GCOF member Celeste reports that her Georgian friends dislike being thought of as Russians. "Our Georgian guests passed on this little tidbit that I had never considered before. When I am asked about Georgia I have always responded that it is a 'country south of Russia' and if further explanation seems necessary I respond that it was a former Republic of the Soviet Union. Our guests mentioned that one of their pet peeves is to be thought of as Russians (not a lot of love lost there!), so they respond, 'from Georgia, near Greece and Turkey.' They said that such a response does not immediately associate them with Russia."
Georgia is located in the Caucasus mountain region, at the juncture between Europe and Asia. With its ports on the Black Sea and its strategic location as the western end of the fabled "silk road to China," Georgian land has been coveted and conquered for millennia. While many cultures in similar situations have vanished, the Georgian people have maintained their unique blend of eastern and western traditions.
The country is bordered on the north by Russia, on the south by Turkey, on the west by the Black Sea and Armenia, and on the east by Azerbaijan. Most of the country is mountainous, comprised of the Caucasian Range.
The climate ranges from subtropical (along the western coast) to permanent glaciers (in the Caucasus mountains). The northern Greater Caucasus range bars the most bitter cold from entering Georgia, although the highest altitudes endure severe winters. Batumi and other balmy Black Sea port cities have been popular tourist destinations for ages.
Georgia's geographic location has made it an important and desirable political area over the generations. It has been conquered and re-conquered since before recorded history, which makes the Georgians' ability to retain their language and culture all the more impressive.
For additional maps, click here. For current weather in the capital city, click here.
Caucasus Mountains, left
Georgia is home to the deepest cave in the world, Voronya Pestera. It has been explored to a depth of 1,710m (5,610 feet), and it may be deeper. Read about its explorations on Radio-Praha.
Below: Voronya Pestera, discovered in 1960, means "Crow's Cave" 
