East Azarbaijan Province
Encyclopedia
East Azerbaijan Province or East Azarbaijan Province is one of the 31 provinces
of Iran
. It is in the northwest of the country, bordering Armenia
and the Republic of Azerbaijan
, and the provinces of Ardabil
, West Azerbaijan, and Zanjan
. Its capital is Tabriz
.
, Ajabshir
, Bostan Abad
, Bonab
, Tabriz
, Jolfa
, Sarab
, Shabestar
, Kalebar, Maragha
, Marand
, Malekan
, Miyana, Heris, and Hashtrood
. The historical city of Tabriz
is the most important city of this province, culturally, politically, and commercially. The province has common borders with the current Republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nakhchivan. A fine network of roads and railways connect East Azerbaijan to other parts of Iran
and also to neighboring countries.
The highest peak of East Azerbaijan is Sahand Mountain at 3,722 m of elevation, lying south of Tabriz
, whereas the lower lying areas are around Garmadooz (Ahar). The heights of the province may be classified into three sectors, namely: the Qara Daq Mountains, the Sahand and Bozqoosh Mountains, and the Qaflan Kooh Mountains.
Generally speaking, East Azerbaijan enjoys a cool, dry climate, being in the main a mountainous region. But the gentle breezes off the Caspian Sea
have some influence on the climate of the low-lying areas. Temperatures run up to 8.9 °C in Tabriz, and 20 °C in Maraqeh, in the winter dropping to -10-15 °C at least (depending on how cold the overall year is). The ideal seasons to visit this province are in the spring and summer months.
.
During the reign of Alexander of Macedon in Iran (331 BCE), a warrior known as Attorpat led a revolt in this area, then a territory of the Medes
, and thereafter it was called Attorpatkan. Since then this vicinity has been known as Azarabadegan, Azarbadgan and Azarbayjan.
Islamic researchers proclaim that the birth of the prophet Zoroaster
was in this area, in the vicinity of Lake Orumieh (Chichesht), Konzak City. Needless to say, this province was subject to numerous political and economical upheavals, attracting the interest of foreigners. The Russians in particular have tried to exert a lasting influence in the region over the past 300 years, occupying the area on numerous occasions. The constitutionalist movement of Iran began here in the late 19th century.
Ethnic tensions in Azerbaijan can visibly trace their origins back to the colonialist policies of the Soviet Union
and Imperial Russia. In a cable sent on July 6 1945 by the Central Committee of the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union
, the local Soviet commander in Russian (northern) held Azerbaijan was instructed as such:
The most outstanding features from a cultural point of view are the language, Azari/Azerice
, and folklore of this region. According to Dehkhoda Dictionary
, the language of Azerbaijan is originally "a branch of the Iranian languages known as Azari" (see Ancient Azari language
).However the modern Azeri language is a Turkic language very closely related to the language of West Azerbaijan and Turkey. Apart from this, the province also boasts numerous learned scholars, gnostics, several national poets such as Mowlana Baba Mazeed, Khajeh Abdol Raheem Aj Abadi, Sheikh Hassan Bolqari, and Abdolqader Nakhjavani, to name a few, and the contemporary poet Ostad Mohammad Hossein Shahriyar. The current leader
of Iran, Ali Khamenei
, also originally comes from this region.
Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization has registered 936 sites of historical significance in the province. Some are contemporary, and some are from the antiquity of ancient Persia. "Zahak Citadel", for example, is the name of an ancient ruin in East Azerbaijan, which according to various experts, was inhabited from the second millennium BC until the Timurid era. First excavated in the 1800s by British archeologists, Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization has been studying the structure in 6 phases.http://www.chn.ir/news/?section=2&id=31507
East Azerbaijan hails from a rich compendium of Azeri traditions. Many local dances and folk songs continue to survive among the various peoples of the province. As a longstanding province of Iran
, Azerbaijan is mentioned favorably on many occasions in Persian literature
by Iran's greatest authors and poets.
