17 Facts About Georgia

Georgia, a former Soviet republic located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches.

Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating from the 12th century, and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti are both famous.

Tbilisi, the capital, is known for its diverse architecture and mazelike cobblestone streets in its old town.

Wine was invented in Georgia. For at least 8,000 years, they have been making and perfecting this wonderful beverage. The winemaking technique they use, which involves a clay jar called a Qvevri, has even been listed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

During an archaeological expedition in Dmanisi, the oldest human skulls in the Caucasus, belonging to a 1.8 million year old couple named Zezva and Mzia, were discovered. They are thought to be a vital link between African and European ancestors.

A guest is considered a gift from God in Georgia. Guests are welcomed with open arms at a'supra' (traditional Georgian feast), and the 'tamade' (a toastmaster) will ensure you are well fed and entertained. Just remember to raise your glass and say "Gaumarjos," which translates to "cheers" in Georgian.

Georgia is one of the world's most ecologically diverse countries. There are twelve distinct climate zones.

Georgia is home to the world's deepest cave. This cave is the deepest cave on the planet, reaching a depth of 2,212 metres!

The Caucasus Mountain Range is Europe's highest mountain range. Georgia's highest peak, Shkhara, at 5,193 metres, is still roughly 400 metres higher than Mont Blanc in France.

Ushguli, located in the mountainous region of Svaneti, is Europe's highest altitude settlement, standing at a staggering 2,100 metres above sea level.

Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, gets its name from the Georgian word for warm. Tbilisi's climate is subtropical, but it can still get quite cold in the winter, so that's not what gave it its warm name. It is due to the natural hot springs discovered in the fifth century.

Georgian has a distinct influence from Greek and Iranian languages, which has resulted in its own alphabet. The language has gone through three different iterations throughout its history, but the language that is used today is made up of 33 letters.

Georgia has one of the world's oldest Jewish communities. Georgian Jews have been present in the country for over 2,600 years.

Polyphonic music is choral folk music sung by two or more people, and the traditions predate Christianity's arrival in Georgia (early 4th century AD).

Joseph Stalin was born in the city of Gori in 1878, which was part of the Russian Empire at the time. In Gori, there is now a museum dedicated to Stalin that celebrates his life.

Georgians refer to their country by a different name. The locals call it Sakartvelo and themselves Kartveli, which likely derives from a central Georgian region called Kartli.

Georgia is an extremely safe place to visit. In 2017, it was ranked as the seventh safest country in the world to visit.