GEORGIA

Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that's home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. It's famous for Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating to the 12th century, and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti. The capital, Tbilisi, is known for the diverse architecture and mazelike, cobblestone streets of its old town.

Capital: Tbilisi
Currency: Georgian lari
Ethnic groups (2014): 86.8% Georgians; 6.2% Azerbaijanis; 4.5% Armenians; 2.8% other