National and regional population trends in Georgia, 1989-2002: results from the 2002 census

An American geographer and specialist on urbanization and population change in the countries of the former USSR summarizes major results of the first post-Soviet census of Georgia, only recently released. After describing sources of census data and methodological issues warranting attention (e.g., exclusion of most of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and movements of internally displaced persons), he reviews significant national-and regional-level developments in population size, urban and rural distribution, and ethnic affiliation in the country. Classification Numbers: J11, O18,R23.3 figures, 3 tables, 34 references. Key words: population change, Georgia, urbanization, internally displaced persons, demographic trends, Abkhazia, South Ossetia.