Georgia in Transition: Problems and Reality

1
Georgia in TransitionProblems and Reality

• By
• Ia Iashvili
• The University of Montana and Kutaisi State
  University

2
Location and Terrain of Georgia

• Between Europe and Asia, south of the Caucasus
  Mountains and between the Black and Caspian Seas.
• Northern neighbor is Russia southern neighbors
  are Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Geographic coordinates 42o-44o N.L, 40o-47o
  E.L.
• Area 69,700 sq km, slightly smaller than South
  Carolina.
• The northern part of the country is dominated by
  the Greater Caucasus (highest peak is Mt. Skhara
  5068m., and the southern part by the Lesser
  Caucasus (the highest peak is Didi-Abuli (
  3301m.). The Intermountain Depression is in the
  middle.

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5

• Climate Warm and pleasant, Mediterranean-like
  along the Black Sea. Coastal climate and soils
  allow for growth of tea and citrus fruits.
• Rivers Flow into the Black and Caspian Seas.
• Vegetation Extremely rich and diverse with
  broad-leaf species at lower levels and coniferous
  ones in a higher mountain attitude. Alpine
  meadows above the 1800 m. level.
• Natural Resources Minor coal and oil deposits,
  manganese, copper, arsenic, marble, hydropower,
  forests, curative climate, mineral waters, sea
  and balneology resources.

6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
History

• Middle Paleolithic
  Indigenous Georgian
  tribes exist along the Black Sea Coast.
• 1st millennium B.C.
  Two major
  tribal groups Diaokhi and Qolha.
• 330 A.D. Christianity established as state
  religion.
• 5th cent. A.D. Tbilisi founded and becomes the
  capital. West Georgia under the influence of
  Byzantium, East Georgia dominated by Sassanids
  Empire.
• 5th cent. A.D. Arabs capture Tbilisi.
• 9th 12th cent. United, prosperous Georgia the
  Golden Era.
• 14th cent. Mongol invasion of Georgia.

10

• 16th cent. Ottoman Turks and Persians divided
  Georgia into spheres of influence.
• 19th cent. Georgia absorbed into the Russian
  Empire.
• 1918 1921 Three years of independence.
• 1921 Georgia forcibly incorporated into USSR
  until dissolution in 1991.
• 1991 Independence for Georgia.
• Attempt by government to manipulate legislative
  elections in November 2003 touches off
  widespread protest and leads to resignation of
  Eduard Shevardnadze, president since 1995.
• New elections in early 2004 sweep Mikheil
  Saakhashvili and the National Movement Party into
  power.

11
(No Transcript)
12
Modern Georgia

• Independence April 9, 1991
• Membership UN 1992
• EC 1999
• Government Type Republic
• Capital Tbilisi

13
(No Transcript)
14
Political Parties and Presidents of Georgia

• National Movement Party
• New Rights
• Labor Party
• Industry Will Save Georgia
• Traditionalists
• Socialist Party
• 21-st Century
• Revival Union

15
Peoples of Georgia

• Georgians 83.8
• Others Armenians, Russians, Azeri,
• Ossetian, Abkhaz,
  Greeks, etc.
• Religion Orthodox 83.9
• Muslim 9.9
• Gregorian Church 5.7
  

16
(No Transcript)
17
Population
18
Population of Georgia by Census Years
19
Demographic Background

• Total Fertility Rate 1.4 children/per woman
• Infant Mortality Rate 19.3 deaths/1000 live
  births
• Life Expectancy at Birth Total Population 71.5
  years
• Male 67.9 Female
  75.0
  

20
Demographic Background

• Net migration -6.5 (per 1000 pop)
• Average size of household 3.5

21
Demographic Background
Permanent Population of Georgia by Marital Status
and Age per Thousand Persons According to the
General Population Census of 2002  

• Marriage
• 3.0 (per/1000 pop)
• Divorce
• 0.4 (per/1000 pop)

 
 
22
(No Transcript)
23
Sex-Age Structure

• Sex Ratio Male 47.2 Female 52.8
• Age Structure 0-14 years 18.7 15-64 years
  65.8
• 65 years and
  over 15.5
• Median Age Total 37 years
• Male 34.5 years
  Female 39.2 years

24
(No Transcript)
25
Georgias Economy

• Industry Electric energy production, metallurgy,
  engineering, metal processing, chemical industry,
  construction material industry, timber
  processing, light and food industry, recreation
  and tourism industry
• Agriculture Food and plant growing, cattle
  breeding
• Labor Force by Occupation Agriculture 40,
• Industry 20, Services 40

26
Development Indicators

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita
  2,500
• GDP Composition by Sector
• Industry 19.6 Agriculture 20.5
  Services 56.9
• Unemployment Rate
  17.0
• Population below Poverty Line 54.0
• Telephones Mobile Cellular 11.9
• Internet Users 3.4
  

27
Human Welfare Indicators

• Literacy (Total Population) 99
• Population below Poverty Line 54

28
Tourism and Leisure Industry

• Recreational Resources
  Mineral springs, sea
  resources, curative mountain climate, balneology
  resources.
• Location of resorts and tourist areas
  Seaside of the Black Sea,
  mountains and lowlands.
• Output of Tourism Sites
  102 resorts,
  2000 mineral water springs, 100 scenic routes,
  12, 000 historical monuments.
• Areas of Recreation and Tourism
• Resort-curative recreation
• Resort-entertainment tourism
• International tourism

29
Mineral Water Resort

• Borjomi
• The most famous mineral water resort in Georgia
  with cold and thermal carbon dioxide waters.
• Provides treatment for stomach alimentary canal,
  liver, diabetes and urological diseases.

30
Balneology Resort

• Tskhaltubo
• The most famous balneology resort.
• Thermal radon waters with therapeutic properties
  to treat joints, peripheral nervous system, skin
  and gynecological diseases.

31
The Black Sea Coast

• The Black Sea coast has excellent climatic
  conditions for resort development.
• 5-6 months sea bathing season.
• Ideal for treatment of patients with heart
  diseases.

32
Mountain Resorts

• Georgias mountains feature beautiful landscapes,
  healthy climate and numerous springs.
• Fresh mountain air.
• Moderate summer temperatures for rest and
  recuperation.

33
Resorts and Tourist Places in Mid and Low
Mountain Areas

• Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.
• Natural and historical sites Waterfalls, caves,
  canyons, glaciers, temples, museums.

34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
Challenges Facing Tourism Industry

• Lack of investment
• Inflexible visa and custom services
• Insufficient Marketing
• Country Image
• Security Problems
• Inadequate Promotion

37
Thank you for your Interest Attention