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Georgia 2012

Georgia

Old Tbilisi

Ancient Metekhi Church, beautifully illuminated each night of the year, glows golden on this snowy December evening in Old Tbilisi. From a distance, the much older Narikala Fortress and its Church of St. Nicholas share this peaceful scene. Religious services, suppressed during Soviet times, are once again offered at both of these historic churches, allowing Georgians and foreign visitors alike opportunities for worship and cultural visits. Tbilisi is one of the world’s oldest cities, and Old Tbilisi is its heart.
– Ronald Bielen ©2009

Georgia
In Southwestern Asia, bordering Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe, very mountainous with many glaciers; 69,700 km2 (slightly < SC), 11.5% arable.

Capital T’bilisi (pop est. 1.3M)

Population 4.6M (161/km2)

Life expectancy 77 years

HIV/AIDS 0.1%

Literacy 68%

Languages Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%

Religions Orthodox Christian 84%, Muslim 10%, Armenian-Gregorian 4%, Catholic 1%, other 1%

Ethnic Groups Georgian 84%, Azeri 6%, Armenian 6%, Russian 2%, other 2%

Gov’t Republic

GDP/cap $4,800

PCVs 2001 – present; education and NGO development (Volunteers in country: 63; total to date: 373)

Nat’l holiday Independence Day 26 May (1918)

Adult Books

Georgia: In the Mountains of Poetry
by Peter Nasmyth

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 25, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0415396691

Book Description
The first comprehensive cultural and historical introduction to modern Georgia. It covers the country region by region, taking the form of a literary journey through the transition from Soviet Georgia to the modern independent nation state.

Kids' Books

Georgia to Georgia: making friends in the U.S.S.R.
by Laurie Dolphin; photographs by E. Alan McGee

Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-688-09897-1
Interest Level: 3-6
Age Range: 8–12 years
Publisher: Tambourine, p1991, c1991

Films

Film: Altzaney
Director: Nino Orjonikidze and Vano Arsenishvili (2009)

Music

Shenma Survilma Damka: Music from Georgia

Focus Word

Focus Word for 2012 - "Freedom"

Georgian: tavisufleba (ta-vee-soo-flay-ba)
Armenian: azatutyun (uh-zuh-tu-tyoon)
Azerbaijani: azadliq (uh-zad-lig)

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