Presentation of Georgia

LANDMARKS AND CLIMATES

The country is bordered to the north by the Greater Caucasus mountain range with 2 peaks over 5000 meters and by the Lesser Caucasus mountain range to the south. There are agricultural plains in the center and an arid plateau in the southeast. Georgia’s climate is subtropical in the west, Mediterranean in the east, and alpine in the mountains.

HISTORY

Since the exit of man from Africa, the Caucasus has been a real crossroads of migrations, the indigenous peoples have seen many ethnic groups pass and stay, mixing or cohabiting. The oldest hominid outside of Africa was found there (1.8 million years old). Since ancient times, the Scythians and Achaemenids have coveted the territory. First under the influence of the Greeks (the myths of Jason and the Golden Fleece as well as Prometheus are located there), Georgia would later become a province of the Roman Empire before Persian domination which lasted despite some intermittent periods. Christianity was established as the state religion in the year 337. The region underwent several incursions, Byzantine, Arab in the 7th century, Turco-Mongol in the 11th and 13th centuries. Then the domination of the Ottomans in the 17th century created a partition of the country with the Turks to the west (in Colchis) and the Persians to the east (in Iberia). In 1800, the country was annexed by the Russian Empire under Alexander I. A brief republic was created from 1918 to 1921 before annexation to the USSR by the Bolsheviks (the then government went into exile in France in Leuville-sur-Orge). Georgia regained its autonomy in 1991 despite tensions linked to the emancipations of two parts of its territory (Abkhazia and South Ossetia). Since December 2018, a French woman of Georgian origin, Salomé Zourabichvili, has become the president of the country determined to anchor itself in Europe.

HEALTH :

There are no specific vaccines for the country but it is better to be up to date with basic vaccines.
Please note, travelers must not bring Dafalgan codeine or other opiates as well as those containing benzodiazepine because these medications are prohibited there. They are considered narcotics in Georgia. If you are arrested for possession of these substances, you will have to spend a few days in detention, wait for your trial and pay a fine (around 2,500 euros). If you absolutely must take Dafalgan Codeine or other opiates with you, do not forget the doctor’s medical certificate and the prescription (call us, we will translate). Also declare to customs when you enter the country that you are in possession of this medicine and other medicines not authorized in Georgia. All opiates are affected. In general, you should not exceed 10 boxes and take the number of pills corresponding to the number of days spent there.

POTABLE WATER :

It is recommended to drink and use bottled water.

SECURITY :

The country is safe, but beware of pickpockets who sometimes operate in Tbilisi.

WHAT TO BRING:

icons, crafts (musical instruments, wine horn, felt dolls, costumes and hats), antiques, and especially wine!

GENERAL INFORMATION:

We draw your attention to the fact that the coffees served in restaurants and hotels are generally “Nescafé” or Turkish coffees. Bring your coffee pods if you can’t do without them!

When visiting religious buildings, scarves are available to cover bare legs.

You may sometimes notice a lack of professionalism but the country is starting to develop tourism and the staff is probably not yet sufficiently trained everywhere, please inform your customers and ask for their indulgence. The fact remains that Caucasian hospitality is real!