ABSTRACT
Georgia is the western-most of the three Transcaucasian republics of the former Soviet Union and the only one of the three fronting on the Black Sea. From December 1991 to January 1992, during the Georgian civil war President Gamsakhurdia was removed from power and massive numbers of weapons and ammunition were spread throughout western Georgia, effectively arming gangs. Northern Georgia is entirely bounded by the Greater Caucasus Mountains; to the south lie the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. Rainfall is plentiful in the western and alpine portions of Georgia and results in a humid subtropical climate in these areas. Georgia’s natural constraints to development are compounded by anthropogenic environmental problems, such as erosion and deforestation. Georgia is rich in natural resources, but the industries that have been built around them take a toll on the environment. In western Georgia, a broad, flat area known as the Colchis lowland is drained by the Rioni River.
