An infinite intercultural wealth
Throughout its history, Georgia's geographical position has enriched it with many cultures. Sandwiched between the Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains, it is surrounded by four states.
To the north, along a common 723 km border, lies the Russian Federation. This Orthodox state is made up of "Russian" regions or autonomous republics: Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. These are followed by Karbardino-Balkaria, Karachayevo-Cherkessia, the Republic of Adygea and, finally, the Krasnodar Krai. These autonomous confetti republics all represent a rich ethnic diversity.
To the southwest, Georgia borders Azerbaijan for 322 km, Armenia for 164 km and Turkey for 252 km.
Nothing is simple!
In geopolitical terms, Georgia is a highly strategic location. In terms of the diversity of its populations, the country and the entire region resemble a real mosaic, a puzzle. Some Georgians, not without reason, say: "We're in the middle of the whole world!
Indeed, the country is at the heart of influences, cultures, political currents and often conflicting interests. Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan are not far away, as vectors of the Islamic religion. Georgia's relations with its neighbors are volatile and complex. Considering the number of potential conflicts, the Caucasian world can be a veritable powder keg. At present, Georgia has very tense relations with its Russian neighbor. It has difficult but cordial relations with Armenia, and cordial relations with Turkey. As for Azerbaijan, diplomatic relations were strained in 2019 over the David Garedja site.
David Garedja, or a battle in the making
Straddling Georgia and Azerbaijan, this monastery is a highly sensitive geopolitical point. The demarcation of the border between these two neighboring countries is a source of almost constant conflict.
Indeed, Georgians regard the site as a crucible of Christian culture, a holy place and a symbol of their cultural heritage. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Georgia and Azerbaijan both belonged to the Soviet bloc. Since then, Azerbaijan considers that the borders have remained unchanged. Not so simple for Georgia. For Georgia, the site is rightfully theirs. On the other hand, the Azerbaijani government, with its Muslim culture, considers that the demarcation of a border cannot be imposed for religious reasons.
The situation is therefore tense. Accusations of "sacrilege" of the monastery perpetuated by the Azerbaijanis have further exacerbated tensions. Previously, an agreement between the two authorities allowed visitors to visit the site on the Azerbaijani side without a visa. This is no longer the case. A very fluid border, therefore, and one of great conflict.
A powder keg in the Caucasus?
A highly volatile situation on all sides. On the Russian side, it's explosive. The 2008 war between Georgia and Russia is a significant reflection of this. In 2019, tensions are exacerbated by recent anti-Russian demonstrations in Tbilisi. Russian authorities have banned flights from Georgia. Given Georgia's sometimes fractious relations with its neighbors, it is understandable that the country is resolutely looking towards Europe. Nevertheless, the situation became much more complex in 2024 with the promulgation of the law on "foreign influence", despite public opposition expressed through numerous demonstrations and the veto of President Salome Zourabichvili. In June 2024, the European Council decided to halt the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union, although in December 2023 Georgia was officially granted candidate status. European financial support of 30 million euros for the Georgian Ministry of Defense has also been frozen.
The administrative regions
Soviet-era divisions, some of them later, arbitrary, with a view to achieving a political balance of administrative entities, gave the following result, from east to west:
East/southeast
- Kakhetia (Telavi) in the far east, including the Tuchetia mountains.
- Kvemo-Kartlie (lower Kartlie), Roustavi, eastern Little Caucasus.
North/central north
- Mtskheta-Mtianetia (Mtskheta) in the north, including the central-western mountains and the Greater Caucasus.
- Chida-Kartli (Gori). This is the center-north. This is the conflict zone between North Ossetia, on the Russian side, and South Ossetia, which is out of its control, but Georgia nominally includes it in the region, with a capital, Tskhinvali.
- Tbilisi, capital of the country.
To the west
- Imeretia (Koutaïssi). In the center-west, it's the country's third-largest city.
- Ratcha-Letchkumi and Kvemo-Svanétie, in the north-west (lower Svanétie, Ambrolaouri). This is a mountainous, sparsely populated region.
- Autonomous Republic of Adjaria (Batumi) on the Black Sea, to the southwest.
- Gourie (Ozourguéti) on the Black Sea, to the west.
- Samégrelo-Zemo Svanétie (Mingrélie-haute Svanétie, Zougdidi), bordering Abkhazia.
- Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. On the Black Sea, in the far west, this separatist republic is effectively independent of Georgia.
To the south: Samtskhe-Djavakhetia (Akhaltsikhe). In the Lesser Caucasus, the area includes the historic regions of Tori, Meskhetia and Djavakhetia.
The relief
Turbulent, to say the least. Georgia lies at the junction of three tectonic plates: the Arabian, Eurasian and Anatolian. The mythical and magnificent Mount Ararat - actually a volcano - in Armenia, which can also be admired from the eastern Turkish border, marks this meeting point. The area is therefore seismic, prone to earthquakes, as in 1989, 1991 and 2002. The terrain is therefore as rich as the country itself in every respect: seismic activity has sculpted a very tormented relief, reflecting Georgia's highly varied environment. 10% of the territory belongs to the alpine or subalpine zone.
