Geography 
Georgia is a small country located in the region Caucasus. Situated in the Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is border by Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north, Turkey and Armenia to the south and Azerbaijan by the east. Georgia has a land area of 69,700 square kilometers (26,900 sq mi). Its capital and largest city is Tbilisi.
 
Georgia lies mostly in the Caucasus Mountains and its northern boundary is partly defined by the Greater Caucasus range. The Lesser Caucasus range, which runs parallel to the Turkish and Armenian borders, and the Surami and Imereti ranges, which connect the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, create natural barriers that are partly responsible for cultural and linguistic differences among regions. Because of the elevation and inadequate developed transportation infrastructure, many mountain villages are isolated from the outside world during the winter.
 
Georgian called their country Sakartvelo. The name consists of two parts: Kartveli, which refers to an inhabitant of the core central Georgian region of Karli-Iberia, and the circumfix sa-o is a usual geographic for indicating the “land where Kartveli live.” The original English name of the country is unknown to many but it is believed that it came from St. George, the patron saint of Georgia.
 
The population of Georgia has an estimate 3.9 million (as of July 2020). Today 83 percent of the population practices Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In addition, there are Muslim, Russian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Jewish community. The official spoken language is Georgian. The Georgian language is a Kartvelian language and is thought to have origins in ancient Aramaic and sound distinct like any other language. Other languages spoken in Georgia include Azeri, Armenian, and Russian, but the official language of the Abkhazia region is Abkhaz.
 
Best Time to Visit 
Georgia is an all-year-round destination. Its climate is quite diverse, with the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea both playing a part in the differing conditions. In general, it’s drier yet colder in the east, and wetter but warmer in the west. Spring time or between the month of Mid-April and May is the best time to visit the country. The weather is pleasant, it is neither hot nor cold. During this time, the best activities are exploring the cities, take day trips and do some hiking. Summer time or months between June to August are considered high season in Georgia. The country receives a bulk of tourists in summer.
 
Dress Code 
In general, appropriate dress code depends on what time of the year you visit Georgia. In summertime, casual and comfortable attire are recommended. When hiking, comfortable walking shoes are important. In winter time, it is best to wear warm clothing and you may also bring rain gears such as rain coats. When visiting religious site, make sure your shoulders and legs are covered and you may be required to cover your head with scarf.  In summer time, dress modestly in rural areas as some locals are very conservative.
 
Safety and Health 
Georgia is generally safe a safe destination, but there might be some demonstration and rallies occur in the capital city Tbilisi. It is recommended to stay away to these large gatherings and follow the advice of local authorities. Moreover, crime level is low but there can also be pickpocket incidents in tourist areas. Be mindful of your surrounding at all times.
There are no particular vaccine required when travelling to Georgia. Consider to apply for a travel health insurance before travelling. This covers the cost for any theft, loss, accident and medical problems that may arrive when you travel. Medical Facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be very expensive. Outside the city, medical facilities are limited.
 
Currency Information 
Georgian Lari (GEL) is the official currency of Georgia. It is divided into 100 tetri. Lari bank notes comes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Tetri coins comes in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Foreign currency is not accepted. Georgia remains mostly a cash-based society. Currency can be exchanged at banks and larger hotels (Euro and US).
ATMs are the easiest way to access your money, when available. They are becoming common, however should only be relied on in Tbilisi, virtually all accept Visa and Master Card, other cards may not be accepted at all machines. ATMs sometimes run dry on weekends. Do not expect to find them in small towns, villages and rural areas.
 
Tipping 
Tipping is a common practice in Georgia, most especially for the service or hospitality industry.
For most restaurants and coffee shops, 10 percent service charge is added in the bill, tipping is not necessary. If you want to tip or there isn’t any added service charge, you may round up the total
For local guide, you may tip for 10-15 percent or if you feel giving more, it will be appreciated. For driver, 5 percent tip is acceptable.
For hotels, tipping is not expected but if you feel like being generous, you may leave 1-2 GEL to bellman, 5 GEL per day for housekeeper and 5-10 GEL for front desk officer or concierge.
For Taxi, you may just round-up the fare and let the driver keep the change.
Note that for some locals, they might find tipping offensive. If you were invited by a local to any occasion or at any countryside with older people, do not leave a tip.
 
Photography 
Do not attempt to take photograph of military bases, building or vicinity of defense installation. Be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.
 
Internet Access 
Internet access is available throughout big cities and resorts in Georgia. Many hotels, restaurants and coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi access, but some you might need to pay. In the capital city Tbilisi, there is also Wi-Fi access in public places like shopping malls, public transport. There are also cyber cafeterias in Tbilisi that are available, when you need a Web Access.
Most mobile telephone work in Georgia and coverage is good in most areas. Before travelling to Georgia, you can check your local provide and switch your phone to global roaming.
 
Alcohol 
Drinking is an important part of the Georgian culture. The country is known to be one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Wine is associated with cultural, economic and religious tradition, Georgians are known to be hospitable and wine plays an important role in that hospitality. Alcoholic beverages like wine, beer and other spirits can be bought and are available in hotels, supermarket and bars and restaurants. In general, it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages on the streets and in the parks.
 
Climate 
The climate in Georgia depends on the region. Western Georgia has a humid subtropical and in the east is subtropical to temperate. Despite the fact that large influence on the climate of country is rendered by mountains the warm air from the Black Sea reaches the remotest areas of Georgia. The average temperature in January is kept in the range from 3-9°C in the Colchis Lowland in Adjara, and does not go down below -2°C in the Iberian Basin. In mountainous regions, temperatures can fall up to -16-20°C. During summer, the weather is mainly hot and the average temperature in August is 23-26°C for almost territories of Georgia. The maximum precipitation level is in autumn and winter. Snow falls mainly in the mountainous areas in November and does not melt until the late spring.
 
Electricity 
In Georgia the power plug and socket are type C and type F. Type C is also known as the standard Euro plug. Type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
 
Responsible Travel 
- Sight-seeing tours and other trekking/hiking activities are operated and led by a local guides and/or local drivers.
- Visit locally run restaurant and markets, where you can purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
- Minimize use of single-use plastics such as plastic straws and cups. Bring your own tumbler or food container and utensils, as much as possible.
- Stay at local homestays, guesthouses or locally run accommodation to support local economy.
- Whatever you bring to the lakes or mountains, take it with you when you leave and dispose it properly.
- Always keep in mind when travelling to be respectful of local people along with their culture, traditions and their environment.