Georgia

Georgians are a distinct people with their own ancient language and alphabet, unrelated to neighboring tongues. There are Azeri, Armenian, and other minorities, while the breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia lie outside government control.

Georgia was among the first nations to adopt Christianity, and the Georgian Orthodox Church is central to national identity.

Society

Georgia has high literacy and a rich cultural heritage, but a small, slowly declining population and significant emigration for work.