East Azerbaijan province is an industrial centre of Iran
. East Azerbaijan province has over 5000 manufacturing units, of which at least 800 are industrial (6% percent of national total). The value of product from these units in 1997 totalled US$374 million (373 billion rials = 4.07% of the national total). Total investments were valued at US$2.7 billion (2.4513 trillion rials) in 1997.
Some of the major industries include Azerr glass industries, Maraqeh paper manufacturing, Ahar Sungun copper and nepheline syenite, the Tabriz Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, Tabriz Tractor Manufacturing Co., Azerbaijan steel, foundry and auto-part manufacturing, food industries, leather and shoe industries, and the Tabriz Machine Manufacturing Co.
Tabriz also has an excellent position in the handicraft industry of Iran, having a large share in the exports of the province. Tabriz carpets are widely known around the world and in international markets for their vibrant designs and colors. Without exaggeration, Iranian rugs owe their fame to the creative minds of the designers and the deft hands of the carpet weavers of East Azerbaijan.
At present there are about 66,000 carpet production units in the province, employing some 200,000 people. The annual production of these carpets is roughly 792,000 m², which comprises more than 70% of Iran's carpet exports. 35% of all Iranian carpets are produced in East Azerbaijan.
East Azerbaijan province is also one of the richest regions of Iran in natural minerals, with 180 mines in 1997, of which 121 units are currently in operation, and the rest are being planned.
UNESCO
has two Biosphere reserves in East Azerbaijan province. One in Lake Urmia
and the other at Arasbaran
.
Provinces of Iran
Iran is subdivided into thirty one provinces , each governed from a local center, usually the largest local city, which is called the capital of that province...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. It is in the northwest of the country, bordering Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
and the Republic of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, and the provinces of Ardabil
Ardabil Province
Ardabil Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is in the north west of the country, bordering the Republic of Azerbaijan and the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Zanjan, and Gilan. Its centre is the city of Ardabil...
, West Azerbaijan, and Zanjan
Zanjan Province
Zanjan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Located in the North West of Iran, its capital is Zanjan city. Zanjan province with an area of 36,400 km² has a mostly rural, population of 964,601 . The province lies 330 km northwest of Tehran, connected to it via a freeway.Zanjan...
. Its capital is Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
.
Geography
The province covers an area of approximately 47,830 km², it has a population of around four million people. According to the latest divisions of the country in 1996, the counties of this province are AharAhar County
Ahar County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ahar. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 147,781, in 34,067 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Hurand District. The county has two cities: Ahar and...
, Ajabshir
Ajabshir County
Ajab Shir County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ajab Shir. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 65,741, in 16,039 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Qaleh Chay District. The county has one...
, Bostan Abad
Bostanabad County
Bostanabad County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Bostanabad. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 96,555, in 21,225 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Tekmeh Dash District...
, Bonab
Bonab County
Bonab is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Bonab. The county is located on the east side of Lake Urmia. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 125,209, in 31,921 families. The county has one district: the Central District...
, Tabriz
Tabriz County
Tabriz County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Tabriz. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 1,557,241, in 423,775 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Khosrowshahr District...
, Jolfa
Jolfa County
Jolfa County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Jolfa. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 52,176, in 14,186 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Siah Rud District...
, Sarab
Sarab County
Sarab County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Sarab. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 132,094, in 31,977 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Mehraban District...
, Shabestar
Shabestar County
Shabestar County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Shabestar. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 121,787, in 33,255 families. The county is subdivided into three districts: the Central District, Tasuj District, and Sufian District...
, Kalebar, Maragha
Maragheh County
Maragheh County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Maragheh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 227,635, in 57,612 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Saraju District...
, Marand
Marand County
Marand County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Marand. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 229,215, in 59,097 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Yamchi District...
, Malekan
Malekan County
Malekan County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Malekan. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 100,366, in 24,823 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Leylan District...
, Miyana, Heris, and Hashtrood
Hashtrud County
Hashtrud County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Hashtrud. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 64,611, in 13,997 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Nazarkahrizi District...
. The historical city of Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
is the most important city of this province, culturally, politically, and commercially. The province has common borders with the current Republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nakhchivan. A fine network of roads and railways connect East Azerbaijan to other parts of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and also to neighboring countries.
