In 1991 and 1992 the city was the scene of fighting between supporters and opponents of ousted Georgian president Zviad K. Gamsakhurdia. The Suram Range divides the country between east and west, and the Lesser Caucasus Range runs along the border with Turkey. The valleys and plains vary in climate from swampy lowlands and subtropical conditions in the west, to arid semi-Mediterranean regions in the southeast. Western Georgia is cultivated intensively for citrus and tea, while eastern Georgia specializes in grapes and fruit orchards. Natural resources include coal, manganese, and timber.
Hydroelectric power is the main energy source.
They speak a Caucasian language, and their traditional religious institution is the Georgian Orthodox church. Three ethnically based autonomous republics were established in Georgia during the Soviet period. The capital is Sukhumi. Its capital is Batumi. South Ossetia, on the Russian border, adjoins North Ossetia, a republic within the Russ ian Federation.