Tbilisi, Georgia

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Tbilisi is not just a very interesting city from historical and cultural point of view, there is something unique and peculiar only to this exact city. Here one could feel a special atmosphere, which is conveyed virtually in everything, in small stone houses with red roofs, nestled at the slopes of the mountains one above the other, in its curved narrow streets, in surprisingly wellcoming and hospitable people, in nature, which so generously endowed this region with its beauty. Even the name of the city speaks for itself, "tbili" is Georgian for "warm". However, until 1936 it was known as Tiflis. The current name was given to the city because of its numerous warm sulfur springs, which have long served local inhabitants as place for  bathing, and later were transformed into the bathhouses, which Tbilisi is so famous for.

Location of Tbilisi

Tbilisi is favorably located in the heart of the pictusque Shida Kartli province, on the banks of the Mtkvary River and is protected on three sides by mountains: to the south the Solalaki ridge, to the East Mt. Makhata and to the west the Trialety range. Tbilisi covers a total area of 348.6 km².

Climate

The climate of Tbilisi is temperate. Winters are relativaly mild with an average temperature of +3-9 C in Jenuary. Summer is hot and long with an average temperature, varing from +23 C to +26 C in August.

Population of Tbilisi

Until the middle of the XX^th century, almost half of the population of the Tbilisi made up Armenians and Azerbaijanis. At present, the city has a population of 1 million 345 thousand people.  Currently Tbilisi is inhabited mostly by Georgians - 80%, while minority groups include Armenians - 7%, Azeri - 7%, Russian - 5%, Ossetians - 3%, Kurds - 2% and Greeks - 2%. The official language is Georgian, but also Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani are widespread. Orthodox Christianity is the predominent religion.

Industry

Tbilisi is an industrial center of the country. Mainly, here are developed  heavy and light industries machinery, textile, food (paticularly wine), wood, glass, chemical and printing industries.

Architecture of Tbilisi

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Architecture of Tbilisi is unique; here one can see a rare combination of modern and ancient architecture in close proximity to each other. Near the temples of the VI-VII^th centuries harmoniously coexist modern high-rise buildings, wide streets, parks, gardens and squares. In the south-eastern part of the town there is a historic center of Tbilisi, Old Town. In Old Tbilisi, one can see architectural monuments dating back to the V^th century, but this area is mostly dominated by buildings of the XIX^th century. Some of these architectural monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here you can admire the ruins of the Narikala Citadel, built in the XVI-XVII centuries, the stone church Anchiskhati, Metechi Church, Sioni Cathedral and famous sulfur baths. 

History of Tbilisi

The first record of Tbilisi appears in the IV^th century. However, the results of archaeological excavations indicated that the territory on which the modern Tbilisi is situated was populated in the IV^th BC. The city had a very advantageous location; it was situated at the intersection of the ancient roads leading south, to the Arab countries, north to Russia, west to Byzantium and east to India.

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Internet resources on Tbilisi and Georgia

Tbilisi – attractions and photos of Tbilisi
Georgia – Georgia travel guide.
 

Tbilisi - Sights of Interest