Tbilisi, << tuh BIHL uh see >> (pop. 1,081,679), is the capital and largest city of the country of Georgia. It lies on the Kur River. Tbili means warm in the Georgian language, and the city is named for its warm mineral springs. The city’s name in Russian is Tiflis.
People have lived in the area for over 2,000 years. Part of Tbilisi is modern, while the older section has medieval buildings, courtyards, and narrow streets. The city is home to Tbilisi State University and the Georgian Academy of Sciences. Tbilisi is the country’s main economic and transportation center.