Georgia Country: Currency, Major Cities and Population Facts

The official name is the Georgian Democratic Republic, but locals call the country Sakartvelo. The country is located in the western part of the Transcaucasus on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Therefore, it showcases a variety of cultural characteristics from both continents. The country borders Russia to the north, its eastern neighbor is friendly Azerbaijan, and Armenia and Turkey to the south. The western part of the country is washed by the Black Sea.

Georgia is a small country. Its total area is 69,700 square kilometers. The population as of 2020 was 3.73 million. The country is a democratic republic, headed by a president. The parliament, headed by the prime minister, is the main legislative branch.

Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of the country, with a rich history and unique architecture, and a population of 1.1 million. Other major cities include Kutaisi (200,000 residents), Rustavi (158,000), Batumi (137,000), Gori (70,000), and Poti (10,000).

Currency: Lari (GEL). 1 lari = 100 tetri. Tourists arriving with any foreign currency can easily exchange currency at specialized exchange offices and banks. Exchange rates as of July 2020:

1 USD = 3.07 GEL;

1 EUR = 3.45 GEL;

1 RUB = 0.043 GEL.

The predominant religion in Georgia is Georgian Orthodox Christianity (83% of the population). It shares most of the characteristics of Orthodox Christianity. Most national holidays have religious significance and origins, and the architecture of Georgian churches attracts tourists from around the world. The rest of the population is Muslim (11%) and adheres to other faiths.

Georgia's foreign policy is aimed at joining NATO and the EU. Since declaring independence, diplomatic relations have been established with most Western countries and the former Soviet Union.

Georgia has been a member of the UN since 1992 and is also a member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, and has guest state status in the Council of Europe. Georgia has been a member of the WTO since 1999.

In 2019, tourists visited Georgia 9.3 million times, according to a report by the National Tourism Administration. The country received the most visitors from Azerbaijan, followed by Russia and Armenia. Tourism revenue amounted to over three billion dollars. Explore the country and its unique Georgian character with the madloba team. Our website offers a wealth of useful information about life in Georgia, its unique features, and its attractions.