History UsefulNotes / Georgia

Georgia (West Georgia, to be precise) is also the place Jason and the Argonauts went to get the Golden Fleece, although it was named Kolkhis at that time and later for quite a while.

The PatronSaint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and Canada, among other territories.[[hottip:*:This is why the Georgian flag looks like the flag of England with extra crosses: a red cross on white is a symbol of St. George.]] However it is not named after St. George, at least not directly; the name comes from the Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land in the region as they first met them. However, the name George has the same origin; it was a personal name meaning "land-worker", i.e. farmer. (The Georgians reciprocated by calling Greece "Saberdzneti", based on the root word "berdz", which means "wisdom". Georgian is one of two languages that doesn't refer to Greece using derivatives of "Greece", "Ionia", or "Hellas", the other being Chechen, and likely the only one that refers to Greece as "land of wisdom".)

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/125px-Flag_of_Georgia_svg.png
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Not ''[[TheDeepSouth that]]'' [[TheDeepSouth Georgia]] [[hottip:* :although that line is referenced in "Back in the USSR", and it spawned a lot of jokes about Russians in {{Atlanta}} during the 2008 invasion]] -- the former Soviet state, known to the locals as საქართველო (Sakartvelo), with its capital at Tbilisi. Formerly the Georgian SSR, it became independent with the collapse of the USSR. But the history of country goes much much back. It was mentioned in Greek myths as "Kolkhis" and since then it has always been a target of many empires due to its strategic location. It has been invaded by Romans, Byzantians, Persians, Arabs, Mongols, Seljuks, Ottomans, Russians and basically every major forces of nearby regions. Mostly it was Muslim countries though, because Georgia served as a "Gatekeeper of Christianity" throughout the history, leading to the fact that Christianity was associated with nationality, it was the main difference between invaders and Georgians. Most of the time inthe history Georgia was being invaded and fought against direct invasions until enemies found more clever, indirect ways for conquest.

There are two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both backed by Moscow. During the Soviet period, both regions enjoyed autonomous status, which meant among other things, their own language media (such as an Abkhazian newspaper and language institute), and different representation in the Supreme Soviet. When Georgia departed from the Soviet Union, it became clear that both regions would lose their prior arrangement. A war in the early 1990s in the latter led to the mass expulsion of ethnic Georgians from that area and a lot of deaths, with atrocities on both sides. This has led to tension between the two neighbours, culminating in Georgian troops invading South Ossetia to "restore peace and order" in August 2008. However, due to the indiscriminate shelling by Georgian forces, they ended up killing several Russian peacekeepers in the area, as well as dozens of South Ossetian civilians. This was considered an act of war by Moscow, and led to a massive and disproportionate Russian retaliation against Georgia, also claiming Georgian atrocities against ethnic Russians in South Ossetia. Russia ([[AndZoidberg and Nicaragua]]) have officially recognized South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence, with the West generally lining up in Georgia's corner. As a final poignant cap to this, in 2010, a major Georgian television news network broadcasted an [[TheWaroftheWorlds Orson Wells]]-style hoax stating Russia had invaded Georgia, and that the political opposition had killed the President.

A third region just north of Armenia known as Samtskhe-Javakheti, populated largely by ethnic Armenians, has also been pushing for autonomy (since the region has been subject to severe neglect, forced ethnic integration, and kept in poverty by an apathetic Georgian government), leading to some instability, ethnic clashes and shaky relations with Armenia as a result. Though Armenia has shown concern for the plight of the people of Javakh, a repeat of the war those two countries had over the region back in 1918 isn't too likely as landlocked Armenia needs Georgia for importing and exporting, and it already has its hands full with Turkey and an increasingly threatening Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the province of Ajaria, with it's large Turkish population, has had radicals wanting it to become part of Turkey. Georgia otherwise has fairly stable relations with all three countries.

