History
Georgia’s long history ( http://ggdavid.tripod.com/georgia/history.htm ) enriches its people and culture. Any visitor to Georgia will tell stories of warm hospitality, rich food and breath taking scenery. Pottery found in Georgia’s mountains indicates a population back to the 4th or 5th century B.C. Ancient kingdoms of Colchis, Karli-Iberi, Roman Empire, Persians, Arabs, Turks and Ottomans all have occupied the region. Broken by short periods of independence, Georgia became part of the Russian Empire and later incorporated into the Soviet Union. One of the most independence-minded republics, Georgia declared sovereignty in November 1989 and independence in April 1991.
The 1990s marked a period of instability and civil unrest in Georgia. The first post-independence government was overthrown when separatist movements emerged in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. By the mid-1990s, tentative cease-fires were in effect, although separatist sentiment in the two regions remained high.
By the end of 1998, about 280,000 people were internally displaced in Georgia. The majority were ethnic Georgians from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. About 10,000 of the ethnic Georgians from South Ossetia lived in government-controlled areas, while about 4,000 people remained displaced within South Ossetia. Almost half of Georgia‘s displaced population lived in the Samegrelo region adjacent to Abkhazia, followed by the Tbilisi and Imereti regions. Renewed fighting in the Gali district of Abkhazia displaced another 40,000 persons, most of whom fled to the Samegrelo region.
Georgia’s long history ( http://ggdavid.tripod.com/georgia/history.htm ) enriches its people and culture. Any visitor to Georgia will tell stories of warm hospitality, rich food and breath taking scenery. Pottery found in Georgia’s mountains indicates a population back to the 4th or 5th century B.C. Ancient kingdoms of Colchis, Karli-Iberi, Roman Empire, Persians, Arabs, Turks and Ottomans all have occupied the region. Broken by short periods of independence, Georgia became part of the Russian Empire and later incorporated into the Soviet Union. One of the most independence-minded republics, Georgia declared sovereignty in November 1989 and independence in April 1991.
The 1990s marked a period of instability and civil unrest in Georgia. The first post-independence government was overthrown when separatist movements emerged in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. By the mid-1990s, tentative cease-fires were in effect, although separatist sentiment in the two regions remained high.
By the end of 1998, about 280,000 people were internally displaced in Georgia. The majority were ethnic Georgians from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. About 10,000 of the ethnic Georgians from South Ossetia lived in government-controlled areas, while about 4,000 people remained displaced within South Ossetia. Almost half of Georgia‘s displaced population lived in the Samegrelo region adjacent to Abkhazia, followed by the Tbilisi and Imereti regions. Renewed fighting in the Gali district of Abkhazia displaced another 40,000 persons, most of whom fled to the Samegrelo region.
Recent History
Georgia lies on a strategic trade route between Europe and Asia and has a long history of conflict related to attempts to control the region between the Caucasus Mountains and Turkey. After the fall of the Soviet Union, two regions in Georgian territory, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, sought independence. Over the past 21 years since 1990, South Ossetia has seen frequent fighting between Russian funded Ossetians and Georgians. Before the Soviet Union fell South Ossetia desired independence and the area has slowly segregated itself along ethnic lines. Russia has supported South Ossetia’s pursuit of independence from Georgia. Most recently, fighting erupted on August 7, 2008 when Georgia shelled South Ossetia in an effort to regain control of the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. After five days of fighting in 2008, about 850 people lost their lives and hundreds of civilians were wounded. Georgia lost 228 civilians and South Ossetia claims 162 civilian casualties. As a result of the fighting more than 130,000 civilians fled their homes to other parts of Georgia, and 35,000 of these IDPs are not likely to be able to return.
The unexpected August 2008 invasion of Georgia by Russian forces led to the evacuation of all Peace Corps/Georgia Volunteers and trainees to Armenia. Peace Corps welcomed a new group of volunteers in June 2009.
The unexpected August 2008 invasion of Georgia by Russian forces led to the evacuation of all Peace Corps/Georgia Volunteers and trainees to Armenia. Peace Corps welcomed a new group of volunteers in June 2009.
U.S. Peace Corps in Georgia
The first group of 21 Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Georgia in 2001, as secondary school English teachers. Since then, 300 Volunteers have served in Peace Corps/Georgia's secondary education/English teaching project. The Government of Georgia expanded Peace Corp’s scope in 2004 with Business and Social Entrepreneurship Volunteers (BSE) to provide additional support to various grassroots organizations, community groups, and local governments in promoting sustainable program and community development. Volunteers in this project also provide assistance in planning, fundraising, marketing, and networking. The education and BSE projects developed out of a request from the government of Georgia for Peace Corps to provide technical and human resource assistance, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the country.
August 2010 brought the first Peace Corps Response volunteers to provide short term technical assistance, and to explore new project sectors, geographic regions, or new partner organizations. Over 15 PCRVs have provided assistance in a variety of fields, including education, organizational development, environmental issues, and tourism development. PCRVs usually serve in short-term assignments, ranging from 3-12 months, bringing their specialized skills and experience to projects in places where they are needed the most.
August 2010 brought the first Peace Corps Response volunteers to provide short term technical assistance, and to explore new project sectors, geographic regions, or new partner organizations. Over 15 PCRVs have provided assistance in a variety of fields, including education, organizational development, environmental issues, and tourism development. PCRVs usually serve in short-term assignments, ranging from 3-12 months, bringing their specialized skills and experience to projects in places where they are needed the most.
Related Links
The U.S. State Department‘s website periodically issues background notes about countries around the world. Find Georgia and learn more about its social and political history at the U.S. Department of State.
To find out more about the Peace Corps in Georgia, take a look at the Peace Corps Georgia website, which describes current projects and provides annual reports.
WorldInformation.com provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world.
Visit the Lonely Planet for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.
Here is a foreigner's take on "all things Georgian" by a Norwegian living in a Georgian village.
Rustavi 2 is a Georgian news site and TV station with local news (in Georgian and English).
Civil.ge is an online magazine about local issues in Georgia.
The U.S. Embassy in Georgia offers the embassy’s take on recent events in Georgia.
The National Statistics Office of Georgia carries economic, demographic, and industry statistics about Georgia.
The Democracy and Freedom Watch reports on the state of democracy in Georgia.
The American friends of Georgia was established in 1994 by Americans and Georgian-Americans. It is now supported by people from all over the world who have joined to provide practical humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable citizens of the country of Georgia.
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The U.S. State Department‘s website periodically issues background notes about countries around the world. Find Georgia and learn more about its social and political history at the U.S. Department of State.
To find out more about the Peace Corps in Georgia, take a look at the Peace Corps Georgia website, which describes current projects and provides annual reports.
WorldInformation.com provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world.
Visit the Lonely Planet for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.
Here is a foreigner's take on "all things Georgian" by a Norwegian living in a Georgian village.
Rustavi 2 is a Georgian news site and TV station with local news (in Georgian and English).
Civil.ge is an online magazine about local issues in Georgia.
The U.S. Embassy in Georgia offers the embassy’s take on recent events in Georgia.
The National Statistics Office of Georgia carries economic, demographic, and industry statistics about Georgia.
The Democracy and Freedom Watch reports on the state of democracy in Georgia.
The American friends of Georgia was established in 1994 by Americans and Georgian-Americans. It is now supported by people from all over the world who have joined to provide practical humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable citizens of the country of Georgia.