10 (well actually 11) Things You May Not Already Know About Georgia

You may not be aware that I am Georgia’s Honorary Consul in Melbourne. This is a role that I am enjoying greatly.

Today, 29 May 2018, is Georgia’s National Day. I thought this made it a worthy occasion to share with you some information about Georgia that you may not already be aware. For a small country Georgia packs a punch and has a very bright future, which I am keen to nurture and support.

Some facts that you may not already know about Georgia:

1. Georgia is a small country nestled at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan.

2. Georgia’s population of around 3.8 million is a similar size to Melbourne. Their land mass of 69,700km2 is a similar size to Tasmania (or around a 1/3 of the size of Victoria).

3. The major city of Georgia is called Tbilisi.

4. The landscape in Georgia includes everything from snowy mountains to sandy shores, rolling vineyards, and ancient cities.

5. Whilst at one time Georgia was part of the Russian empire, they are celebrating their 100^th year of independence this year.

6. Georgia has its own unique alphabet, it includes 33-letters and is thought to be based on the sort of Aramaic spoken in the time of Jesus.

7. Georgian’s don’t call their country Georgia, they call their country Sakartvelo. The origins of the country’s name (Georgia) in English are obscure but it is possibly linked to their much-revered Patron Saint St George. Throughout Georgia, there is homage to St George and even in Tbilisi’s central square, there is a prominent gold statue of St George slaying a dragon. Their national flag features his red cross on a white background.

8. Georgia is home to the world’s highest mountain range. The Caucasus Mountains mark the border between Georgia and Russia. While the highest peak is in Russia, Georgia lays claim to the second highest, Shkara, which at 5,193m (17,040 ft) beats Mont Blanc by nearly 400m (1,312 ft).

9. There is a startling amount of space-age architecture in Georgia. The new parliament building is a huge glass and concrete bubble, looking like a giant frog’s eye. A slew of new police stations has been built that is all glass and see-through, symbolic of Georgia’s aspirations for democratic transparency.

10. Georgia’s economy revolves around their Black Sea tourism, cultivation of citrus fruits, tea and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and the output of a large industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles.

And of course, the 11^th item on my list is the sharing with you of my role as the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Melbourne.