Natural Resources

Georgia's natural resources are forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, miner coal, and oil deposits. The coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth.

Ethnic Groups

Georgian 83.9%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5% 

Religions

Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Georgian 3.9%   

Government

Georgia is a Republic that gains its independence from the Soviet Union on April 9, 1991. It adopted a constitution on August 24, 1995.

Environmental Issues

The current environment issues are air pollution, heavy pollution of the Mtkvari River and the Black Sea, inadequate supplies of water, and soil pollution from toxic chemicals.

Culture

Georgia's culture has evolved over the country's long history providing a unique national culture, a distinct style of folk music, and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian language and alphabet. These attributes have provided a strong sense of national identity that has helped preserve Georgian distinctiveness despite periods of foreign occupation and attempted assimilation.

Economy

Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products, such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and an output of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs including natural gas and oil products. High energy prices have compounded the pressure on the country's inefficient energy sector. Restructuring the sector and finding energy supply alternatives to Russia remain major challenges.