Editing Tbilisi

{{Short description|Capital and the largest city of Georgia (country)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name           = Tbilisi
| native_name             = თბილისი
| native_name_lang        = ka
| other_name              = Tiflis
| settlement_type         = [[Capital city]]
| image_skyline           = {{multiple image
| border                  = infobox
| total_width             = 300
| image_style             =
| perrow                  = 1/2/2/2
 | image1 = Tbilisi, Georgia. View on historical neighborhoods from a hill.jpg
 | caption1 = Old Tbilisi and the [[Narikala Fortress]] at dusk
 | image2 = Freedom Square, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg
 | caption2 = [[Freedom Square, Tbilisi|Freedom Square]]
 | image3 = 2014 Tbilisi, Widoki z Twierdzy Narikala (36).jpg
 | caption3 = [[Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral|Sioni Cathedral]], [[Bridge of Peace]], and [[Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi|Sameba]].
 | image4 = Old Tbilisi Panorama 09.23 (2).jpg
 | caption4 = Old Town as viewed from [[Metekhi Church|Metekhi]]
}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Tbilisi.svg
| image_seal             = Seal of Tbilisi, Georgia.svg
| mapsize                = 230px
| map_caption            = 
| image_map1             = Tbilisi in Georgia.svg
| image_map              = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=325|frame-height=325|zoom=10|frame-lat=41.720|frame-long=44.810|type=line|id=Q994|title=Tbilisi}}
| map_caption1           = Tbilisi highlighted in Georgia
| pushpin_map            = #Georgia#Caucasus mountains
| pushpin_relief         = 1
| subdivision_type       = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name       = {{GEO}}
| established_title      = Established
| established_date       = AD 455<ref>[http://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/191351/1/Konspeqti_Saqartvelos_Itoriidan.pdf კონსპექტი საქართველოს ისტორიიდან შედგენილი ა. ქუთათელაძისგან] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205054429/http://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/191351/1/Konspeqti_Saqartvelos_Itoriidan.pdf |date=5 February 2021 }}. რვეული I. თბილისი, სტამბა წიგნების გამომცემელ ქართველთა ამხანაგობისა, 1900. გვერდი 38.</ref>
| government_type        = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
| governing_body         = [[Tbilisi Sakrebulo]]
| leader_title           = Mayor
| leader_name            = [[Kakha Kaladze]] ([[Georgian Dream|GD]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tbilisi.gov.ge/government/2?lang=en|title=Mayor of Tbilisi|publisher=Tbilisi City Hall|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040850/http://tbilisi.gov.ge/government/2?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2         = 504.3
| area_metro_km2         = 726
| area_water_km2         = 
| area_footnotes         = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://geostat.ge/regions/ |title=Statistics of Tbilisi Region |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124101/https://www.geostat.ge/regions/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_as_of        = 2024
| population_footnotes    = 
| population_total        = 1,258,526<ref>{{cite web |url=https://geostat.ge/media/61960/1-3-population-by-cities-and-boroughs.xlsx |title=Population by regions |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia |access-date=27 April 2024 }}</ref>
| population_metro        = 1,485,293
| population_density_km2  = 2,496.08
| population_demonym      = Tbilisian<br />Tbiliseli (In Georgian)
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Population by ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-ethnic-loc2014.htm |title=Ethnic composition of Georgia 2014 |publisher=Pop-stat.mashke.org |date= |access-date=2022-02-10 |archive-date=20 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220100552/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-ethnic-loc2014.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1    = [[Georgians]]
| demographics1_info1     = 89.9%
| demographics1_title2    = [[Armenians in Tbilisi|Armenians]]
| demographics1_info2     = 4.8%
| demographics1_title3    = [[Azerbaijanis in Georgia|Azerbaijanis]]
| demographics1_info3     = 1.4%
| demographics1_title4    = [[Russians in Georgia|Russians]]
| demographics1_info4     = 1.2%
| demographics1_title5    = [[Yazidis in Georgia|Yazidis]]
| demographics1_info5     = 1.0%
| demographics1_title6    = Others
| demographics1_info6     = 1.7%
| demographics_type2      = GDP<ref name=gdp>{{cite web|url=https://www.geostat.ge/ka/modules/categories/93/regionuli-statistika|title=რეგიონული სტატისტიკა}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Capital city]]
| demographics2_info1     = [[Georgian Lari|₾]] 37.060 billion<br/>([[US$]] 14.131 billion) · [[List of Georgian regions by GDP|1st]]
| demographics2_title2    = Per capita
| demographics2_info2     = ₾29,447 <br/>(US$11,228) · [[List of Georgian regions by GDP|1st]]
| blank3_name             = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2024)
| blank3_info             = 0.837
| timezone                = Georgian Time
| utc_offset              = +4
| coordinates             = {{Coord|41|43|21|N|44|47|33|E|region:GE-TB_type:city(1,300,000)|display=it}}
| elevation_footnotes     = <!--for references: use <ref>tags-->
| elevation_m             = 
| elevation_ft            = 
| elevation_max_m         = 770
| elevation_max_ft        = 
| elevation_min_m         = 380
| elevation_min_ft        = 
| area_code               = +995 32
| iso_code                = GE-TB
| website                 = {{URL|http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/|tbilisi.gov.ge}}
| footnotes               = 
| name                    = 
}}

'''Tbilisi''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|t|ə|b|ɪ|ˈ|l|iː|s|i|,_|t|ə|ˈ|b|ɪ|l|ɪ|s|i|audio=En-gb-Tbilisi.ogg}} {{respell|tə|bil|EE|see|,_|tə|BIL|iss|ee}};<ref name="epd">{{cite EPD|18}}</ref> {{lang-ka|თბილისი}}, {{IPA|ka|ˈtʰbilisi|pron|Tbilisi.ogg}}), in some languages still known by its pre-1936 name '''Tiflis{{efn|Tbilisi is known by its former name ''Tiflis'' in a number of major languages, notably in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[German language|German]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]] and others. Pre-1936 [[Russian language|Russian]] sources use ''Tiflis'' as well.}}''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɪ|f|l|ɪ|s|audio=En-gb-Tiflis.ogg}} {{respell|TIF|liss}}),<ref name="epd" /> ({{lang-ka|ტფილისი|tr}} {{IPA|ka|tʼpʰilisi|}}) is the [[Capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities and towns in Georgia (country)|largest city]] of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], lying on the banks of the [[Kura (Caspian Sea)|Kura River]]. With around 1.2&nbsp;million inhabitants, it contains almost one third of the country's population. Tbilisi was founded in the fifth century [[Anno Domini|AD]] by [[Vakhtang I of Iberia]] and has since served as the capital of various Georgian kingdoms and republics. Between 1801 and 1917, then part of the [[Russian Empire]], it was the seat of the [[Caucasus Viceroyalty (1801–1917)|Caucasus Viceroyalty]], governing both the [[North Caucasus|northern]] and the [[South Caucasus|southern]] sides of the [[Caucasus]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-24 |title=Tbilisi: The Immortal City |url=https://geohistory.today/tbilisi/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Tbilisi |url=https://tbilisi.gov.ge/pages/history?lang=en |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=tbilisi.gov.ge}}</ref>

Because of its location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its proximity to the lucrative [[Silk Road]], throughout history, Tbilisi has been a point of contention among various global powers. To this day, the city's location ensures its position as an important transit route for energy and trade projects. Tbilisi's history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix of [[medieval architecture|medieval]], [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]], [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]], [[Art Nouveau]], [[Stalinist architecture|Stalinist]], and [[Modern architecture|Modern]] structures.

Historically, Tbilisi has been home to people of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, though its population is overwhelmingly [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christian]]. Notable tourist destinations include cathedrals [[Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi|Sameba]] and [[Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral|Sioni]], [[Freedom Square, Tbilisi|Freedom Square]], [[Rustaveli Avenue]] and [[David Agmashenebeli Avenue|Aghmashenebeli Avenue]], medieval [[Narikala|Narikala Fortress]], the [[Moorish Revival architecture#Moorish Revival in Europe|pseudo-Moorish]] [[Georgian National Opera Theater|Opera Theater]], and the [[Georgian National Museum]]. The climate in Tbilisi mostly ranges from {{convert|20|to|32|°C }} in summer and {{convert|-1|to|7|°C}} in winter.

=={{anchor|Names and etymology}}Names and etymology==
{{see also|Names of Tbilisi in different languages}}
The name "Tbilisi" derives from [[Old Georgian]] {{lang|oge-Latn|Tbilisi}} ([[Asomtavruli]]: {{wikt-lang|oge|თბილისი|ႧႡႨႪႨႱႨ}}, [[Mkhedruli]]: {{wikt-lang|ka|თბილისი}}), and further from {{lang|ka-Latn|tpili}} ([[Georgian language|Modern Georgian]]: {{wikt-lang|ka|თბილი}}, warm, itself from Old Georgian: {{wikt-lang|oge|ტფილი|ႲႴႨႪႨ}} {{lang|oge-Latn|ṭpili}}). The name {{lang|ka-Latn|Tbilisi}} (the place of warmth) was therefore given to the city because of the area's numerous [[sulfur]]ic [[hot spring]]s.

Until 1936, the name of the city in English and most other languages followed the [[Persian language|Persian]] pronunciation<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Everett-Heath |first1=John |article=Tbilisi (Tbilisi), Georgia (Tiflis) |title=The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names |date=2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0191905636 |edition=6 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191905636.001.0001/acref-9780191905636-e-7298?rskey=gklvb2&result=2 |quote=The former name is the Persian pronunciation, which is also used by Russians and Armenians. The present Georgian spelling was adopted in 1936. |access-date=28 February 2021 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124103/https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191905636.001.0001/acref-9780191905636-e-7298?rskey=gklvb2&result=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> '''Tiflis''', while the [[Georgian language|Georgian]] name was {{lang|ka|ტფილისი}} ({{lang|ka-Latn|Ṭpilisi}}).<ref name="Tiflis">{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/1539743.html |script-title=ka:„როცა ტფილისი გახდა თბილისი." |trans-title=When Tiflis became Tbilisi |publisher=Radio Tavisupleba |language=ka |date=17 February 2005 |access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124107/https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/1539743.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 17 August 1936, by order of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] leadership, the official Russian names of various cities were changed to more closely match the local language.<ref name="Tiflis"/> In addition, the Georgian-language form {{lang|ka-Latn|Ṭpilisi}} was modernized on the basis of a proposal by Georgian linguists; the ancient Georgian component {{lang|ka|ტფილი}} ({{lang|ka-Latn|ṭpili}}, 'warm') was replaced by the newer {{lang|ka|თბილი}} ({{lang|ka-Latn|tbili}}).<ref name="Tiflis"/> That form was the basis for the new official Russian name ({{lang|ru|Тбилиси}} {{lang|ru-Latn|Tbilisi}}).  Most other languages have subsequently adopted the new name form, but some languages, such as [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[German language|German]], have retained a variation of {{lang|tr|Tiflis}}.

On 20 September 2006, the Georgian parliament held a ceremony celebrating the 70th anniversary of the renaming.

Some of the traditional names of Tbilisi in other languages of the region have different roots. The [[Ossetian language|Ossetian]] name {{lang|os|Калак}} ({{lang|os-Latn|Kalak}}) derives from the Georgian word {{lang|ka|ქალაქი}} ({{lang|ka-Latn|kalaki}}) meaning simply city. [[Chechen language|Chechen]] and [[Ingush language|Ingush]] names for the city use a form similar to or the same as their names for the country of Georgia ({{lang|chc|Гуьржех}} {{lang|chc-Latn|Gürƶex}}) as does the historical [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]] name ({{lang|kbd|Курджы}} {{lang|kbd-Latn|Kwrdžə}}), while [[Abkhaz language|Abkhaz]] {{lang|ab|Қарҭ}} ({{lang|ab-Latn|Ķarţ}}) is from the [[Mingrelian language|Mingrelian]] {{lang|xmf|ქართი}} ({{lang|xmf-Latn|Karti}}).

