General information about Georgia

Area: 69,700 sq.km 

Boarders: Southeast - Azerbaijan, Southwest - Turkey, North - Russia, South - Armenia.

Geography: mountain ranges and hills comprise 80% of Georgian territory. The country is situated between 40 - 47 degrees E and 41 - 44 degrees N

Population:  4,385,434 (data 2009)

Capital:  Tbilisi, population - 1,136,630 (data 2009)

Other main cities: Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Sokhumi, Gori, Poti, Zugdidi, Telavi 

Language: The Georgian language is the state language of Georgia, though in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Abkhaz has co-official status.

Ethnic groups (2002 census): Georgians - 83.8%, Azeris - 6.5%, Armenians - 5.7%, Russians - 1.5%  

National currency: Georgian Lari, 1 USD = 1.84 GEL, 1 EUR = 2.39 GEL (data - 01.09.2010)  

Macroeconomic Policy and Overview:   

Policy:

- Midterm policy is oriented on ensuring of macroeconomic stability;

- Minimization of economic losses caused by world economic crises;

- Ensure sustainable rising of economics;

- Keep inflation on single index level;

- Reduction of unemployment level;

- Further improvement of the investment climate; 

 Overview:  

In 2008 the GDP growth rate was 2,3 per cent  (preliminary data). GDP in market prices amounted to 10074.9 mln GEL or 12800.5 mln. USD and GDP per capita equaled to GEL 4 352.9 (2 921.1 USD).

In 2008 the inflation rate was 5,5%. (In 2007 the inflation rate in Georgia was 11,0%; in the 2006 inflation rate was 8,8; in 2005 the inflation rate was 6,2% and in the 2004 inflation rate was 7,5%)

FDIs (Foreign Direct Investment) in 2008 amounted 1 564 ml. USD

In the 2008 the foreign trade turnover amounted to 7 800.0 ml. USD (21.0% increase in comparison with the last year), where the export was 1495.5 ml. USD (21.4% increase) and import - 6304.6 ml. USD (20.9% increase). The negative trade balance of Georgia was equal to 4809.1 ml. USD. 

In the 2009 the GDP's rate (preliminary data) amounted -3,9%. GDP in market prices amounted to 17,9 billion GEL (10,7 billion USD) and GDP per capita equaled to GEL 4092.8 (2450.1 USD).

In 2009 the inflation rate was 3.0%. 

The FDI's in 2009 (preliminary data) amounted 658.4mln.USD. 

In the 2009 the foreign trade turnover amounted to 5500.1 ml USD (29.5% reduce in comparison with the last year), where the export was 1130.6 ml. USD (24.4% reduce) and import - 4369.5 ml. USD (30.7% increase). The negative trade balance of Georgia was equal to 3238.9 ml. USD. (30.7% reduce).

In the 2010, first quarter, the GDP growth rate (preliminary data) amounted 4,5%. GDP in market prices amounted to 4,2 billion GEL (2,5 billion USD) and GDP per capita equaled to GEL 959 (557 USD).

The FDI's in 2010, first quarter, (preliminary data) amounted 75.7 mln.USD.  

In the 2010 (January-March) the foreign trade turnover amounted to 1361.3 ml USD (15.5% increase in comparison same period of the last year), where the export was 341.6 ml. USD (56.8% increase in comparison same period of the last year ) and import - 1019.7 ml. USD (6.1% increase in comparison same period of the last year). The negative trade balance of Georgia was equal to 678.1 ml. USD. (8.8% reduce in comparison same period of the last year).

Main Economic Indicators (2006 - 2010 January-March)

Official holidays: 1 January - New Year's Day, 7 January - Christmas, 19 January - Epiphany, 3 March - Mothers' Day, 8 March - Women's Day, 26 May - Independence Day, 28 August - Feast of the Virgin Mary, 14 October - Svetitskhovloba, (Celebration of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral), 23 November - St. George's Day.  

Climate

The climate is dry and continental in eastern Georgia with hot summers and mild winters. The climate in western Georgia and on the Black Sea coast is warm and semitropical. 

Flora and Fauna

Despite its small territory Georgia is home to highly diverse flora. The country's varied geographical and climatic zones have given rise to a wide variety of plant species. The flora of western and eastern Georgia are quite distinct. The climate is dry and semidry in non coniferous zones of eastern Georgia and therefore green areas and foliage are sparse there. Western Georgia, with its wet climate, is distinguished by dense forests and a diverse range of plants. Georgia's fauna represents a mixture of Central Asian and African fauna.