gg.json

{"code":"gg","name":"Georgia","region":"Middle East","background":"The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a series of Russian and separatist provocations in summer 2008, Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations.","geo":{"Location":"Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe","Geographic coordinates":{"N":{"deg":42,"min":0},"E":{"deg":43,"min":30}},"Map references":{},"Area":{"total":{"quantity":69700,"unit":"sq km"},"country comparison to the world":"","land":{"quantity":69700,"unit":"sq km"},"water":{"quantity":0,"unit":"sq km"}},"Area - comparative":"slightly smaller than South Carolina","Land boundaries":{"total":{"quantity":1461,"unit":"km"},"border countries":"Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km"},"Coastline":{"quantity":310,"unit":"km"},"Maritime claims":{"territorial sea":{"quantity":12,"unit":"nm"},"exclusive economic zone":{"quantity":200,"unit":"nm"}},"Terrain":"largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland","Elevation extremes":{"lowest point":"Black Sea 0 m","highest point":"Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m"},"Land use":{"arable land":{"quantity":11.51,"unit":"%"},"permanent crops":{"quantity":3.79,"unit":"%"},"other":{"quantity":84.7,"unit":"%"}},"Irrigated land":{"quantity":4330,"unit":"sq km"},"Total renewable water resources":{"quantity":63.3,"unit":"cu km"},"Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)":{"total":{"quantity":3.61,"unit":"cu km/yr"},"per capita":{"quantity":808,"unit":"cu m/yr"}},"Natural hazards":"earthquakes","internationalEnvironmentAgreements":{"signed, but not ratified":"none of the selected agreements","partyTo":["Air Pollution","Biodiversity","Climate Change","Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol","Desertification","Endangered Species","Hazardous Wastes","Law of the Sea","Ozone Layer Protection","Ship Pollution","Wetlands"]},"naturalResources":["timber","hydropower","manganese deposits","iron ore","copper","minor coal and oil deposits","coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth"],"environmentalIssues":["air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi","heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea","inadequate supplies of potable water","soil pollution from toxic chemicals"],"climate":["warm and pleasant","Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast"],"geographyNote":["strategically located east of the Black Sea","Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them"]},"people":{"Population":4585,"Age structure":{"0-14 years":{"quantity":15.6,"unit":"%"},"15-64 years":{"quantity":68.3,"unit":"%"},"65 years and over":"16% (male 293,143/female 442,687) (2011 est.)"},"Median age":{"total":{"quantity":39.1,"unit":"years"},"male":{"quantity":36.6,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":41.6,"unit":"years"}},"Population growth rate":"-0.326% (2011 est.)","Birth rate":{"quantity":10.73,"unit":"births/1,000 population"},"Death rate":{"quantity":9.92,"unit":"deaths/1,000 population"},"Net migration rate":"-4.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)","Urbanization":{"urban population":{"quantity":53,"unit":"% of total population"},"rate of urbanization":"-0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)"},"Major cities - population":"TBILISI (capital) 1.115 million (2009)","Sex ratio":{"at birth":{"quantity":1.113,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"under 15 years":{"quantity":1.15,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"15-64 years":{"quantity":0.93,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"65 years and over":{"quantity":0.66,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"total population":{"quantity":0.91,"unit":"male(s)/female"}},"Infant mortality rate":{"total":{"quantity":15.17,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"},"country comparison to the world":"","male":{"quantity":17.1,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"},"female":{"quantity":13.02,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"}},"Life expectancy at birth":{"total population":{"quantity":77.12,"unit":"years"},"country comparison to the world":"","male":{"quantity":73.8,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":80.82,"unit":"years"}},"Total fertility rate":{"quantity":1.45,"unit":"children born/woman"},"HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate":{"quantity":0.1,"unit":"%"},"HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS":3500,"HIV/AIDS - deaths":"fewer than 100 (2009 est.)","Drinking water source":{},"Sanitation facility access":{},"Nationality":{"noun":"Georgian(s)","adjective":"Georgian"},"Languages":{"Languages":"Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%"},"Literacy":{"definition":"age 15 and over can read and write","total population":{"quantity":100,"unit":"%"},"male":{"quantity":100,"unit":"%"},"female":{"quantity":100,"unit":"%"}},"School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)":{"total":{"quantity":13,"unit":"years"},"male":{"quantity":13,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":13,"unit":"years"}},"Education expenditures":{"quantity":3.2,"unit":"% of GDP"},"ethnicGroups":["Georgian 83.8%","Azeri 6.5%","Armenian 5.7%","Russian 1.5%","other 2.5% (2002 census)"],"religions":["Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%","Muslim 9.9%","Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%","Catholic 0.8%","other 0.8%","none 0.7% (2002 census)"]},"government":{"Country name":{"conventional long form":"none","conventional short form":"Georgia","local long form":"none","local short form":"Sak'art'velo","former":"Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic"},"Government