Georgian diaspora

Distribution of the Georgian origin migrants as of 2017

The Georgian diaspora refers to both historical and present emigration from Georgia. The countries with the largest Georgian communities outside Georgia are Turkey and Russia.

Notable people of Georgian descent

Joseph Stalin, the de facto leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.

John Shalikashvili, a United States Army General who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Supreme Allied Commander from 1993 to 1997.

• André Andersen, a Russia-born Danish multi-instrumentalist and composer.
• David Bagration of Mukhrani, a claimant to the headship of the Royal House of Georgia and to the historical thrones of Georgia.
• Jorge de Bagration, a Spanish racing car driver of Georgian descent and a claimant to the headship of the Royal House of Georgia and to the historical throne of Georgia.
• George Balanchine, one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers.
• David Baramidze, a Georgian-born German chess Grandmaster.
• David Chavchavadze, an American author and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer of Georgian-Russian origin.
• Maryam d'Abo, an English film and television actress.
• Lasha Darbaidze, a Georgian-born American citizen who holds the positions of Honorary Consul of Georgia and President of the St. George Foundation.
• Anna Dogonadze, a Georgian-born German athlete.
• Vernon Duke, an American composer and songwriter.
• Wachtang Djobadze, a Georgian art historian who lived in the United States as an émigré.
• Andrew Eristoff, a Republican Party politician from New York City who serves as New Jersey State Treasurer under Governor Chris Christie.
• Alex Greenwich, the member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney.
• Michael Gregor, an aircraft engineer of Georgian origin.
• Georgiy Gongadze, a Ukrainian journalist of Georgian origin who was kidnapped and murdered in 2000.
• Elly Heuss-Knapp, a German liberal politician and author.
• Darren Huckerby, an English former professional footballer and academy coach.
• Tzipi Hotovely, an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the Likud party.
• Alexander Kartveli, an influential aircraft engineer and a pioneer of American aviation history.
• David Koma, a Georgian born London based fashion designer.
• Vitaliy Kononov, a candidate in the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election, nominated by the Green Party of Ukraine.
• Kola Kwariani, a Georgian-American professional wrestler and chess player.
• Giorgi Latso, a Georgian-American classical pianist and composer.
• Georges V. Matchabelli, a Georgian nobleman and diplomat, who immigrated to the United States after the 1921 Soviet invasion of Georgia.
• Katie Melua, a Georgian-born British singer, songwriter and musician.
• George Papashvily, a Georgian-American writer and sculptor.
• Irina Shabayeva, the winner of the sixth season of Project Runway along with her model, Kalyn Hemphill.
• John Shalikashvili, a United States Army General who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Supreme Allied Commander from 1993 to 1997.
• Joseph Stalin, the de facto leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.
• Tamta, a Greek pop singer famous in Greece and Cyprus.
• Omari Tetradze, a former football player of Georgian Greek descent who, during his playing career, represented Russia at international level.
• Jerzy Tumaniszwili, a Polish naval commander of a Georgian aristocratic descent.

Geographic Distribution

Country	ethnic Georgians
Turkey	100,000-1,500,000
Russia	157,803
Iran	100,000
Ukraine	34,199
Greece	27,400
United Kingdom	10,000-15,000
France	10,000
Cyprus	5,000-6,000
Germany	4,500-5,000
Belarus	3,700-4,000
Canada	3,155
Netherlands	2,000
Belgium	1,000-2,000
Latvia	1,500
Spain	1,500
Italy	1,000
Moldova	900-1,000
Estonia	450
Lithuania	320
Denmark	200-250
Norway	150

Destinations

See also

• List of Georgians
• History of Georgia