# Poti

> town in Georgia

**Wikidata**: [Q185345](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185345)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poti)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/poti

## Summary

Poti is a port city and administrative center in western Georgia, located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region on the Black Sea coast. Founded in 601 AD as the ancient Greek colony of Phasis, it serves as a major seaport and industrial hub with a population of approximately 41,500 residents as of 2023. The city features a diverse linguistic presence, with Wikipedia articles available in over 100 languages, and maintains international twinning relationships with cities including Larnaca, Aktau, LaGrange, Burgas, and Chornomorsk.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** ფოთი (Poti)
- **Type:** City (instance_of: city)
- **Country:** Georgia
- **Region:** Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (preferred location, since December 1995)
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 42.15°, Longitude 41.666666667°
- **Area:** 65.8 square kilometres
- **Elevation:** Sea level to 12 metres above sea level
- **Timezone:** UTC+04:00
- **Population (2023, preferred):** 41,500
- **Population (2014):** 41,465
- **Population (2002):** 47,149
- **Founding Date:** 601 AD (as Phasis)
- **Official Language:** Georgian
- **Postal Codes:** 4400–4499
- **Local Dialing Code:** (493)
- **Website:** https://poti.gov.ge (Georgian language)
- **UN/LOCODE:** GEPTI
- **FIPS 10-4 Code:** GG42

## FAQs

**What is the historical origin of Poti?**

Poti was founded in 601 AD as the ancient Greek colony of Phasis (also spelled Fásis or Фазис), making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on Georgia's Black Sea coast. The city has undergone multiple administrative changes throughout its history, including periods under the Kutaisi Governorate (1846–1917), the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1921–1991), and independent Georgia since 1991.

**What are Poti's international city partnerships?**

Poti is twinned with five cities across four countries: Aktau (Kazakhstan), Larnaca (Cyprus, partnership established September 17, 1987), LaGrange (United States), Burgas (Bulgaria), and Chornomorsk (Ukraine). The Larnaca twinning specifically began in 1987 and has been documented with archived records from 2018.

**What is Poti's administrative status within Georgia?**

Poti serves as the administrative center of Poti Municipality and is located within the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region (mkhare) of Georgia. The city became part of the modern Georgian administrative structure in December 1995, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the establishment of Georgia's current regional system.

**What are the population trends of Poti?**

Poti's population has fluctuated significantly over the past five decades. The city reached an estimated peak of 51,000 residents in 1974, declined to approximately 47,700 by 2013, and stood at 41,465 in the 2014 census. The most recent estimate (2023) places the population at 41,500, indicating relative stabilization after decades of decline.

**What identification codes and identifiers are associated with Poti?**

Poti is catalogued under multiple international identification systems: VIAF ID 158386803, GNP ID 104690602X, GeoNames ID 612366, Freebase ID /m/01g4gz, OpenStreetMap Relation ID 1995348, MusicBrainz Area ID 3d2c5c56-6a08-4b71-aa4d-1ec47ac22dbb, and FIPS 10-4 code GG42. The city also appears in the Brockhaus Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition and online), and the Belarusian encyclopedia.

**What is Poti's economic significance?**

Poti functions as Georgia's principal seaport on the Black Sea, serving as a critical hub for maritime trade and cargo transportation. The city houses a major marine port known as the Poti Sea Port (Потийский морской порт), which has historically been a cornerstone of Georgia's import and export infrastructure.

## Why It Matters

Poti holds substantial strategic, historical, and economic importance for Georgia and the broader Black Sea region. As the country's primary maritime gateway, the Poti Sea Port facilitates the majority of Georgia's sea-borne trade, connecting the nation to international shipping routes across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This port function has made Poti an indispensable component of Georgia's economy and its aspirations for integration into global commerce.

Historically, Poti's significance dates back to antiquity when it was established as the Greek colony of Phasis in 601 AD, serving as a crucial point of contact between the Mediterranean world and the Caucasus region. The city's continuous habitation for over 2,600 years demonstrates its enduring importance as a settlement and trade center. Throughout the centuries, Poti has functioned under various political entities—from the ancient Greek colonies to the Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Georgia, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and modern independent Georgia—each leaving an imprint on its cultural and architectural identity.

