Speaking about Georgia we never can say, it is more Europe or it is more Asia, as its geographical location and cultural distinctions can be ambiguous…so let’s say, that Georgia is a balcony between Europe and Asia. It is surrounded by Turkey from the west and south, Armenia from the south, Azerbaijan from the East and Russia from the north. Georgia has also an access to the Black sea from the west. The total area is about 69.7 thousand sq.km., and the coastline is about 300 km long. About 20 percent of our lands are officially occupied by Russia.

Georgia (sakartvelo) is a little country and population counts approximately 4 000 000 people. There are a few big cities:

– Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia and here lives about 1.8 million people

– Batumi – city on the bank of the Black sea, 153 000 people.

– Kutaisi – is the third-most populous city in Georgia, traditionally, second in importance, after the capital city of Tbilisi and the population is about 147 000 people.

Speaking about political division of Georgia, it is divided into 11 regions, two of them at the moment are occupied by Russia (Abkhazia & South Ossetia Regions).

Each region of Georgia is known for its individual ethnic characteristics:

Gurians are known for their optimism and light hearted humor.

Megrelians are popular for their shrewdness and business acumen.

Imeretians are renowned for their communicative skills

Kakhetians are the best in agriculture

Svans are known, especially among Georgians, as adept hunters and mighty warriors with strong insular tendencies and also like a very strict and non-humour

Rachians are known to be highly skilled shepherds able to traverse the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains with ease…but one more characteristic of this region is slowness…people are too slow in their actions.

The people of Mtskheta-Mtianeti are hardcore mountaineers, highly sought after guides for tourists and Georgians alike. I must add, that mountaneous people are also a little bit wild and rude, but not in agresive way

The locals of Tbilisi are internationally known for their hospitality and openness to foreigners

Adjarians are known for their adherence to traditional ways for life while remaining incredibly tolerant to other cultures and religions.

The people of Shida Kartli are revered for their resilience and persistence in the face of adversity. Guess why?! Kartli, Qvemo Kartli and Samkhejavaxeti are considered to be the most culturally and ethnically diverse regions of Georgia.