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Batumi (, formerly '''Batum''' or '''Batoum''') is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and Capital of Adjara , an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia . It has a population of 121,806 ( 2002 census). Batumi, with its large port and commercial center, is also the last stop of the Transcaucasian Railroad and the Baku Oil Pipeline . It is situated some 20 km (12 mi) from the Turkish border, in a subtropical zone, rich in Citrus fruit and Tea . Industries include Oil Refineries , Shipbuilding , food processing, and light manufacturing. HISTORY Early history Batumi is located on the site of the Ancient Greek colony in Colchis called Bathus or Bathys - derived from the Greek phrase ''bathus limen'' or ''bathys limin'' meaning "deep harbour". Under Hadrian (r. 117-138 AD), it was converted into a fortified Roman port later deserted for the fortress of Petra founded in the times of Justinian I (r. 527-565). Garrisoned by the Roman/ Byzantine forces, it was formally a possession of the kingdom of Lazica until being occupied briefly by the Arabs who did not hold it; in the 9th century it formed part of the Bagratid monarchy of Tao-Klarjeti , and at the close of the 10th century of the unified Kingdom Of Georgia which succeeded it. From 1010, it was governed by the Eristavi (viceroy) of the king of Georgia. In the late 14th century, after the disintegration of the Georgian kingdom, Batumi passed to the princes ( Mtavari ) of Guria , a western Georgian principality under the nominal sovereignty of the Kings Of Imereti . In the 15th century, in the reign of the prince Kakhaber Gurieli, the Ottoman Turks occupied the town and its district, but did not hold them. They returned in force a century later after the decisive defeat which they inflicted on the Georgian and Imeretian armies at Sokhoista. Batumi was recaptured, first by the prince Rostom Gurieli in 1564, who lost it soon afterwards, and again in 1609 by Mamia Gurieli. Since 1627 Batumi was part of the Ottoman Empire. With the Turkish conquest the Islamisation of the Adjara region, hitherto Christian began. It was completed by the end of the 18th century. Under the Turks, Batumi, a large fortified town (2,000 inhabitants in 1807 and more than 5,000 in 1877) was already an active port, the principle centre of the Transcaucasia n slave-trade. In 1878, Batumi was annexed by the Russian Empire in accordance with Treaty Of San Stefano between Russia and the Ottoman Empire (ratified on March 23). In exchange, according to a secret Anglo-Ottoman Cyprus Convention , the British were to be allowed to occupy Cyprus - ''Cuprum probatum''.Zaim M. Necatigil (1993), ''The Cyprus Question and the Turkish Position in International Law'', p. 3. Oxford University Press , ISBN 0198258461. During these early years of annexation Batumi functioned as a Free Port and was one of the most important world exporters of wool, cotton and wood. After 1883 the city became an important place for the shipment of oil. War, Communism and Independence During 1901 , 16 years prior to the Russian Revolution , Joseph Stalin the future leader of the Soviet Union, lived in the city organizing strikes. Unrest during World War I led to Turkey re-entering in April 1918 , followed by the British in December, who stayed until July 1920 . Kemal Atatürk then ceded it to the Bolshevik s, on the condition that it be granted autonomy, for the sake of the Muslim s among Batumi's mixed population. When the USSR collapsed, Aslan Abashidze was appointed head of Ajaria's governing council and subsequently held onto power throughout the unrest of the 1990s. Whilst other regions, such as Abkhazia , attempted to break away from the Georgian state, Ajara maintained an integral part of the Republic's territory. However due to a fragile security situation, Abashidze was able to exploit the Central Government 's weaknesses and rule the area as a personal Fiefdom . In May 2004 he fled the region to Russia as a result of mass protests sparked by the Rose Revolution in Tbilisi . Present Day Batumi today is the main port of Georgia. It has the capacity for 80,000-Tonne Tankers to deposit materials such as oil. This oil originates from Azerbaijan and is refined near the port and shipped across all world. Smaller oil exports also come from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan . Additionally the city exports regional agricultural products. Since 1995 the freight conversion of the port has constantly risen, with an approximate 8 million tons in 2001 . The annual revenue from the port is an estimated 200 to 300 million US Dollar . Since the change of power in Ajara, Batumi has attracted several international investors with real estate prices in the city trebling themselves since 2001. Kazakh investors have reportedly invested USD 100 million to purchase over 20 hotels in the Ajara region of Georgia. Construction of new hotels will be launched in Ajara’s Black Sea resorts starting from 2007 . Batumi is also host to the Russian 12th Military Base . Following the Rose Revolution, the central government has pushed for the removal of these forces, and in 2005 an agreement with Moscow was reached. Under the terms of the agreement, all equipment and personnel must be removed by 2008. CLIMATE Batumi lies at the northern periphery of the Humid Subtropical zone. Batumi's climate is heavily influenced by the onshore flow from the Black Sea and the city is subject to the Orographic Effect of the nearby hills and mountains, resulting in significant rainfall throughout most of the year, making Batumi the wettest city in both Georgia and the entire Caucasus Region. The average annual temperature in Batumi is approximately 14.5 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 7.1 degrees Celsius. August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is -9 degrees Celsius and the absolute maximum is 41 degrees Celsius. The number of days with temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius is 239. The city receives 1958 hours of sunshine per year. Batumi's average annual precipitation is 2,718mm. (107.0in.). September is the wettest month with an average of 335mm. (13.19in.) of precipitation, while May is the driest, averaging 92mm (3.62in.). Batumi generally does not receive significant amounts of snow (accumulating snowfall of more than 30cm.) and the number of days with snow cover for the year is 12. The average level of humidity ranges from 70-80%. TRANSPORTATION The city is served by Batumi Airport , one of three international airports in the country. DEMOGRAPHICS The town is home to all the major religions of the Caucasus , with a mixed population of Catholics , Georgian Orthodox And Apostolic Church , Muslims , and Jew s. There is an Armenian minority in Batumi. LANDMARKS Attractions include the Adjara State Museum , Botanical Garden s, which were started by professor Krasnov (brother of the general Pyotr Krasnov ), Aquarium , Circus , and a former resort area along the Black Sea coast. POSTAGE STAMPS See Also: Postage stamps of Batum under British occupation SISTER CITIES
NOTABLE PEOPLE Notable people who are from or have resided in Batumi:
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