Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura River. Founded in the 5th century AD, it has historically served as the capital of Georgian kingdoms and republics. With a population of approximately 1.5 million people, Tbilisi's location on major trade routes between Europe and Asia has led it to be an important transit point and a point of contention between global powers throughout history.

1. Tbilisi (English: /tᵻˈbiːlᵻsi/; Georgian: თბილისი [tʰˈbiliˌsi] ( listen)),[3]
in some countries also known by
its former foreign name Tiflis[4]
(English: /tᵻˈfliːs/ or /ˈtɪflᵻs/), is the capital and the largest
city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with a population of approximately 1.5 million
people. Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang I Gorgasali, the monarch of the Kingdom of
Iberia, Tbilisi since served as the capital of various Georgian kingdoms and republics. Between 1801
and 1917, then being under the rule of the former Russian Empire, Tbilisi was the seat of
the Imperial Viceroy, governing both Southern and Northern Caucasus.
Because of its location on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, and its proximity to lucrative
east-west trade routes, throughout history Tbilisi was a point of contention between various global
powers. The city's location to this day ensures its position as an important transit route for various
energy and trade projects. Tbilisi's diverse history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix
of medieval, classical, Middle Eastern, Art Nouveau, Stalinist and Modernist structures.
Historically Tbilisi has been home to people of multiple cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds,
though it is currently overwhelmingly Eastern OrthodoxChristian. Its notable tourist destinations
include cathedrals Sameba and Sioni, classical Freedom Square, Rustaveli
Avenue and Agmashenebeli Avenue, medieval Narikala Fortress, pseudo-Moorish Opera Theater,
and the Georgian National Museum.