Batumi is located on the site of the ancient Greek colony in Colchis called Bathus or Bathys – derived from the Greek phrase bathus limen or bathys limin meaning "deep harbour". Under Hadrian (r. 117–138 AD), it was converted into a fortified Roman port later deserted for the fortress of Petra founded in the times of Justinian I (r. 527–565). 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 hold it; in the 9th century it formed part of the Bagratid monarchy of Tao-Klarjeti and at the close of the 10th century of the unified kingdom of Georgia which succeeded it. Batumi today is the main port of Georgia. It has the capacity for 80,000-tonne tankers to take materials such as oil which is shipped through Georgia from Central Asia. Additionally the city exports regional agricultural products. Batumi lies at the northern periphery of the humid subtropical zone. The city's climate is heavily influenced by the onshore flow from the Black Sea and is subject to the orthographic effect of the nearby hills and mountains, resulting in significant rainfall throughout most of the year, making Batumi the wettest city in both Georgia and the entire Caucasus Region.
Places to visit: Batumi Botanic Garden, Batumi Dolphinarium, Adjara State Art Museum, Batumi Archaeological Museum, Archaeological-Architectural Museum-Reserve of the Castle of Petra, Gonio-Apsarosi Archaeological-Architectural Museum-Reserve, Museum of Ethnography in Kakhaberi village, Ethnographic Museum of Machakhela Valley, Gonio fortress, Skhalti Church.
Places to visit: Batumi Botanic Garden, Batumi Dolphinarium, Adjara State Art Museum, Batumi Archaeological Museum, Archaeological-Architectural Museum-Reserve of the Castle of Petra, Gonio-Apsarosi Archaeological-Architectural Museum-Reserve, Museum of Ethnography in Kakhaberi village, Ethnographic Museum of Machakhela Valley, Gonio fortress, Skhalti Church.