Georgia (Georgian: საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a country in the Caucasus. It is bordered by Russia in the north and northeast, by Turkey and Armenia in the south, and by Azerbaijan in the southeast. Georgia forms part of Europe's easternmost flank, straddling the continent's border with Asia. Set on the shores of the Black Sea, Georgia's coastline faces Bulgaria across the Black Sea.
Georgia is approximately the size of Ireland and lies along the same latitudes as Bulgaria, Southern France, and New York. For a country of its modest proportions, it presents a remarkable mix of landscapes and climates, ranging from some of Europe's highest mountain peaks to the vast wine-growing valleys and lush Black Sea resorts. In Greek mythology, Georgian known as Colchis, was the site of the famous Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts. The tales of Georgia's ancient history are not without foundation; modern archaeological evidence suggests that Georgia is the oldest winemaking country in the world, with some wine samples dating back to 6,000 years BC.
Georgia is a developing but rapidly improving country with very low levels of both crime and corruption. Starting in the mid-2000s, Georgia's tourist infrastructure has expanded substantially (as has mass tourism to popular destinations), and the number of tourists visiting the Black Sea republic has increased several fold.