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Georgia is situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, in the Western part of the Transcaucasia on the southern slopes of the Caucasian mountains, between 42 and 44 degrees latitude north and 40 and 47 degrees longitude east, covering an area of 69,700 square kilometers. It shares borders with the Russian Federation in the north, the Republic of Azerbaijan in the south-east, the Republic of Armenia in the south, and the Republic of Turkey in the south-west. Western Georgia is bounded by the Black Sea. The surface of Georgia ranges in altitude from 0 meters on the Black Sea level up to 5,184 meters in the Caucasus mountains near the border with Russia. The northern, central and southern parts are dominated by mountains (the Caucasus mountains in the north, Likhi range in the central part and lesser Caucasus mountains in the south). The Kolkhida lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west, while in eastern Georgia all rivers join the Mtkvari (Kura) river, forming the Caspian basin. About 2/3 of Georgia's territory is mountainous - the average elevation of the country being 1200 meters. The main peaks are: Shkhara (5,184 m), Kazbegi (5,033 m), Rustaveli (4960 m), Tetnuldi (4852 m), Ushba (4710 m), and Shkhelda (4322 m). The main rivers are: Mtkvari (384 km), Alazani (390 km), Iori (375 km), Rioni (327 km), Enguri (221 km), and Khrami (220 km). The Caucasian mountain barrier protects Georgia against waves of cold air from the north, allowing the Black Sea to warm the region. The climatic zones range from moderately humid Mediterranean-type in the west to both dry and temperate damp climates in the east. The average air temperature in the coastal areas of Georgia is 15 degrees Centigrade and 11-13 degrees Centigrade in the eastern part. Average annual rainfall ranges between 400 and 3000 mm from east to west. There are about 300 deposits of mineral resources in Georgia - commercially the most important are the deposits of manganese, non-ferrous and rare metals, raw construction, and facing materials. Minor coal and oil deposits are also present. Georgia is rich in water resources. There are some 25,000 rivers and 850 lakes that constitute 66.3 cubic km of water. The hydropower capacity of the rivers is evaluated at 60 million kWh. There are also numerous curative mineral springs, such as "Borjomi", "Sairme", "Tskaltubo" "Nabeglavi" and natural water exports from Georgia are known throughout the world. The total land area of Georgia constitutes 7.3 million hectares. Arable land composes 11%, permanent crops - 4%; meadows and pastures - 29%; forest and woodland - 38%; other - 18%. Irrigated land equals to 4,660 sq. km. Coastal climate and soils allow important tea and citrus growth in the western part of the country. Georgia was one of main tourist destinations in the former USSR. It has significant tourist potential. Magnificent landscapes with spectacular mountain ranges, an old and beautiful culture, fine ski resorts and Black Sea beaches along with mid sub-tropical climate create a good basis for attracting tourists from over the world. Georgia is a multi-ethnic country. Georgians form the strong majority of the population in most of the regions. According to the census of 1989 they comprised 70.1 percent of the population (3.787,393). Other major ethnic groups are Armenians (437,266; 8.1%), Russians (341,172; 6.3%), and Azeris (307,556; 5.7%). There are also Ossetians, Greeks, Abkhaz, Ukrainians, Kurds, Jews, Assyrians, and other ethnic groups. The ethnic structure and geographical distribution of the ethnic groups has changed significantly during the last 13 years due to civil war and military clashes in Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region (also known as South Ossetia) causing hundreds of people to leave their homes. Large number of Jews, Russians and Greeks that lived in Georgia have emigrated to their historical homelands. Many Armenians and some Russian-speaking groups, as well as a large number of Georgians, have emigrated to Russia, Western Europe or elsewhere in search of a better life. The great majority of the population of Georgia belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church, ruled by the Catholikos-Patriarch of the Georgian Autocephalic Church, Ilia II. The majority of Georgians in Ajara are Sunni Muslims. There are also Muslims (Shia) among the Azeri population. Sunni Muslims are also present among the Abkhaz, Ossetians and Ellinophone Greeks. Most ethnic Armenians belong to the Gregorian Christian Church. There are also several Catholic and Protestant Churches in Georgia. Other small religious groups are formed by Yezid Kurds, Russian Molokans and Dukhobors, and Georgian Jews. The population of the latter two groups has diminished significantly during the last years 15 years due to emigration. There are two Autonomous Republics in Georgia - the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia - and nine Regional Administrations:
As of 1994, a total of 62 towns and 4475 villages were registered in Georgia. Around 56% of the population live in urban areas while 44% reside in rural areas.
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