type":"republic","Capital":{"name":"T'bilisi","geographic coordinates":{"N":{"deg":41,"min":43},"E":{"deg":44,"min":47}},"time difference":"UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)"},"Administrative divisions":{"Administrative divisions":"9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)","regions":"Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli","city":"Tbilisi","autonomous republics":"Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)"},"Independence":"9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under BAGRAT III)","National holiday":"Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union","Legal system":"civil law system","International law organization participation":"accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction","Suffrage":"18 years of age; universal","Executive branch":{"chief of state":"President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is the chief of state and serves as head of government for the power ministries of internal affairs and defense","head of government":"Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February 2009); the prime minister is head of government for all the ministries of government except the power ministries of internal affairs and defense","cabinet":"Cabinet of Ministers","elections":"president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 January 2008 (next to be held in January 2013)","election results":"Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%, other 13.7%"},"Legislative branch":{"Legislative branch":"unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 75 members elected by proportional representation, 75 from single-seat constituencies; members to serve four-year terms)","elections":"last held on 21 May 2008 (next to be held in the spring of 2012)","election results":"percent of vote by party - United National Movement 59.2%, National Council-New Rights (a Joint Opposition, nine-party bloc) 17.7%, Christian Democratic Movement 8.8%, Labor Party 7.4%, Republican Party 3.8%; seats by party - United National Movement 120, National Council-New Rights 16, Christian Democratic Movement 6, Labor Party 6, Republican Party 2"},"Judicial branch":"Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts","Political parties and leaders":"Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Conservative Party [Kakha KUKAVA]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; For Fair Georgia [Zurab NOGAIDELI]; Georgian Party [Sozar SUBARI]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) [Irakli ALASANIA]; People's Party [Koba DAVITASHVILI; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; United National Movement or UNM [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]","Political pressure groups and leaders":"separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia","Diplomatic representation in the US":{"chief of mission":"Ambassador Temuri YAKOBASHVILI","chancery":"2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008","telephone":"[1] (202) 387-2390","FAX":"[1] (202) 393-4537","consulate(s) general":"New York"},"Diplomatic representation from the US":{"chief of mission":"Ambassador John BASS","embassy":"11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131","mailing address":"7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060","telephone":"[995] (32) 27-70-00","FAX":"[995] (32) 53-23-10"},"Flag description":"white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross flag design appears to date back to the 14th century","National anthem":{"name":"\"Tavisupleba\" (Liberty)","lyrics/music":"Dawit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)"},"internationalOrganizations":["ADB","BSEC","CE","EAPC","EBRD","FAO","G-11","GCTU","GUAM","IAEA","IBRD","ICAO","ICC","ICRM","IDA","IFAD","IFC","IFRCS","ILO","IMF","IMO","Interpol","IOC","IOM","IPU","ISO (correspondent)","ITSO","ITU","ITUC","MIGA","OAS (observer)","OIF (observer)","OPCW","OSCE","PFP","SECI (observer)","UN","UNCTAD","UNESCO","UNIDO","UNWTO","UPU","WCO","WHO","WIPO","WMO","WTO"]},"economy":{"Economy - overview":"Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed in 2008 following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and turned negative in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis, but rebounded in 2010. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption. However, the economic downturn of 2008-09 eroded the tax base and led to a decline in the budget surplus and an increase in public borrowing needs. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and internationally.","GDP (purchasing power parity)":{"GDP (purchasing power parity)":{"usd":22440000000},"country comparison to the world":""},"GDP (official exchange rate)":{"usd":11670000000},"GDP - real growth rate":{"quantity":6.4,"unit":"%"},"GDP - per capita (PPP)":{"GDP - per capita (PPP)":{"usd":null},"country comparison to the world":""},"GDP - composition by sector":{"agriculture":{"quantity":11,"unit":"%"},"industry":{"quantity":27.1,"unit":"%"},"services":{"quantity":62,"unit":"%"}},"Labor force":1918000,"Labor force - by occupation":{"agriculture":{"quantity":55.6,"unit":"%"},"industry":{"quantity":8.9,"unit":"%"},"services":{"quantity":35.5,"unit":"%"}},"Unemployment rate":{"quantity":16.4,"unit":"%"},"Population below poverty line":{"quantity":31,"unit":"%"},"Household income or consumption by percentage share":{"lowest 10%":{"quantity":1.9,"unit":"%"},"highest 10%":{"quantity":30.6,"unit":"%"}},"Distribution of family income - Gini index":40.8,"Investment (gross fixed)":{"quantity":14.5,"unit":"% of GDP"},"Budget":{"revenues":{"usd":3172000000},"expenditures":{"usd":3915000000}},"Inflation