6 exciting Georgia facts: What you need to know

Georgia, as we know, is a country that has a lot to offer: A distinctive cuisine, beautiful panoramas, great hiking trails and on top of that, the locals will show you an incredible hospitality. But in this article we will not talk about the best wines, the most delicious dishes or walk the most beautiful hiking trails of Georgia. No, today we will take you on a journey into the historical past of the country.

Introduction

Georgia may be a small country, but it has a great history. It lies at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia and is part of the Caucasus region. It is bordered by the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and east, Turkey and Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southeast. Due to its strategic location, the country has been the scene of battles between the great empires for centuries.

Nevertheless, the country managed to survive and preserve its statehood. In 1999, the skull of a Homo erectus was found in a Caucasus valley, proving that the first humans settled here 1.8 million years ago. Over the millennia, many migrating peoples mixed with the sedentary population, creating a diverse cultural area.

Georgia before Christ

In the second millennium BC, the first states were founded on the territory, Diaohi and Kolkha. They were overthrown by nomadic tribes that invaded the north. Between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia were founded. The power of Colchis is also reflected in ancient Greek mythology, where the Argonauts traveled in search of the Golden Fleece. The creation of the Georgian alphabet is associated with the king of Iberia Parnavaz.

Christianity in Georgia

The 4th century represented a turning point. In 326, Saint Nino of Cappadocia introduced a new religion - Christianity - to the country. The proclamation of Christianity as the state religion was crucial for the future development of the country. In the Middle Ages the royal principalities were formed, after which the struggle for unification began. The greatest Georgian king of the 12th century - King David - unified the country. He managed to make the region the strongest state.

The golden century

Under the leadership of the first female queen, Queen Tamar, Georgia experienced its heyday, the so-called "Golden Century". At this time the power and development of the country reached its peak. The strengthening of the country led to the flowering of medieval Georgian architecture, painting and poetry.

Only 100 years later, however, the country disintegrated into various small states. Already between the 8th and 10th centuries, Arabs had invaded the country and tried to spread Islam. 

Finally, after Georgia's golden century, the Ottomans and Persians began to compete alternately for the land. 

Russian domination

At the beginning of the 19th century, Georgians were looking for allies against the Ottomans. Russia then sent military support to Georgia, which resulted in the country becoming dependent on Russia.

However, the statehood that Georgia gained after the end of World War I and that was recognized by Russia lasted only three years.

After Georgia was occupied by the Red Army it was declared a republic within the Soviet Union. 

For the next several decades, the country was held in check by corruption, a shadow economy, and an autocratic state and party apparatus. While Eduard Shevardnadze was appointed head of Georgia's Communist Party in 1971 with the intention of tying the country firmly to Moscow's order, the Georgians did not give up their desire for statehood.

Georgia Independence

In 1990 came the break with the Soviet Union, whereupon the Georgians immediately shook off all Russian influences. The people had hope for a unified, peaceful state, but this hope did not last long after each new election. Presidents Sviad Gamsakhurdia or Mikheil Saakashvili could not fulfill the wishes of Georgians and instead brought corruption and limited press freedoms into office. 

In 2008, unrest between Georgia and the provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia led to an armed conflict, but the EU was able to end it with a ceasefire just five days later.

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has been in office since February 2021.

You want to travel to Georgia?

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