Tbilisi

views updated May 17 2018

Tbilisi (Tiflis) Largest city and capital of Georgia, on the upper River Kura. It was founded in the 5th century ad, and ruled successively by the Iranians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, and Turks, before coming under Russian rule in 1801. Tbilisi's importance lies in its location on the trade route between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. It is now the administrative and economic focus of modern Transcaucasia. Industries: chemicals, petroleum products, locomotives, electrical equipment, beer, wine, spirits. Pop. (2002 est.) 1,382,900.