Tbilisi

Tbilisi (Georgian თბილისი , t̻ʰbɪlɪsɪ) is the capital and largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mtkvari (Kura) River, at 41°43′N, 44°47′E. Tbilisi is sometimes credited as Tiflis (or Tifflis), which is its Medieval non-native name. The city covers an area of 372 km² (144 square miles) and has 1,093,000 inhabitants.

Founded in the 4th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia), Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center in the Caucasus. The city is also emerging as an important transit route for global energy and trade projects. Located strategically at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and lying along the historic Silk Road routes, Tbilisi has often been the point of contention between various rivaling powers and empires. The history of the city can be seen by its architecture, where the Haussmannized Rustaveli avenue and downtown are blended with the narrower streets of the Medieval Narikala district.

The demographics of the city is diverse and historically it has been home to peoples from different cultures, religions and ethnicities. Being overwhelmingly Orthodox Christian, Tbilisi is one of the only places in the world, where a synagogue and a mosque are located next to each other in the ancient Bath district several hundred meters from the Metekhi Church. In recent times, Tbilisi has become known for the peaceful Rose Revolution, which took place around Freedom Square and nearby locations after the rigged parliamentary elections of 2003 led to the resignation of the Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze.

Tbilisi has one international airport. Notable tourist destinations include Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral, Freedom Square, Sioni Cathedral, Metekhi, Narikala, Parliament of Georgia, Rustaveli Avenue, Turtle lake, Anchiskhati Basilica, Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), Kashveti Cathedral along with the National and Historic Museums of Georgia and numbers of art galleries. Tbilisi is the home of famous artists. The city life was immortalized in their art by Niko Pirosmani and Lado Gudiashvili.