==History==
{{Main|History of Tbilisi|Timeline of Tbilisi}}
[[File:La plus ancienne église de la ville - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|[[Anchiskhati Basilica]], a 6th century monument, is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi]]

{{Quote box
| width = 29em
| align = right
| bgcolor = #B0C4DE
| title = Historical affiliations
| fontsize = 90%
| quote ={{plainlist|
*{{flagicon image|Kartli_-_drosha_jvari.svg|size=23px}} [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Iberia]] 450s–530s
*{{flagicon image|Derafsh_Kaviani_flag_of_the_late_Sassanid_Empire.svg|size=23px}}[[Sasanian Iberia|Sasanian Empire (Sasanian Iberia)]] 530s–570s
*{{flagicon image|Kartli_-_drosha_jvari.svg|size=23px}} [[Principality of Iberia]] 570s–730s
*{{noflag}}[[Emirate of Tbilisi]] 730s–1122
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_Kingdom_of_Georgia.svg|size=23px}} [[Kingdom of Georgia]] 1122–1490
*{{flagicon image|Coat_of_arms_of_Kartli_Georgia1.png|size=23px}} [[Kingdom of Kartli]] 1490–1762
*[[File:Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti.svg|25px]] [[Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti]] 1762–1801
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg|size=23px}} [[Russian Empire]] 1801–1917	
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg|size=23px}} [[Russian Republic]] 1917
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Russia.svg|size=23px}} [[Transcaucasian Commissariat]] 1917–1918
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Transcaucasian Federation.svg|size=23px}} [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic]] 1918	
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_Georgia_(1918–1921,_4-5).svg|size=23px}} [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]] 1918–1921		
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Georgian_Soviet_Socialist_Republic_(1921–1922).svg|size=23px}} [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic]] 1921–1922
*{{flagicon|Soviet Union|size=23px}} [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] 1922–1991
*{{flag|Georgia}} 1991–present}}
}}

===Early history===
Archaeologists discovered evidence of continuous habitation of the Tbilisi suburb of Dighomi since the early Bronze Age, and stone artifacts dating to the Paleolithic age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geoarchencyclopedia.ge/ArcheologyEncyclopedia/WebPage/Articles/II-I-East/TreliLB/English/ArticleEngl.html|title=ArticleEngl|website=geoarchencyclopedia.ge|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215182805/http://geoarchencyclopedia.ge/ArcheologyEncyclopedia/WebPage/Articles/II-I-East/TreliLB/English/ArticleEngl.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age, it was the largest settlement in the Caucasus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isaw.nyu.edu/events/archive/2012/scythians-in-tbilisi|title=The Scythians in Tbilisi: Recent Excavations at Treligorebi|last=cguardia|date=2016-02-03 |website=Institute for the Study of the Ancient World|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416181555/http://isaw.nyu.edu/events/archive/2012/scythians-in-tbilisi|url-status=live}}</ref> According to legend, the present-day territory of Tbilisi was covered by forests as late as 458. One widely accepted variant of the Tbilisi foundation myth states that King [[Vakhtang I of Iberia]] ({{reign|c. 447/49|502/22}}) went hunting in the heavily wooded region with a [[falcon]] (sometimes the falcon is replaced with either a [[hawk]] or other small [[birds of prey]] in the legend). The king's falcon allegedly caught or injured a [[pheasant]] during the hunt, after which both birds fell into a nearby [[hot spring]] and died from burns. King Vakhtang became so impressed with the hot springs that he decided to clear the forest and build a city on the location.

King [[Dachi of Iberia]] ({{reign|522|534}}), the successor of Vakhtang I, moved the capital of Iberia from [[Mtskheta]] to Tbilisi and began construction of the fortress wall that lined the city's new boundaries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Edge of empires : a history of Georgia|last=Rayfield|first=Donald|isbn=978-1-78914-059-0|oclc=1053903394|date=11 February 2019|publisher=Reaktion Books }}</ref> From the sixth century, Tbilisi grew at a steady pace due to the region's strategic location along with important trade and travel routes between Europe and Asia.

===Foreign domination===
Tbilisi's favorable trade location, however, did not necessarily bode well for its survival. Located strategically in the heart of the [[Caucasus]] between Europe and Asia, Tbilisi became an object of rivalry among the region's various powers such as the [[Roman Empire]], [[Parthian Empire|Parthia]], [[Sasanian Empire|Sassanid Persia]], [[Caliphate|Muslim Arabs]], the [[Byzantine Empire]], and the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuk Turks]]. The cultural development of the city was somewhat dependent on who ruled the city at various times, although Tbilisi was fairly cosmopolitan.

From 570 to 580, the Persians ruled the city until 627, when [[Third Perso-Turkic War|Tbilisi was sacked]] by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]]/[[Khazars|Khazar]] armies and later, in 736–738, Arab armies [[Marwan ibn Muhammad's invasion of Georgia|entered]] the town under [[Marwan II]]. After this point, the [[Rashidun Caliphate|Arabs]] established an [[Emirate of Tbilisi|emirate]] centered in Tbilisi. [[Dirham|Arabic dirhams]] were brought to Georgia following the Arab conquest in the seventh century, and a mint was founded in Tbilisi that produced coins with inscriptions in both [[Arabic]] and Georgian.{{sfn|Mikaberidze|2015|p=242}} In 764, Tbilisi – still under Arab control – was once again sacked by the Khazars. In 853, the armies of Arab leader [[Bugha al-Kabir|Bugha Al-Turki]] invaded Tbilisi in order to enforce its return to [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid]] allegiance. The Arab domination of Tbilisi continued until about 1050. In 1065, the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk]] Sultan [[Alp Arslan]] campaigned against the [[Kingdom of Georgia]], subjugated Tbilisi, and built a mosque in the city.{{sfn|Minorsky|1953|p=65}}

===Capital of Georgia===
In 1121, after the [[Battle of Didgori]] against the [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuks]], the troops of King [[David IV of Georgia]] besieged Tbilisi, taking it in 1122. David moved his residence from [[Kutaisi]] to Tbilisi, making it the capital of a unified [[Kingdom of Georgia|Georgian State]], thus inaugurating the [[Georgian Golden Age]]. From the 12–13th centuries, Tbilisi became a regional power with a thriving economy and astonishing cultural output. By the end of the 12th century, the population of Tbilisi had reached 100,000. The city also became an important literary and cultural center, not only for Georgia, but also for the [[Eastern Orthodox]] world of the time. During [[Queen Tamar]]'s reign, [[Shota Rustaveli]] worked in Tbilisi while writing his legendary epic poem ''[[The Knight in the Panther's Skin]]''. This period is often referred to as "Georgia's Golden Age"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgianbiography.com/history4.html|publisher=Dictionary of Georgian National Biography|title=The Golden Age of Georgia|access-date=2 February 2008|archive-date=28 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028133708/http://www.georgianbiography.com/history4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> or the Georgian [[Renaissance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Country Overview|publisher=Invest in Georgia |url=http://www.investingeorgia.info/georgia_profile/country_overview/|access-date=2 February 2008|quote=This early Georgian renaissance ... preceded its European analogue by several hundred years |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101022941/http://www.investingeorgia.info/georgia_profile/country_overview/|archive-date=1 January 2008}}</ref>

===Mongol domination and other instability===
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Tiflis - Angelino Dulcert - 1339.jpg|thumb|left|Detail from the Nautical chart by [[Angelino Dulcert]], depicting Georgian Black Sea coast and Tiflis, 1339]]
Tbilisi's "Golden Age" did not last for more than a century. In 1226, Tbilisi was captured by the [[Khwarazmian dynasty|Khwarezmian Empire]] under Shah [[Jalal al-Din Mangburni|Jalal al-Din]], who massacred tens of thousands of Christians.{{sfn|Mikaberidze|2015|p=19 }} The Khwarezmian occupation left Tbilisi's defenses severely devastated and prone to further attacks by Mongol armies.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Grousset |first1=René |title=The empire of the steppes: a history of Central Asia |last2=Grousset |first2=René |date=2008 |publisher=Rutgers Univ. Press |isbn=978-0-8135-1304-1 |edition=10. print |location=New Brunswick, NJ}}</ref> In 1236, after suffering crushing [[Mongol invasions of Georgia|Mongol defeats]], Georgia submitted to [[Kingdom of Georgia#Mongol yoke|Mongol domination]]. The nation itself maintained a form of "semi-independence" and did not lose its statehood, but Tbilisi would be strongly influenced by the Mongols for the next century, both politically and culturally. In the 1320s, the Mongols retreated from Georgia, and Tbilisi became the capital of an independent Georgian state, once again. However, an outbreak of the [[Black Death]] struck the city in 1366.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Suny |first=Ronald Grigor |title=The making of the Georgian nation |date=1994 |publisher=Indiana Univ. Pr. [u.a.] |isbn=978-0-253-35579-9 |edition=2. |series=Eurasian studies history |location=Bloomington, Ind.}}</ref>

Between the late 14th century and the late 18th century, Tbilisi would again be under the rule of various foreign powers. On several occasions, the city would even be completely burned and razed to the ground. In 1386, Tbilisi was [[Timur's invasions of Georgia|invaded and sacked several times]] by the armies of [[Timur|Tamerlane]]. In 1440, the city was [[Turkmen incursions into Georgia|invaded]] and destroyed by [[Jahan Shah]] (the Shah of the town of [[Tabriz]], [[Iran|Persia]]). From 1477 to 1478, the city was held by the [[Aq Qoyunlu|Ak Koyunlu]] tribesmen of [[Uzun Hasan|Uzun Hassan]].

===Iranian control===
{{see also|Safavid Georgia}}
[[File:03 Chardin Tblisi 1671.jpg|thumb|Tbilisi according to French traveler [[Jean Chardin]], 1671]]
[[File:Teflis Tournefort.png|thumb|A 1717 illustration of Teflis by [[Joseph Pitton de Tournefort]]]]