The PatronSaint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories.[[hottip:*:This is why the Georgian flag looks like the flag of England with extra crosses: a red cross on white is a symbol of St. George.]] However it is not named after St. George, at least not directly; the name comes from the Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land in the region as they first met them. However, the name George has the same origin; it was a personal name meaning "land-worker", i.e. farmer. (The Georgians reciprocated by calling Greece "Saberdzneti", based on the root word "berdz", which means "wisdom". Georgian is one of two languages that doesn't refer to Greece using derivatives of "Greece", "Ionia", or "Hellas", the other being Chechen, and likely the only one that refers to Greece as "land of wisdom".)

The PatronSaint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories.[[hottip:*:This is why the Georgian flag looks like the flag of England with extra crosses: a red cross on white is a symbol of St. George.]] However it is not named after St. George, at least not directly; the name comes from the Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land in the region as they first met them. However, the name George has the same origin; it was a personal name meaning "land-worker", i.e. farmer. (The Georgians reciprocated by calling Greece "Saberdzneti", based on the root word "berdz", which means "wisdom". Georgian is one of two languages that doesn't refer to Greece using derivatives of "Greece", "Ionia", or "Hellas", the other being Chechen.)

The PatronSaint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories.[[hottip:*:This is why the Georgian flag looks like the flag of England with extra crosses: a red cross on white is a symbol of St. George.]] However it is not named after St. George, at least not directly; the name comes from the Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land in the region as they first met them. However, the name George has the same origin; it was a personal name meaning "land-worker", i.e. farmer.

Not ''[[TheDeepSouth that]]'' [[TheDeepSouth Georgia]] [[hottip:* :although that line is referenced in "Back in the USSR", and it spawned a lot of jokes about Russians in {{Atlanta}} during the 2008 invasion]] -- the former Soviet state, known to the locals as საქართველო (Sakartvelo). Formerly the Georgian SSR, it became independent with the collapse of the USSR. But the history of country goes much much back. It was mentioned in Greek myths as "Kolkhis" and since then it has always been a target of many empires due to its strategic location. It has been invaded by Romans, Byzantians, Persians, Arabs, Mongols, Seljuks, Ottomans, Russians and basically every major forces of nearby regions. Mostly it was Muslim countries though, because Georgia served as a "Gatekeeper of Christianity" throughout the history, leading to the fact that Christianity was associated with nationality, it was the main difference between invaders and Georgians. Most of the time inthe history Georgia was being invaded and fought against direct invasions until enemies found more clever, indirect ways for conquest.
Georgia was united as a single state in the 10th century, followed by its rise to power the next under King David V "The Builder", who presided over a golden age. After that everything kind of went downhill and Georgia feel under influence of several different empires until 1918, when it became independent for 3 years, only to be taken over by the Soviets until 1991, when it was the first country to separate from the USSR.

Georgia was united as a whole Georgian state in X century, followed by it's rise to power in XI under King David V the builder, who drew all the enemies out, expanded the territory and made the following Golden age possible. After that though everything went downhills and Georgia was under influence of several different Empires until 1918, when it became independent for 3 years, to be again conquered by soviet Russia till 1991, when it was the first country to separate from USSSR.
The capital is Tbilisi, which was built in V century for this very purpose.

The country underwent a peaceful revolution in 2003, deposing Eduard Shevardnadze, former Soviet foreign minister. Russian forces have now been withdrawn. Georgia is a pro-American state, with plans to join {{NATO}} soon and has a street in Tbilisi named after George W. Bush.

There are two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both backed by Moscow. During the Soviet period, both regions enjoyed autonomous status, which meant among other things, their own language media (such as an Abkhazian newspaper and language institute), and different representation in the Supreme Soviet. When Georgia departed from the Soviet Union, it became clear that both regions would lose their prior arrangement. A war in the early 1990s in the latter led to the mass expulsion of ethnic Georgians from that area and a lot of deaths, with atrocities on both sides. This has led to tension between the two neighbours, culminating in Georgian troops invading South Ossetia to "restore peace and order" in August 2008, which, in turn, led to a massive and disproportionate Russian retaliation against Georgia, claiming Georgian atrocities against ethnic Russians in South Ossetia. Russia has officially recognised South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence, with the West generally lining up in Georgia's corner. As a final poignant cap to this, in 2010, a major Georgian television news network broadcasted an [[TheWaroftheWorlds Orson Wells]]-style hoax stating Russia had invaded Georgia, and that the political opposition had killed the President.

