SafekipediaRustavi
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Rustavi is a city in the southeast part of Georgia, in the region of Kvemo Kartli. It is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi.
As of January 2024, about 127,154 people live in Rustavi, making it the third largest city in the country.
The city’s economy has been shaped by a major industry: the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant. This large factory has been important to the area’s history and daily life. Today, Rustavi remains a key part of Georgia, linking its cultural heritage with modern city living.
History
Rustavi is one of Georgia’s older towns. Its history has two main parts: an early time from ancient days until the city was destroyed in the 1300s, and a modern time from the Soviet era to today.
In ancient times, the town was mentioned in old Georgian writings. It was an important place for the kingdom of Iberia. Later, it faced invasions from different groups, which caused it to decline. The town was finally destroyed after an invasion by Timur.
During the Soviet era, Rustavi was rebuilt as a major industrial center. This growth was part of Joseph Stalin’s plan to quickly build up industry. The city became known for its large factories, especially the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant, which started operating between 1941 and 1950. Many people moved to Rustavi for jobs, and the city grew quickly. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, many factories closed, causing hard times for the city.
Demographics
Rustavi had over 130,000 people living there in early 2021. This was a 4% increase since 2014, making Rustavi the fourth most populous city in Georgia, just behind Kutaisi. The city grew quickly because of industrialization under Stalin.
After Georgia became independent in 1991, many people left the city because they lost their jobs. The smallest number of people lived there around 2002, but growth started again in the 2010s as jobs came back.
In 2014, most people in Rustavi were Georgian, making up almost 92% of the population. Other groups included Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Russians, and Ossetians, along with smaller numbers of Ukrainians, Yazidis, Greeks, Assyrians, Kists, Jews, Abkhazians, and Bosha.
| Historical ethnic composition Rustavi | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1959 | 1970 | 1979 | 1989 | 2002 | 2014 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Rustavi City | 62,395 |  98,210 | 129,084 | 158,661 |  116,384 | 125,103 | 130,072 | |||||||||||
| Georgians | 27,680 | 44.4% | 55,158 | 56.2% | 79,820 | 61.8% | 103,523 | 65.2% | 102,151 | 87.8% | 114,819 | 91.8% | ||||||
| Azerbaijanis | 3,693 | 5.9% | 5,765 | 5.9% | 7,443 | 5.8% | 11,576 | 7.3% | 4,993 | 4.3% | 4,661 | 3.7% | ||||||
| Armenians | 4,367 | 7.0% | 5,943 | 6.1% | 6,707 | 5.2% | 6,872 | 4.3% | 2,809 | 2.4% | 1,965 | 1.6% | ||||||
| Russians | 19,724 | 31.6% | 21,610 | 22.0% | 23,060 | 17.9% | 21,267 | 13.4% | 3,563 | 3.1% | 1,459 | 1.2% | ||||||
| Ossetians | 1,601 | 2.6% | 3,224 | 3.3% | 4,493 | 3.5% | 5,613 | 3.5% | 1,410 | 1.2% | 545 | 0.4% | ||||||
| Note: | ||||||||||||||||||
City governance
Rustavi is a city that runs itself. The City Council stands for the people, and the City Hall makes choices each day. The city has 10 parts, like the David Agmashenebeli area and the Giorgi Chkondideli district.
City council
The Rustavi City Assembly speaks for the people of Rustavi. It has 35 members who are picked every four years. The last time they were picked was in October 2021.
Mayor
The last time Rustavi chose a mayor was on October 2, 2021. Nino Latsabidze was chosen instead of Davit Kirkitadze.
Mayors of Rustavi before
- Irakli Tabagua (2017–2021)
- Davit Jikia (2014–2017)
| 2017 | 2021 | Current Municipal Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgian Dream | 16 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United National Movement | 3 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For Georgia | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lelo | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Independent | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Georgia | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alliance of Patriots | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labour Party | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| People's Party | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Climate
Rustavi has a humid subtropical climate. This means the city has hot summers and cool winters.
Sports
Rustavi Race Circuit
Rustavi has a famous race track that was built when the USSR still existed. Racing began there in 1979 and it hosted many important events until 1989. The track fell into disrepair, but was bought and rebuilt in 2011–2012. Since then, it has hosted many exciting races, including international competitions.
Basketball
Rustavi is home to a basketball team called BC Rustavi. They play in the top league of Georgia and have their own sports arena.
Martial arts
There is a studio in Rustavi called Shavparosnebi where people practice traditional sports and martial arts, and hold competitions.
Notable people
Rustavi is the hometown of some famous athletes. Robert Tedeyev, born in 1986, was a professional football player from Russia. Davit Zirakashvili, born in 1983, played rugby union for Georgia.
Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Georgia (country)
Rustavi has friendly connections with cities in other countries. These are called twin towns or sister cities. Rustavi is connected with:
Images
Related articles
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