Formerly the holiday haunt of the privileged elite of the Soviet Union, Georgia is blessed with stunning scenery, a balmy climate and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Enclosed high valleys, wide basins, health spas with famous mineral waters, caves and waterfalls combine in this land of varied landscapes and striking beauty.

With its stone houses built around vine-draped courtyards, and winding streets, the capital, Tbilisi, has a lively, Mediterranean atmosphere. Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia in the far northwest of Georgia, was until civil unrest began a relaxed, sunny port/resort, renowned for its beaches fringed with palms and eucalyptus trees, lively open-air cafes and cosmopolitan population. Peace has been restored since the city was involved in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s, but the city is less ethnically diverse than it once was.

Georgia became independent from the Soviet Union after an overwhelming majority voted in favour of independence in a referendum held in April 1991.

Apart from the dire state of the Georgian economy, the country’s main problems have been the secessionist revolts in the outlying Georgian provinces of Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast (where Gamsakhurdia was located) and South Ossetia in the north.

In 1994, after two years of sporadic fighting, South Ossetia was brought back into the fold, but the Abkhazia problem has proved quite intractable. The only existing mediation effort, on the part of the UN, is at a standstill and Abkhazia is now effectively isolated from the rest of Georgia. The government also faces problems in the Pankisi Gorge region, which is reputed to be a haven for Islamic militants.

69,700 sq km (26,911 sq miles).

5 million (UN estimate 2005).

71.7 per sq km.

Tbilisi. Population: 1.5 million.

Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The official language is Georgian, the only language in the Ibera Caucasian family written in ancient script, with its own unique alphabet. Russian, Armenian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhazian are also spoken.

Christian majority, mainly Georgian Orthodox church. Also Eastern Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and other Christian denomination minorities.

GMT + 4.

Georgians pride themselves on their reputation for gregariousness and hospitality. Visitors sitting in restaurants are likely to be offered drinks by complete strangers. They will then be invited to raise (and empty) their glasses in response to an endless string of elaborate toasts, preferably interpolating a few suitably enthusiastic toasts of their own into the sequence. Smoking is widespread. Visitors may also be entertained in private homes. On such occasions, gifts such as chocolates, flowers or alcohol are well received. On social occasions foreign women will find themselves the object of immense flattery. Those finding such attentions oppressive should avoid giving any hint of encouragement. Appropriate clothing should be worn when entering a church; visitors should ensure they are not wearing shorts and women should cover their heads. Visitors should also be aware that street crime is far from uncommon. Anyone travelling in the republic should be cautious when venturing out after dark, carry as few valuables as possible, and beware of the risk of being robbed and possibly attacked.

220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-type, two-pin plugs are used. The supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March, and visitors are advised to bring a torch with them.

The parliamentary elections which took place in November 2003 were criticised by international organisations as being flawed. Peaceful demonstrations led to the resignation of President Shevardnadze and the speaker of parliament, Nino Burjanadze, was appointed acting president until presidential elections were held in January 2004. Mickheil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement, who was the main figure behind the November demonstrations, was elected by a landslide victory. Mr Saakashvili’s party and coalition partners won the parliamentary elections held in February 2005.

Following Saakashvili’s election as president, tensions between the semi-autonomous region of Ajara and its autocratic leader Abashidze grew. Abashidze stepped down. Georgia’s parliament introduced a new Ajaran Constitution and fresh Ajaran legislative elections were held. They were won by a local offshoot of President Saakashvili’s National Movement party.

President Mickheil Saakashvili since 2004.