   batumi (, formerly known as batum) is a seaside city on the black sea coast and capital of adjara, an autonomous republic in southwest georgia. with a population of 190,000 (2013 census), batumi serves as an important port and a commercial center. it is situated in a subtropical zone, rich in agricultural produce such as citrus fruit and tea. while industries of the city include shipbuilding, food processing, and light manufacturing, most of its economy revolves around tourism. since 2010, the face of the city has been transformed by the construction of new high-rise landmark buildings and the renovation of the old town.dinah spritzer, "next stop: glamour revives port of batumi", new york times, september 9, 2010. ==history==  ===early history=== batumi is located on the site of the ancient greek colony in colchis called bathus or bathys â derived from the greek phrase bathus limen or bathys limin meaning "deep harbour". under hadrian (r. 117â138 ad), it was converted into a fortified roman port later deserted for the fortress of petra founded in the times of justinian i (r. 527â565). 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 
Adjara Ancient_Greek_cities Batumi Batumi_Oblast Cities_and_towns_in_Adjara Greek_colonies_in_Georgia_(country) Pontus Port_cities_in_Asia Port_cities_of_the_Black_Sea