The highest peak of East Azerbaijan is Sahand Mountain at 3,722 m of elevation, lying south of Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
, whereas the lower lying areas are around Garmadooz (Ahar). The heights of the province may be classified into three sectors, namely: the Qara Daq Mountains, the Sahand and Bozqoosh Mountains, and the Qaflan Kooh Mountains.
Generally speaking, East Azerbaijan enjoys a cool, dry climate, being in the main a mountainous region. But the gentle breezes off the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
have some influence on the climate of the low-lying areas. Temperatures run up to 8.9 °C in Tabriz, and 20 °C in Maraqeh, in the winter dropping to -10-15 °C at least (depending on how cold the overall year is). The ideal seasons to visit this province are in the spring and summer months.
History
East Azerbaijan is one of the most archaic territories in IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
During the reign of Alexander of Macedon in Iran (331 BCE), a warrior known as Attorpat led a revolt in this area, then a territory of the Medes
Medes
The MedesThe Medes...
, and thereafter it was called Attorpatkan. Since then this vicinity has been known as Azarabadegan, Azarbadgan and Azarbayjan.
Islamic researchers proclaim that the birth of the prophet Zoroaster
Zoroaster
Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...
was in this area, in the vicinity of Lake Orumieh (Chichesht), Konzak City. Needless to say, this province was subject to numerous political and economical upheavals, attracting the interest of foreigners. The Russians in particular have tried to exert a lasting influence in the region over the past 300 years, occupying the area on numerous occasions. The constitutionalist movement of Iran began here in the late 19th century.
Ethnic tensions in Azerbaijan can visibly trace their origins back to the colonialist policies of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and Imperial Russia. In a cable sent on July 6 1945 by the Central Committee of the Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, the local Soviet commander in Russian (northern) held Azerbaijan was instructed as such:
Administrative divisions
| Map | Abbreviation in map | County County A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain... (Shahrestan Shahrestan Shahrestan or Shahristan may refer to:*Counties of Iran*Shahristan District*Shahrestan, Afghanistan... ) |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| A | Ahar County Ahar County Ahar County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ahar. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 147,781, in 34,067 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Hurand District. The county has two cities: Ahar and... |
|
| B | Bonab County Bonab County Bonab is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Bonab. The county is located on the east side of Lake Urmia. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 125,209, in 31,921 families. The county has one district: the Central District... |
|
| BA | Bostanabad County Bostanabad County Bostanabad County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Bostanabad. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 96,555, in 21,225 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Tekmeh Dash District... |
|
| H | Heris County | |
| HR | Hashtrud County Hashtrud County Hashtrud County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Hashtrud. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 64,611, in 13,997 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Nazarkahrizi District... |
|
| K | Kalibar County Kalibar County Kaleybar County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Kaleybar. In addition to the capital city, the county is noted for the Arasbaran forests protected area and the Bazz Galasi, the fortress of Babak Khorramdin.... |
|
| Md | Marand County Marand County Marand County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Marand. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 229,215, in 59,097 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Yamchi District... |
|
| Mn | Mianeh County Mianeh County Meyaneh County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Meyaneh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 187,870, in 46,469 families. The county is subdivided into four districts: the Central District, Kaghazkonan District, Kandovan District, and... |
|
| Mq | Maragheh County Maragheh County Maragheh County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Maragheh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 227,635, in 57,612 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Saraju District... |
|
| S | Sarab County Sarab County Sarab County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Sarab. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 132,094, in 31,977 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Mehraban District... |
|
| Sh | Shabestar County Shabestar County Shabestar County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Shabestar. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 121,787, in 33,255 families. The county is subdivided into three districts: the Central District, Tasuj District, and Sufian District... |
|
| T | Tabriz County Tabriz County Tabriz County is a county in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Tabriz. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 1,557,241, in 423,775 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Khosrowshahr District... |
Culture
Azerbaijani language
Azerbaijani or Azeri or Torki is a language belonging to the Turkic language family, spoken in southwestern Asia by the Azerbaijani people, primarily in Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran...
