EuroNews - Interview - Joaquin Almunia
November 12, 2008
Joaquin Almunia is the European Unions Monetary Affairs Commissioner. He supervises the monetary policies of Euro-zone members. He is the man who would approve sanctions against countries which breach the financial guidelines of the EU. At the moment, Mr Almunia is most concerned about European inflation, and a possible recession in the United States, which could threaten economic recovery in the Euro-zone.
საქართველო სურათებში -Georgia in Pictures
November 12, 2008
My pictures of Kakhety, Kartli and Kazbeghi in Summer 2006
Climate
Climate is excellent for wine-making and there are 500 different kinds of wine in GeorgiaThe climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nations small size. There are two main climatic zones, roughly separating Eastern and Western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgias climate and protects the nation from the penetration of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south as well.
Much of western Georgia lies within the northern periphery of the humid subtropical zone with annual precipitation ranging from 1000–4000mm. (39–157 inches). The precipitation tends to be uniformly distributed throughout the year, although the rainfall can be particularly heavy during the Autumn months. The climate of the region varies significantly with elevation and while much of the lowland areas of western Georgia are relatively warm throughout the year, the foothills and mountainous areas (including both the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains) experience cool, wet summers and snowy winters (snow cover often exceeds 2 meters in many regions). Ajaria is the wettest region of the Caucasus, where the Mt. Mtirala rainforest, east of Kobuleti receives around 4500mm (177 inches) of precipitation per year.
Eastern Georgia has a transitional climate from humid subtropical to continental. The regions weather patterns are influenced both by dry, Central Asian/Caspian air masses from the east and humid, Black Sea air masses from the west. The penetration of humid air masses from the Black Sea is often blocked by several mountain ranges (Likhi and Meskheti) that separate the eastern and western parts of the nation. Annual precipitation is considerably less than that of western Georgia and ranges from 400–1600mm (16–63 inches). The wettest periods generally occur during Spring and Autumn while Winter and the Summer months tend to be the driest. Much of eastern Georgia experiences hot summers (especially in the low-lying areas) and relatively cold winters. As in the western parts of the nation, elevation plays an important role in eastern Georgia as well, and climatic conditions above 1500 metres (4920ft) above sea level are considerably cooler (even colder) than those of the low-lying areas. The regions that lie above 2000 meters (6560ft) above sea level frequently experience frost even during the summer months.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Georgia
Georgian twenty lari bill portraying Ilia ChavchavadzeIn the 20th century Georgias economy was concentrated on Black Sea and Caucasus mountains tourism, cultivation of agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea and grapes, mining of manganese and copper. There was a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals and textile.
After the downfall of Soviet Union Georgia like other successor states of the Soviet Union underwent an economic collapse. The civil war and military conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia deepened the crisis. The country suffered from hyperinflation and industry output diminished. From the mid 1990s with financial help from the West Georgia began economic recovery. Centrally planned economy dominant in Soviet Georgia was replaced by market economy.
There are visible positive developments in the economy of Georgia after the Rose Revolution. The government budget has grown from 350 million to 2.1 billion USD. In 2004 a 12% flat income tax was introduced, and tax collection increased significantly. In its report “Doing Business 2007″ the World Bank praised Georgias economic reforms. The country was able to improve its standing on the Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 112 to 37.[32] Goeriga is developing into an international transport corridor through Batumi and Poti ports, an oil pipeline from Baku through Tbilisi to Ceyhan, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (BTC) and a parallel gas pipeline, the South Caucasus Pipeline.
By 2006 estimates Georgias GDP (PPP) is US$17.79 billion. The countrys GDP growth of 10% in 2006 was one of the highest in Europe. Georgias economy is becoming more dependent on services (54.8% of GDP), and moves away from the agricultural sector (17.7%).[33] 2006 imports and exports accounted for 10% and 18% of GDP, respectively.[33] The country has unemployment rate of 12.6% and considerable underemployment. The median income remains low compared to other European countries.
In 2006 Russia banned imports of Georgian wine. Russia has also occasionally cut natural gas supply to the country, harming its economy.
Gov. Ed Rendell says John McCain’s Plans are Pitiful
November 11, 2008
Gov. Ed Rendell says John McCain needs to focus more on policy and less on attacking Barack Obama.