Kutaisi

City in central Georgia, a major industrial and cultural centre; population (2001 est) 264,000. Situated on the River Rioni, Kutaisi has engineering works (manufacturing mining equipment, lorries, and tractors), chemical plants, and light industries (producing textiles and foodstuffs). There are two hydroelectric facilities nearby.

Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in Transcaucasia. It was founded (as Aea) in the 8th century BC, and was the capital of the Colchis region. It became Russian in 1810. There is a theatre in the town (founded in 1861), and a number of medieval architectural monuments.