Description & Facts: The capital of Georgia Tbilisi stands on the banks of the River Mtkvari, in a valley surrounded by hills. The word Tbilisi derives from the Georgian 'tbili' which means warm - referring to the natural springs bubbling up from the earth near its 4th century Narikala fortress. Tbilisi is a major economic, transportation and cultural center - hub of the Southern Caucasus. In its Old Town the visitors will find a Mediterranean atmosphere and a harmonious architectural melange which reflects the wide variety of nationalities that down through the ages have made their homes in Tbilisi