Its independence was followed by social unrest and a conflict with the breakaway region of Abkhazia that led to the displacement of more than 250, 000 people, according to the European Commission.

CNN: Country profile: Georgia

"By comparing before-and-after satellite images, we were able to see a significant movement of the region's human population, suggesting widespread displacement, " said Lars Bromley of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

BBC: Sri Lanka images 'prove damage'