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History of Georgia
Georgia is a small country at the boundary of Europe and Asia lying between the mountains of the GreatCaucasianRange and the Black Sea. 2 It occupies an area of land of approximately 70 thousand square kilometres.3.Its population is about 5,4 million.
On land Georgia borders the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia. To the west it is washed by the Black Sea along three hundred and five kilometers of area.
Nature was unstinting in endowing Georgia with inimitable splendour. Its land varies from the ice-bound Caucasian summits wreathed in clouds to flowering fertile valleys covered withvast vineyards, from tea plantations, tangerine and orange gardens to coniferous and broad-leafed forests.
The relatively small territory of Georgia covers almost all climatic zones. A humid subtropical climate dominates in west Georgia while in eastern Georgia prevails continental one.
About one third of Georgia is forest land mostly grown with oak, beech, fir, pine, chestnut, walnut etc. The highland zone is noted for its sub alpine and alpine vegetation. Altogether more than 4000 varieties of wild plants grow in Georgia of which about 500 hundred are found nowhere.
There are a great many mountains, rivers, and picturesque lakes in the country.
Georgia is rich in mineral resources. It contains deposits of coal, high-grade
It contains deposits of coal, high-grade manganeze-ore, copper, zine and many other valuable minerals.
The country has about 2 thousand mineral springs varied in their chemical contents.
Due to variety of natural factors Georgia is noted for its large number of resorts. Most resorts are located at the seaside and in the mountain zone.
The Georgians, one of the worlds most ancient peoples, belong to the southern branch of the Europoid race.
The Georgian language is one of the oldest living languages and the Georgian alphabet, one of the fourteen alphabets in the world, was created in the 4-th 3-rd centuries B.C.
The first Georgian states came into existence at the end of the 2nd millennium B.C.
Georgia is a Christian country. It was converted to Christianity in the 4-th century. Georgia is known for its history and traditions, ancient monuments and beautiful and hospitable People.
Vakhtang Gorgasali
Tbilisi
Tbilisi iscapital of Georgia, is one of the ancient cities ofthe world .It is more than 1500 years old but scientists believe that 5 or 6 thousand years ago there was a human settlement where Tbilisi now stands.
Legend has it that on a hunt one day Georgian King Vakhtang Gorgasali
Aimed at a pheasant and wounded it. The wounded pheasant fell into a thermal spring and was healed. And the King willed to build a city at that place.
MUSE
The word Tbilisi originates from the Georgian word tbili that means warm.
The history of Tbilisi is bounded with the history of Georgia. Few cities in the world have ever survived such deadly blows. From 627 to 1795 the people of Tbilisi courageously faced over forty foreign invasions. Forty times Tbilisi was destroyed by the enemies and forty times it rose from ruins and ashes.
The city stretches for more than 35 kilometers along the banks of the Mtkvari river.
Tbilisi is a wonderful city with its unique historical and architectural monuments.
In Old Tbilisi, as the ancient part of the city is called, you can see narrow and often winding streets, houses with wooden balconies and domes of the Sulphur baths.
On the step craggy ledges of the right bank of the River Mtkvari are the picturesque monuments of the ancient citadel Narikala built in the 4th century A.D. The 13th century Metekhi Cathedral is standing on the opposite bank of the river. 16. Among the oldest architectural monuments here are the AnchiskhatiChurch and the Sioni Cathedral that serves as the residence of Georgias Catholicos. Old TBILISI, River Mtkvari
Modern-streets cut through the old with houses with open balconies and galleries. Some streets portray both the old and the new. Tbilisis main artery is Rustaveli Avenue. Beneath its giant plane trees are always crowds of people. Most of Government offices and theatres, museums and hotels are in Rustaveli Avenue. There stands Kashueti St George Church built in 1910.
It is impossible to describe all the avenues and squares, streets and parks of Tbilisi. All of them have retained traditional character.
In Tbilisi there is the Georgian Academy of Sciences, StateUniversity, numerous institutes and collages. There are a number of museums and galleries with permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Tbilisis cultural life is well-developed with several theatres and music and dance ensembles.
