Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is the capital of the Republic of Georgia and one of the most historically rich and attractive cities in Transcaucasia. Government, higher education, and economic development are focused in Tbilisi, and over the centuries it has become a leading cultural center. Since Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Tbilisi has steered a difficult post-Communist course. Economic, ethnic, and social strife have been major obstacles in the transition, and in 2003, Georgians staged peaceful protests in Tbilisi, which have been named the Rose Revolution. The resulting change in government has ushered in significant improvements for the city and country. In 2008, the city suffered multiple Russian air attacks during the South Ossetia War. Nonetheless, Tbilisi remains at the helm of a fractious country in a strategic and troubled region. In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a flight ban in Georgia, and the first Russian flight since the air attacks landed in Tbilisi in 2023.

Landscape

Tbilisi is located in eastern Georgia at an altitude of 380 meters (1,246 feet). The city occupies the depression of a gorge that was formed by the Mtkvari (Kura) River and has grown up on both embankments. It is surrounded by low mountains of the Trialeti and Kartliysky ranges on three sides. The route between western and eastern Transcaucasia follows the gorge.

The city has a total area of 350 square kilometers (135 square miles). The older part of town lies on the right embankment of the river, restricted by a ridge. The modern town spreads along the left bank for approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles).

Tbilisi has a moderate climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Mountains to the north protect it from cold air masses from Russia, while both the Caspian Sea to the east and the Black Sea to the west have a moderating influence. Temperatures average 0.9° Celsius (33.6° Fahrenheit) in January and 24.4° Celsius (75.9° Fahrenheit) in July. Summers tend to have moderate to high humidity. Clouds are common in spring and winter as they settle in the gorge. Most precipitation falls as rain, with the spring being the wettest season; approximately 90.2 millimeters (3.6 inches) fall in May.

Climate change has already affected Tbilisi and the rest of Georgia, with temperatures rising steadily since the 1960s. Experts believe that by the end of the twenty-first century, the temperature in the country will be higher than the global average. Georgia is already vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as droughts and flooding. In 2015, flooding devastated Tbilisi, which has higher than normal tempertures because of Urban Heat Island Effect. Such extreme heat is dangerous to human health.

People

Approximately 1.080 million people live in the urban area of Tbilisi, according to a 2022 estimate from the US Central Intelligence Agency. According to the Economic Development Office of Tbilisi City Hall in 2018, approximately 90 percent of the population is Georgian; minorities include Ossetians, Abkhazians, Russians, Armenians, Jews, and Azeris, all of whom generally have long standing in the city.

Tbilisi has long been known for its religious tolerance. Christianity is the predominant religion, and the Georgian Orthodox Church has the most devotees. The Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church are popular among their respective ethnic groups. Small percentages of the population also practice Islam and Judaism. Since the fall of Communism, there has been a resurgence in religious practice.

The people of Tbilisi celebrate the founding of their city at the end of October. The celebration, called Tbilisoba, involves concert performances and feasting.

The distinctive cuisine of Georgia attains its highest expression in Tbilisi, where the dining culture is well developed. Typical dishes include chicken in a walnut sauce; chicken in cheese; spicy lamb soup; and dumplings filled with lamb. Plum and pomegranate sauces are often used to flavor grilled meat dishes, and Georgian wines commonly accompany meals.

Economy

Tbilisi is a national and regional economic hub. Both crime and corruption have decreased since the change of government in 2003, and international investment has increased. Local industries produce textiles, alcoholic beverages, foodstuffs, tools, farming equipment, and electrical equipment. It is also the country's center for education and scientific research. According to the Economic Development Office of Tbilisi City Hall, the wholesale and retail trade contributed the greatest percentage of the gross domestic product in 2016 at 26 percent, and the highest number of employees in the city were engaged in this sector (28 percent).

Before 1991, Tbilisi enjoyed a high level of tourism from Soviet visitors, but the instability following the USSR's collapse caused the industry to falter. Visitors have begun to return to Tbilisi, however, attracted by its churches, cuisine, and its access to the Caucasus Mountains via the Georgian Military Highway. In 2005, for example, about half a million tourists visited Georgia, while by 2018 the number of international arrivals reached over 8 million, according to the Georgian National Tourism Administration. The majority of tourists use Tbilisi as their point of entry and spend time in the city. According to the Economic Development Office of Tbilisi City Hall, over 881,000 foreigners visited Tbilisi hotels in 2016.

At the end of 2006, an oil pipeline originating in Baku, Azerbaijan, and crossing Georgia to Turkey began full operation. Georgia itself does not have oil reserves, but the projected economic benefits that it would derive from transit fees were great. The pipeline passes through Tbilisi, where Georgia's share in the project is mainly be administered. Other pipeline plans seek to expand on this economic model. Georgia meets many of its own energy need through abundant hydropower resources.

