Tbilisi, Georgia

"The Heart of the Caucasus"

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the Republic of Georgia, a former Soviet Socialist Republic. It is an extremely diverse city hosting many nationalities and has a very metropolitan feel. Being home to many political organizations, theaters, cafes, and other cultural centers, it is regarded as the heart of the South Caucasus.

The city has had a turbulent history plagued by invaders and has been sacked over 30 times in the last 1500 years. However, now the capital of a newly independent Georgia, the city is redefining its purpose and character in the post Cold War era.

Georgia

Georgia (Sakartevelo in Georgian) is named after the country's patron saint, St. George. It is located in the Caucasus Mountains along the western shore of The Black Sea (see map below). It shares borders with Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Due to its situation at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is an extremely diverse nation where its culture equally consists of European and Asian aspects. The diversity of Georgia also leads to an extraordinarily complex ethnic and linguistic make up. All of this is represented in Tbilisi where one can find not only ethnic Georgians, but many others including: Armenians, Russians, Azeris, Jews, Greeks, Chechens, Ukrainians, Kurds, and countless other Caucasian ethnic groups.

Georgia's history is been marked by waves of invaders ranging from the Persians and the Mongols to Tsarist Russia and lastly the Bolsheviks. Every invader added something to the country. This is evident throughout the country with its rich and diverse architectural styles, cuisine, and arts.


Source: Expedia Travel