A third region just north of Armenia known as Samtskhe-Javakheti, populated largely by ethnic Armenians, has also been pushing for autonomy (since the region has been subject to severe neglect, forced ethnic integration, and kept in poverty by an apathetic Georgian government), leading to some instability, ethnic clashes and shaky relations with Armenia as a result. Though Armenia has shown concern for the plight of the people of Javakh, a repeat of the war those two countries had over the region back in 1918 isn't too likely as landlocked Armenia needs Georgia for importing and exporting, and it already has its hands full with Turkey and an increasingly threatening Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the province of Ajara, with it's large Turkish population, has had radicals wanting it to become part of Turkey. Georgia otherwise has fairly stable relations with all three countries.

A third region just north of Armenia known as Samtskhe-Javakheti, populated largely by ethnic Armenians, has also been pushing for autonomy (since the region has been subject to severe neglect, forced ethnic integration, and kept in poverty by an apathetic Georgian government), leading to some instability, ethnic clashes and shaky relations with Armenia as a result. Though Armenia has shown concern for the plight of the people of Javakh, a repeat of the war those two countries had over the region back in 1918 isn't too likely as landlocked Armenia needs Georgia for importing and exporting, and it already has its hands full with Turkey and an increasingly threatening Azerbaijan. Georgia otherwise has fairly stable relations with all three countries.

Georgia was united as a whole Georgian state in X century, followed by it's rise to power in XI under King David V the builder, who drew all the enemies out, expanded the territory and made the following Golden age possible. After that though everything went downhills and Georgia was under influence of several different Empires until 1921, when it became independent for 3 years, to be again conquered by soviet Russia till 1991, when it was the first country to separate from USSSR.

Not ''[[TheDeepSouth that]]'' [[TheDeepSouth Georgia]] [[hottip:* :although that line is referenced in "Back in the USSR", and it spawned a lot of jokes about Russians in {{Atlanta}} during the 2008 invasion]] -- the former Soviet state, known to the locals as საქართველო (Sakartvelo). Formerly the Georgian SSR, it became independent with the collapse of the USSR. But the history of country goes much much back. It was mentioned in Greek myths as "Kolkhis" and since then it has always been a target of many empires due to its strategic location. It has been invaded by Romans, Byzantians, Persians, Arabs, Mongols, Seljuks, Russians and basically every major forces of nearby regions. Mostly it was Muslim countries though, because Georgia served as a "Gatekeeper of Christianity" throughout the history, leading to the fact that Christianity was associated with nationality, it was the main difference between invaders and Georgians. Most of the time inthe history Georgia was being invaded and fought against direct invasions until enemies found more clever, indirect ways for conquest.

Georgia is known as the Homeland of wine. First traces of winemaking were found there. Today, there are over 500 sorts of winegrapes known in Georgia.

<<|UsefulNotes/{{Europe}}|>>

Not ''[[TheDeepSouth that]]'' [[TheDeepSouth Georgia]] [[hottip:* :although that line is referenced in "Back in the USSR", and it spawned a lot of jokes about Russians in {{Atlanta}} during the 2008 invasion]] -- the former Soviet state, known to the locals as საქართველო (Sakartvelo). Formerly the Georgian SSR, it became independent with the collapse of the USSR. The capital is Tbilisi.

The patron saint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories. But it is not named after St. George, but after Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land in the region as they first met them.

The patron saint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories. But it is not named after St. George, but after Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", because they were the only people working on land as they first met them.

Georgia (West Georgia, to be precise) is also the place Jason and the Argonauts went to get the Golden Fleece, although it was Kolkhis at that time and later for quite a while.

A third region just north of Armenia known as Samtskhe-Javakheti, populated largely by ethnic Armenians, has also been pushing for autonomy (since the region has been subject to severe neglect, forced ethnic integration, and kept in poverty by an apathetic Georgian government), leading to some instability, ethnic clashes and shaky relations with Armenia as a result. Though Armenia has shown concern for the plight of the people of Javakh, a repeat of the war those two countries had over the region back in 1918 isn't too likely as landlocked Armenia needs Georgia for importing and exporting, and it already has its hands full with Turkey and an increasingly threatening Azerbaijan. Georgia otherwise has stable relations with all three countries.

