It’s surrounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the south-east by Azerbaijan, and covers a territory of 69,700 square kilometres or 26,911 sq. miles, and has a population of about roughly 3.7 million people.
The largest city, which also happens to be the capital city, is Tbilisi.
Most people have never heard of it.
Until now!
When I first heard of Georgia, I thought it was Georgia – the American state – in the USA!
It’s not!
Georgia, is the first country in the world, to ever produce wine. Ever! In fact, experts calculate that the fist wine discovered was deemed to be as far back as 8,000 years ago. Wow!
The word – Tbilisi or თბილისი, the capital city – is the Georgian word for “warm” or literally “warm location” because of it’s spas and beautiful hot sulphuric springs!
The locals don’t call their country Georgia, but rather Sakartvelo or საქართველო used as far back as the 9th century meaning “land of Kartvelians.” Not, as some people think – the Kardashians. Not too far off obviously, but they’re from Armenia!
The patron saint of Georgia with dragons n’ all, is St. George!
The Georgian language is one of the 14 most unique languages in the world. It’s so unique that no other nation in the world speaks the Georgian tongue, except the Georgians themselves, and it even has it’s own writing system and alphabet – the Georgian script which is used to write three different Georgian languages – Nuskhuri, Asomtavruli and Mkhedruli!
The Jewish community in Georgia is one of the oldest communities in the world! The community is divided into two groups – Georgian Jews who have lived there for 2,600+ years, and Ashkenazi Jews who arrived from Germany and France, in the 19th century
Georgia has several UNESCO World Heritage sites including the ancient capital city of Mtskheta, the Bagrati Cathedral and the magnificent complex of the medieval Gelati Monastery!
The highest settlement in Europe is in Georgia! It’s called Ushguli. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of four (4) ancient villages in the mountainous region of Svaneti, and about 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above sea level!
Georgia has sixteen (16) of Europe’s oldest cities!
Veryovkina Cave – the deepest cave on Earth – took half a century and about 30 expeditions for Russian cave explorers to reach its record depth of 2,212 metres or 7,257 feet deep and would take an average of 27 days to reach the bottom. Gulp!
11. Georgia has a weirdly candle-shaped-toffee-like-stalactite thing called a Churchkhela. It’s a type of stalactite toffee dipped in thickened grape juice and then dried in a sausage form! I couldn’t try it of course, as the main ingredients are flour, grapes and nuts!
This trip was a media visit and will showcase the best that Tbilisi has to offer.
I was there for five (5) days in September getting to grips with the fact that I was in the historical city with links to the history of the Silk Road, trade, and a diverse mix of fascinating architecture coupled, with absolutely beautiful weather, and really interesting food!
AN INTRODUCTION TO GEORGIA. NOT THAT ONE. THE OTHER ONE!
An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one!
This article is possible thanks to the support of Tbilisi City Hall who invited me to discover the city of Tbilisi nevertheless, all views represented here, are my very own!
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An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one!
Did you know there is a Georgia in America and a Georgia in Europe? Comment away!
See you in Berlin.
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4 Comments on “An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one!”
How great is Georgian food? I think I legit gained 6 lbs in 3 days – bc the locals try to stuff you with khinkali and khachapuri till you’re half-dead!
Thanks so much Anna!
Georgian food is yum! And it’s true, piles of food kept being delivered, and simply didn’t stop. I’m surprised I was able to fit into my dress! 😀
Ha! As for the food, I haven’t even started writing about it yet. That’s the next blog coming up.
Very soon. 🙂
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I'm a British girl from Manchester living in Berlin with my German husband and my half British – half German son.
My blog is a lifestyle expat travel blog and puts a focus on my promotion of culture, history, travels around the world, Europe, Brexit, the Royal Family, British-German life and being British in Berlin - I am The British Berliner!
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How great is Georgian food? I think I legit gained 6 lbs in 3 days – bc the locals try to stuff you with khinkali and khachapuri till you’re half-dead!
Thanks so much Anna!
Georgian food is yum! And it’s true, piles of food kept being delivered, and simply didn’t stop. I’m surprised I was able to fit into my dress! 😀
Ha! As for the food, I haven’t even started writing about it yet. That’s the next blog coming up.
Very soon. 🙂
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