Republic of Georgia
From dKosopedia
The Republic of Georgia is a mountainous nation of 4.4 million people, located on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, between Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The capital and largest city is Tbilisi. Georgia used to be part of the Soviet Union until it declared independence in April 1991.
Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili took office after the Rose Revolution of 2003, and he has had some success at rooting out corrpution, and restoring order to break-away regions. However, Russian-backed strongmen contintue to control Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Economy
Georgia exports wine and fruit.
The BTC oil pipeline passes through Georgia, on its way from Azerbaijan to Turkey.
Government
Georgia approved a new constitution in August 1995 which established a presidential form of government, . An elected president runs the executive branch, but the legislative branch is independent. Georgia's unicameral legislature has 235 members: 150 from party lists and 85 from single member districts. The next presidential election will be in 2009, and the next legislative election will be in 2008.
Former Presidents
- Zvaid Gamsakhurdiya - April 1991 to January 1992
- Eduard Sheverdnadze - March 1992 to December 2003