Geography and Environment of Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is situated on the eastern shore of the Black Sea and bordered by Russia and the Caucasus Mountains to the north. Its neighbor to the east is Azerbaijan, to the south are Turkey and Armenia. Georgia is at a crossroads of European and Asian commerce, culture, and religion. Starting in the east, Georgia’s landscape is largely semidesert. In the western portion lay the permanently snow-covered peaks and glaciers of the Caucasian Mountains, with summits as high as 5,000 meters. The peak of Kazbegi is a popular destination for climbers. The subtropical climate near the Black Sea coast nourishes citrus groves and tea plantations. Numerous rivers, including the Mtkvari and the Rioni, wind through Georgia’s mountains and valleys. Many of these rivers are used to generate hydroelectric power.

Detailed geography