Georgia is a relatively small country with a population of 3.7 million, the same as some other countries like Croatia and Uruguay. Most people often confuse it with one of the states in the USA, but it has its own history, charm, and beauty.

The country is mostly situated in the South Caucasus region, while a minor part of it is located in the north. It is a country that is mainly filled with mountains and has an area of 67,900 sq. kilometers. Its Likhi Mountain Range divides the country into its eastern and western halves, where historically they were known as Colchis and Iberia respectively.

The northern border is protected by the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, which slowly ranges into Russian territory further north. The southern half of the country is bounded by the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.

The climate of Georgia has two main trends, mild and rainy on the coast and the western plain, while in the central and more eastern areas, it is more continental and arid, the mountains, however, are generally and quite obviously cooler.

The Caucasian barrier protects the country from the cold air flowing down from the north, while the rest of the country is kept relatively comfortable by the moist sea breeze of the Black Sea.

The western half of Georgia is more humid and has a kind of maritime climate, owing to the Black Sea. While the eastern half of the country has a more dry subtropical climate.

Western Georgia experiences the most rainfall throughout the year, totaling somewhere near 40-100 inches. The humidity here decreases from the south towards the north and the east. Winters in southern and western Georgia are mild and warm, never falling below 0 degrees celsius. In the summer, temperatures average about 22 degrees celsius throughout the country.

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A Bit of History 

The history of the country of Georgia goes back to the Paleolithic Era around the 12th century BC, where the first proto-Georgian tribes first appear in documented history. Archaeological studies reveal elements of early political and state formations, running parallel with advanced metallurgy and goldsmith techniques, dating back to the 7th century BC and even beyond.

The more recent history of this country begins on 22 December 1800 when Tsar Paul I of Russia signed the proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia within the Russian Empire, which was formally finalized in 1891. 

After a series of uprisings, revolts, and battles, Russian suzerainty over Georgia was attained in 1867.

Post the Russian Revolution of 1917, the ‘Transcaucasian Democratic Federation’ was established and Nikolay Chkheidze became its acting president. This federation had three members - Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. 

Georgia declared independence on 26 May 1918, following the Ottoman advancements into the Caucasian territories of the crippled Russian Empire. A parliamentary election was held after this where the Menshevik Social Democratic Party of Georgia won, electing Noe Zhordania, its leader, as the Prime Minister.

In 1918 the Georgian-Armenian War broke out over disputes on parts of land that had been populated by mostly Armenian people. This war was stopped due to the British intervention. 

Another attack that year led to the claim of the Black Sea coastline from Tuapse to Sochi and Adler proclaiming an independent Georgia. However, this did not last long since the country was then annexed by the Soviet Union in 1922. 

Finally on 9 April 1991, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Supreme Council of Georgia declared its independence after a referendum held on 31 March that same year. 26 May 1991 saw the election of Zviad Gamsakhurdia as the first Prime Minister of Independent Georgia. 

Around 2008 Georgia was in a dire state, military conflicts, government changes, economic crises, and civil war had torn the country into shreds. Only after France proposed a ceasefire did Georgia’s decades of hostility with Russia came to an end.

Lifestyle 

Culture and heritage run deep through the veins of the entire country. People in Georgia are nice and warm, which gives us a blueprint of what to expect from them as a country. Having a rich cultural heritage that is mixed, Georgia is graced with beautiful medieval architecture, and the landscape of the country adds to its beauty.

One of the main attractions is the capital, Tbilisi, an ancient town of historical importance, where medieval architecture mingles with modern buildings, all in a scenic gorge of the Kura River.

As for the cost of life, Georgia is pretty affordable and is a perfect destination for low-budget traveling and tourism. With a mix of both low and high-end restaurants and shopping places, the country of Georgia caters to all economic classes in society.

People in Georgia, who call themselves ‘Kartveli’, do not all speak English, they have their own script which is said to have developed sometime in the 5th century, and has been evolving ever since.

They say that there are three ways you can distinguish Georgians from others - their hospitality, support, and their nose! The people of Georgia are a welcoming community, especially in the more rural areas. These people will let you in their house, feed you, and ask you to spend the night over because they believe that every guest is a messenger from god!

Communities here are self-sufficient and often come together to support those who need help in times of crisis. If this does not paint a picture of people from here, nothing else will.

Doing Business

Georgia is now widely regarded as one of the most business-friendly countries in the world. After a major decline in 2015, Georgia has risen through the ashes of its unstable past now on course to become one of Europe’s top performers when it comes to economic growth.

With a steady 4.7% growth rate over the last two years, Georgia is now the sixth most friendly economy to do business in the world! 

This improvement is due to three main factors: 

-The simplification of administrative procedures like tax registration or licensing has made it easier for many to start new businesses. 

-Georgian government legislation has simplified tax compliance procedures and simultaneously decreased the number of tax returns. Making payments easier. 

-An automated court system and the introduction of an e-payment system have simplified the enforcement of business contracts.

The legal framework and business environment contribute to the advantages of doing business in Georgia:

-Georgia has Free trade agreements with the European Union, Turkey, CIS, China 

-Double Taxation Avoidance Treaties with 55 countries

-Absence of an automatic information exchange system (CRS)

-There are four Fully Tax Free Industrial Zones that can be used by international businesses for their business expansions in neighboring EU/CIS/Turkey (for manufacturing or trading)

However, for a country like Georgia to keep up its economic expansion, foreign direct investment (FDI) becomes crucial. In this sector, it has seen numerous ups and downs within the past five years. While FDI inflow is currently lower than desired, the future looks bright, because of the progressive steps being taken and implemented by the country to secure international investment.

Georgia is neither a big superpower in the modern world, nor is it a huge land covering vast areas of the earth’s surface, but its people, architecture, history, overall lifestyle, and business opportunities are second to none!

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