As early as the 1510s, Tbilisi (and the kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Kartli|Kartli]] and [[Kingdom of Kakheti|Kakheti]]) were made vassal territories of [[Safavid Iran]].{{sfn|Rayfield|2013|pages=164, 166}} In 1522, Tbilisi was garrisoned for the first time by a large Safavid force.{{sfn|Hitchins|2001|pages=464–470}}{{sfn|Rayfield|2013|page=166}} Following the death of king (''[[shah]]'') [[Ismail I]] (r. 1501–1524), king [[David X of Kartli]] expelled the Iranians. During this period, many parts of Tbilisi were reconstructed and rebuilt. The four campaigns of the king [[Tahmasp I]] (r. 1524–1576) resulted in the reoccupation of Kartli and Kakheti, and a Safavid force was permanently stationed in Tbilisi from 1551 onwards.{{sfn|Hitchins|2001|pages=464–470}}{{sfn|Floor|2008|pages=295–296}} With the 1555 [[Treaty of Amasya]], and more firmly from 1614 to 1747, with brief intermissions, Tbilisi was an important city under Iranian rule, and it functioned as a seat of the Iranian vassal kings of Kartli whom the shah conferred with the title of [[vali (governor)|vali]]. In 1718, the Venetian senate implored the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid emperor]] [[Soltan Hoseyn]] to protect the Catholic Armenians and Capuchin missionaries in Tbilisi from the Gregorian Armenians.{{sfn|Rota|2012|p=152}} Under the later rules of [[Teimuraz II of Kakheti|Teimuraz II]] and [[Heraclius II of Georgia|Heraclius II]], Tbilisi became a vibrant political and cultural center free of foreign rule—but, fearful of the constant threat of invasion, Georgia's rulers sought Russian protection in the 1783 [[Treaty of Georgievsk]]. Despite this agreement, the city was [[Battle of Krtsanisi|captured and devastated]] in 1795 by the Iranian [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] ruler [[Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar|Agha Mohammad Khan]], who sought to re-establish Iran's traditional sovereignty over the region.{{sfn|Kazemzadeh|1991|pages=328–330}}<ref>Suny, pp. 58–59</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.academia.edu/9137125|title=Relations between Tehran and Moscow, 1797–2014|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501122208/http://www.academia.edu/9137125/Relations_between_Tehran_and_Moscow_1979-2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Russian control===
{{see also|Georgia within the Russian Empire}}
[[File:Coat of arms of Tiflis Governorate 1878.svg|thumb|upright|left|The coat of arms of Tiflis under Russian rule]]
In 1801, the [[Russian Empire]] annexed the Georgian [[Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti]] (of which Tbilisi was the capital), later cementing its rule with the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] of 1813,<ref>Timothy C. Dowling [https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&dq=russo+persian+war+1804-1813&pg=PA728 ''Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626144341/https://books.google.nl/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728&dq=russo+persian+war+1804-1813&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=QnOXVJXpCcz7UPevhPAK&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=russo%20persian%20war%201804-1813&f=false |date=26 June 2015 }} pp 728–729 ABC-CLIO, 2 dec. 2014. {{ISBN|978-1598849486}}</ref><ref>[[Alexander Mikaberidze|Mikaberidze, Alexander]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&dq=alexander+mikaberidze+gulistan+treaty+georgia&pg=PA351 ''Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia 2 volumes: A Historical Encyclopedia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211065514/https://books.google.nl/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA351&dq=alexander+mikaberidze+gulistan+treaty+georgia&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAWoVChMIl_W72tP_yAIVwkYPCh3v2gwm#v=onepage&q=alexander%20mikaberidze%20gulistan%20treaty%20georgia&f=false |date=11 December 2015 }} ABC-CLIO, 22 jul. 2011 {{ISBN|978-1598843378}} p 351</ref> which ended Iranian control of Georgia.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kazemzadeh|first1=Firuz|author-link1=Firuz Kazemzadeh|title=Russia and Britain in Persia: Imperial Ambitions in Qajar Iran|date=2013|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-0857721730|page=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWEBAwAAQBAJ&q=1801+persia+loses+georgia+to+russia&pg=PA5|access-date=21 November 2020|archive-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401002900/https://books.google.com/books?id=aWEBAwAAQBAJ&q=1801+persia+loses+georgia+to+russia&pg=PA5|url-status=live}}</ref> Within Tsarist Russia, Tbilisi (known then as Tiflis) was included within the [[Tiflis Uyezd]] county in 1801, and became the administrative center of the [[Tiflis Governorate]] (''[[Governorate (Russia)|Gubernia]]'') following the latter's establishment in 1846. Russian Imperial administrators implemented a new European-style city plan and commissioned new buildings in Western styles. Roads and railroads were built to connect Tbilisi to other important cities in the [[Russian Empire]], such as [[Batumi]] and [[Poti]]. By the 1850s, Tbilisi once again emerged as a major trade and cultural center, with many foreign, including Western European, entrepreneurs operating under Russian oversight.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Riegg |first=Stephen Badalyan |date=2020-01-01 |title=Cocooned In The Caucasus |url=https://journals.openedition.org/monderusse/11963 |journal=Cahiers du monde russe. Russie - Empire russe - Union soviétique et États indépendants |language=en |volume=61 |issue=1–2 |pages=205–230 |doi=10.4000/monderusse.11963 |issn=1252-6576}}</ref>

The likes of [[Ilia Chavchavadze]], [[Akaki Tsereteli]], [[Mirza Fatali Akhundov|Mirza Fatali Akhundzade]], [[Iakob Gogebashvili]], [[Alexander Griboyedov]] and many other statesmen, poets and artists all found their home in Tbilisi. The city was visited on numerous occasions by and was the object of affection of [[Alexander Pushkin]], [[Leo Tolstoy]], [[Mikhail Lermontov]], the [[House of Romanov|Romanov family]] and others. The main new artery built under Russian administration was Golovin Avenue (present-day [[Rustaveli Avenue]]), on which the [[Caucasus Viceroyalty (1801–1917)|Viceroys of the Caucasus]] established their residence. For much of the early 19th century, Tbilisi's largest ethnic group was Armenian, at some point forming 74.3% of the population.<ref name="Ronald Grigor Suny 1994 116">{{cite book |author=Ronald Grigor Suny|title=The making of the Georgian nation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA116|access-date=16 November 2011|year=1994|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-20915-3 |pages=116–|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113445/https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA116|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Old Tbilisi - XIX century.jpg|"Dry Bridge", constructed by Italian architect Antonio Scudieri
File:Rustavelis Gamziri old.jpg|View on [[Rustaveli Avenue|Golovin Avenue]] as seen from the site of present-day [[Freedom Square, Tbilisi|Freedom Square]]
File:Tbilisi XIXc 01.jpg|Building of the [[Tbilisi City Hall]]
File:Tbilisi XIXc 04.jpg|Grand Hotel "Kavkaz" in central Tbilisi, c 1900
File:Image-Tbilisi XIXc 05.jpg|Building of the [[Art Museum of Georgia]], built at the end of the 1830s, photo ca. 1900
File:Tbilisi, Metekhi Castle and Church from Tatar Square in 1890s.png|Tatar bazaar and with the [[Metekhi]] Orthodox church seen on the cliff
File:Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tbilisi (ტფილისის სამხედრო ტაძარი).jpg|[[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tiflis|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]], demolished by the Soviets to make way for the present [[Georgian Parliament Building (Tbilisi)|Parliament building]]
</gallery>

[[File:Lermontov TiflisGLM.jpg|thumb|Tiflis by [[Mikhail Lermontov]], 1837]]

===Brief independence===
After the [[Russian Revolution|Russian Revolution of 1917]], the city served as a location of the [[Transcaucasia|Transcaucasus]] interim government which established, in the spring of 1918, the short-lived independent [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic|Transcaucasian Federation]] with the capital in Tbilisi. At this time, Tbilisi had roughly the same number of Armenians as Georgians, with Russians being the third largest ethnic group.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rngeorgia.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208080442/http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rngeorgia.html|url-status=dead|title=население грузии|archive-date=8 February 2008|website=ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru}}</ref> It was in the former Viceroy of the Caucasus's palace where the independence of three Transcaucasus nations – Georgia, [[Armenia]] and [[Azerbaijan]] – was declared by their respective national councils on 26 to 28 May 1918. After this, Tbilisi functioned as the capital of the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]] until 25 February 1921. From 1918 to 1919, the city also consecutively served as the headquarters of the country's [[German Empire|German]] garrison{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} and later the [[British Army|British]] [[27th Division (United Kingdom)|27th Division]];<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hovannisian|first=Richard G.|title=The Republic of Armenia|date=1971–1996|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=0-520-01805-2|volume=2|location=Berkeley|page=130|oclc=238471}}</ref> Tbilisi was also the main office of the British Chief Commissioner in Transcaucasia, [[Oliver Wardrop]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hovannisian|first=Richard G.|title=The Republic of Armenia|date=1971–1996|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=0-520-01805-2 |volume=2|location=Berkeley|page=116|oclc=238471}}</ref> and the High Commissioner to Armenia, Colonel [[William N. Haskell]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hovannisian|first=Richard G.|title=The Republic of Armenia|date=1971–1996 |publisher=University of California Press|isbn=0-520-01805-2|volume=2|location=Berkeley|pages=113–114|oclc=238471}}</ref>

Under the national government, Tbilisi turned into the first Caucasian University City after the [[Tbilisi State University]] was founded in 1918.<ref>{{cite book|first=David|last=Marshall|author-link=David Marshall Lang |year=1962|title=History of Modern Georgia|page=211}}</ref> On 25 February 1921, the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Bolshevist Russia]]n 11th [[Red Army]] invaded<ref>{{cite book|title=Socialism in Georgian Colors |first=Stephen F. |last=Jones|location=<!-- omit location without publisher: London--> |year=2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=David|last=Marshall|author-link=David Marshall Lang|year=1962|title=History of Modern Georgia}}</ref> Tbilisi and after bitter fighting at the outskirts of the city, declared Soviet rule.

===Soviet rule===
[[File:Red Army in Tbilisi Feb 25 1921.jpg|thumb|The Red Army [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|entered]] Tbilisi on 25 February 1921]]
In 1921, the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]] was [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|occupied]] by the Soviet [[Bolsheviks|Bolshevik]] forces from Russia, and until 1936, Tbilisi functioned first as the capital city of the [[Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic|Transcaucasian SFSR]] (which included Armenia, [[Azerbaijan]], and Georgia), and afterward until 1991 as the capital of the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic]]. During Soviet rule, Tbilisi's population grew significantly, the city became more industrialized, and it also came to be an important political, social, and cultural centre of the Soviet Union. In 1980, the city hosted the first state-sanctioned [[Tbilisi Rock Festival (1980)|rock festival]] in the USSR. As a major tourist destination for both Soviet citizens and foreign visitors, Tbilisi's "Old Town" (the neighborhoods within the original city walls) was reconstructed in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Бабенко|first=Виталий|date=October 1983|script-title=ru:...внутри драгоценного круга|journal=[[Vokrug Sveta]]|volume=1983|issue=10 (2517) |url=http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/vs/article/2120/|access-date=19 August 2012|language=ru|archive-date=28 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128112304/http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/vs/article/2120/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tbilisi witnessed mass anti-Russian demonstrations during 1956 in the [[1956 Georgian demonstrations|9 March Massacre]], in protest against the anti-Stalin policies of [[Nikita Khrushchev]]. [[1978 Georgian demonstrations|Peaceful protests]] occurred in 1978, and in 1989 the [[April 9 tragedy]] was a peaceful protest that turned violent.

===Post-independence===
Since the [[History of the Soviet Union (1982–91)|break-up of the Soviet Union]], Tbilisi has experienced periods of significant instability and turmoil. After a brief civil war, which the city endured for two weeks from December 1991 to January 1992 (when pro-[[Zviad Gamsakhurdia|Gamsakhurdia]] and Opposition forces clashed), Tbilisi became the scene of frequent armed confrontations among various [[Russian mafia|mafia]] clans and illegal business operators. During the [[Eduard Shevardnadze|Shevardnadze]] Era (1992–2003), crime and corruption were rampant. Many segments of society became impoverished because of unemployment caused by the crumbling economy. Average citizens of Tbilisi started to become increasingly disillusioned with the existing quality of life in the city (and in the nation in general). Mass protests took place in November 2003 after falsified parliamentary elections forced more than 100,000 people into the streets and concluded with the [[Rose Revolution]]. Since 2003, Tbilisi has experienced considerably more stability with decreasing crime rates, an improved economy, and a real estate boom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbg.gov.ge/uploads/workingpaper/nbgwp01.08.pdf|title=Analysis of Tbilisi's Real Estate Boom|last=Rukhadze|first=Vasili|author2=Tobias Moerschen|year=2007|access-date=22 November 2009|archive-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009073042/http://nbg.gov.ge/uploads/workingpaper/nbgwp01.08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[Russo-Georgian War|2008 South Ossetia war]], the Tbilisi area was hit by multiple Russian air attacks.

After the war, several large-scale projects were started, including a streetcar system,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=39070&pg=1&im=main |title=Rustavi 2 |publisher=Rustavi 2 |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715220119/http://www.rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=39070&pg=1&im=main |url-status=live }}</ref> a railway bypass and a relocation of the [[Tbilisi railway station|central station]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Sergey Gevenov |url=http://www.georgiatoday.ge/article_details.php?id=7945 |title=Tbilisi railway project to start : Story by Nino Edilashvili : Georgia Today on the Web |publisher=Georgiatoday.ge |access-date=3 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031152/http://www.georgiatoday.ge/article_details.php?id=7945 |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> and new urban highways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investor.ge/issues/2010_1/10.htm |title=Issue 1, 2010 – Tbilisi 2010 |publisher=Investor.ge |access-date=3 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007010159/http://www.investor.ge/issues/2010_1/10.htm |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> In June 2015, [[2015 Tbilisi flood|a flood]] killed at least twenty people and caused animals from the [[Tbilisi Zoo|city's zoo]] to be released into the streets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Georgia flood: Tbilisi residents warned over zoo animals after devastating flood|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33125879|access-date=15 June 2015|work=BBC News|date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614104452/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33125879|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Politics and administration==
[[File:Tbilisi City Council, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|City Council building overlooking [[Freedom Square, Tbilisi|Freedom Square]]]]
{{See also|List of mayors of Tbilisi|Tbilisi City Assembly }}
The status of Tbilisi, as the nation's capital, is defined by Article 10 of the [[Constitution of Georgia (country)|Constitution of Georgia]] (1995) and the ''Law on Georgia's Capital&nbsp;– Tbilisi'' (20 February 1998).<ref>{{in lang|ka}} [http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=69&kan_det=det&kan_id=140 საქართველოს დედაქალაქის – თბილისის შესახებ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106012551/http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=69&kan_det=det&kan_id=140 |date=6 November 2013 }}. The [[Parliament of Georgia]]. Retrieved 22 May 2007.</ref>

Tbilisi is governed by the [[Tbilisi City Assembly]] (Sakrebulo) and the [[Tbilisi City Hall]] (Meria). The City Assembly and mayor are elected once every four years by direct elections. The [[Mayor of Tbilisi]] is [[Kakha Kaladze]] and the Chairman of the Tbilisi city Assembly is Giorgi Alibegashvili.

[[File:Tbilisi-Aghmashenebeli-08-113-2019-gje.jpg|thumb|right|A police station on [[David Agmashenebeli Avenue|Agmashenebeli Avenue]]]]
Administratively, the city is divided into [[raion]]s (districts), which have their own units of central and local government with jurisdiction over a limited scope of affairs. This subdivision was established under Soviet rule in the 1930s, following the general [[Subdivisions of the Soviet Union|subdivision of the Soviet Union]]. After Georgia regained independence, the raion system was modified and reshuffled. According to the latest revision, Tbilisi raions include:
* '''[[Mtatsminda District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Mtatsminda (Neighborhood)|Mtatsminda]], [[Sololaki]], [[Vera, Tbilisi|Vera]], [[Kiketi]], [[Kojori]], [[Shindisi, Tbilisi|Shindisi]], [[Tsavkisi]], [[Tabakhmela]], [[Okrokana]]
* '''[[Vake District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Vake, Tbilisi|Vake]], [[Bagebi]], Upper [[Saburtalo (Neighborhood)|Saburtalo]], [[Nutsubidze Plateau]], [[Tskneti]]
* '''[[Saburtalo District]]''', including neighborhoods: Lower [[Saburtalo (Neighborhood)|Saburtalo]], [[Vedzisi]], [[Vashlijvari]], [[Didi Dighomi]], [[Patara Dighomi]], [[Zurgovana]]
* '''[[Krtsanisi District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Abanotubani]], [[Kala, Tbilisi|Kala]], [[Ortachala]], [[Ponichala]]
* '''[[Isani District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Avlabari]], [[Isani]], [[Navtlughi]], [[Metromsheni]], [[Vazisubani, Tbilisi|Vazisubani]]
* '''[[Samgori District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Varketili]], [[Orkhevi]], [[Dampalo]], [[Lilo, Tbilisi|Lilo]], [[Lower Samgori]], [[Africa, Tbilisi|Africa]]
* '''[[Chughureti District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Chughureti]], [[Ivertubani]], [[Kukia, Tbilisi|Kukia]], [[Svanetisubani]]
* '''[[Didube District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Didube, Tbilisi|Didube]], [[Dighomi Massive]]
* '''[[Nadzaladevi District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Nadzaladevi]], [[Sanzona]], [[Temka]], [[Lotkini]]
* '''[[Gldani District]]''', including neighborhoods: [[Gldani Massive|Gldani]], [[Avchala]], [[Mukhiani]], [[Gldanula]]
{|class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align:right; font-size:85%; margin:1em;"
|-
|colspan="3" bgcolor=""|{{center|'''Overview of Tbilisi districts'''}}
|- style="text-align:center; color:#fff; background:#305066;"
|'''District Name'''
|'''Population''' (2017)<ref name="Population">{{cite web |url=http://www.geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/census/2014/01_Number%20of%20population%20by%20administrative-territorial%20units%20and%20sex.xls |title=Number of population by administrative-territorial units and sex|work=geostat.ge|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803010309/http://www.geostat.ge/cms/site_images/_files/english/census/2014/01_Number%20of%20population%20by%20administrative-territorial%20units%20and%20sex.xls|archive-date=2017-08-03|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>
|'''Area''' ( Km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="Area">[https://tbilisi.gov.ge/img/original/2018/6/12/tbilisiinfigures.pdf Tbilisi in figures 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814193826/https://tbilisi.gov.ge/img/original/2018/6/12/tbilisiinfigures.pdf |date=14 August 2021 }} tbilisi.gov.ge</ref>
|-
|[[Mtatsminda District]]||49,052||73
|-
|[[Vake District]]||111,903||61.7
|-
|[[Saburtalo District]]||138,493||75.5
|-
|[[Krtsanisi District]]||39,286||31.7
|-
|[[Isani District]]||125,610||16.7
|-
|[[Samgori District]]||177,844||128.4
|-
|[[Chughureti District]]||65,230||14.3
|-
|[[Didube District]]||70,018||8.4
|-
|[[Nadzaladevi District]]||154,067||42
|-
|[[Gldani District]]||177,214||50.3
|- style="background:#ccc;" 
|{{center| [[File:Seal of Tbilisi, Georgia.svg|21px]]  '''City of Tbilisi'''}}||'''1,108,717'''||'''502'''
|- style= "text-align:center;"
|colspan="3"|''Source: [[National Statistics Office of Georgia|Geostat]],<ref name="Population" /> [[Tbilisi City Hall]]<ref name="Area" />''
|}
Most of the raions are named after historic quarters of the city. The citizens of Tbilisi widely recognize an informal system of smaller historic neighborhoods. Such neighborhoods are several, however, constituting a kind of hierarchy, because most of them have lost their distinctive topographic limits. The natural first level of subdivision of the city is into the right and left banks of the Mtkvari river.

The names of the oldest neighborhoods go back to the early Middle Ages and sometimes pose a great linguistic interest. The newest whole-built developments bear chiefly residential marketing names.

In 19th-century Tbilisi, the Georgian quarter was confined to the southeastern part of the city; Baedeker describes the layout succinctly:

{{blockquote|In the north part of the town, on the left bank of the Kurá and to the south of the railway station, stretches the clean German Quarter, formerly occupied by German immigrants from Württemberg (1818). To the south is the Gruzinian or Georgian Quarter (Avlabár). On the right bank of the Kurá is the Russian Quarter, the seat of the officials and of the larger business firms. This is adjoined on the south by the Armenian and Persian Bazaars.|Karl Baedeker, ''Russia: A Handbook for Travelers''<ref>Karl Baedeker, ''Russia: A Handbook for Travelers'' (Arno Press, 1971, reprint of 1914 ed.), p. 467.</ref>}}

==Geography==
[[File:Fortress and Old Town of Tbilisi at dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|Tbilisi, especially Old Town, has a complex terrain, with hills and cliffs.]]
[[File:Botanic Garden, Tbilisi.jpg|thumb|The [[National Botanical Garden of Georgia]] in Tbilisi is concealed from view as it resides among the hills of the Sololaki Range.]]

===Location===
Tbilisi is located in the [[Transcaucasia|South Caucasus]] at 41° 43' North and 44° 47' East. The city lies in [[Eastern Georgia (country)|Eastern Georgia]] on both banks of the [[Kura (Caspian Sea)|Kura River]] (locally known as Mtkvari). The elevation of the city ranges from {{convert|380-770|m|ft|disp=x| [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]] (|)}} and has the shape of an amphitheatre surrounded by mountains on three sides. To the north, Tbilisi is bounded by the [[Saguramo Range]], to the east and south-east by the [[Iori Plain]], to the south and west by various endings (subranges) of the [[Trialeti Range]].

The relief of Tbilisi is complex. The part of the city which lies on the left bank of the Kura River extends for more than {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the [[Avchala]] District to River Lochini. The part of the city which lies on the right side of the river, though, is built along the foothills of the [[Trialeti Range]], the slopes of which in many cases descend all the way to the edges of the river. The mountains, therefore, are a significant barrier to urban development on its right bank. This type of a geographic environment creates pockets of very densely developed areas, while other parts of the city are left undeveloped due to the complex topographic relief.

To the north of the city, a large reservoir (commonly known as the Tbilisi Sea) is fed by irrigation canals.

===Climate===
[[File:Tbilisi sea 09.23.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi Sea]], the city's largest body of water located in the suburbs.]]
Tbilisi has a [[humid temperate climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''[[humid subtropical climate|Cfa]],'' [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''[[Oceanic climate|Do]]'') with considerable [[Humid continental climate|continental]] and [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] influences. The city experiences hot, humid summers and moderately cold dry winters. Like other regions of Georgia, Tbilisi receives significant rainfall throughout the year with no distinct dry period. The city's climate is influenced both by dry (Central Asian/Siberian) air masses from the east and [[oceanic climate|oceanic]] (Atlantic/Black Sea) air masses from the west. Because the city is bounded on most sides by mountain ranges, the close proximity to large bodies of water (Black and [[Caspian Sea]]s) and the fact that the Greater [[Caucasus Mountains]] Range (further to the north) blocks the intrusion of cold air masses from Russia, Tbilisi has a relatively mild [[microclimate]] compared to other cities that possess a similar climate along the same latitudes.

The average annual temperature in Tbilisi is {{convert|13.8|°C|°F}}. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of {{convert|2.7|°C|°F}}. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of {{convert|25.4|°C|°F}}. Daytime high temperatures reach or exceed {{convert|32|°C|°F}} on an average of 22 days during a typical year.  The absolute minimum recorded temperature is {{convert|-24.4|°C|°F}} in January 1883 and the absolute maximum is {{convert|42.0|°C|°F}} on 17 July 1882.<ref name=pogoda/> Average annual precipitation is {{convert|511.5|mm|1|abbr=on}}. May is the wettest month (averaging {{convert|84.0|mm|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation) while January is the driest (averaging {{convert|16.4|mm|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation). Snow falls on average 15–25 days per year. The surrounding mountains often trap the clouds within and around the city, mainly during the Spring and Autumn months, resulting in prolonged rainy and/or cloudy weather. Northwesterly winds dominate in most parts of Tbilisi throughout the year. Southeasterly winds are common as well.

{{Weather box |width=auto
|location = Tbilisi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1881–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 19.5
|Feb record high C = 22.4
|Mar record high C = 29.0
|Apr record high C = 34.4
|May record high C = 37.0
|Jun record high C = 38.7
|Jul record high C = 42.0
|Aug record high C = 40.4
|Sep record high C = 37.9
|Oct record high C = 33.3
|Nov record high C = 27.2
|Dec record high C = 22.8
|year record high C = 40.5
|Jan high C = 6.9
|Feb high C = 8.4
|Mar high C = 13.2
|Apr high C = 18.6
|May high C = 23.7
|Jun high C = 28.5
|Jul high C = 31.5
|Aug high C = 31.9
|Sep high C = 26.2
|Oct high C = 20.0
|Nov high C = 12.6
|Dec high C = 8.1
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 2.7
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 7.9
|Apr mean C = 12.9
|May mean C = 17.8
|Jun mean C = 22.3
|Jul mean C = 25.3
|Aug mean C = 25.4
|Sep mean C = 20.4
|Oct mean C = 14.7
|Nov mean C = 7.9
|Dec mean C = 3.9
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -0.6
|Feb low C = 0.2
|Mar low C = 4.0
|Apr low C = 8.4
|May low C = 13.2
|Jun low C = 17.3
|Jul low C = 20.4
|Aug low C = 20.3
|Sep low C = 15.9
|Oct low C = 11.0
|Nov low C = 4.7
|Dec low C = 1.2
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = -24.4
|Feb record low C = −18.8
|Mar record low C = −12.8
|Apr record low C = -5.0
|May record low C = 1.0
|Jun record low C = 2.0
|Jul record low C = 9.3
|Aug record low C = 8.9
|Sep record low C = 3.1
|Oct record low C = -6.4
|Nov record low C = −16.0
|Dec record low C = −20.5
|year record low C = -24.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 16.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 18.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 29.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 63.8
|May precipitation mm = 82.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 84.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 41.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 39.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 34.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 46.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 34.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 20.8
|year precipitation mm = 
| snow colour  = green
| Jan snow cm  = 7.1
| Feb snow cm  = 5.5
| Mar snow cm  = 7.2
| Apr snow cm  = 1.3
| May snow cm  = 0.0
| Jun snow cm  = 0.0
| Jul snow cm  = 0.0
| Aug snow cm  = 0.0
| Sep snow cm  = 0.0
| Oct snow cm  = 0.6
| Nov snow cm  = 1.6
| Dec snow cm  = 2.2
| year snow cm = 
|Jan humidity = 75.3
|Feb humidity = 73
|Mar humidity = 68.6
|Apr humidity = 69
|May humidity = 69.7
|Jun humidity = 65.6
|Jul humidity = 63.1
|Aug humidity = 63.3
|Sep humidity = 69
|Oct humidity = 76.1
|Nov humidity = 78.4
|Dec humidity = 78.2
|year humidity = 
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =3.7
| Feb precipitation days  =4.3
| Mar precipitation days  =5.1
| Apr precipitation days  =8.7
| May precipitation days  =10.4
| Jun precipitation days  =8.3
| Jul precipitation days  =5.7
| Aug precipitation days  =4.6
| Sep precipitation days  =4.9
| Oct precipitation days  =6.0
| Nov precipitation days  =5.3
| Dec precipitation days  =4.4
| year precipitation days =
|Jan rain days = 4
|Feb rain days = 4
|Mar rain days = 8
|Apr rain days = 12
|May rain days = 12
|Jun rain days = 10
|Jul rain days = 7
|Aug rain days = 8
|Sep rain days = 9
|Oct rain days = 10
|Nov rain days = 10
|Dec rain days = 6
|year rain days = 100
|Jan snow days = 6
|Feb snow days = 8
|Mar snow days = 3
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 1
|Dec snow days = 4
|year snow days = 22
|Jan sun = 99
|Feb sun = 102
|Mar sun = 142
|Apr sun = 171
|May sun = 213
|Jun sun = 249
|Jul sun = 256
|Aug sun = 248
|Sep sun = 206
|Oct sun = 164
|Nov sun = 103
|Dec sun = 93
|year sun = 2046
| Jan light = 9.6
| Feb light = 10.6
| Mar light = 12
| Apr light = 13.4
| May light = 14.5
| Jun light = 15.2
| Jul light = 14.9
| Aug light = 13.8
| Sep light = 12.5
| Oct light = 11.1
| Nov light = 9.8
| Dec light = 9.2
| year light= 
|Jan percentsun = 34
|Feb percentsun = 34
|Mar percentsun = 39
|Apr percentsun = 43
|May percentsun = 47
|Jun percentsun = 54
|Jul percentsun = 55
|Aug percentsun = 58
|Sep percentsun = 55
|Oct percentsun = 48
|Nov percentsun = 35
|Dec percentsun = 32
| Jan uv  =3
| Feb uv  =4
| Mar uv  =7
| Apr uv  =8
| May uv  =10
| Jun uv  =11
| Jul uv  =10
| Aug uv  =9
| Sep uv  =8
| Oct uv  =6
| Nov uv  =3
| Dec uv  =2
| year uv =
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name=pogoda>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4.php?id=37545
| script-title = ru:Погода и Климат
| publisher = Pogodaiklimat.ru
| language = ru
| access-date = 19 October 2016
| archive-date = 22 March 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113406/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4.php?id=37545
| url-status = live
}}</ref> NOAA(humidity, precipitation and days with precip<ref name=Clino91>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Georgia/CSV/Tbilisi_37445.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate normals for 1991-2020: Tbilisi |website=ncei.noaa.gov | access-date = 18 March 2024 |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV }}</ref>)(Sunshine hours 1961–1990<ref name=NOAA >{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/GA/37549.TXT
| title = Tbilisi/Novoalexeye Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 19 October 2016}}</ref>)
|source 2 = Weather Atlas(snowfall-daylight),<ref>{{cite web |title=The climate of Tbilisi |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/georgia/tbilisi-climate |website=Weather Atlas |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref> Nomadseaon(daily maximum UV 2022-2023)<ref name="UV">{{cite web |title=Monthly climate in Tbilisi, Georgia |url=https://nomadseason.com/climate/georgia/t-bilisi/tbilisi.html |website=Nomadseason |access-date=18 March 2024 |quote=Average daily maximum UV levels by month for Tbilisi}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box |width=auto
|location = [[Tbilisi Airport]] (1981–2010)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|collapsed = y
|Jan record high C = 16.9
|Feb record high C = 20.8
|Mar record high C = 26.3
|Apr record high C = 34.3
|May record high C = 33.1
|Jun record high C = 38.2
|Jul record high C = 39.4
|Aug record high C = 40.2
|Sep record high C = 37.4
|Oct record high C = 32.2
|Nov record high C = 24.7
|Dec record high C = 19.9
|year record high C = 40.2
|Jan high C = 6.6
|Feb high C = 7.6
|Mar high C = 12.3
|Apr high C = 18.6
|May high C = 22.8
|Jun high C = 27.7
|Jul high C = 31.1
|Aug high C = 30.9
|Sep high C = 26.1
|Oct high C = 19.4
|Nov high C = 12.4
|Dec high C = 7.6
|year high C = 18.7
|Jan mean C = 1.3
|Feb mean C = 2.7
|Mar mean C = 6.8
|Apr mean C = 12.6
|May mean C = 17.0
|Jun mean C = 21.5
|Jul mean C = 24.5
|Aug mean C = 23.9
|Sep mean C = 19.5
|Oct mean C = 13.2
|Nov mean C = 7.7
|Dec mean C = 3.3
|year mean C = 12.8
|Jan low C = -1.0
|Feb low C = -0.7
|Mar low C = 2.8
|Apr low C = 8.0
|May low C = 12.4
|Jun low C = 16.6
|Jul low C = 20.0
|Aug low C = 19.7
|Sep low C = 15.7
|Oct low C = 10.4
|Nov low C = 4.6
|Dec low C = 0.4
|year low C = 9.1
|Jan record low C = -24.1
|Feb record low C = -13.1
|Mar record low C = -8.0
|Apr record low C = -2.4
|May record low C = 2.2
|Jun record low C = 8.3
|Jul record low C = 13.0
|Aug record low C = 12.1
|Sep record low C = 5.5
|Oct record low C = -0.7
|Nov record low C = -6.4
|Dec record low C = -10.9
|year record low C = -24.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 20.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 26.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 32.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 56.4
|May precipitation mm = 86.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 72.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 48.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 43.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 42.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 42.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 35.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 25.0
|year precipitation mm = 531.6

|source 1 = [[NCEI]]<ref name="WMO">
{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211009215740/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Georgia/WMO_Normals_Georgia.xls
| archive-date = 9 October 2021 |archive-format=XLS |format=XLS | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Georgia/WMO_Normals_Georgia.xls
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010 |page = 12 | publisher = National Centers for Environmental Information | access-date = 9 October 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==

===Population===
{{See also|Armenians in Tbilisi|Tbilisoba}}

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Main ethnic groups of Tbilisi
|- style="background:#c9c9c9;"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Georgians
! scope="col" | %
! scope="col" | Armenians
! scope="col" | %
! scope="col" | Russians
! scope="col" | %
! scope="col" | Total
|-
| 1780<ref>{{in lang|ka}} [https://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/130964/1/Sakartvelo_1917_N153.pdf ძველი ტფილისი. აღწერანი და მცხოვრებთა რაოდენობა.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626145337/https://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/130964/1/Sakartvelo_1917_N153.pdf |date=26 June 2022 }}. Tbilisi, 1917, p. 3 ('''Note''': These numbers are reported by researcher [[Zakaria Chichinadze]] based on historical documents. Methodology is unknown).</ref>
| 50,000
| 66.7%
| 10,000
| 13.3%
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|–}}
! 75,000
|-
|-
| 1790<ref>{{in lang|ka}} [https://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/130964/1/Sakartvelo_1917_N153.pdf ძველი ტფილისი. აღწერანი და მცხოვრებთა რაოდენობა.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626145337/https://dspace.nplg.gov.ge/bitstream/1234/130964/1/Sakartvelo_1917_N153.pdf |date=26 June 2022 }}. Tbilisi, 1917, p. 3 ('''Note''': These numbers are reported by researcher [[Zakaria Chichinadze]] based on historical documents. Methodology is unknown. The large decrease in population from 1790 to 1801 is explained in-source by the [[Battle of Krtsanisi]]).</ref>
| 44,000
| 61.1%
| 12,000
| 16.7%
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|–}}
! 72,000
|-
|-
| 1801-3<ref>{{in lang|ka}}</ref>
| 4,300
| 21.5%
| 14,860
| 74.3%
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|–}}
! 20,000
|-
| 1864/65 <small>winter</small><ref name=tiflis>{{in lang|ru}} Тифлис // [http://new.runivers.ru/upload/iblock/e76/Geografichesko_statisticheskij_Slovar_Russkoj_Imperii_Tom_5.djvu Географическо-статистический словарь Российской империи] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113458/https://new.runivers.ru/upload/iblock/e76/Geografichesko_statisticheskij_Slovar_Russkoj_Imperii_Tom_5.djvu |date=22 March 2021 }}.St. Petersburg, 1885, p. 133 ('''Note''': this is a 'one-day census' of unknown scope and methodology).</ref>
| 14,878
| 24.8%
| 28,404
| 47.3%
| 12,462
| 20.7%
! 60,085
|-
| 1864/65 <small>summer</small><ref name=tiflis/>
| 14,787
| 20.8%
| 31,180
| 43.9%
| 12,142
| 17.1%
! 71,051
|-
| 1876<ref name="Suny1994">{{cite book|author=Ronald Grigor Suny|title=The making of the Georgian nation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA368|access-date=29 December 2011|year=1994|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-20915-3|page=368|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113439/https://books.google.com/books?id=riW0kKzat2sC&pg=PA368|url-status=live}} (one-day census of Tiflis)</ref>
| 22,156
| 21.3%
| 37,610
| 36.1%
| 30,813
| 29.6%
! 104,024
|}

== Demographics ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Kartvelian speakers<ref name="1897census">{{in lang|ru}} [http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=525 Первая всеобщая перепись населения Российской Империи 1897 г.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113508/http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=525|date=22 March 2021}}. Изд. Центр. стат. комитета МВД: Тифлисская губерния.&nbsp;– St. Petersburg, 1905, pp. 74—75.(''Note'': The census did not contain a question on ethnicity, which was deduced from data on mother tongue, social estate and occupation)[https://books.google.com/books?id=UMIB-FlHjs0C&pg=PA29] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324152749/https://books.google.com/books?id=UMIB-FlHjs0C&pg=PA29|date=24 March 2021}}</ref>
! %
! Armenian speakers{{sfn|Кавказский календарь на 1907 год||pp=128-129}}
! %
! Russian speakers
! %
! Total population
|-
| 1897
| 42,206{{efn|Denotes the number of native speakers of [[Kartvelian languages]].}}
| 26.4%
| 47,133{{efn|Denotes the number of native speakers of [[Armenian language|Armenian]]; the number of [[Armenian Apostolic]]s and [[Armenian Catholics]] was 50,801 or 31.8%.}}
| 29.5%
| 44,823
| 28.1%
! 159,590
|-
| 1916<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417322 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1917 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1917 |edition=72nd |publication-place=Tiflis |pages=206–213 |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian calendar for 1917 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104233151/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417322 |archive-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
| 37,584
| 10.8%
| 149,294
| 43.1%
| 91,997
| 26.5%
! 346,766
|-
| 1926<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| 112,014
| 38.1%
| 100,148
| 34.1%
| 45,937
| 15.6%
! 294,044
|-
| 1939<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| 228,394
| 44%
| 137,331
| 26.4%
| 93,337
| 18%
! 519,220
|-
| 1959<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| 336,257
| 48.4%
| 149,258
| 21.5%
| 125,674
| 18.1%
! 694,664
|-
| 1970<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| 511,379
| 57.5%
| 150,205
| 16.9%
| 124,316
| 14%
! 889,020
|-
| 1979<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| 653,242
| 62.1%
| 152,767
| 14.5%
| 129,122
| 12.3%
! 1,052,734
|-
| 1989<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethnic composition of Georgia 1989|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-ethnic1989.htm|access-date=2022-01-03|website=pop-stat.mashke.org|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122100743/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-ethnic1989.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 824,412
| 66.1%
| 150,138
| 12.0%
| 124,867
| 10.0%
! 1,246,936
|-
| 2002<ref name="statistics2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.ge//_files/english/census/2002/Ethnic%20groups.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114005707/http://www.statistics.ge//_files/english/census/2002/Ethnic%20groups.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2009 |title=Ethnic groups by major administrative-territorial units |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
| 910,712
| 84.2%
| 82,586
| 7.6%
| 32,580
| 3.0%
! 1,081,679
|-
| 2014<ref name="Census 2014">{{Georgian census 2014}}</ref>
| 996,804
| 89.9%
| 53,409
| 4.8%
| 13,350
| 1.2%
! 1,108,717
|}

As a multiethnic city, Tbilisi is home to more than 100 [[ethnic]] groups. Around 90% of the population consists of ethnic [[Georgians]], with significant populations of [[Armenians in Tbilisi|Armenians]], [[Russians]], and [[Azerbaijanis]]. Along with the above-mentioned groups, Tbilisi is home to other ethnic groups including [[Ossetians]], [[Abkhazians]], [[Ukrainians]], [[Greeks]], [[Jews]], [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Yazidis]], and others.<ref name="Ronald Grigor Suny 1994 116"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=tiflis/><ref name="Suny1994"/><ref name="statistics2002"/>

=== Religion ===
[[File:Sameba Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Dusk, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|left|Sameba Cathedral]]

More than 95% of the residents of Tbilisi practise some form of Christianity, the majority being followers of the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]]. The [[Russian Orthodox Church]] and the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] also have significant communities in the city. About 1.5% of the population identifies as [[Muslim]], primarily of the [[Shia Islam|Shia]] branch, while approximately 0.1% practise [[Judaism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=2153&lang=eng|title=GeoStat.Ge|website=geostat.ge|access-date=2017-01-31|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919222412/http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=2153&lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref> The city is also home to a [[Roman Catholic]] community and a [[Yazidism|Yazidi]] minority, who worship at the [[Sultan Ezid Temple]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgianholidays.com/sights/churches-in-tbilisi/saint-peter-and-paul-catholic-church|title=Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church|website=georgianholidays.com|access-date=2017-01-31|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223200142/http://www.georgianholidays.com/sights/churches-in-tbilisi/saint-peter-and-paul-catholic-church|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/world/180620152|title=Yezidis of Georgia celebrate new temple in Tbilisi|newspaper=Rudaw|access-date=2017-01-31|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322113514/http://www.rudaw.net/english/world/180620152|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Sports ==
[[File:2015 UEFA Super Cup 11.jpg|thumb|Preparations for the [[2015 UEFA Super Cup]] at the [[Boris Paichadze Stadium|Dinamo Arena]] in Tbilisi]]

Until the beginning of the 19th century, sports such as horse riding ([[polo]] in particular), [[wrestling]], [[boxing]], and [[marksmanship]] were the most popular city sports. Influence from the Russian Empire introduced more Western sports and activities (such as billiards and fencing) to Tbilisi.

The Soviet period further popularised European and American sports. Tbilisi developed an extensive infrastructure for professional sports, and by 1978, the city had around 250 sports facilities, including four indoor and six outdoor Olympic-sized pools, 185 basketball courts, 192 volleyball facilities, 82 [[team handball|handball]] arenas, 19 tennis courts, 31 football fields, and five stadiums. The largest stadium is the [[Dinamo Arena]] (capacity 55,000), followed by the [[Mikheil Meskhi Stadium]] (capacity 24,680). The [[Sports Palace (Tbilisi)|Sports Palace]] hosts basketball games and tennis tournaments, with a seating capacity of about 11,000. [[Vere Basketball Hall]] is a smaller indoor sports arena seating 2,500.

[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Tbilisi, followed by [[rugby union]] and [[basketball]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://act-global.com/en/news/%E1%83%A1%E1%83%9E%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98/ |title=What is the favorite sport for Tbilisi residents? |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525105921/https://act-global.com/en/news/%E1%83%A1%E1%83%9E%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Other popular sports include [[wrestling]], [[tennis]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], and [[water polo]]. 

Tbilisi has several professional football and rugby teams, as well as wrestling clubs. Two U.S. [[National Basketball Association]] players, [[Zaza Pachulia]] and [[Nikoloz Tskitishvili]], are Tbilisi natives.

Tbilisi's signature football club, [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi|Dinamo Tbilisi]], won the [[1980–81 European Cup Winners' Cup]], becoming the easternmost team to win a major European football tournament. The basketball club Dinamo Tbilisi also won the [[FIBA European Champions Cup 1961-62|1962 EuroLeague]] title.

Tbilisi co-hosted Group A matches of the [[EuroBasket 2022]] tournament at the new 10,000-seat Tbilisi Arena, along with Czech Republic (Prague), Germany (Berlin, Cologne), and Italy (Milan).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/news/fiba-europe-delegation-visits-tbilisi-to-see-progress-of-new-arena|title=FIBA Europe delegation visits Tbilisi to see progress of new arena|website=FIBA|date=1 April 2021|access-date=28 December 2021|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228170738/https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/news/fiba-europe-delegation-visits-tbilisi-to-see-progress-of-new-arena|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Georgia to build a new sports complex for European Basketball Championship|url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2019/2068|access-date=31 July 2019|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130004/https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2019/2068|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Club
! Sport
! Stadium
|-
| [[Lelo Saracens]]
| [[Rugby Union]]
| Lelo Sport Centre
|-
| [[RC Armazi Tbilisi]]
| [[Rugby Union]]
| [[Shevardeni Stadium]]
|-
| [[RC Locomotive Tbilisi]]
| [[Rugby Union]]
| Avchala Stadium
|-
| [[RC Army Tbilisi]]
| [[Rugby Union]]
| Avchala Stadium
|-
| [[FC Dinamo Tbilisi]]
| [[Association football|Football]]
| [[Boris Paichadze Stadium]]
|-
| [[FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi]]
| [[Association football|Football]]
| [[Mikheil Meskhi Stadium]]
|-
| [[FC Saburtalo Tbilisi]]
| [[Association football|Football]]
| Bendela Stadium
|-
| [[FC WIT Georgia]]
| [[Association football|Football]]
| Mikheil Meskhi Stadium #2
|-
| [[BC Dinamo Tbilisi]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|-
| [[BC TSU Tbilisi]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|-
| [[BC MIA Academy]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|-
| [[BC Armia]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|-
| [[Maccabi Brinkford Tbilisi]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|-
| [[B.C. VITA Tbilisi]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[Tbilisi Sports Palace]]
|}


== Media ==

The majority of Georgia's media companies (including television, newspapers, and radio) are headquartered in Tbilisi. The city is home to major television channels such as [[Rustavi 2]], [[Imedi Media Holding|Imedi]], [[:ka:TV პირველი|TV Pirveli]], [[Mtavari Arkhi]], [[:ka:ფორმულა (ტელეკომპანია)|Formula]], [[Maestro (TV channel)|Maestro]], and the Public Broadcasting Channel, among others. 

Since 2019, Tbilisi's television market has undergone notable changes, particularly following ownership changes at Rustavi 2, which led to the creation of new television channels like Mtavari Arkhi and TV Formula.

Tbilisi has numerous newspaper publishing houses. Prominent newspapers include the daily ''24 Saati'' ("24 Hours"), ''Rezonansi'' ("Resonance"), ''Alia'', the English-language daily ''The Messenger'', weekly publications like ''FINANCIAL, Georgia Today'', and ''The Georgian Times''.

The city hosts many influential radio stations, including:
* Imedi Radio (105.9 FM)
* Fortuna (106.9 FM)
* Radio 105 (105.0 FM)

Other radio stations operating in Tbilisi include:
* 5 Lines Radio (93.8 FM)
* Europe +Tbilisi (99.6 FM)
* Georgian Patriarchy Radio (105.4 FM)

<ref>[http://new.tbilisi.gov.ge/?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=294?lang=eng Tbilisi Municipal Portal – Radio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224836/http://new.tbilisi.gov.ge/?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=294%3Flang%3Deng |date=17 December 2013}}</ref>


== Culture ==

=== Architecture ===
The architecture of Tbilisi is a blend of Georgian, Byzantine, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Beaux-Arts, Middle Eastern, and Soviet modern influences.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Suny|first1=Ronald Grigor|editor1-last=Curtis|editor1-first=Glen E.|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia|date=1996|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=978-0788128134|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_B2W1YOG3N10C/page/n236 184]|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_B2W1YOG3N10C}}</ref> Few buildings survived the 1795 destruction of the city, so most historic structures date to the Russian Imperial period (1801–1917). 

Tbilisi's old quarters (Kala, Abanotubani, Avlabari) were largely rebuilt following their medieval street plans. Downtown areas developed by Russian authorities, like Sololaki, Rustaveli Avenue, and Vera, show a European-style layout with Beaux-Arts, Orientalist, and revivalist architecture.

Tbilisi is particularly noted for its Art Nouveau buildings, especially in Sololaki and Chughureti, which flourished from the 1890s until the early Soviet era. Stalinist architecture, such as the 1938 Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute building (now the [[Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi]]), also left a mark on the city's landscape.

Post-World War II architecture introduced mass housing blocks in neighborhoods like Saburtalo and Dighomi. Notable Soviet-era landmarks include the 1975 [[Bank of Georgia headquarters|Ministry of Roads]] building and the 1984 [[Wedding Palace (Tbilisi)|Wedding Palace]].

Since independence, Tbilisi has experienced both rapid skyscraper development (e.g., [[Axis Towers]], [[Holiday Inn Tbilisi]], [[King David Residences]]) and challenges with unregulated construction.

[[File:Rustaveli National Theater in Georgia (Europe), built 19th century in Rococo style.jpg|thumb|[[Rustaveli Theatre]] on [[Rustaveli Avenue]]]]
[[File:2014 Tbilisi, Ulica Erekle II (03).jpg|thumb|upright|Cafés in [[Old Tbilisi]]]]

=== Art museums and galleries ===
Tbilisi is home to several important museums and art spaces:
* The [[Georgian National Museum]] network, including the [[Art Museum of Georgia]].
* The [[Museum of Modern Art]], opened in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rabimov|first=Stephan|title=The Tbilisi Art Scene Looks Inside Georgia|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanrabimov/2019/11/04/the-tbilisi-art-scene-looks-inside-georgia/|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Forbes}}</ref>
* Contemporary art centers like [[Kunsthalle Tbilisi]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kunsthalle Tbilisi opens with contemporary exhibitions|url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/1046|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Agenda.ge}}</ref> and Open Space of Experimental Art.<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Space: new experimental art platform launches in Tbilisi|url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/1931|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Agenda.ge}}</ref>

Other cultural institutions include the [[Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature]] and the [[Writer's House of Georgia]].

=== Performing arts ===
Tbilisi hosts major cultural institutions such as:
* [[Tbilisi State Conservatoire]]
* [[Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre]]
* [[Rustaveli State Academic Theater|Shota Rustaveli State Academic Theatre]]
* [[Marjanishvili Theater|Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre]]
* [[Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater]]
* Royal District Theatre

[[File:National Opera House. Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre]]]]

==== Film Festival ====
The [[Tbilisi International Film Festival]] (TIFF) is organized annually by the Cinema Art Center Prometheus. It began in 2000 as part of a larger "Gift" festival, then became an independent event in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tbilisi International Film Festival |website=Festagent |url=https://festagent.com/en/festivals/tbilisi_fest |access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref> The main venue is located at 164 Agmashenebeli Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cinema Art Center Prometheus - Tbilisi International Film Festival|website=Culture.pl|url=https://culture.pl/en/place/cinema-art-center-prometheus-tbilisi-international-film-festival|access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref>

=== World Book Capital ===
Tbilisi was designated as [[World Book Capital]] for 2021 by [[UNESCO]], recognizing the city's efforts to promote books and reading.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tbilisi named World Book Capital 2021|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/tbilisi-named-world-book-capital-2021|access-date=2022-04-19|website=UNESCO}}</ref>


== Tourism ==
{{Main|List of museums in Tbilisi}}

Georgia's rising popularity as a travel destination has positioned Tbilisi as a major regional tourism hub. In 2019, the country welcomed over 9 million international visitors, significantly boosting Tbilisi’s hospitality and service sectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=9 mln international travelers visited Georgia in 2019|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3584|publisher=Agenda.ge|access-date=30 December 2018|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230184859/https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3584|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is renowned for its:
* Historic neighborhoods blending medieval, Art Deco, Eastern, and Soviet architecture.
* Rich cultural scene, with national museums, galleries, theaters, and festivals.
* Traditional Georgian cuisine and vibrant restaurant culture.
* Status as a melting pot of various ethnicities and traditions.

Tbilisi is often praised as a "diverse metropolis" that offers a distinctive blend of the old and the new, Eastern and Western cultures.

[[File:National Gallery, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi Art Gallery]]]]

=== Main sights ===
Notable landmarks and attractions include:
* [[Narikala fortress]] (4th–17th century)
* [[Anchiskhati Basilica]] (6th century)
* [[Sioni Cathedral]] (8th century)
* [[Church of Metekhi]]
* [[Sameba Cathedral]] (Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi)
* [[The Bridge of Peace (Georgia)|Bridge of Peace]]
* [[Abanotubani]] sulfur baths
* [[Open Air Museum of Ethnography]]
* Tbilisi Old Town
* [[Parliament of Georgia|Parliament of Georgia]]
* [[Supreme Court of Georgia (country)|Supreme Court of Georgia]]
* [[National Bank of Georgia]]
* [[Tbilisi Circus]]

During Soviet times, Tbilisi was ranked among the top cities for the number of museums within the USSR.

[[File:Leghvtakhevi or Abanotubani, Tbilisi ლეღვთახევი 17.jpg|thumb|[[Abanotubani]]]]

=== Nightlife ===
Tbilisi has developed a thriving and internationally recognized nightlife scene since the 2010s. Notable clubs include:
* [[Bassiani]]
* Mtkvarze
* Khidi
* Café Gallery

These venues attract world-renowned DJs and have helped position Tbilisi on the global electronic music map. The city also hosts a growing underground queer nightlife scene, gaining international media attention.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|last1=House|first1=Arthur|title=Clubbers, forget London and Berlin – the place to dance is eastern Europe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/21/clubbing-london-berlin-eastern-europe-closure-fabric|access-date=11 February 2017|work=The Guardian|date=21 September 2016|archive-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212093406/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/21/clubbing-london-berlin-eastern-europe-closure-fabric|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lynch|first1=Will|title=Tbilisi and the politics of raving|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/2666|access-date=11 February 2017|work=Resident Advisor|date=15 August 2016|archive-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212090908/https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/2666|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/inside-tbilisis-politically-charged-underground-queer-scene/25353/|title=Inside Tbilisi's politically-charged underground queer scene|date=9 July 2021|publisher=Attitude UK|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>


== Economy ==
[[File:Vake District, Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|High-rise residential and office buildings in [[Vake, Tbilisi|Vake]]]]

With a nominal GDP of 32&nbsp;billion [[Georgian lari]] (€10&nbsp;billion) as of 2022, Tbilisi is Georgia’s economic powerhouse, generating more than half of the country’s total GDP.<ref name=gdp/> Its GDP per capita is 26,769 lari (€8,700), exceeding the national average by more than 50 percent.

The economy of Tbilisi is dominated by the service sector, particularly:
* Wholesale and retail trade
* Transport and logistics
* Financial services
* Hospitality and real estate

Reflecting its position as a regional hub, the city hosts the headquarters of most Georgian banks, major companies, and international organizations operating in the South Caucasus region.

The manufacturing sector, while contributing only around 12% to the local GDP, remains larger in absolute value than that of any other Georgian region, covering food processing, construction materials, and light industry.

The unemployment rate in Tbilisi stands at 22.5%, which is significantly higher than the national average.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional Statistics|url=http://geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=1181&lang=eng|publisher=Geostat|access-date=6 April 2016|archive-date=16 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416135238/http://www.geostat.ge/index.php?action=page&p_id=1181&lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tbilisi’s diversified economy and relatively advanced infrastructure continue to attract investment from regional and international businesses, contributing to its growing role as a regional business center.


== Transport ==
[[File:P1000074 (8849563928).jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi International Airport]]]]

Tbilisi's public transport system is managed by the Transport and Urban Development Agency. After years of prioritizing private vehicles, the city has invested heavily in developing a green, accessible, and extensive public transit network since the 2010s. Today, the city is served by an international airport, metro, national rail, municipal buses, minibuses, cabs, aerial tramways, bike lanes, and a funicular railway.

=== Airport ===
{{Main|Tbilisi International Airport}}

[[Tbilisi International Airport|Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport]] is the city's only international airport, located about {{convert|18|km|0|abbr=off}} southeast of the city centre. Handling nearly 3 million passengers in 2022, it is the busiest airport in Georgia and a regional hub.<ref>{{cite web|title=Passenger Traffic up by 23% at Georgian Airports|url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/13646/Passenger-Traffic-up-by-23%25-at-Georgian-Airports|publisher=Georgian Today|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210182829/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/13646/Passenger-Traffic-up-by-23%25-at-Georgian-Airports|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a hub for [[Georgian Airways]] and other international carriers, offering direct flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

A secondary domestic airport at [[Natakhtari Airfield]] connects Tbilisi with Batumi, Mestia, and Ambrolauri.

=== Metro ===
{{Main|Tbilisi Metro}}
[[File:Merto Station TAVISUPLEBIS MOEDANI.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi Metro]] station]]

The [[Tbilisi Metro]] operates two lines — the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line and the Saburtalo Line — with 23 stations and around 400,000 daily rides. Opened in 1966, it was the fourth metro system in the former Soviet Union. The system is known for its depth and ornate station designs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://ttc.com.ge/index.php/en/history|access-date=2023-12-22|website=ttc.com.ge}}</ref>

The metro is undergoing major upgrades, including full station renovations, better accessibility for people with disabilities, and new rolling stock acquisitions.

A third overground metro line connecting central Tbilisi to [[Tbilisi International Airport]] and [[Rustavi]] is under planning.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/New-metro-stations-to-link-center-and-outskirts-of-Tbilisi.html|title=New metro stations to link center and outskirts of Tbilisi|journal=Vestnik Kavkaza|date=22 October 2018|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref>

=== Rail ===
Tbilisi is the main hub of [[Georgian Railways]], with inter-city trains connecting it to Batumi, Zugdidi, Poti, Kutaisi, and other cities from [[Tbilisi railway station|Tbilisi Central Railway Station]].

=== Buses and Bus Rapid Transit ===
[[File:Tbilisi's new city bus - MAN Lion's city A21 CNG.jpg|thumb|Tbilisi's municipal bus fleet]]

Tbilisi’s bus network forms the backbone of urban transit. A major reorganisation launched in 2020 introduced [[Bus Rapid Transit]] (BRT) corridors (TBT lines 300–310) served by articulated 18-metre-long buses, alongside more than 200 other city and local routes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tbilisi Mayor Unveils Major Public Transit System Changes|url=https://civil.ge/archives/364069|date=28 August 2020|access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref>

New environmentally friendly buses — including MAN Lion’s City CNG and ISUZU models — have replaced the ageing fleet since 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=126 new buses to start serving passengers in Tbilisi tomorrow|url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/3295|date=20 October 2020|access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Cycling ===
Cycling is gaining popularity, supported by a growing network of bike lanes. During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], temporary cycle lanes were introduced, increasing the city's cycling network to over 20&nbsp;km. The long-term plan aims to expand it to 350&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|title=თბილისის მერია მობილობის ოცწლიან სტრატეგიაზე მუშაობს|url=https://euronewsgeorgia.com/2021/02/08/თბილისის-ველობილიკები/|website=euronewsgeorgia.com|date=8 February 2021 |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Trams ===
{{Main|Trams in Tbilisi}}
Tbilisi had an electric tram network from 1904 until 2006, when it was dismantled. Projects to reintroduce modern trams have been proposed but remain unrealized.<ref>{{cite web|title=Subways and Trams in Georgia: Tbilisi|url=http://www.subways.net/georgia/tbilisi.htm|access-date=24 December 2010}}</ref>

=== Minibuses ===
Private minibuses ([[marshrutkas]]) continue to supplement the bus network, although their share is gradually decreasing following municipal reforms. In 2019, a new tender introduced modern minibuses with stricter safety and comfort standards.<ref>{{cite web|title="ყვითელი სამარშრუტო ტაქსები 2020 წლის ბოლომდე ახალი მიკროავტობუსებით უნდა ჩანაცვლდეს"|url=https://bm.ge/ka/article/yviteli-samarshruto-taqsebi-2020-wlis-bolomde-axali-mikroavtobusebit-unda-chanacvldes/34820|date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

=== Aerial Tramways ===
Tbilisi operates three gondola lift systems:
* **Rike Park to Narikala Fortress** (opened 2012)
* **Vake Park to Turtle Lake** (reopened 2016)
* **State University to Bagebi** (reopened 2021)

The Soviet-era tram between Rustaveli Avenue and Mtatsminda was dismantled after the tragic [[1990 Tbilisi aerial tramway accident]], but reconstruction plans are underway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Major worldwide cable car accidents since 1976|url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9907/01/france.cable.car.04/list.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731155658/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9907/01/france.cable.car.04/list.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2013|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>

=== Funicular ===
The [[Tbilisi Funicular]], originally opened in 1905 and restored in 2012, connects Chonkadze Street to [[Mtatsminda Park]] at the highest point of the city. The line provides access to panoramic views, the [[Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower]], and various recreational facilities.


