Georgia (country)

Georgia is a sovereign country in the South Caucasus, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Georgia is a sovereign country in the South Caucasus, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since faced political challenges.

What it is

Georgia lies on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and borders Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Its capital is Tbilisi, and the official language is Georgian. The country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is now a parliamentary republic with a population of about 3.7 million.

Why it matters

Georgia has sought closer ties with the European Union and NATO, receiving EU candidate status. However, recent years have seen disputed elections, protests, and concerns about democratic backsliding. Canada monitors these developments due to its foreign policy, human-rights reporting, and interests in European security and Black Sea stability.

Key details

The ruling Georgian Dream party has dominated politics since 2012. The country uses the Georgian lari as currency. Relations with Russia remain a major issue, and a prolonged political crisis since 2024 has drawn criticism from rights groups and international observers over restrictive laws.