Historical and Political Geography

Abstract

Georgians are an indigenous, autochthonic population of the Caucasus. In the second millennium B.C. the Georgian tribe settlement covered the present territory of Georgia and spread far beyond its current southern and southwestern borders. Georgia’s geographical location is most favorable in that it is the only country among the eight South Caucasian and Central Asian countries to have direct entrance into the World Ocean; it is the shortest way connecting Europe with the Central Asian countries by sea; it is the most suitable transit country for transportation of Caspian basin oil and natural gas to Europe; it is the intersection where “North–South” (Russia–Georgia–Armenia–Iran–Arabian countries) and “West–East” (Europe–Georgia–Azerbaijan–Central Asia–China) vectors cross; and it has a common border with all the republics of North Caucasus, making it the central junction country of the Caucasus. The favorable geographical location is conducive to Georgia becoming an economic and transportation hub but also invites conflict with other countries. That may explain why Georgia has undergone many changes with respect to its size and territory. This chapter reflects on the history of the evolution of Georgia as a nation.