Tbilisi, Georgia

In the middle of December I went to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, my father's motherland.
Today I want to share some photos and few details about history of the place, maybe it will be interesting to you, too.
Georgia is amazingly beautiful country with long and difficult history.

Georgia 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.

Ethnic Georgians form about 84% of Georgia's current population of 4,661,473 (July 2006 est.). 

The Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church is one of the world's most ancient Christian Churches, founded in the 1st century by the Apostle Andrew the First Called.

The two early Georgian kingdoms of late antiquity, known to Greco-Roman historiography as Iberia and Colchis, were among the first nations in the region to adopt Christianity (in AD 337, or in AD 319 as recent research suggests).

In Greek mythology, Colchis was the location of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in Apollonius Rhodius' epic tale Argonautica.

Archaeological finds and references in ancient sources reveal elements of early political and state formations characterized by advanced metallurgy and goldsmith techniques that date back to the 7th century BC and beyond.

The Georgian Kingdom reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries.

Joseph Stalin, an ethnic Georgian, was prominent among the Bolsheviks, who came to power in the Russian Empire after the October Revolution in 1917.
On April 9, 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia declared independence from the USSR.

In 1992-1995 the country became embroiled in a civil war.

August 2008 - military conflict between Georgia and Russia.

Georgia is currently working to become a full member of NATO.

In 2005 average monthly income of a household was GEL 347 (about 200 USD).

In 2007 Georgia's real GDP growth rate reached 12%, making Georgia one of the fastest growing economies in Eastern Europe.

Georgia is well known for its rich folklore, unique traditional music, theatre, cinema, and art. In the 20th century there have been notable Georgian painters such as Niko Pirosmani, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani; ballet choreographers such as George Balanchine, Vakhtang Chabukiani, and Nino Ananiashvili; poets such as Galaktion Tabidze, Lado Asatiani, and Mukhran Machavariani; and theatre and film directors such as Robert Sturua, Tengiz Abuladze, Giorgi Danelia and Otar Ioseliani.

Georgian ecclesiastic art is one of the most fascinating aspects of Georgian Christian architecture, which combines classical dome style with original basilica style forming what is known as the Georgian cross-dome style. Cross-dome architecture developed in Georgia during the 9th century; before that, most Georgian churches were basilicas.

Georgia is a very mountainous country. The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount Shkhara at 5,068 meters (16,627 ft).

The Southern Georgia Volcanic Highland is a young and unstable geologic region with high seismic activity and has experienced some of the most significant earthquakes that have been recorded in Georgia.

Much of the natural habitat in the low-lying areas of Western Georgia has disappeared over the last 100 years because of the agricultural development of the land and urbanization. The large majority of the forests that covered the Colchis plain are now virtually non-existent with the exception of the regions that are included in the national parks and reserves.

Information source: Wiki.