The roots of Georgian - truly ancient nation and one of the world`s oldest uninterrupted civilizations - are archeologically substantiated over a period more than three thousand years. Culturally, historically, and politically Georgia is considered part of Europe; however, the official geographic classification o f the country varies according to different sources. Sometimes Georgia is considered a transcontinental nation. Because of its location on the ancient Silk Road, Georgia has absorbed and transformed the traditions of many other lands, while producing a vibrant and unique culture of its own. The nation`s literary tradition, ranging from epic poetry to modern drama, is among the world"s finest; and the icons and frescoes of Georgia"s mountain-top churches, dating from its Golden Age in the 12th century, are among the supreme achievements of Christian art. The English name Georgia is a transliteration of the classical term (Γεωργία) according to archaeological research, the Greek and Aramaic alphabets were used for the purposes of commerce before officially adopting the Georgian alphabet during the reign of King Pharnavaz I of Iberia. The Georgian Kingdoms of Iberia and Egrisi were founded between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, in the territory of modern Georgia and the historical Georgian region of Tao-Klarjeti. These succeeded to the Kingdoms of Diaokhi (Eastern and South-Eastern Georgia and Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)) and Kolkha (Western Georgia) were founded around the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. and beginning of the 1st millennium B.C. In 327, Christianity was declared the official state religion in the ancient Georgian Kingdom of Iberia, making Georgia one of the oldest countries to declare Christianity as her official state religion. The Bible was translated into Georgian in the 5th century