rate (consumer prices)":{"quantity":5.7,"unit":"%"},"Central bank discount rate":{"Central bank discount rate":{"quantity":8,"unit":"%"}},"Commercial bank prime lending rate":{"quantity":25.52,"unit":"%"},"Stock of narrow money":{"usd":1175000000},"Stock of broad money":{"usd":2146000000},"Stock of domestic credit":{"usd":3243000000},"Market value of publicly traded shares":{"usd":733300000},"Industrial production growth rate":{"quantity":4,"unit":"%"},"Electricity - production":{"quantity":7970000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - consumption":{"quantity":6902000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - exports":{"quantity":628000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - imports":{"quantity":430000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Oil - production":{"quantity":994.9,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - consumption":{"quantity":13000,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - exports":{"quantity":1486,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - imports":{"quantity":16590,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - proved reserves":{"quantity":35000000,"unit":"bbl"},"Natural gas - production":{"quantity":8000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - consumption":{"quantity":1730000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - exports":{"quantity":0,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - imports":{"quantity":1720000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - proved reserves":{"quantity":8494999999.999999,"unit":"cu m"},"Current account balance":"$-1.404 billion (2010 est.)","Exports":{"usd":2290000000},"Imports":{"usd":4828000000},"Reserves of foreign exchange and gold":{"usd":2350000000},"Debt - external":{"usd":3381000000},"Exchange rates":"laris (GEL) per US dollar -","industries":["steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine"],"agricultureProducts":["citrus","grapes","tea","hazelnuts","vegetables","livestock"],"exportCommodities":["scrap metal","wine","mineral water","ores","vehicles","fruits and nuts"],"exportPartners":["Turkey 17.87%","Azerbaijan 12.3%","Bulgaria 9.6%","Canada 8.78%","UK 7.49%","Ukraine 6.82%","Spain 5.27%","US 4.99%"],"importCommodities":["fuels","vehicles","machinery and parts","grain and other foods","pharmaceuticals"],"importPartners":["Turkey 16.81%","Azerbaijan 9.72%","Ukraine 9.17%","Russia 7.39%","US 6.63%","Germany 6.22%"]},"communications":{"Telephones - main lines in use":620000,"Telephones - mobile cellular":2837000,"Telephone system":{"general assessment":"fixed-line telecommunications network has only limited coverage outside Tbilisi; long list of people waiting for fixed line connections; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country","domestic":"cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 60 per 100 people; urban fixed-line telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; nationwide pager service is available","international":"country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available"},"Broadcast media":"1 state-owned public television station in Tbilisi and 8 privately-owned TV stations; state-run public broadcaster operates 2 networks; dozens of cable TV operators and several major commercial TV stations are operating; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; several dozen private stations broadcast (2008)","Internet country code":".ge","Internet hosts":110680,"Internet users":1300000},"transport":{"Airports":22,"Airports - with paved runways":{"total":18,"over 3,047 m":1,"2,438 to 3,047 m":7,"1,524 to 2,437 m":4,"914 to 1,523 m":4},"Airports - with unpaved runways":{"total":4,"914 to 1,523 m":2,"under 914 m":2},"Heliports":3,"Pipelines":"gas 1,596 km; oil 1,258 km (2010)","Railways":{"total":{"quantity":1612,"unit":"km"},"country comparison to the world":"","broad gauge":"1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified)","narrow gauge":"37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2009)"},"Roadways":{"total":{"quantity":20329,"unit":"km"},"country comparison to the world":"","paved":{"quantity":7854,"unit":"km"},"unpaved":{"quantity":12475,"unit":"km"}},"Merchant marine":{"total":193,"country comparison to the world":"","by type":"bulk carrier 18, cargo 151, carrier 1, chemical tanker 3, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 7, vehicle carrier 2","foreign-owned":132,"registered in other countries":"1 (unknown 1) (2010)"},"Ports and terminals":"Bat'umi, P'ot'i","Transportation - note":"large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair"},"military":{"Military branches":"Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces (2011)","Military service age and obligation":"18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005)","Manpower available for military service":{"males age 16-49":1080,"females age 16-49":1122},"Manpower fit for military service":{"males age 16-49":893003,"females age 16-49":931683},"Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually":{"male":29723,"female":27242},"Military expenditures":{"quantity":1.9,"unit":"% of GDP"}},"issues":{"Refugees and internally displaced persons":{"refugees (country of origin)":1100,"IDPs":"220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007)"},"Illicit drugs":"limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia","internationalDisputes":["Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia","Georgia continues to restrain the return of Meshkhetian Turks dispersed by Stalin","ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government","local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders"]}}