Georgia (the West Georgia, to be precise) is also the Place Jason and the Argonauts went to get the Golden Fleece, although it was Kolkhis at that time and later for quite a while.

One interesting thing about Georgia is that it's not clear on which continent it is. According some sources, it's Europe, according to others - Asia (German Post, for example, considers it to be in Asia, as it costs more to send things to Asia than to Europe, But Organizations for European cooperation etc. Considers it to be in Europe).

Georgia produced a lot of aircraft for the Soviet Union, ending up with some left in the factory when it gained independence, but little else. It had an Su-25 fleet undergoing upgrades. What's left of it is unclear.

Not ''[[TheDeepSouth that]]'' [[TheDeepSouth Georgia]] [[hottip:* :although that line is referenced in "Back in the USSR", and it spawned a lot of jokes about Russians in {{Atlanta}} during the 2008 invasion]] -- the former Soviet state, known to the locals as ''Sakartvelo''. Formerly the Georgian SSR, it became independent with the collapse of the USSR. The capital is Tbilisi.

One interesting thing about Georgia is that it's not clear on which continent it is. According some sources, it's Europe, according to others - Asia (German Post, for example, considers it to be in Asia, as it costs more to send things to Asia than to Europe, But Organizations for European cooperation etc. Considers it to be in Europe)

* Iosef Besiarionis dze Jugashvili, aka JosefStalin.

The patron saint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories. But it is not named after St. George, but after Ancient Greek word "geōrgos", which means "land-worker". The Greeks named the country "geōrgos", becouse all they were the only people working on land as they first met them.

Georgian uses a different alphabet to Russian and a very different language. It is (as far as we know) completely unrelated to any of the major language families, instead being part of a "South Caucasian" family more or less consisting of itself and a couple of close relatives.

The patron saint of the country is St. George, as for Serbia, Russia, England, Greece, Montenegro and ''Canada'', among other territories.

* Edvard Shevardnadze ([[IncrediblyLamePun not to be confused with]] EdwardScissorhands), Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union known for helping bring about an end to the ColdWar in the [[TheEighties late 1980s]]. When TheGreatPoliticsMessUp happened, he ran for (and won) the post of President of Georgia, a job he lost in 2004 during the "Rose Revolution" protests.

A third region just north of Armenia known as Samtskhe-Javakheti, populated largely by ethnic Armenians, has also been pushing for autonomy (since the region has been subject to severe neglect and kept in poverty by an apathetic Georgian government), leading to some instability, ethnic clashes and shaky relations with Armenia as a result. Though Armenia has shown concern for the plight of the people of Javakh, a repeat of the war those two countries had over the region back in 1918 isn't too likely as landlocked Armenia needs Georgia for importing and exporting, and it already has its hands full with Turkey and an increasingly threatening Azerbaijan. Georgia otherwise has stable relations with all three countries.

* Edvard Shevardnadze, Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union known for helping bring about an end to the ColdWar in the [[TheEighties late 1980s]]. When TheGreatPoliticsMessUp happened, he ran for (and won) the post of President of Georgia, a job he lost in 2004 during the "Rose Revolution" protests.

There are two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both backed by Moscow. During the Soviet period, both regions enjoyed autonomous status, which meant among other things, their own language media (such as an Abkhazian newspaper and language institute), and different representation in the Supreme Soviet. When Georgia departed from the Soviet Union, it became clear that both regions would lose their prior arrangement. A war in the early 1990s in the latter led to the mass expulsion of ethnic Georgians from that area and a lot of deaths, with atrocities on both sides. This has led to tension between the two neighbours, culminating in Russian troops entering Georgia in August 2008, claiming Georgian atrocities against ethnic Russians in South Ossetia. Russia has officially recognised South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence, with the West generally lining up in Georgia's corner. As a final poignant cap to this, in 2010, a major Georgian television news network broadcasted an [[TheWaroftheWorlds Orson Wells]]-style hoax stating Russia had invaded Georgia, and that the political opposition had killed the President.