Georgia (country): Difference between revisions

'''Georgia''', officially the Republic of Georgia, is a nation in the [[Caucasus]] region of [[Eurasia]], spanning approximately 69,700 km², bordered by [[Russia]], [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and the Black Sea.<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |title=Georgia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> With a population of about 3.7 million, its official language is [[Georgian]], and its economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and mining. The [[Catholic Church]], introduced in the 13th century, is a minority religion, with approximately 19,000 Catholics (0.5% of the population), contributing to cultural life through devotion to [[Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception]].<ref name="GCatholic">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Georgia |url=https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/GE.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-04-05 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref><ref name="Wikipedia">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Georgia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Georgia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> In a predominantly Georgian Orthodox society, the Church plays a role in education and charity, facing challenges from the dominance of Orthodoxy and limited religious pluralism.<ref name="StateReligion">{{Cite web |title=2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Georgia |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/georgia/ |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=2024-06-26 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref><ref name="Fides">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church’s role in Georgia |url=http://www.fides.org/en/news/72312-ASIA_GEORGIA_Catholic_role |publisher=Agenzia Fides |date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref>