What are Georgia's main rivers, and which rivers do Tbilisi and Kutaisi stand on?
The Mtkvari, Rioni, Alazani, Enguri and Aragvi.
Short answer
Tbilisi stands on the Kura, called the Mtkvari in Georgian, and Kutaisi on the Rioni. The Kura is the longest river in the Caucasus, flowing from Turkey through Georgia into Azerbaijan and on to the Caspian Sea, while the Rioni is the main river of western Georgia and flows into the Black Sea. Other large rivers are the Alazani, Enguri, Aragvi and the Chorokhi near Batumi.
Why
- Rivers in eastern Georgia belong to the Caspian basin, and those in the west to the Black Sea basin.
- The divide between the basins runs along the Likhi Range.
- The Enguri is home to one of the world's tallest arch dams, the Enguri hydropower plant.
Details
In Tbilisi, pleasure boats run on the Kura in the warm season, and rafting is popular on the Aragvi, Rioni and Enguri. The Alazani flows through the wine region of Kakheti.
Tip
Rafting on the Aragvi and Rioni is best in spring and early summer, when the water is high.
What may differ
River levels change a lot by season: high in spring, lower by autumn.
People also ask
- What river runs through Tbilisi?
Sources
- National Environmental Agency of GeorgiaChecked at:
Information checked on October 3, 2026.
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