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Tbilisi (Georgian: ['tbilisi] ( listen), literally "Warm Spring")
is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of
the Mt'k'vari (Kura) River. The name is derived from an early Georgian
form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936.[1] The
city covers an area of 726 km² (280.3 square miles) and has 1,480,000
inhabitants.
Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King
of Kartli (Iberia), and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi
is a significant industrial, social, and cultural centre. 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
a point of contention between various rival 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 are diverse and historically it has been
home to peoples from diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities. Despite
being overwhelmingly Orthodox Christian, Tbilisi is one of the few places
in the world (Sarajevo and Paramaribo being others) where a synagogue
and a mosque are located next to each other, in the ancient Bath district
several hundred metres 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 contested 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, Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre,
Anchiskhati Basilica, Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), Kashveti Church along
with the National and Historic Museums of Georgia and a number of art
galleries. Tbilisi is the home of famous artists. The city life was immortalised
in their art by Niko Pirosmani and Lado Gudiashvili.
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