== Education ==
[[File:Classical School No.1 of Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|right|Public School Number 1 of Tbilisi, also known as the [[Gymnasium (school)|First Classical Gymnasium]]]]

Tbilisi is the principal centre of higher education in Georgia and the Caucasus region. It hosts many major universities and research institutions, drawing both local and international students.

The largest and oldest university in the Caucasus is [[Tbilisi State University]] (TSU), founded on 8 February 1918. TSU has about 25,000 students and more than 5,000 faculty and staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://old.tsu.ge/data/file_db/PR/bukleti_2019%20_eng.pdf|title=Student Guide|website=old.tsu.ge|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>

Other prominent public institutions include:
* [[Tbilisi State Medical University]], the largest medical university in the Caucasus, established in 1918 as part of TSU and operating independently since 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tsmu.edu/ts/content/2/147/0/0/0/0|title=History of the University|website=tsmu.edu|access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
* [[Georgian Technical University]], founded in 1922 as a polytechnic faculty and now the country’s leading technical university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gtu.ge/Eng/Info/History.php|title=History of the Georgian Technical University|website=gtu.ge|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ilia State University]], established in 2006 through the merger of six institutions.

Several private universities are also notable:
* [[The University of Georgia (Tbilisi)]], the largest private university with around 8,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ug.edu.ge/en/about-us|title=About the University of Georgia|website=ug.edu.ge|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
* [[Caucasus University]], founded in 2004, which evolved from the Caucasus School of Business (established in 1998).
* [[Free University of Tbilisi]], established in 2007 through a merger of ESM-Tbilisi and the Tbilisi Institute of Asia and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freeuni.edu.ge/en/university-today|title=University Today|website=freeuni.edu.ge|access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>

Other significant institutions include:
* [[Tbilisi State Conservatory]]
* [[Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University]]
* [[Tbilisi State Academy of Arts]]
* [[Caucasus International University]]
* [[Tbilisi Medical Academy]]
* [[Georgian American University]]
* [[International Black Sea University]]
* [[Georgian Institute of Public Affairs]]
* [[Agricultural University of Georgia]]
* International School of Economics at TSU (ISET)
* New Vision University<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newvision.ge/en/contact/university|title=Contact|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808111551/http://www.newvision.ge/en/contact/university|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Grigol Robakidze University]]

[[File:Tbilisi, Georgia — Tbilisi State University, I Corpus's front view.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi State University]], Building I]]

Public education at the primary and secondary levels is mandatory and free. Tbilisi has many public and private schools, offering instruction in Georgian as well as minority languages, including Russian, Armenian, Azerbaijani, and English.

The city also hosts various international schools catering to expatriate communities.


== Expatriate community ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=August 2020}}
Tbilisi is home to a growing expatriate population. The number of foreigners living and working in Tbilisi has increased significantly in recent years, supported by the opening of international schools, foreign businesses, expatriate organizations, and online communities. 

The city is regarded as safe for foreigners and locals alike.<ref>{{cite web|title=Is Georgia Safe? Common Concerns & Safety Tips for Tourists|url=https://wander-lush.org/is-georgia-safe-country-europe/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=Wander-Lush}}</ref> 

Most expatriates reside in neighborhoods such as [[Vake, Tbilisi|Vake]], [[Vera, Tbilisi|Vera]], [[Saburtalo District|Saburtalo]], and Dighomi.

Prominent expatriate initiatives and communities include:
* **IWA (International Women's Association of Georgia):** A non-profit organization founded in 1996, composed of international and Georgian women, organizing charity events and networking activities.
* **Expats in Tbilisi:** An online support network initiated by UN and EU staff spouses to assist expatriates in finding resources and information.
* **InterNations Tbilisi:** Part of the global InterNations network, facilitating networking events, business meetups, and cultural exchange programs.

[[File:Tbilisi old city walls 20.jpg|thumb|Remnants of ancient city walls discovered in central Tbilisi]]


== International relations ==
[[File:Tbilisser-platz-saarbruecken.jpg|thumb|Tbilisi Platz in [[Saarbrücken]], Germany.]]

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Georgia (country)}}

=== Twin towns and sister cities ===
Tbilisi is [[sister city|twinned]] with:<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=4571|title=Tbilisi Sister Cities|access-date=5 August 2013|work=Tbilisi City Hall|publisher=Tbilisi Municipal Portal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724120155/http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=4571|archive-date=24 July 2013}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Saarbrücken]], Germany (1975)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Nantes]], France (1979)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia (1977)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ljubljana.si/si/ljubljana/pobratena-mesta-zdruzenja/|title=Medmestno in mednarodno sodelovanje|access-date=27 July 2013|work=Mestna občina Ljubljana|language=sl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626075304/http://www.ljubljana.si/si/ljubljana/pobratena-mesta-zdruzenja/|archive-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>
* [[Innsbruck]], Austria (1982)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Atlanta]], United States (1987)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Palermo]], Italy (1987)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Bristol]], United Kingdom (1988)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/tourism-and-travel/town-twinning/|title=Bristol City – Town twinning|publisher=Bristol City Council|access-date=17 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728075325/http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/tourism-and-travel/town-twinning/|archive-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>
* [[Bilbao]], Spain (1989)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Yerevan]], Armenia (1996)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/sister-cities/|title=Yerevan – Twin Towns & Sister Cities|access-date=4 November 2013|work=Yerevan Municipality Official Website|publisher=Yerevan Municipality|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031192729/http://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/sister-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Kyiv]], Ukraine (1999)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
||
* [[Astana]], Kazakhstan (2005)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Vilnius]], Lithuania (2009)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities"/>
* [[Chișinău]], Moldova (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chisinau.md/tabview.php?l=ro&idc=526|title=Oraşe înfrăţite (Twin cities of Chişinău)|publisher=Primăria Municipiului Chişinău|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903122220/http://www.chisinau.md/tabview.php?l=ro&idc=526|archive-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>
* [[Cairo]], Egypt (2012)
* [[Doha]], Qatar (2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qatar.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=844&lang=2|title=Legal Framework|publisher=Embassy of Georgia to the State of Qatar|access-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707202042/http://qatar.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=844&lang=2|archive-date=7 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Tehran]], Iran (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://agenda.ge/news/35540/eng|title=Tbilisi-Tehran direct flights will start next month|publisher=Agenda.ge|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528073541/http://agenda.ge/news/35540/eng}}</ref>
* [[Minsk]], Belarus (2015)
* [[Istanbul]], Turkey (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/news/2355|title=თბილისსა და სტამბოლს შორის დაძმობილების შესახებ მემორანდუმი გაფორმდა|publisher=Tbilisi City Hall|access-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302194211/http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/news/2355|archive-date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
* [[Sofia]], Bulgaria (2016)
* [[Lima]], Peru (2018)
* [[Baku]], Azerbaijan (2021)
* [[Bucharest]], Romania (2022)
|}

=== Partnerships ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Odesa]], Ukraine (1996)
* [[Ankara]], Turkey (1996)
* [[Baku]], Azerbaijan (1997)
* [[Athens]], Greece (1997)
* [[Paris]], France (1997)
* [[Jerusalem]], Israel (1998)
* [[Riga]], Latvia (2007)
* [[Kraków]], Poland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531,kat,0,5,miasta_partnerskie.html|title=Kraków – Miasta Partnerskie|access-date=10 August 2013|work=Miejska Platforma Internetowa Magiczny Kraków|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702010825/http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531%2Ckat%2C0%2C5%2Cmiasta_partnerskie.html|archive-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> (2009)
* [[Warsaw]], Poland (2010)
||
* [[Budapest]], Hungary (2011)
* [[Kharkiv]], Ukraine (2012)
* [[Lviv]], Ukraine (2013)
* [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], United States (2013)
* [[Guangzhou]], China (2014)
* [[Lublin]], Poland (2014)
* [[Dublin]], Ireland (2014)
* [[Prague]], Czech Republic<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zahranicnivztahy.praha.eu/jnp/cz/partnerska_mesta/index.html#|title=Partnerská města HMP|access-date=5 August 2013|work=Portál "Zahraniční vztahy"|language=cs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625205859/http://zahranicnivztahy.praha.eu/jnp/cz/partnerska_mesta/index.html|archive-date=25 June 2013}}</ref>
|}


== See also ==
{{Portal|Georgia (country)}}
* [[Abo Tbileli]] – the [[patron saint]] of Tbilisi
* [[Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline]]
* [[List of people from Tbilisi]]


== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}


== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}


=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Abuladze|first1=David|last2=Kurtishvili|first2=Irina|editor1-last=Stiller|editor1-first=Adolph|title=Tiflis: Architektur am Schnittpunkt der Kontinente|date=March 2016|publisher=Muery Salzmann|location=Salzburg|isbn=978-3990141366|language=en,de}}
* {{cite book|last=Baulig|first=Josef|author2=Maia Mania|author3=Hans Mildenberg|author4=Karl Ziegler|title=Architekturführer Tbilisi|publisher=Landeshauptstadt Saarbrücken / Technische Universität Kaiserslautern|isbn=978-3-936890-39-6|language=de,ka|year=2004}}
* {{cite book|last1=Floor|first1=Willem M.|title=Titles and Emoluments in Safavid Iran: A Third Manual of Safavid Administration, by Mirza Naqi Nasiri|date=2008|publisher=Mage Publishers|location=Washington, DC|isbn=978-1933823232}}
* {{cite book|last=Kazemzadeh|first=Firuz|chapter=Iranian relations with Russia and the Soviet Union, to 1921|title=The Cambridge History of Iran (Vol. 7)|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1991|isbn=978-0521200950|editor-first1=Peter|editor-last1=Avery|editor-first2=Gavin|editor-last2=Hambly|editor-first3=Charles|editor-last3=Melville}}
* {{cite book|last1=Mikaberidze|first1=Alexander|title=Historical Dictionary of Georgia|date=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1442241466|edition=2}}
* {{cite book|last=Rayfield|first=Donald|title=Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia|date=2013|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1780230702}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Salukvadze|first1=Joseph|last2=Golubchikov|first2=Oleg|title=City as a geopolitics: Tbilisi, Georgia — A globalizing metropolis in a turbulent region|journal=Cities|date=March 2016|volume=52|pages=39–54|doi=10.1016/j.cities.2015.11.013|doi-access=free}}
{{refend}}


== Further reading ==
* Postcard from the Silk Road – Georgia, TRAVELS – ESPECIALLY FOR "ZNAD WILII", Leonard Drożdżewicz, "Znad Wilii", Viešoji įstaiga "Znad Wilii" kultūros plėtros draugija, ISSN 1392-9712, No. 1 (57), 2014, pp. 87–98. (in Polish) [http://www.znadwiliiwilno.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Znad-Wilii-57m.pdf]
* [https://emerging-europe.com/after-hours/tbilisis-largely-forgotten-and-neglected-armenian-heritage/ Tbilisi's largely forgotten and neglected Armenian heritage]


== External links ==
{{Commons category|Tbilisi}}
* [http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/ Official website of the City of Tbilisi]

{{Districts and neighborhoods of Tbilisi}}
{{Historic capitals of Georgia}}
{{Cities and towns in Georgia (country)}}
{{Administrative divisions of Georgia}}
{{Capitals in Asia}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{Georgia (country) topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tbilisi| ]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 5th century]]
[[Category:Regions of Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Self-governing cities in Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Tiflis Governorate]]