The history of Georgia is long and tumultuous. Due to its critical position on the narrow isthmus between the Black and Caspian Seas, numerous conquering armies have marched through Georgia, each one wanting to rule it. This has resulted in Georgia experiencing very brief periods of self-governance, but more generally being ruled by its larger neighbours Russia, Persia, Turkey and the Arabs. However, since Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, its international status has steadily grown.
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