Baghdati (ბაღდათი) is a town of 3,700 people in the Imereti region of western Georgia, at the edge of the Ajameti forest on the river Khanistsqali, a tributary of the Rioni.

Geography

The town is located at the edge of the Ajameti forest on the left bank of the river Khanistsqali, about 170 km west-northwest of Tbilisi and 25 km south-southeast of Kutaisi. The climate of Baghdati can be classified as moderately humid subtropical (Köppen climate classification Cfa).

History

Baghdati is one of the oldest villages in the historical Imereti region. Its name shares the same origins as the name of the capital of Iraq, Baghdād: Bagh 'god' and dāti 'given', which can be translated as "God-given" or "God's gift" in the Pahlavi language. When Georgia was part of the Russian Empire and during the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, its name was changed to Baghdadi. In 1940, it was renamed Mayakovsky (მაიაკოვსკი; ), after the poet Vladimir Mayakovsky who was born here in 1893. In 1981, Mayakovsky was granted town status. In 1991, the original name, slightly modified, was restored.

Demographics

Economy

In Baghdati there is a furniture factory and companies in the food industry (canned food, wine). The nearest railway stations are located in Rioni and Kutaisi.

Culture

Baghdati has the Vladimir Mayakovsky Museum and a National Theatre. It is also home to the Baghdati Cultural Center and the Baghdati Central Stadium.

Notable people