, and folklore of this region. According to Dehkhoda Dictionary
Dehkhoda Dictionary
The Dehkhoda Dictionary is the largest comprehensive Persian dictionary ever published, comprising 15 volumes . The complete work is an ongoing effort that entails over forty-five years of efforts by Dehkhoda and a cadre of other experts.The series initially consisted of 3 million records until...
, the language of Azerbaijan is originally "a branch of the Iranian languages known as Azari" (see Ancient Azari language
Ancient Azari language
Azari is the name used for the Iranian language composed of groups of dialects which were spoken in Azerbaijan at one time. Some linguists have also designated the southern Tati dialects of Azerbaijan like those spoken by the Tats around Khalkhal, Harzand and Keringan as a remnant of Azari...
).However the modern Azeri language is a Turkic language very closely related to the language of West Azerbaijan and Turkey. Apart from this, the province also boasts numerous learned scholars, gnostics, several national poets such as Mowlana Baba Mazeed, Khajeh Abdol Raheem Aj Abadi, Sheikh Hassan Bolqari, and Abdolqader Nakhjavani, to name a few, and the contemporary poet Ostad Mohammad Hossein Shahriyar. The current leader
Supreme leader
A supreme leader typically refers to a figure in the highest leadership position of an entity, group, organization, or state, who exercises strong or all-powerful authority over it. In religion, the supreme leader or supreme leaders is God or Gods...
of Iran, Ali Khamenei
Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
, also originally comes from this region.
Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization has registered 936 sites of historical significance in the province. Some are contemporary, and some are from the antiquity of ancient Persia. "Zahak Citadel", for example, is the name of an ancient ruin in East Azerbaijan, which according to various experts, was inhabited from the second millennium BC until the Timurid era. First excavated in the 1800s by British archeologists, Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization has been studying the structure in 6 phases.http://www.chn.ir/news/?section=2&id=31507
East Azerbaijan hails from a rich compendium of Azeri traditions. Many local dances and folk songs continue to survive among the various peoples of the province. As a longstanding province of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Azerbaijan is mentioned favorably on many occasions in Persian literature
Persian literature
Persian literature spans two-and-a-half millennia, though much of the pre-Islamic material has been lost. Its sources have been within historical Persia including present-day Iran as well as regions of Central Asia where the Persian language has historically been the national language...
by Iran's greatest authors and poets.
Notable people
- Qatran TabriziQatran TabriziAbū-Mansūr Qatrān-i Tabrīzī was a royal Persian poet.He was born in Sahar near Arrah, bihar Tabriz and was the most famous panegyrist of his time in Iran. His full name according to an old manuscript handwritten by the famous poet Anvari Abivardi is Abu Mansur Qatran al-Jili al-Azerbaijani...
, poet - Ahmad KasraviAhmad KasraviAhmad Kasravi , was a notable Iranian linguist, historian, and reformer.Born in Hokmabad , Tabriz, Iran, Kasravi was an Iranian Azeri Initially, Kasravi enrolled in a seminary. Later, he joined the Iranian Constitutional Revolution...
, historian - Samad BehrangiSamad BehrangiSamad Behrangi was an Iranian teacher, social critic, folklorist, translator, and short story writer of Azeri extraction. He is famous for his children's book, The Little Black Fish.-Life:He was born in Tabriz to a lower-class Azerbaijani family...
- Sattar KhanSattar KhanSattar Khan Sattar Khan Sattar Khan (Persian/Azeri: ستارخان, ; (October 20, 1866—November 17, 1914), honorarily titled Sardār-e Melli was a pivotal figure in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and is one of the greatest heroes of Iran.Sattar Khan,...
, revolutionary leader - Bagher KhanBagher KhanBāqer Khān , honorarily titled Sālār-e Melli , was one of the key figures in the Persian Constitutional Revolution.-Notes:...
, revolutionary leader - Gayk BzhishkyanGayk BzhishkyanHayk Bzhishkyan |Russian]]: Гайк Бжишкян, also known as Guy Dmitrievich Guy, Gai Dmitrievich Gai , Gaya Gai , or Bzhishkyan, –December 11, 1937), was a Soviet military commander of the Russian Civil War and Polish-Soviet War.-Biography:Hayk was an ethnic Armenian born in Tabriz, Iran to a family...
