Tbilisi, Georgia

Capital and the largest city of Georgia (country)

About Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura River. With more than 1.3 million inhabitants, it contains almost one third of the country's population. Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century CE by Vakhtang I of Iberia and has since served as the capital of various Georgian kingdoms and republics. Between 1801 and 1917, then part of the Russian Empire, it was the seat of the Caucasus Viceroyalty, governing both the northern and southern sides of the Caucasus.

Names and etymology

The name "Tbilisi" derives from Old Georgian Tbilisi (Asomtavruli: ႧႡႨႪႨႱႨ, Mkhedruli: თბილისი), and further from tpili (Modern Georgian: თბილი, warm, itself from Old Georgian: ႲႴႨႪႨ ṭpili). The name Tbilisi (the place of warmth) was therefore given to the city because of the area's numerous sulfuric hot springs. Until 1936, the name of the city in English and most other languages followed the Persian pronunciation Tiflis, while the Georgian name was ტფილისი (Ṭpilisi). In some languages it is still known by its pre-1936 name Tiflis ( TIF-liss) On 17 August 1936, by order of the Soviet leadership, the official Russian names of various cities were changed to more closely match the local language. …

History

Archaeologists discovered evidence of continuous habitation of the Tbilisi suburb of Dighomi since the early Bronze Age, and stone artifacts dating to the Paleolithic age. During the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age, it was the largest settlement in the Caucasus. According to legend, the present-day territory of Tbilisi was covered by forests as late as 458. One widely accepted variant of the Tbilisi foundation myth states that King Vakhtang I of Iberia (r. c. 447/49 – 502/22) went hunting in the heavily wooded region with a falcon (sometimes the falcon is replaced with either a hawk or other small birds of prey in the legend). The king's falcon allegedly caught or injured a pheasant during the hunt, after which both birds fell into a nearby hot spring and died from burns. …

Geography

Tbilisi is located in the South Caucasus at 41° 43' North and 44° 47' East. The city lies in Eastern Georgia on both banks of the Kura River (locally known as Mtkvari). The elevation of the city ranges from 380–770 metres above sea level (1,250–2,530 ft) and has the shape of an amphitheatre surrounded by mountains on three sides. To the north, Tbilisi is bounded by the Saguramo Range, to the east and south-east by the Iori Plain, to the south and west by various endings (subranges) of the Trialeti Range. The relief of Tbilisi is complex. The part of the city which lies on the left bank of the Kura River extends for more than 30 km (19 mi) from the Avchala District to River Lochini. The part of the city which lies on the right side of the river, though, is built along the foothills of the Trialeti Range, the slopes of which in many cases descend all the way to the edges of the river. …

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Culture

The architecture of Tbilisi is a blend of Georgian, Byzantine, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Beaux-Arts, Middle Eastern, and Soviet modern influences. Few buildings survived the 1795 destruction of the city, so most historic structures date to the Russian Imperial period (1801–1917). Tbilisi's old quarters (Kala, Abanotubani, Avlabari) were largely rebuilt following their medieval street plans. Downtown areas developed during the 19th century, like Sololaki, Rustaveli Avenue, and Vera, show contemporary European-style layout with Beaux-Arts, Orientalist, and revivalist architecture. Tbilisi is particularly noted for its Art Nouveau buildings, especially in Sololaki and Chughureti, which flourished from the 1890s until the early Soviet era. …

Economy

With a nominal GDP of 32 billion Georgian lari (€10 billion) as of 2022, Tbilisi is Georgia's economic powerhouse, generating more than half of the country's total GDP. Its GDP per capita is 26,769 lari (€8,700), exceeding the national average by more than 50 percent. The economy of Tbilisi is dominated by the service sector, particularly: Wholesale and retail trade Transport and logistics Financial services Hospitality and real estate Reflecting its position as a regional hub, the city hosts the headquarters of most Georgian banks, major companies, and international organizations operating in the South Caucasus region. The unemployment rate in Tbilisi stands at 22.5%, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Tourism

Georgia's rising popularity as a travel destination has positioned Tbilisi as a major regional tourism hub. In 2019, the country welcomed over 9 million international visitors, significantly boosting Tbilisi's hospitality and service sectors. Notable landmarks and attractions include: Narikala fortress (4th–17th century) Anchiskhati Basilica (6th century) Sioni Cathedral (8th century) Church of Metekhi Sameba Cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi) Bridge of Peace Abanotubani sulfur baths Open Air Museum of Ethnography Tbilisi Old Town Parliament of Georgia Supreme Court of Georgia National Bank of Georgia Tbilisi Circus During Soviet times, Tbilisi was ranked among the top cities for the number of museums within the USSR. Tbilisi has developed a thriving and internationally recognized nightlife scene since the 2010s. …

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