The first written mention of the name "Batumi" we can find in Aristotle’s works in the IV century AD.
The ancient Batumi, as a Colchis settlement, was situated at the mouth of the river Korolistskali and its moving to the south had taken place in XVIII-XIX centuries, that, basically, was caused by a favorable disposition of modern Batumi and of a deep-water bay allowing to accept big sized vessels.
The city, which has arisen on this place in the far past, under the items of information Xenophontis and Apollo from Rodos, was well familiar to the antique world.
In an antiquity the territory of present Batumi and nearby areas were the part of legendary bastion, which name was well-known in an ancient Middle East and culture of Aegean.
The illustration of this fact is the antique myth about Argonauts, the ancient Greek written sources, telling about Colchis tribes –the first discoverers of iron and steel, and also numerous products of jeweler, clay and steel. The city was the bastion of Colchis power.
Through the centuries the local population took many suffers, including struggle with natural conditions, bloody wars, and also three hundred-year long yoke of the neighbors - Osman Empire.
Last Turkey conquered Batumi in the beginning of XVII century. On August 25, 1878 Batumi, together with Adjara, reunited with a native Land - Georgia.
By the end of 19 century trade and industry developed in Batumi most advantageously. In 1883 Batumi connected by railway to Tbilisi and Baku. At this period Batumi had the status of the free port. In 1885 the reconstruction of Batumi port was finished. The most important factories and plants had appeared.
A favorable geographical disposition and a natural deep-water bay by the end of XIX had predetermined the transformation of Batumi into port of global importance, through which Baku petroleum was exported to the various countries of the world.
In 1888 Batumi was given the status of city. The first mayor of city was K. Gavrovski. For today the city of Batumi territory occupies the area about 1775, 9 ha, its population is about 138 thousand people. Batumi is the capital of Adjara, one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia, its key resort and sea region. Perfect climatic conditions, picturesque nature and unique cultural sights here are harmoniously combined. Batumi landscapes on a background of picturesque mountains will not leave indifferent anybody.
Batumi is the main sea gate of Georgia, and not only Adjara’s economical development, but also all country’s, depend on its stable work. Batumi and Batumi Sea Port Limited have the common history.
The history of Batumi Sea Port Limited begins from the Roman Empire when during the period of Emperor Adrian III governing Batumi Sea Port Limited was one of the important points of Roman trading net.
Exactly in that period the name of capital was created - from a word "Batus", that means "deep". Greeks and Romans named this city so. And indeed the Batumi bay is one of the deepest on the Black Sea basin. Batumi and its port are inseparable concepts.
The port has been living by life of city for a long time; it takes active part in all processes of updating of city and is one of the basic sponsors of the programs in the field of a science, culture, sports and social items. Batumi is the sea capital of Georgia.