- Kazem Sadegh-ZadehKazem Sadegh-ZadehKazem Sadegh-Zadeh is an analytic philosopher of medicine. He studied medicine and philosophy at the German universities of Münster, Berlin, and Göttingen with Internship and residency 1967-1971, assistant professor 1972-1982, full professor of philosophy of medicine at the University of Münster...
- Parvin E'tesamiParvin E'tesamiParvin E'tesami , also Parvin Etesami was a 20th century Persian poet of Iran. According to Ali Akbar Dehkhoda, her given name was Rakhshanda .-Life:...
, poetess - Ali DaeiAli DaeiAli Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
, Iranian soccer player - Karim BagheriKarim BagheriKarim Bagheri is a retired professional Iranian player, most notably playing for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League. He was known as a two-footed midfielder and is famous for his powerful and thundering long range shots and free kicks.-Early years:...
, soccer star - Iraj MirzaIraj MirzaPrince Iraj Mirza , son of prince Gholam Hossein Mirza, was a famous Iranian poet. He was a modern poet and his works are associated with the criticism of traditions. He had translations from the French language....
, poet and politician - Maqsud Ali TabriziMaqsud Ali TabriziMaqsud Ali Tabrizi was a 17th century Iranian physician from Tabriz.Maqsud Ali Tabrizi was a translator who worked at the request of the Mughal emperor Jahangir ....
- Ivan GalamianIvan GalamianIvan Alexander Galamian was an influential Armenian violin teacher of the twentieth century.He was born in Tabriz, Iran, but his family soon emigrated to Moscow, Russia. Galamian studied violin at the School of the Philharmonic Society there with Konstantin Mostras until his graduation in 1919...
- Hassan Roshdieh
- Shams TabriziShams TabriziShams-i-Tabrīzī or Shams al-Din Mohammad was a Persian Muslim, who is credited as the spiritual instructor of Mewlānā Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Rumi and is referenced with great reverence in Rumi’s poetic collection, in particular Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrīzī...
, mystic - Vartan GregorianVartan GregorianVartan Gregorian is an Armenian-American academic, serving as the president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. He is an ethnic Armenian, born in Iran....
, President of Carnegie Corporation - Ali SalimiAli SalimiAli Salimi , , was an Azerbaijani musician, composer and tar player. He had been based in Tehran for the last few decades where he made significant contribution to promotion and development of Azerbaijani music....
- Ali SoheiliAli SoheiliAli Soheili was a Prime Minister of Iran.Born in Tabriz, he served as Prime Minister in 1942, and Ambassador to Britain in 1953.The Tehran Conference took place during his administration....
, Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... - Ebrahim HakimiEbrahim HakimiEbrahim Hakimi was a Prime Minister of Iran.He was born in Tabriz to an ethnic Iranian Azeri family. He attended Dar ol-Fonoon, and finished advanced studies in Medicine in Paris....
, Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... - Mahmud JamMahmud JamMahmoud Jam was a Prime Minister of Iran from 1935 to 1939.Born in Tabriz, he began his political career as a French-Persian translator, and climbed his way up to Prime Minister....
, Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... - Mohammad Hossein ShahriarMohammad Hossein ShahriarSeyyed Mohammad Hossein Behjat-Tabrizi , chiefly known by his pen name as Shahriar , was a legendary Iranian poet of Azeri origin, wrote in Persian languages and Azerbaijani language....
- Asadi TusiAsadi TusiAbu Mansur Ali ibn Ahmad Asadi Tusi is arguably the second most important Persian poet of the Iranian national epics, after Ferdowsi who also happens to come from the same town of Tus. He was a poet, a linguist and copyist of ancient manuscripts.- Life :The information on Asadi's lifetime is scant...
is buried here
East Azerbaijan today
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. East Azerbaijan province has over 5000 manufacturing units, of which at least 800 are industrial (6% percent of national total). The value of product from these units in 1997 totalled US$374 million (373 billion rials = 4.07% of the national total). Total investments were valued at US$2.7 billion (2.4513 trillion rials) in 1997.
