Figure 12. The Georgian Empire of Queen Tamar, ca. 1200
Source: Based on information from Kalistrat Salia, History of the Georgian Nation, Paris, 1983, 182-83.

Archeological evidence indicates a neolithic culture in the area of modern Georgia as early as the fifth millennium B.C. Between that time and the modern era, a number of ethnic groups invaded or migrated into the region, merging with numerous indigenous tribes to form the ethnic base of the modern Georgian people. Throughout history the territory comprising the Georgian state varied considerably in size as foreign forces occupied some regions and as centrally ruled federations controlled others.

Data as of March 1994