23 million (FY00)

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

0.59% (FY00)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,302,815 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,028,913 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 43,359 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.6% (male 466,743; female 449,440) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,628,757; female 1,744,922) 65 years and over: 13% (male 252,031; female 392,520) (2003 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.79 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.71 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 900 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 51.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 56.83 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 64.76 years male: 61.33 years female: 68.36 years (2003 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 100% female: 98% (1999 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 34.8 years male: 32.6 years female: 37 years (2002)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population [time series]

4,934,413 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.52% (2003 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: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.51 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

boundary with Russia has been largely delimited, but not demarcated with several small, strategic segments remaining in dispute and OSCE observers monitoring volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

40 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 7 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 5

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 20,362 km paved: 19,038 km unpaved: 1,325 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 116 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 483,028 GRT/713,461 DWT ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 72, chemical tanker 1, container 11, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belize 1, Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 4, Gibraltar 1, Greece 5, Jordan 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 1, Malta 1, Panama 9, Romania 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 2, Syria 5, Turkey 2, Ukraine 7, UAE 11, UK 1, US 1 (2002 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,495 km; oil 1,029 km; refined products 232 km (2003)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi

Railways [time series]

total: 1,612 km broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (2002)

Transportation - note [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

none