Editing Geography of Georgia (country) (section)

== Location ==
Georgia is largely surrounded by the [[Greater Caucasus Mountains|Greater Caucasus]] and [[Lesser Caucasus]] mountains, which form part of a natural boundary between Eastern Europe and West Asia. Because the [[Europe–Asia boundary]] is essentially a "historical and cultural construct",<ref>[[Encyclopædia Britannica]], [http://www.britannica.com/place/Asia Asia]:"The land boundary between Asia and Europe is a historical and cultural construct that has been defined variously" June 2021</ref> Georgia's continental placement has varied greatly. [[Anaximander]] placed the boundary between Europe and Asia along the Phasis River (the modern [[Rioni River]]), which effectively located northern parts of Georgia in Europe and the south in Asia, a convention also followed by [[Herodotus]].<ref>''[[Histories (Herodotus)|Histories]]'' 4.38. Cf. James Rennell, ''The geographical system of Herodotus examined and explained'', Volume 1, Rivington 1830, [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_enQ-AAAAcAAJ/page/n274 p. 244]</ref> According to one 18th century definition, which set the [[Kuma–Manych Depression]] as the continental boundary, Georgia and the entire Caucasus fell into Asia. However, yet another definition drew the line at [[Aras (river)|Aras River]], effectively placing all of Georgia in Europe.<ref>[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]”, [https://www.britannica.com/place/Caucasus Caucasus], June 2021: “another scheme identifies the Aras River and the Turkish border as the line of continental demarcation, thereby locating Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in Europe.”</ref>

Notwithstanding variations in geographic placement, Georgia's proximity to the bulk of Europe, combined with various historical, cultural and political forces, has led to its inclusion in Europe. The country has joined European organizations, such as the [[Council of Europe]] and [[Eurocontrol]], and was deemed eligible to apply for membership of the [[European Union]],<ref name="EU perspective">[[European Parliament]], [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2014-0009 European Parliament Resolution 2014/2717(RSP)], 17 July 2014: "...pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – like any other European state – have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the Union…"</ref> which it did in 2022 and was [[Potential enlargement of the European Union|recognized as a candidate member state]].