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Armenia vs. Georgia

Introduction

ArmeniaGeorgia
Background

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 1 million Armenian deaths - actions widely recognized as constituting genocide. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920.

Armenia remains involved in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh struggle with Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh was a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed that sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Following a Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place in September-November 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured much of the territory it had lost a quarter century earlier and under the terms of a cease fire agreement, Armenia returned the remaining territories it occupied to Azerbaijan.

Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed Protocols normalizing relations between the two countries, but neither country ratified the Protocols, and Armenia officially withdrew from the Protocols in March 2018. In 2015, Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union alongside Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In November 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU. In spring 2018, Serzh SARGSIAN of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) stepped down and Civil Contract party leader Nikol PASHINYAN became prime minister.

The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.

Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement. GARIBASHVILI was replaced by Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI in December 2015. KVIRIKASHVILI remained prime minister following Georgian Dream's success in the October 2016 parliamentary elections, where the party won a constitutional majority. IVANISHVILI reemerged as Georgian Dream party chairman in April 2018. KVIRIKASHVILI resigned in June 2018 and was replaced by Mamuka BAKHTADZE. In September 2019, BAKHTADZE resigned and Giorgi GAKHARIA was named the country's new head of government, Georgia's fifth prime minister in seven years. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.

Geography

ArmeniaGeorgia
LocationSouthwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan; note - Armenia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or bothSouthwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
Geographic coordinates40 00 N, 45 00 E42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map referencesAsiaAsia
Areatotal: 29,743 sq km

land: 28,203 sq km

water: 1,540 sq km
total: 69,700 sq km

land: 69,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Marylandslightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundariestotal: 1,570 km

border countries (4): Azerbaijan 996 km, Georgia 219 km, Iran 44 km, Turkey 311 km
total: 1,814 km

border countries (4): Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km, Russia 894 km, Turkey 273 km
Coastline0 km (landlocked)310 km
Maritime claimsnone (landlocked)territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatehighland continental, hot summers, cold winterswarm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
TerrainArmenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valleylargely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; fertile soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland
Elevation extremeshighest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

lowest point: Debed River 400 m

mean elevation: 1,792 m
highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,432 m
Natural resourcessmall deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxitetimber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
Land useagricultural land: 59.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 15.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 42% (2018 est.)

forest: 9.1% (2018 est.)

other: 31.2% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 35.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 5.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 39.4% (2018 est.)

other: 25.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land2,740 sq km (2012)4,330 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsoccasionally severe earthquakes; droughtsearthquakes
Environment - current issuessoil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; deforestation; pollution of Hrazdan and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zoneair pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy water pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals; land and forest degradation; biodiversity loss; waste management
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notelandlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain rangenote 1: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

note 2: the world's four deepest caves are all in Georgia, including two that are the only known caves on earth deeper than 2,000 m: Krubera Cave at -2,197 m (-7,208 ft; reached in 2012) and Veryovkina Cave at -2,212 (-7,257 ft; reached in 2018)
Total renewable water resources7.769 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)63.33 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionmost of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the countrysettlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest

Demographics

ArmeniaGeorgia
Population3,011,609 (July 2021 est.)4,933,674 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 18.64% (male 297,320/female 265,969)

15-24 years: 11.63% (male 184,258/female 167,197)

25-54 years: 43.04% (male 639,101/female 661,421)

55-64 years: 14.08% (male 195,754/female 229,580)

65 years and over: 12.6% (male 154,117/female 226,607) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 18.42% (male 472,731/female 435,174)

15-24 years: 10.9% (male 286,518/female 250,882)

25-54 years: 40.59% (male 984,942/female 1,016,353)

55-64 years: 13.24% (male 288,650/female 364,117)

65 years and over: 16.85% (male 326,219/female 504,444) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 36.6 years

male: 35.1 years

female: 38.3 years (2020 est.)
total: 38.6 years

male: 35.9 years

female: 41.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate-0.35% (2021 est.)0.05% (2021 est.)
Birth rate11.45 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)11.26 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)10.84 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-5.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 12.47 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 75.86 years

male: 72.58 years

female: 79.44 years (2021 est.)
total population: 77.25 years

male: 73.18 years

female: 81.52 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.65 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.75 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.2% (2020 est.)0.3% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Armenian(s)

adjective: Armenian
noun: Georgian(s)

adjective: Georgian
Ethnic groupsArmenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.2%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS4,800 (2020 est.)9,100 (2020 est.)
ReligionsArmenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.)Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<100 (2020 est.)<100 (2020 est.)
LanguagesArmenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1%; note - Russian is widely spoken (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1%; note - Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.)