The guests of Tbilisi are also advised to visit Central Botanical Gardens, the TbilisiSea and to ascend to the top of MountMtatsminda that provides a splendid view of ancient and modern Tbilisi.
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and the countrys economic, industrial, scientific and cultural centre. In Georgia there are a number of other cities and towns, each inimitable in its beauty and color with rich historical traditions and magnificent architectural monuments. Kutaisi is Georgias second large city. It is situated in Imereti, the region of west Georgia.. It is an industrial and cultural city. An automobile plant turns out cement-carriers and huge lorries. There are a number of institutes, colleges, secondary schools in the city. Museums, libraries and theatres are always crowded in Kutaisi.
Lovers of antiquity will find here interesting examples of old Georgian architecture. These include the majestic church built in the early 11th century and named after the Georgian King Bagrat. A short distance away from Kutaisi is the Gelati Monastery, an outstanding historical and architectural monument of Georgian national cultural. The Gelati Monastery was founded in the 12th century and for a long time remained a cultural and philosophers. People of the most celebrated Georgian theologians and philosophers. People of the time used to call it a new Hellas, a second Athos.
Telavi, a town on the slopes of the Gombori Ridge, is the centre of Kakheti, the region at the eastern edge of Georgia. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It is now the administrative centre of a highly productive agricultural district. Here, as in a magic kaleidoscope, the ancient fortresses are alternated with vine-yards and orchards, monasteries and temples. The castle, once the home of King Erekle II and rebuilt in the 19th century now house ArtGallery with its collections of excellent Georgian, Russian, Dutch and Italian paintings. There is a Drama Theatre there, a number of institutes and colleges etc.
There are several places worth seeing on the vicinity-the 6th century Ikalto Monastery, six kilometers to the west and the Alaverdi Cathedral built in the 11th century, twelve kilometers to the north of Telavi.
Sukhumi is the capital of Apkhazeti. The cities: Gagra, New Athon, Pitsunda resort are the best recreational centers at the Black Sea coast. They are distinguished for a number of monuments of culture and nature, for RitsaLake, New Athon Karst cave, chilly gorges, coastal subtropical parks etc.
Batumi, the capital of Atchara, is a large industrial and cultural centre. It is the Southern most gateway of Georgia. Original planning of the city, wide- coastal park-boulevard with wild subtropical plants, hotels and rest-homes, comfortable beaches, cafes and restaurants, the most large-scale botanical garden in Europe create excellent conditions for rest. Poti, a town known for its history, is ancient Phasis fanned with legends. Nowadays it is most important seaport of Georgia.
Mtskheta is 20 kilometers from Tbilisi. It is one of the most ancient towns for its history and architectural monuments. From the 3rd century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. Mtskheta was the capital of Iberia, an old Georgian kingdom. Today the town is the administrative centre of a large agricultural district and a favorite with tourists .It is situated on a low outcrop where the Aragvi and the Mtkvari rivers meet.
Mtskheta is a state historical preserve, as it contains fortifications, the remains of places, cathedrals etc. The archeological excavations here have confirmed that the Iberian civilization had a highly developed culture and was in close contact with Ancient Greece and Rome.
The Svetitkhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029) is in the centre of the town, surrounded by a crenellated stone wall. The robe of Christ. is said to be buried in a small chapel within the cathedral. The frescoes of the columns belong to the 17th century. Several members of the Bagrationi dynasty of Georgian rulers are buried in front of the altar. The cathedral has suffered many times, especially during one of Tamerlanes invasions.
Close by is the 11th century Samtavro Monastery, formely the major church of a convent.
But the most ancient of Mtskhetas cathedral is on the left bank of the Aragvi, on a rocky outcrop-Jvary (Cathedral of cross, 585-604 A.D). It is named after the large wooden cross which stood on the spot in the 4th century when Georgia was converted to Christianity as a symbol of the new religion.
Old TBILISI, River Mtkvari