Between 1918 and 1921 and between 1991 and 1995, its full name was the Republic of Georgia. It was part of the Russian Empire and later of the Soviet Union between 1921 and 1991, but is now an independent republic. Fifteen years ago, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and occupied 20 percent of its territory. The United States remains steadfast in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The lives of the populations affected by the conflict have been forever altered by Russia's actions.
With the deepest respect and deepest condolences, we remember the people killed, injured and displaced by Russian forces. In general, the forests of eastern Georgia are between 500 and 2000 meters (between 1640 and 6,562 feet) above sea level, and the alpine zone extends between 2000 and 2300 meters (between 6562 and 7546 and 9843 and 11,483 feet). In February 1921, during the Russian Civil War, the Red Army advanced into Georgia and led to power the local Bolsheviks. Tbilisi has become the main artery of the Georgian education system, in particular since the creation of the First Republic of Georgia in 1918 allowed the establishment of modern educational institutions in the Georgian language.
Islam is represented by Azerbaijani Shiite Muslims (in the southeast), Sunni Muslims of Georgian ethnicity in Adjara, and Laza-speaking Sunni Muslims and Sunni Meskheti Turks along the border with Turkey. The Kingdom of Georgia plunged into anarchy in 1466 and fragmented into three independent kingdoms and five semi-independent principalities. In several languages, the Russian variant of the country's name, Gruzia, continues to be used, which the Georgian authorities have tried replace through diplomatic campaigns. For much of the 11th century, the nascent Georgian kingdom experienced geopolitical and internal difficulties, and several noble factions opposed the centralization of the Georgian state.
However, in March 1921, the Russian Red Army reoccupied the country and Georgia became a republic of the Soviet Union. The growing public discontent over the rampant corruption and the ineffectiveness of government services, followed by an attempt by the current Georgian Government to manipulate the parliamentary elections of November 2003, caused widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. Since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a visible positive development in the Georgian economy. Georgia currently has four international airports, the largest of which is, by far, Tbilisi International Airport, the hub of Georgian Airways, which offers connections to many major European cities. Georgian church art is one of the most notable aspects of Georgian Christian architecture, combining the classical dome style with the original basilica style, forming what is known as the Georgian cross-domed style. The forests of western Georgia are composed primarily of deciduous trees below 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea level and contain species such as oaks, hornbeams, beeches, elms, ash and chestnut trees.
Several of the leaders of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s were Georgians, such as Joseph Stalin, Sergo Orjonikidze, and Lavrenti Beria. One of the most unusual gastronomic traditions is the supra, or Georgian table, which is also a shape to socialize with friends and family.
