Georgia and the Caucasus
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| Introduction Georgia is the historic and geographic divide between Europe and Asia. Europe's highest mountain chain, the Caucasus, extend from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea and separate Georgia from Russia. The main part of Georgia is located on the south side of the Greater Caucasus range resulting in a sunny and warm climate. This is the land where the Colchis, who kept the Golden Fleece, and Iberians formed the first Georgian civilization at least 3000 years ago. The Georgian language is unique as is the alphabet which was created in the 3rd century BC. Christianity was accepted in the beginning of the 4th century and despite invasions by the Turks, Persians and Monguls the Eastern Orthodox church and religion have survived and held the nation together to this day. Before the Perestroika in the Soviet Union, Georgia was one of the richest countries in the former USSR, it was the favourite location for all kinds of tourism. Now, after several years of upheaval the country is again regaining its stability and returning to its former position as a prime tourist destination - but not just for the former Soviet Union but for the whole world. |  Gelati Church  Tbilisi | |
 Shkhara |  Svans | |
