Tbilisi: population, sights of the city

Every year, the capital of Georgia is visited by tourists from different countries, who remain impressed by the terrain. So what can be interesting for each guest of the city and what kind of people in Tbilisi you can meet on its streets?

Some historical information

Tbilisi is a city-elder, not only in Georgia, but in the whole world. Scientists-archaeologists have found out that the first settlements on the territory of the modern city appeared as far back as the 4th century AD.

But the first mention of Tbilisi as a city dates back to 479 year. Since that moment, the territory of the present capital of Georgia was inhabited by various peoples with their own culture. Such coloring is reflected in the modern appearance of the city.

Until 1936, the city was called Tiflis, but only in Russian colloquial speech. The locals referred to him as Tpilisi. This name comes from the location on the territory of warm sulfur springs, and from the Georgian "tbili" means "warm".

Legend associated with the name

About how the city got its present name, a national legend is built. According to her, initially the territory of modern Tbilisi was completely covered with forests, in which there were many wild animals and birds. And one day the ruling monarch V Vakhtang Gorgasal (V century AD) shot down a pheasant who fell into a sulfur source and cooked. This served as the opening of therapeutic warm springs near which Vakhtang Gorgasal ordered to lay the city.

In the modern city on the site of sulfuric places is located the bathhouse quarter.

Geographical location

The heart of Georgia is on the shore of the picturesque Kura River. It covers an area of 726 square kilometers and is the largest city in the country. It borders with other Georgian cities - Gardabani and Mtskheta.

Number of citizens

At the time of the 2016 census, Tbilisi had a population of 1,082,000, one third of the country's total.

Ethnic composition of Tbilisi

The population of Tbilisi is very colorful. This is not the place where only the indigenous people live.

According to sociological data, the picture of the residents is as follows:

• The bulk of them are people of Georgian nationality - 85%;
• 7.5% - Armenians;
• The Russian population in Tbilisi is 3%;
• Kurds - 1.7%;
• Azerbaijanis - 1%;
• Ossetians - 0.9%;
• Greeks - 0,35%;
• Ukrainians - 0.3%;
• Jews - 0.2%.

Based on this multinational composition, religious diversity also develops. The overwhelming majority of the population, including Georgians, Russians, Ukrainians and Greeks, preaches Christianity, Armenians adhere to Gregorian Christianity. Muslims are spread to a lesser extent, its supporters are Kurds and Azerbaijanis.

In addition, there are other religious views on the territory of Tbilisi: Baptism, Lutheranism, Judaism.

Attractions Tbilisi

Tbilisi needs to get around all, because almost every street has some attraction. If there is not much time for a sightseeing tour, then you can limit yourself to the following objects.

"Sulfur Baths" are the main attraction of the capital. It was the sulfur sources, according to local legend, that led to the founding of the city. Another main reason for the pilgrimage of tourists to these places is the therapeutic effect provided by these sources.

This area is considered to be the oldest in the city. The main feature of baths is that they do not have a room for heating water. This is not an omission of the builders, they are simply not needed, because the water temperature in these sources can reach 60 degrees.

The bathhouse is a building with a domed roof, which was built on a motif of Persian buildings. Once the baths were very popular and worked around the clock, and their number was 60 buildings.

Currently, there are only a few baths in Tbilisi: VIP, "No. 52", "Tsar's Bath".

An excellent place for family rest will be the park of Bombor, which is located in the center of the city, on the mountain of David (also called Mtatsminda). This mountain represents a symbol of the city, from which a wonderful panoramic view of all Tbilisi opens.

On the approach to the hill (on the slope) the church of St. David is built, the construction of which dates back to the XIX century. When climbing the summit itself, there will be a television tower, whose height is 277.4 meters.

But the most important attraction is the Bombra park. There is an observation deck, which opens a full view of the city. Surprise their bizarre forms of houses and castles. But the tourists pay special attention to the attractions, which are presented in several versions: children's, extreme, family, and also a game village.

Norashen is an Armenian Gregorian temple, it was built in the XV-XVI century. But over time, the original appearance of it changed, so now tourists can contemplate the style of architecture of the XVIII century.

In addition to Norashen, there are several Armenian churches in Tbilisi. The most famous are Surb Gevorg and Surb Gevorg Mughni.

Prospect Rustaveli - street, which is central to the Georgian capital, and is also considered one of the main. Its name was given in honor of the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.

If you want to see all the city's bustle and real life in Tbilisi, then you should definitely visit Rustaveli Avenue. It is here that all the cultural, commercial and historical sites are concentrated: theaters, museums, various shops, cafes, including the open air, hotels, the main city road. The whole city is concentrated here.

The length of the avenue is about 1.5 km. From one of its edges the avenue ends with Liberty Square, on the other - Rustaveli Square, on which a monument to the poet is erected.

This is only one-hundredth of what can be seen in Tbilisi. The city is full of all kinds of buildings: temples of different faiths, museums with different expositions, ancient houses in contrast to modern ones. There will not be enough day to see everything.

Industrial value

The city is also of industrial importance not only for Georgia, but for the whole world. The main industrial enterprise is considered to be machine building, metal processing, food industry.

Several current plants have been built in the city: the construction of electric locomotives, the Aviation Aviation Plant. Dimitrova, on the production of agricultural machinery, machine-building, production of equipment for winemaking, instrument making, iron foundry, electric car repair.

The food industry is represented by the release of old wine and cognac drinks, sparkling wines, tobacco, butter, bakery products, dairy products. Also the city is famous for the production of silk, woolen and knitted fabrics. Good production of haberdashery, sewing and shoe products is well-established. There are also furniture factories in Tbilisi, production of building materials, a factory for the manufacture of ceramic products, and pharmacy. In addition to production structures, the scientific sphere is developing well in the capital of Georgia.

Conclusion

The population of Tbilisi is quite diverse. The sights of this city will not leave a single tourist indifferent.

The city is full of interesting objects that have historical, religious, cultural significance for the population. Central avenues and quiet streets, paved with stone, carry a lot of interesting for travelers. Nature lovers will appreciate the beauty and greatness of the local forests and mountain slopes.