Situated at the cross-roads of Europe and Asia, in the central and western part of Transcaucasia, Georgia is one of the most ancient countries in the world with area of 69.700 sq. km between the Black and Caspian seas. Its population is about 4,9 million people. In the north, Georgia has a 723 km common border with Russia, specifically with the Northern Caucasus federal district. Georgia also shares borders with Azerbaijan (322 km.) to the south-east, Armenia (164 km.) to the south, and Turkey (252km.) to the south-west. Georgia has a rich scenic variety, the diversity of the natural resources of Georgia is determined by its geographical location: mountainsare dominant geographic feature of Georgia. The Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and western halves. Historically, the western portion of Georgia was known as Colchis while the eastern plateau was called Iberia. Due to a complex geographic setting, mountains also isolate the northern region of Svaneti from the rest of Georgia. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range separates Georgia from the North Caucasian Republics of the Russian Federation. The southern portion of the country is bounded by the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The main Caucasus Range is much higher in elevation than the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, with the highest peaks rising more than 5,000 meters (16,400ft.) above sea level. The highest mountain in Georgia is Mount Shkhara at 5,f the abovementioned peaks, only Kazbegi is of volcanic origin. The region between Kazbegi and Skhara (a distance of about 200km.along the Main Caucasus Range) is dominated by numerous glaciers. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains are made up of various, 201 meters (17,059 feet), and the second highest is Mount Janga (Jangi-Tau) at 5,051 meters above sea level. Other prominent peaks include Kazbegi (Kazbek) at 5,047 meters (16,554 feet), Tetnuldi (4,974m.) Mt. Ushba (4,710m.0,) and Ailama (4,525m.).Out ointerconnected mountain ranges (largely of volcanic origin) that do not exceed, 3,400 meters. Prominent features of the area include the Javakheti Volcanic Plateau, numerous lakes, including Tabatskuri and Paravani, as well as mineral water and hot springs.The population of Georgia mainly inhabit the plains and valleys located between the mountainous regions. The Lesser Caucasus range, which runs parallel to the Turkish and Armenian borders, and the Surami and Imereti ranges, which connect the Greater Caucasus and the Lesser Caucasus, create natural barriers that are partly responsible for cultural and linguistic differences among regions. Its western coast is defined by the Black Sea coast. Black Sea creates favorable conditions for recreational tourism. Tourist season at the Black Sea coast lasts for 5 months. The largest river is the Mtkvari. The Rioni River, the largest river in western Georgia, has its origin in the Greater Caucasus and empties into the Black Sea at the port of Poti