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In antiquity Eastern Georgia was referred to as Iberia and Western Georgia as Colchis or Colkhida. The Georgians themselves refer to their country as Sakartvelo, which translates as the place surrounding Kartli, a central Georgian province.
Georgia straddles a strategically vital isthmus of land lying between the Caspian and Black Seas, making it the cross roads between Europe and Asia. The towering Great Caucasus mountains range from the North to lowlands of fertile valleys, semi-desserts, steppe lands and to the tropical coasts of the Black Sea.
For such a small country Georgia has an amazing diversity of natural climates, flora and fauna making it agriculturally abundant. The mixed blessing of being the gate-keeper to the shortest land route between Europe and Asia has given both great affluence and great troubles at various times. More often than not it was a bitter and bloody past, where contending empires fought for control over the gateway. The resulting confluence of cultures that is today’s Georgia comes from the Hittites, Assyrians and Sumerians of ancient times, the Arab Caliphate, Persians and Mongols, Greeks, Romans, Turks, Russians and North Caucasians of more modern times, all intermingling sometimes through war, sometimes through trade, culture, love and religion.
Georgia’s history is as one of the first agrarian civilizations. Amongst many gifts to mankind, Georgia likely domesticated the first cultivated grape vines, as well as wheat, some 8,000 years ago, and indeed, the oldest hominid skull, outside of Africa, was found here. The western name Georgia itself comes from the Greek “Geo” for Earth and refers to those who till the land.
Georgians ethnically are of many individual peoples indigenous to the Caucasus, and may be the foundation for many European nationalities. Because Georgia had been a part of the Soviet Union and earlier, in the 18th century, absorbed into the Russian Empire, it is often thought in the world community that Georgia is a part of Russia. In the early times, however, it was a very different story. Ancient empires, expanding westward and eastwards saw Georgia as a desirable land link for trade along the silk road route, as well as for military logistics. Relationships with neighboring powers brought great wealth or great battles alternately to the country.
The Georgian language is independent from any other language and is spoken in three different versions: Megrelian, Svan and Kartuli. Its fascinating script is one of only 13 alphabets used in the world today.
Georgian cuisine is full of variety, changing from region to region, but always with a strong focus on natural locally farmed seasonal produce, wild fish, game and fowl as well as a wide range of foraged wild herbs and mushrooms. Dominating flavors include walnut sauces, pomegranates, roasted meats, tarragon stews, pungent cheeses and wild mushrooms. It is usual at a Georgian meal to have between 8-20 dishes brought out over a period of a few hours, washed down with pitchers of fresh amber wine, hauntingly beautiful polyphonic songs and philosophical toasts. Few cultures celebrate food and wine in such a noble and ceremonial manner as the Georgians.
One fifth of Georgia is made up of National Parks, ranging from desert to tropical coasts, highland areas, rolling fertile valley’s to marshland swamplands, offering a range of unusual flora and fauna, including one of the worlds largest migration paths of raptors. Trekking and horseback riding opportunities are countless in Georgia, often with ancient villages and monasteries dotting the national parks, adding a layer of ancient culture to the local natural wonder.
Georgians had a host of various pagan religions until it became Christian in the early part of the fourth century, as a result of the missionary work of St. Nino. St. Andrew the First and Simon the Canaanite, brought Christianity to Georgia in the first century, but most of the country remained pagan with only pockets of Christianity and Judaism.
Today the country is 86% Eastern Christian Orthodox, but still, there are Sun Worshipping temples, Fire Worshipping temples, Mosques, Synagogues, Armenian Gregorian Churches and Catholic Cathedrals. Georgians are passionate about their religion but famously tolerant throughout history of other faiths mostly practiced by minority groups. Georgian Highlanders still retain many rituals and customs that stem back to pagan times but have merged with Orthodox Christianity.
Georgians, as a people can be considered very gifted in the arts of theater and film, classical music, opera and folk music; from ballet to traditional fiery folk dances, poetry and literature; from enamel work, mosaics, fresco and icon paintings to rare medieval architecture, carpets and kilims. The arts in Georgia are varied and rich; they are a treasure, waiting to be discovered