major-language sample(s):
??????? ???????? ?????, ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ?????. (Georgian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.7% (2017)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.4%

female: 99.3% (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2019)
total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 16 years (2019)
Education expenditures2.7% of GDP (2017)3.5% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 63.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 59.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 96.2% of population

total: 98.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 3.8% of population

total: 1.6% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 84.5% of population

total: 93.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 15.5% of population

total: 6.4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 97% of population

rural: 82.7% of population

total: 91.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 3% of population

rural: 17.3% of population

total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population1.089 million YEREVAN (capital) (2021)1.079 million TBILISI (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight2.6% (2015/16)2.1% (2018)
Health expenditures10% (2018)7.1% (2018)
Physicians density4.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017)7.12 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density4.2 beds/1,000 population (2014)2.9 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate20.2% (2016)21.7% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth25.2 years (2019 est.)25.9 years (2019 est.)

note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Contraceptive prevalence rate57.1% (2015/16)40.6% (2018)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 48.4

youth dependency ratio: 30.9

elderly dependency ratio: 17.5

potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 55

youth dependency ratio: 31.3

elderly dependency ratio: 23.6

potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.)

Government

ArmeniaGeorgia
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Armenia

conventional short form: Armenia

local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

local short form: Hayastan

former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

etymology: the etymology of the country's name remains obscure; according to tradition, the country is named after Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah; Hayk's descendant, Aram, purportedly is the source of the name Armenia
conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Georgia

local long form: none

local short form: Sak'art'velo

former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the Wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli
Government typeparliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary systemsemi-presidential republic
Capitalname: Yerevan

geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name likely derives from the ancient Urartian fortress of Erebuni established on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C. and whose impresive ruins still survive
name: Tbilisi

geographic coordinates: 41 41 N, 44 50 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name in Georgian means "warm place," referring to the numerous sulfuric hot springs in the area
Administrative divisions11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

city: Tbilisi

autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)



note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia

Independence21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 321 B.C. (Kingdom of Armenia established under the Orontid Dynasty), A.D. 884 (Armenian Kingdom reestablished under the Bagratid Dynasty); 1198 (Cilician Kingdom established); 28 May 1918 (Democratic Republic of Armenia declared)9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)
National holidayIndependence Day, 21 September (1991)Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Constitutionhistory: previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, by the National Assembly, and by a referendum with at least 25% registered voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable; amended 2005, 2015, last in 2020; note - a constitutional referendum was rescheduled  from 4 May 2020 to summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
history: previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995

amendments: proposed as a draft law supported by more than one half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2020 (legislative electoral system revised)
Legal systemcivil law systemcivil law system
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Armen SARKISSIAN (since 9 April 2018)

head of government: Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 2 August 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Mher GRIGORYAN and Tigran AVINYAN (since 16 January 2019); note - Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN resigned on 25 April 2021; he was reappointed by the President on 02 August 2021

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly in 3 rounds if needed for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2 March 2018; prime minister elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed by the National Assembly; election last held on 14 January 2019

election results: Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10; Nikol PASHINYAN was chosen as prime minister by the parliament automatically after his party won a landslide victory in the December 2018 elections

note: After initially winning election on 8 May 2018, Nikol PASHINYAN resigned his post (but stayed on as acting prime minister) on 16 October 2018 to force a snap election (held on 9 December 2018) in which his bloc won more than 70% of the vote; PASHINYAN was reappointed prime minister on 14 January 2019
chief of state: President Salome ZOURABICHVILI (since 16 December 2018)

head of government: Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 22 February 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 November 2018 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president

note - 2017 constitutional amendments made the 2018 election the last where the president was directly elected; future presidents will be elected by a 300-member College of Electors; in light of these changes, ZOURABICHVILI was allowed a six-year term

election results: Salome ZOURABICHVILI elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Salome ZOURABICHVILI (independent, backed by Georgian Dream) 59.5%, Grigol VASHADZE (UNM) 40.5%; Irakli GARIBASHVILI approved as prime minister by Parliamentary vote 89-2
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (minimum 101 seats, current - 132; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; the quota for the proportion of women MPs on each party list must be at least one of three candidates; political parties must meet a 5% threshold and alliances a 7% threshold to win seats; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held early on 20 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - Civil Contract 53.9%, Armenia Alliance 21.0%, I Have Honour Alliance 5.2%; seats by party - Civil Contract 72 of 105 seats, Armenia Alliance 27, I Have Honour Alliance 6; composition - men 101, women 31, percent of women 23.5%
description: unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats; 120 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote and 30 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by at least 50% majority vote, with a runoff if needed; no party earning less than 40% of total votes may claim a majority; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 31 October and 21 November 2020 (next to be held in October 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.2%, UNM 27.2%, European Georgia 3.8%, Lelo 3.2%, Strategy 3.2%, Alliance of Patriots 3.1%, Girchi 2.9%, Citizens 1.3%, Labor 1%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 90, UNM 36, European Georgia 5, Lelo 4, Strategy 4, Alliance of Patriots 4, Girchi 4, Citizens 2, Labor 1
Judicial branchhighest courts: Court of Cassation (consists of the Criminal Chamber with a chairman and 5 judges and the Civil and Administrative Chamber with a chairman and 10 judges - with both civil and administrative specializations); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; judges can serve until age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70