The city's administrative evolution reflects the broader geopolitical transformations of the Caucasus region. Its placement within Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti positions it as a regional administrative and cultural center, while its proximity to the border with the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia gives it additional strategic relevance. Poti also serves as a cultural hub, with Wikipedia articles available in over 100 languages reflecting its international recognition and the diverse communities that have called it home.

## Notable For

- **Ancient Origins:** Founded as the Greek colony of Phasis in 601 AD, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on the Black Sea coast
- **Major Port City:** Home to Georgia's primary Black Sea port, a critical hub for international maritime trade
- **Linguistic Diversity:** Wikipedia articles available in more than 100 language editions, indicating broad international interest and recognition
- **Historical Administrative Changes:** Passed through five distinct administrative jurisdictions: Kutaisi Governorate (1846–1917), Georgian SSR (1921–1991), Georgia (1991–1995), Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (since 1995)
- **International Twinning:** Partnerships with five cities across four countries, demonstrating extensive diplomatic and cultural connections
- **Multiple Encyclopedia References:** Featured in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Encyclopædia Britannica (11th and online editions), Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Jewish Encyclopedia, and Belarusian encyclopedia
- **Zero Elevation Port:** Located at sea level with maximum elevation of 12 metres, characteristic of Black Sea coastal geography

## Body

### Historical Background

Poti's history stretches back to antiquity when it was established as the Greek colony of Phasis (Greek: Φᾶσις) in 601 AD. The city served as a vital trading post connecting the Mediterranean world with the Caucasus region, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas between Greek colonists and local populations. The ancient name "Phasis" has persisted as an alias throughout the centuries, reflecting the city's deep historical roots.

Following the classical period, Poti underwent numerous political transformations. It became part of the Kingdom of Georgia during the medieval period, reaching considerable cultural and economic prominence. The city later came under Russian Empire control in the 19th century, becoming the administrative center of the Kutaisi Governorate from 1846 to 1917. This period brought significant urban development and integration into imperial trade networks.

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Poti became part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1921, remaining within the Soviet system until Georgia's independence in 1991. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the city transitioned to independent Georgia and was incorporated into the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in December 1995, where it remains today as an administrative center.

### Geography and Location

Poti is situated on the Black Sea coast at coordinates 42.15°N, 41.666666667°E, placing it in the coastal lowlands of western Georgia. The city covers an area of 65.8 square kilometres and features minimal elevation, ranging from sea level to 12 metres above sea level—typical of Black Sea coastal geography. This low-lying position has historically made the city vulnerable to flooding and storm surges.

The municipality shares borders with Lanchkhuti Municipality to the north and Khobi Municipality to the east, creating a contiguous metropolitan area within the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The city's location at the mouth of the Rioni River has historically contributed to its importance as a port and trading center, providing natural access to inland transportation routes.

### Population and Demographics

Poti's population has experienced significant fluctuation over the past century. The city reached an estimated peak of 51,000 residents in 1974 during the Soviet period, when Georgia experienced substantial urbanization. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent economic disruptions of the 1990s, the population declined substantially, falling to approximately 47,149 by the 2002 census and 41,465 by 2014.

More recent estimates suggest relative stabilization, with the 2023 population estimated at 41,500. This demographic trend reflects broader patterns of urbanization and rural-urban migration across Georgia, as well as the economic challenges faced by secondary cities following the collapse of Soviet-era industrial infrastructure.

### Economy and Infrastructure

The Poti Sea Port (Потийский морской порт) constitutes the cornerstone of the city's economy and Georgia's maritime trade infrastructure. As the principal port of Georgia, it handles the majority of the country's sea-borne cargo, connecting Georgian exporters and importers with international shipping routes. The port's strategic importance has been further enhanced by the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and related infrastructure that passes through Georgia.

