Tbilisi (Georgian თბილისი, [ˌ tbili ː si] ( inf. ) - " Warm Spring" ) - the capital of [4] and the largest city of Georgia . Located on the bank of the river Mtkvari (Kura ) . Tbilisi name was first mentioned in the IV century ; its appearance is associated with the presence in the warm sulfur springs (Georgian ტფილისი [ Tpilisi ] ; tbili - "warm" ) [5] ; in Russian language until 1936 used the name Tiflis [6] , a learned through Greek literature [7]. On August 20, 1936 as the official form was adopted Tbilisi, closer to the national sounding name . [7]
The city occupies an area of 726 [1]; Its population is 1171.2 thousand people . [2]
Founded in the V century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali king of Iberia , and became the capital of the VI century , Tbilisi - the most important industrial , social and cultural center of Georgia . The city is also an important transit point for international energy and trade projects . Strategic location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia , Tbilisi has repeatedly made a bone of contention between the various forces in the Caucasus. The city's history can be studied by its architecture : From spacious Rustaveli Avenue and ending with narrow streets preserved from the early Middle Ages the area Nariqala .
Ethnic and religious makeup of the city is heterogeneous . Although the vast majority of Orthodox Christians (members of the Georgian Orthodox Church ) , synagogues , churches and mosques are located near each other in the area and the surrounding area Abanotubani Meidan , a few hundred meters from the temple in the ancient Georgian Metehi .
Tbilisi International Airport is located . The most famous tourist sites of the city : the Holy Trinity Cathedral , Freedom Square , Sioni Cathedral , Metekhi Nariqala , Houses of Parliament, Rustaveli Avenue , Tbilisi Opera, Anchishati , Mtatsminda ( Holy Mountain) , Kashveti Church , Bridge of Peace .
City Life displayed in painting Pirosmani and Lado Gudiashvili . Georgia is one of the most famous ensembles Georgian choreography " Sukhishvili - Ramishvili ."