subordinate courts: criminal and civil appellate courts; administrative appellate court; first instance courts; specialized administrative and bankruptcy courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 28 judges organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges); note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the High Council of Justice (a 14-member body consisting of the Supreme Court chairperson, common court judges, and appointees of the president of Georgia) and appointed by Parliament; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed 3 each by the president, by Parliament, and by the Supreme Court judges; judges appointed for 10-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts
Political parties and leadersArmenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]
Armenian Revolutionary Federation or ARF ("Dashnak" Party) [Hakob TER-KHACHATURYAN]
Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN]
Citizen's Decision [Suren SAHAKYAN]
Civil Contract [Nikol PASHINYAN]
Free Democrats [Khachatur KOKOBELYAN]
Heritage Party [Raffi HOVANNISIAN]
Prosperous Armenia or BHK [Gagik TSARUKYAN]
Republic [Aram SARGSYAN]
Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN]
Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) or OEK [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]
Sasna Tser [Varuzhan AVETISYAN]
Alliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI]
Democratic Movement-United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]
Citizens Party
Development Movement [Davit USPASHVILI]
European Georgia-Movement for Liberty [Davit BAKRADZE]
For Justice Party [Eka BESELIA]
Free Democrats or FD [Shalva SHAVGULIDZE]
Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Bidzina IVANISHVILI]
Girchi (Pinecone) [Zurab JAPARIDZE]
Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Giorgi TOPADZE]
Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]
Lelo for Georgia [Mamuka KHAZARADZE]
New Georgia [Giorgi VASHADZE]
Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE]
Strategy Aghmashenebeli [Giorgi VASHADZE]
United National Movement or UNM [Grigol VASHADZE]
International organization participationADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CPLP (associate), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant since late July 2021)

chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982

email address and website:
armembassyusa@mfa.am

https://usa.mfa.am/en/

consulate(s) general: Glendale (CA)
chief of mission: Ambassador David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017)

chancery: 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390

FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864

email address and website:
embgeo.usa@mfa.gov.ge

https://georgiaembassyusa.org/contact/

consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Lynne M. TRACEY (since 5 March 2019)

embassy:

1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082



mailing address: 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC  20521-7020

telephone: [374] (10) 464-700

FAX: [374] (10) 464-742

email address and website:
acsyerevan@state.gov

https://am.usembassy.gov/

chief of mission: Ambassador Kelly C. DEGNAN (since 31 January 2020)

embassy: 11 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue, Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, 0131

mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC  20521-7060

telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00

FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10

email address and website:
askconsultbilisi@state.gov

https://ge.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm itwhite rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design is based on a 14th century banner of the Kingdom of Georgia
National anthemname: "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)

lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN

note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics
name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty)

lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)

note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCtaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)Mount Ararat, eagle, lion; national colors: red, blue, orangeSaint George, lion; national colors: red, white
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Economy

ArmeniaGeorgia
Economy - overview

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia's rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies - the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation.

Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs.

Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods.

Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high.

The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi's efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$40.384 billion (2019 est.)

$37.531 billion (2018 est.)

$35.676 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$55.776 billion (2019 est.)

$53.129 billion (2018 est.)

$50.662 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate7.5% (2017 est.)

0.3% (2016 est.)

3.3% (2015 est.)
5% (2017 est.)

2.8% (2016 est.)

2.9% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$13,654 (2019 est.)

$12,715 (2018 est.)

$12,115 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$14,992 (2019 est.)

$14,257 (2018 est.)

$13,590 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 16.7% (2017 est.)

industry: 28.2% (2017 est.)

services: 54.8% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 8.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.7% (2017 est.)

services: 67.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line26.4% (2019 est.)19.5% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2014)
lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)1.4% (2019 est.)

2.5% (2018 est.)

0.9% (2017 est.)
4.8% (2019 est.)

2.6% (2018 est.)