Beyond maritime trade, Poti serves as an industrial center with manufacturing, food processing, and agricultural sectors. The city's position in the fertile Rioni River delta supports agricultural production, while its fishing industry contributes to local food supplies and exports. The local dialing code (493) facilitates business communications throughout the region.

### Administrative Structure

Poti functions as the administrative center of Poti Municipality and serves as a regional hub for Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. The city's official website (https://poti.gov.ge) operates in Georgian, reflecting the predominant language of administration and daily life. The postal system serves the city with codes 4400–4499, covering the municipal area.

The municipal structure encompasses both urban and surrounding rural areas, with administrative boundaries that have remained relatively stable since the establishment of the current regional system in 1995. The city's governance operates under Georgia's municipal code, with locally elected officials managing day-to-day affairs while coordinating with regional and national authorities.

### International Connections

Poti maintains active international partnerships through its twinning relationships with five cities across four countries. The oldest partnership, established with Larnaca, Cyprus on September 17, 1987, reflects historical trade connections between Black Sea and Mediterranean ports. Additional twinning agreements connect Poti with Aktau (Kazakhstan), LaGrange (United States), Burgas (Bulgaria), and Chornomorsk (Ukraine).

These municipal partnerships facilitate cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, and mutual learning between cities, contributing to Poti's integration into international networks. The partnerships have been documented through formal agreements and archived records, demonstrating sustained commitment to international collaboration.

### Cultural and Educational Institutions

As a regional center, Poti hosts various educational and cultural institutions serving the surrounding population. The city appears in multiple encyclopedic references, including the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, the Encyclopædia Britannica (both 11th edition and current online version), the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary in multiple editions, the Jewish Encyclopedia, and the Belarusian encyclopedia. This extensive encyclopedic coverage reflects the city's historical significance and international recognition.

The city maintains categories on Wikimedia Commons for visual documentation and Wikipedia for multilingual information access, with articles available in over 100 language editions. This digital presence indicates sustained international interest in Poti's history, culture, and contemporary developments.

### Identification and Reference Systems

Poti is catalogued across numerous international identification and reference systems, facilitating research, navigation, and data integration. The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) assigns ID 158386803, enabling linked data applications across libraries worldwide. The German National Library provides GNP ID 104690602X, while GeoNames assigns ID 612366 for geographic information systems.

Additional identifiers include Freebase ID /m/01g4gz, OpenStreetMap Relation ID 1995348, MusicBrainz Area ID 3d2c5c56-6a08-4b71-aa4d-1ec47ac22dbb, and FIPS 10-4 code GG42 for United States government geographic databases. The UN/LOCODE GEPTI standardizes the city's identification in international trade documentation.

### Notable Characteristics

Poti possesses several distinctive characteristics that set it apart among Georgian cities. Its founding in 601 AD as Phasis makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the region, with a historical lineage spanning over 2,600 years. The city's port function has made it indispensable to Georgia's foreign trade, handling the majority of maritime cargo throughput.

The municipality's twinning relationships span four countries across three continents, demonstrating unusual international reach for a city of its size. The extensive multilingual Wikipedia coverage—available in over 100 language editions—indicates broad international interest exceeding what is typical for cities of comparable population. Poti's appearance in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, multiple editions of Brockhaus and Efron, and the Encyclopædia Britannica further attests to its historical significance.

The city's elevation profile, ranging from sea level to 12 metres, exemplifies Black Sea coastal geography and has influenced urban development patterns. The population of approximately 41,500 positions Poti as a medium-sized Georgian city, significant at the regional level while smaller than Tbilisi, Batumi, or Kutaisi.

## References

1. [Twinnings of Larnaka](http://www.larnaka.org.cy/index.php/en/page/adelfopoiiseis#.W3KYvuj-jIU)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Georgian Post
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. Georgian Census 2014
7. [Source](https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/41/population)
8. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
9. Great Russian Encyclopedia
10. Q24038857
11. GeoNames
12. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ge.htm)
13. Quora
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
15. museum-digital