Landmarks

Though Tbilisi has been settled for centuries, it was destroyed most recently in 1795; its distinctive buildings and churches date from the subsequent period of reconstruction and range from Georgian-style architecture with its Middle Eastern influences to classical European architecture. In recent years, controversy has ensued over the preservation of Tbilisi's old districts, which have been threatened by new building projects. They have not been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the destruction that has occurred.

Tbilisi is overlooked by Narikala Fortress, originally built by the Persians around 360 CE, modified by successive rulers, and largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1827. The city's oldest districts lie beneath the fortress.

Christianity's long history in Georgia is evidenced by its religious architecture. In Tbilisi, important churches include the Anchiskhati Basilica, Sioni Cathedral, the Mtatsminda Church, the Sameba Cathedral, and the Metekhi Church. Typical of Georgian architecture is the turret-like cupolas and light-colored stone of the churches.

Tbilisi's museums showcase the history and development of Georgian culture. At the National Museum and the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts, displays of pre-Christian and Christian archaeology and art demonstrate the fineness of Georgian craftsmanship, especially as it pertains to metalwork.

Highly regarded venues for the performing arts operate in Tbilisi. Among them are the State Conservatory, the State Opera Theatre, and the Shota Rustaveli State Academic Theatre.

As the country's center for higher education, Tbilisi boasts several universities. Foremost are the Tbilisi State University and the Tbilisi State Medical University.

History

Neolithic settlements developed on the site of Tbilisi, encouraged by the river, the nearby hot springs, and the defensible mountain passes. The city was founded around 458 CE, when King Dachi had the capital moved to Tbilisi from nearby Mtskheta, where the Georgian royal family had accepted Christianity in 330 CE.

From the sixth century until it came under the protection of the Russian empire in the eighteenth century, Tbilisi was invaded around forty times, came under control of successive powers, and absorbed multiple influences. The Persians were the first to sack the city, followed by the Byzantine Empire and the Arabs in the seventh century. Despite foreign rule under the Arabs, the Georgian monarchy was not unseated and still had considerable control of the kingdom.

Georgia's golden age began in the eleventh century, when David IV, known as "the Builder," recaptured Tbilisi from the Seljuk Turks. It was a period of remarkable cultural and political development, especially during the rule of Queen Tamara (1184–1212).

Georgia's fortunes declined again when the Mongols invaded in the thirteenth century. In 1366, the plague wiped out half of Tbilisi's population, and twenty years later the Turkic leader Timur (Tamerlane) sacked Tbilisi. This began a period of several centuries in which Georgia was dominated by the Persian and Ottoman empires. Nevertheless, the Georgian monarchy was able to retain much of its power and bring greater unity to a region which numerous invasions had fragmented.

After the Persians completely destroyed Tbilisi in 1795, the monarch Herekle II accepted the full protection of the Russian empire. Until 1991, Russia and then the Soviet Union were largely responsible for dictating the social and economic models for Georgia. The arrangement brought a period of stability. Tbilisi expanded, and the city took on much of its modern layout. The development of commerce, industry, and regional transportation links improved its economic standing.

Despite its attempts to break away from Russian influence, Georgia became a republic within the Soviet Union in 1935, with the capital in Tbilisi. Industrial expansion and further population growth occurred during the Soviet period. The city was the setting for the nationalism movement and for several protests against Soviet policy which were brutally repressed by order of the central government in Moscow.

Georgia proclaimed its independence in 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Fierce fighting broke out in Tbilisi in 1991 as rival factions struggled for control of the country. During the remainder of the 1990s, as Georgia made the transition to democratic rule and a market economy, Tbilisi gained a reputation for high-level corruption and widespread mafia-related violence.

Peaceful protests in Tbilisi in 2003 precipitated the resignation of Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and the election of reformer Mikhail Saakashvili. Since the Rose Revolution, Tbilisi has been at the center of the economic and social changes affecting Georgia. This has resulted in ongoing military skirmishes between Georgian forces and troops loyal to the South Ossetia region, which considers itself its own territory and is loyal to Russia.

On August 7, 2008, Georgian forces attacked troops in South Ossetia. This action prompted a swift and aggressive response from Russia—which mobilized its air, sea, and land forces in the region. The speed and forcefulness of the Russian response surprised Western diplomats and officials worldwide, many of whom were attending the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Foreign policy analysts theorized that Russia's action was an act of defiance of the West's increasing support for the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in former Soviet Union territories. Russian forces conducted land raids and bombings of major infrastructure targets within Georgia, as well as cyber attacks on Georgia's computer systems.

On August 12, after French President Nicolas Sarkozy helped to broker a deal between the warring parties, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced a withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia. The efficiency of this withdrawal was questioned, as critics of the Russian military claimed forces remained in position throughout the contested region. Although the military conflict in the region eventually ended, Russian officials announced on August 26 that they recognized the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent territories and not part of Georgia, an ally of the West. Western officials, including former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, criticized the declaration and renewed their support for an intact Georgian state based on established borders.

Thirty years after Soviet troops violently dispersed a peaceful independence demonstration in Tbilisi, it was announced in 2019 that six streets in the city would be renamed after some of the victims.

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