6% (2017 est.)
Labor force1.507 million (2017 est.)686,000 (2019 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 36.3%

industry: 17%

services: 46.7% (2013 est.)
agriculture: 55.6%

industry: 8.9%

services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate18.9% (2017 est.)

18.8% (2016 est.)
11.8% (2016 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index34.4 (2018 est.)

31.5 (2013 est.)
36.4 (2018 est.)

46 (2011)
Budgetrevenues: 2.644 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 3.192 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 4.352 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.925 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesbrandy, mining, diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processingsteel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, gold), chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate5.4% (2017 est.)6.7% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsmilk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barleymilk, grapes, maize, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, barley, apples
Exports$2.361 billion (2017 est.)

$1.891 billion (2016 est.)
$3.566 billion (2017 est.)

$2.831 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiescopper ore, gold, tobacco, liquors, iron alloys (2019)copper, cars, iron alloys, wine, packaged medicines (2019)
Exports - partnersRussia 22%, Switzerland 20%, China 7%, Bulgaria 6%, Iraq 5%, Serbia 5%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5% (2019)Russia 12%, Azerbaijan 12%, Armenia 9%, Bulgaria 8%, China 6%, Turkey 6%, Ukraine 6% (2019)
Imports$3.771 billion (2017 est.)

$2.835 billion (2016 est.)
$7.415 billion (2017 est.)

$6.747 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesnatural gas, cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, diamonds (2019)cars, refined petroleum, copper, packaged medicines, natural gas (2019)
Imports - partnersRussia 29%, China 10%, Georgia 8%, Iran 6%, Turkey 5% (2019)Turkey 17%, China 11%, Russia 9%, Azerbaijan 6%, United States 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Debt - external$11.637 billion (2019 est.)

$10.785 billion (2018 est.)
$18.149 billion (2019 est.)

$17.608 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesdrams (AMD) per US dollar -

487.9 (2017 est.)

480.49 (2016 est.)

480.49 (2015 est.)

477.92 (2014 est.)

415.92 (2013 est.)
laris (GEL) per US dollar -

2.535 (2017 est.)

2.3668 (2016 est.)

2.3668 (2015 est.)

2.2694 (2014 est.)

1.7657 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt53.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

51.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
44.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

44.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intragovernmental debt or social funds
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.204 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$3.039 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$328 million (2017 est.)

-$238 million (2016 est.)
-$1.348 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.84 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$13.694 billion (2019 est.)$17.694 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: B+ (2020)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2019)
Fitch rating: BB (2019)

Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 74.5 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 96.1 (2020)

Trading score: 91.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 69.7 (2020)
Overall score: 83.7 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 99.6 (2020)

Trading score: 90.1 (2020)

Enforcement score: 75 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 32.6%

male: 31.2%

female: 34.4% (2019 est.)
total: 30.4%

male: 28.9%

female: 32.9% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 76.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 4.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 38.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -50.4% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 62.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.1% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.4% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 50.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -62.2% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving10.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

15.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

16.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
22% of GDP (2019 est.)

21.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

19.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

ArmeniaGeorgia
Electricity - production6.951 billion kWh (2016 est.)13.24 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption5.291 billion kWh (2016 est.)12.37 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports1.424 billion kWh (2015 est.)560 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports275 million kWh (2016 est.)1.329 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)400 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,660 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)3,006 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)35 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)7.363 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption2.35 billion cu m (2017 est.)2.294 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports2.35 billion cu m (2017 est.)2.294 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity4.08 million kW (2016 est.)4.641 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels58% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)35% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants32% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)65% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)247 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption8,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,052 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports7,145 bbl/day (2015 est.)28,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

ArmeniaGeorgia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 451,571

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14.9 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 518,624

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10.52 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 3,618,747

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119.42 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 5,384,462

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109.27 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.am.ge
Internet userstotal: 1,966,942

percent of population: 64.74% (July 2018 est.)
total: 3,151,218

percent of population: 63.97% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

telecom market struggles to provide an effective national telecom service; country remains dependent on the economic health of  Russian and EU economies; fixed-line penetration falling, driven by growth in mobile and fixed-line broadband; growth of 4G networks and falling prices due to growing competition; fixed broadband is growing but remains low by international comparisons; flat mobile market; strong growth predicted for mobile broadband market; government participating in a project to ensure eventual nationwide 5G network; government approved plans for a new data center built via public-private partnership; communication technologies sectors have attracted foreign investment; top importer of broadcast equipment from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: 15 per 100 fixed-line, 122 per 100 mobile-cellular; reliable fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan and in major cities and towns; mobile-cellular coverage available in most rural areas (2019)

international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic cable through Georgia and Iran to Europe; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

despite economic challenges, the telecom market is one of Georgia's fastest growth sectors; LTE services cover the majority of citizens; regulators have strategy to introduce 5G; fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country; broadband subscribers steadily increasing; with investment in infrastructure, customers are moving from copper to fiber networks (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 13 per 100, cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 135 per 100 persons; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi (2019)

international: country code - 995; landing points for the Georgia-Russia, Diamond Link Global, and Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Russia, Romania and Bulgaria; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 385,704

