Kutaisi
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| Kutaisi ქუთაისი | |
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The image above is a candidate for speedy deletion. It will be deleted on 2007-03-10. |
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| Location in Georgia | |
The image above is a candidate for speedy deletion. It will be deleted on 2007-03-10. |
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| Flag | Coat of arms |
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| Basic information | |
| Area | 70.0 km² |
| Population | 185,965 (2002 est.) |
| Time zone | GMT +4 |
| Location | |
| Government | |
| Country : | Georgia  |
| Region | Imereti |
| Mayor : | Nikoloz Kachkachishvili |
Kutaisi (Georgian: ქუთაისი; ancient names: Aea/Aia, Kutatisi, Kutaïssi) is Georgia's second largest city and the capital of the western region of Imereti. It is 221 km to the west of Tbilisi.
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[edit] Geography
Kutaisi is located along both banks of the Rioni River. The city lies at an elevation of 125-300 meters (410-984 feet) above sea level. To the east and north-east, Kutaisi is bounded by the Northern Imereti Foothills, to the north by the Samgurali Range, and to the west and the south by the Colchis Plain.
[edit] Climate
The climate in Kutaisi is humid subtropical with a well-defined on-shore/monsoonal flow (characteristic of the Colchis Plain) during the Autumn and Winter months. The summers are generally hot and relatively dry while the winters are wet and cool. Average annual temperature in the city is 14.5 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.2 degrees Celsius while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is -17 degrees Celsius and the absolute maximum is 44 degrees Celsius. Average annual precipitation is around 1530mm (60.2 inches). Rain may fall in every season of the year. The city often experiences heavy, wet snowfall (snowfall of 30cm/12 inches or more per single snowstorm is not uncommon) in the winter, but the snow cover usually does not last for more than a week. Kutaisi experiences powerful easterly winds in the summer which descend from the nearby mountains.
[edit] Landscape
Kutaisi is surrounded by deciduous forests to the northeast and the northwest. The low-lying outskirts of the city have a largely agricultural landscape. Because of the many gardens in the city centre and the high leafy trees alongside the sidewalks of its streets and boulevards, Kutaisi is painted in bright green in the spring and in yellow-red in the autumn. In the springtime, when the snow starts to melt in the nearby mountains, the storming Rioni River in the middle of the city is heard far beyond its banks.
[edit] History/Background
Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis as early as the second millennium BC. It is widely believed by historians that when Apollonius Rhodius was writing about Jason and the Argonauts and their legendary journey to Colchis, Kutaisi/Aia was the final destination of the Argonauts and the residence of King Aeetes. In 975-1122 Kutaisi was the capital of the united Kingdom of Georgia, and in the 15th century-1810 the capital of the Imeretian Kingdom. In 1810 the Imeretian Kingdom was occupied by Tsarist Russia. Before Georgia's independence in 1991, followed by the country's economic collapse, Kutaisi was a major industrial center. Today, many inhabitants of the city have to leave and work abroad in order to make a living. Small-scale trade prevails among the rest of population.
[edit] Education and Science
Kutaisi is one of the most important educational and scientifical centers in Georgia, hosting the Gelati Academy of Sciences which was established in the 12th century by King David IV. Here is also one of the most important educational centers in modern Akaki Tsereteli State University Georgia, established in 1930. Beside these two, there are many kinds of universities, institutes, colleges and schools in Kutaisi.
[edit] Culture
Kutaisi has big and one of the anciest cultural traditions. Here are the list of the cultural centers in Kutaisi.
Museums, Archive, Library, Gallery, Art Salon:
1. Kutaisi State Historical Museum
2. Kutaisi Museum of Sport
3. Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art
4. Museum of Zakaria Paliashvili
5. Kutaisi State Historical Archive
6. Kutaisi State Scientific-Universal Library
7. David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery
8. Art Salon
Theatres, Cinema and Entertaining Center:
1. Kutaisi Lado Meskhishvili State Academic Theatre
2. Kutaisi Meliton Balanchivadze State Opera House
3. Kutaisi Iakob Gogebashvili State Puppet Theatre
4. Cinema and Entertaining Center “Suliko”
Professional Unions and Public Organizations:
1. Georgian Writers’ Union
2. Georgian Painters’ Union
3. Folk Palace
Media:
Local Newspapers: “Kutaisi”, “Imeretis Moabe”, “PS”, “Akhali Gazeti”, "Kutaisuri Versia", "Chveneburebi" (Journal); Scientific Journal “Gantiadi”.
TV: "Rioni"; Radio: "Dzveli Kalaki" (old Caty)
P. S. Also all the republican newspapers, journals and televisions have their representations in Kutaisi.
[edit] Sport
Kutaisi has the big traditions in the sport. It has many famous sport clubs. For examples: FC Torpedo Kutaisi which was participating in the highest league of the Soviet Union in football. After the independence it won many domestic and international titles. RC AIA Kutaisi won the Soviet Championship several times in Rugby and after the independence National Championships and Cups. Kutaisi had also very famous basketball club. Here grew up many famous sportsmen. Not the Complete list of them, you can see above.
[edit] Landmarks
The image above is a candidate for speedy deletion. It will be deleted on 2007-02-28.
The landmark of the city is the ruined Bagrati Cathedral, built by Bagrat III, king of Georgia, in the early 11th century. The Bagrati Cathedral, and the Gelati Monastery a few km east of the city, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the famous churches in Georgia is Motsameta Church. It is named after of two saint persons David and Constantine. They were the Dukes of Margveti and they were tortured by Arabs in the VIII century. Besides the churches, there are many interesesting places in Kutaisi, such as: Sataplia Cave, where you can see footprints of the Dinosaur. Geguti Palace, which was one of the residences of the Georgian Kings, "Okros Chardakhi" – Georgian Kings’ Palace, Pantheon, where many famous peoples are barried and etc.
[edit] Famous People Born in Kutaisi
Aeetes - King of kingdom of Colchis
Bagrat III - King of united Kingdom of Georgia in 975-1014
Giorgi I - King of united Kingdom of Georgia in 1014-1027
Bagrat IV - King of united Kingdom of Georgia in 1027-1072
Giorgi II - King of united Kingdom of Georgia in 1072-1089
David IV - King of united Kingdom of Georgia in 1089-1125
Niko Nikoladze - Famous Georgian Scientist
Zakaria Paliashvili - Famous Georgian Composer
Meliton Balanchivadze - Famous Georgian Composer
Veriko Anjaparidze - Famous Georgian Actress
Akaki Vasadze - Famous Georgian Actor
Iakob Nikoladze - Famous Georgian Sculptor, the author of the previous state flag of Georgia.
David Kakabadze - Famous Georgian Painter
Zurab Sakandelidze - Famous Georgian basketball player, Olympic Champion
Mikheil Korkia - Famous Georgian basketball player, Olympic Champion
David Khakhaleishvili - Olympic Champion in Wrestling
Teimuraz Apkhazava - World and European Champion in Wrestling
Revaz Dzodzuashvili - Famous Georgian football player, winner of the Bronze Medal of the World Cup 1966
Otar Korkia - Famous Georgian basketball player, European Champions' Cup champion
[edit] Sister cities
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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Historic capitals of Georgia |  |
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