Some of the major industries include Azerr glass industries, Maraqeh paper manufacturing, Ahar Sungun copper and nepheline syenite, the Tabriz Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, Tabriz Tractor Manufacturing Co., Azerbaijan steel, foundry and auto-part manufacturing, food industries, leather and shoe industries, and the Tabriz Machine Manufacturing Co.
Tabriz also has an excellent position in the handicraft industry of Iran, having a large share in the exports of the province. Tabriz carpets are widely known around the world and in international markets for their vibrant designs and colors. Without exaggeration, Iranian rugs owe their fame to the creative minds of the designers and the deft hands of the carpet weavers of East Azerbaijan.
At present there are about 66,000 carpet production units in the province, employing some 200,000 people. The annual production of these carpets is roughly 792,000 m², which comprises more than 70% of Iran's carpet exports. 35% of all Iranian carpets are produced in East Azerbaijan.
East Azerbaijan province is also one of the richest regions of Iran in natural minerals, with 180 mines in 1997, of which 121 units are currently in operation, and the rest are being planned.
UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
has two Biosphere reserves in East Azerbaijan province. One in Lake Urmia
Lake Urmia
Lake Urmia , ancient name: Lake Matiene) is a salt lake in northwestern Iran, near Iran's border with Turkey. The lake is between the Iranian provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, west of the southern portion of the similarly shaped Caspian Sea...
and the other at Arasbaran
Arasbaran
Arasbārān or Qaradağ , is a UNESCO registered biosphere in East Azarbaijan Province, Iran, with a varying altitude from 256m in the vicinity of Aras River to 2896m and covers an area of 78560 hectares. It include some historical places like Babak Khorramdin's Castle...
.
Colleges and universities
East Azerbaijan also has some of Iran's best technical universities. The full list of major institutions are:- Sahand University of TechnologySahand University of TechnologySahand University of Technology is one of the best and prestigious engineering schools in Iran. Located in the northwest of Iran, 20 km southwest of Tabriz in Sahand satellite city, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate studies...
http://www.sut.ac.ir/en/index.htm - Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabriz University of Medical Sciences is public medical sciences university located in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. It is ranked as one of Iran's top medical schools, with more than 5000 students....
- University of TabrizUniversity of TabrizThe University of Tabriz is a public university in Tabriz, Iran. It is the second-oldest university in Iran after the University of Tehran and the biggest academic institution in northwestern Iran and one of five biggest universities in Iran...
http://www.tabrizu.ac.ir/ - Azerbaijan University of Tarbiat Moallem
- Tabriz Islamic Arts University
- University of Maragheh
- Engineering and Technical College of Bonabhttp://www.bonabu.ac.ir
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Mianeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Marand
- Payameh noor University of Tabriz
- Payameh noor University of Maragheh
- Payameh noor University of Bonab
- Payameh noor University of Marand
- Payameh noor University of Mianeh
- Payameh noor University of Shabestar
- Payameh noor University of Azarshahr
- Payameh noor University of Oskou
- Payameh noor University of Ahar
- Payameh noor University of hashtrood
- Payameh noor University of Malekan
- Islamic Azad University of Bonab
- Islamic Azad University of Tabriz
- Islamic Azad University of Shabestar
- Islamic Azad University of Maragheh
- Islamic Azad University of Miyaneh
- Islamic Azad University of Ahar
- Islamic Azad University of Malekan
- Islamic Azad University of Hashtrood
- Islamic Azad University of Azarshahr
- Islamic Azad University of Marand
- University College of Seraj, Tabriz
- University College of Rabe Rashidi, Tabriz
- University College of Nabi Akram , Tabriz
- University College of Daneshvaran, Tabriz
- University College of Seraj, Tabriz
External links
- Official website
- Cultural Heritage Organization of East Azerbaijan
- The Union for Handwoven Carpets of East Azerbaijan
- Recent Photos from Azerbaijan
- Arasbaran UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Lake Urmia UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- East Azerbaijan Research Park net portal
- Azerbaijan entries in the Encyclopædia Iranica
- Bahram Moshiri's brief talk on Azerbaijan. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=304775902151936247