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.73 (2019 est.)
total: 941,509

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.11 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media

Armenia's government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast in Armenia under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in late 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations

(2019)

The Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2 as well as the Batumi-based Adjara TV, and the State Budget funds all three; there are also a number of independent commercial television broadcasters, such as Imedi, Rustavi 2, Pirveli TV, Maestro, Kavkasia, Georgian Dream Studios (GDS), Obiektivi, Mtavari Arkhi, and a small Russian language operator TOK TV; Tabula and Post TV are web-based television outlets; all of these broadcasters and web-based television outlets, except GDS, carry the news; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based television station called Unanimity; there are 26 regional television broadcasters across Georgia that are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters and/or the Alliance of Georgian Broadcasters; the broadcaster organizations seek to strengthen the regional media's capacities and distribution of regional products: a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations

(2019)

Transportation

ArmeniaGeorgia
Railwaystotal: 780 km (2014)

broad gauge: 780 km 1.520-m gauge (780 km electrified) (2014)

note: 726 km operational
total: 1,363 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2014)

broad gauge: 1,326 km 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) (2014)
Roadwaystotal: 7,700 km (2019)

urban: 3,780 km

non-urban: 3,920 km
total: 20,295 km (2018)
Pipelines3838 km gas (high and medium pressure) (2017)1596 km gas, 1175 km oil (2013)
Airportstotal: 7 (2020)total: 22 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 10 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2017)
total: 18 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2017)

under 914 m: 2 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)

under 914 m: 1 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5
number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 516,034 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 750,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixEK4L

Military

ArmeniaGeorgia
Military branchesArmenian Armed Forces: Armenian Army (includes land, air, air defense forces) (2021)Georgian Defense Forces: Land Forces (includes Aviation and Air Defense Forces), Special Operations Forces, National Guard; Ministry of the Interior: Border Police, Coast Guard (includes Georgian naval forces, which were merged with the Coast Guard in 2009) (2021)
Military service age and obligation18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, which can be served as an officer upon deferment for university studies if enrolled in officer-producing program; 17 year olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2019)conscription abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017; 18 to 27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP4.3% of GDP (2019)

4.3% of GDP (2018)

3.8% of GDP (2017)

4.1% of GDP (2016)

4.2% of GDP (2015)
2.3% of GDP (2019)

2.1% of GDP (2018)

2.1% of GDP (2017)

2.2% of GDP (2016)

2.1% of GDP (2015)
Military - notesince November 2020, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the area in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; fighting erupted between the two countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September of 2020; Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces (the "Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army") backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994; six weeks of fighting resulted in about 6,000 deaths and ended after Armenia ceded swathes of Nagorno-Karabakh territory; tensions remain high, and Armenia has accused Azerbaijani forces of a series of border intrusions and of seizing pockets of territory including along a lake shared by the two countries since the fighting endedGeorgia does not have any military stationed in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but large numbers of Russian servicemen have been stationed in these regions since the 2008 Russia-Georgia War (2019)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Armenian Armed Forces have approximately 45,000 active troops (42,000 ground; 3,000 air/defense) (2021)information varies; approximately 25,000 troops, including active National Guard forces (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe inventory of the Armenian Armed Forces includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, almost all of Armenia's weapons imports have come from Russia (2020)the Georgian Defense Forces are equipped mostly with older Russian and Soviet-era weapons; since 2010, it has received limited quantities of equipment from Bulgaria, France, and the US (2020)
Military deployments120 Afghanistan (NATO); contributes troops to CSTO's Rapid Reaction Force (2021)860 Afghanistan (NATO) (2021)

Transnational Issues

ArmeniaGeorgia
Disputes - international

the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; ethnic Armenian groups in the Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian Government

Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia

Illicit drugsillicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europelimited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 14,730 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (2019)

stateless persons: 1,000 (2020)
IDPs: 304,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2019)

stateless persons: 531 (2020)

Environment

ArmeniaGeorgia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 30.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.16 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 2.91 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 21.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 10.13 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.05 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 616.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 122.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 2.127 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 359,974,627.7 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 402,206,287.9 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1,060,819,084.4 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.28% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 492,800 tons (2014 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 800,000 tons (2015 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook