Georgia (Caucasus) Travel Guide

Georgia (Caucasus) — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Caucasus, north of Turkey.
Language: The official language is Georgian, the only language in the Ibera Caucasian family written in ancient script, with its own unique alphabet. Russian, Armenian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhazian are also spoken.
Area: 69,700 sq km (26,911 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 4.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-type, two-pin plugs are used. The supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March, and visitors are advised to bring a torch with them.
Population: 5 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density: 71.7 per sq km.
Capital City: Tbilisi. Population: 1.5 million.
Government: Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Nikoloz 'Nika' Gilauri since February 2009.
Head of State: President Mikheil Saakashvili since 2004.
Religion: Christian majority, mainly Georgian Orthodox church. Also Eastern Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and other Christian denomination minorities.

Recent History

President Mikhail Saakashvili was re-elected after a snap poll in January 2008. He was given a significant boost when international observer missions dismissed allegations of fraud. The opposition alleged the vote was rigged and mounted protests in Tbilisi but independent monitors said the vote was democratic and the outcome should be respected.

The parliamentary elections which took place in November 2003 were criticized by international organizations as being flawed. Peaceful demonstrations led to the resignation of President Shevardnadze and the speaker of parliament, Nino Burjanadze, was appointed acting president until presidential elections were held in January 2004. Mickheil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement, who was the main figure behind the November demonstrations, was elected by a landslide victory. Mr Saakashvili's party and coalition partners won the parliamentary elections held in February 2005.

Following Saakashvili's election as president, tensions between the semi-autonomous region of Ajara and its autocratic leader Abashidze grew. Abashidze stepped down. Georgia's parliament introduced a new Ajaran Constitution and fresh Ajaran legislative elections were held. They were won by a local offshoot of President Saakashvili's National Movement party.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +995. Some outgoing calls from Georgia, except to other parts of the CIS, must be made through the operator and long waits can occur. It is possible for visitors to set up an account with the local telecom company that enables them to make direct long-distance calls without the operator's assistance. Many businesspeople now use satellite links to overcome the considerable problems of ordinary telephone communication. The Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel (tel: (32) 772020; www.starwoodhotels.com) is equipped with its own satellite phones.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. It is possible to hire mobile hand-sets from Geocell Ltd (www.geocell.com.ge). Coverage is good throughout the country, but there is limited coverage in the north west.

Internet

There are some Internet cafés in Tbilisi.

Media

Much of the Georgian media are considered to be free but there have been reports of journalists investigating corruption being harassed, and sometimes physically attacked. The outspoken private TV station Rustavi-2 has regularly angered the police and officials. The authorities operate the national state TV and radio networks.

Post

International postal services can be severely disrupted. Long delays may occur and parcels should be registered or delivered through courier services such as Air Express and DHL, based locally. It is advisable to post letters in central post offices rather than using the post boxes in the street.

Press

The daily press includesSakartvelos Respublika (Republic of Georgia), which is state owned and Rezonansi (Resonance), which is private.
Akhali Versia (New Version) is a weekly publication and
Svobodnaya Gruzia (Free Georgia) is published in Russian.
Georgian Times and Georgia Today are English-language weeklies.
There are 200 privately-owned newspapers. Other foreign newspapers are available.

Radio

Stations include Georgian State Radio and private Tbilisi-based FM stations Fortuna and Radio 105.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
19 Jan Orthodox Epiphany/Baptism
3 Mar Mothers’ Day
8 Mar Women’s Day
9 Apr National Unity Day
24 Apr Orthodox Easter
25 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday
9 May Victory against Fascism Day
26 May Independence Day
28 Aug Mariamoba (Day of the Virgin Mary)
14 Oct Svetitskhovloba (Georgian Orthodox Festival)
23 Nov Giorgoba (St George’s Day)

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
3 Mar Mothers’ Day
8 Mar Women’s Day
9 Apr National Unity Day
15 Apr Orthodox Easter
16 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday
9 May Victory against Fascism Day
26 May Independence Day
27 May Orthodox Epiphany/Baptism
28 Aug Mariamoba (Day of the Virgin Mary)
14 Oct Svetitskhovloba (Georgian Orthodox Festival)
23 Nov Giorgoba (St George’s Day)

Contact Information

Department of Tourism and Resorts

12 Tarzerdi Avenue, 0160 Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel: (32) 226 125.
Website: www.tourism.gov.ge

Embassy of Georgia in the UK

4 Russell Gardens, London W14 8EZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7348 1942.
Website: www.geoemb.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800; 1000-1300 (visa lodging and collection), except Wednesdays (closed for consular information but not general enquiries).