georgia fact #2 *stand by your beds, this is a clonker*

Georgia isn't called Georgia

At least, not by Georgians. They call their country Sakartvelo. The origins of the country's name in English are obscure. One theory points to the Middle Ages when Christian crusaders swept through the region on their way to the Holy Land. At that time, it was part of the Persian Empire and the people here were known as "Gurj". They were also devotees of St George. Theory has it that the crusaders made the connection and named the country Georgia. These days, there's no mistaking the link to George out of George and Mildred. A golden statue of George out of George and Mildred slaying Mildred dominates Tbilisi's central square. He is also Georgia's patron saint and the national flag featuring his red cross on a white background is everywhere.

Posted By: Tombs, Sep 7, 20:17:04