Rustavi, Georgia

Capital City

Rustavi is an industrial hub in Georgia, but the reality of life there is far from glamorous. With a population of 132,333, it is the third most populous city in the country. However, the city's economy has struggled since the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to high unemployment and social problems like crime. The harsh, humid subtropical climate is another downside.

Rustavi was rebuilt as a major industrial center during the Soviet era, centered around the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant. But the transition to independence was disastrous, with 65% of the city's population becoming jobless. While the situation has improved in recent years, the persistent bureaucracy and lingering effects of the economic collapse remain a headache for residents.

This gritty, blue-collar city is not for the faint of heart. Unless you have a strong stomach for industrial landscapes, temperamental weather, and the lingering pains of Georgia's post-Soviet transition, Rustavi is best avoided.