Ardabil Province

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Ardabīl Province استان اردبیل
Location
Statistics
Capital:  • Coordinates:	Ardabil  • 38.2514° N 48.2973° E
Area :	17,800 km²
Population(2005):  • Density :	1,257,624  • 70.7/km²
Sub-provinces (Shahrestan):	9
Time zone:	UTC+3:30
Main language(s):	Azeri Persian Talysh

Ardabīl (Persian: اردبیل; also known as: Ardebil; ancient name: Artavil) is one of 28 provinces of Iran. It is in the north-west of the country, bordering the Republic of Azerbaijan and the provinces of East Azarbaijan, Zanjan, and Gilan. Its center is the city of Ardabil. Province was found in 1993 by separation of eastern part of East Azarbaijan provinces (mainly) and northern part of Gilan. North-eastern part of province is part of territory of South (Iranian) Talysh.

Contents 1 Climate and Geography 2 History 3 Culture 3.1 Colleges and universities 4 External links

[edit] Climate and Geography

Many tourists come to the region for its cool climate (max 35 °C) during the hot summer months. The winters are bitter cold, with a temperature plummeting to -25 °C.

Its famous natural region is the Sabalan mountains. The majority of Ardabil province's population is composed of Azerbaijanis. North-eastern part of province habitated by Talyshs. The province is considered the coldest province in Iran by many. Large parts of the province are green and forested.

Famous athlete such as Ali Daei and Hossein Rezazade are originally from Ardabil.

Ardabil's capital stands about 70 km from the Caspian Sea and has an area of 18011 km². Neighbouring on the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the city is of great political and economical significance. The province has been blessed with splendid natural beauty and numerous sights.

[edit] History

The history of Ardabil has close connections to that of Azarbaijan. The province is believed to be as old as the Achaemenid era. It is mentioned in the Avesta, where Zoroaster was born by the river Aras and wrote his book in the Sabalan Mountains. During the Islamic conquest of Iran, Ardabil was the largest city in Azarbaijan, and remained so until the Mongol invasion period.

Shah Ismail I started his campaign to nationalize Iran's government and land from here, but consequently announced Tabriz as his capital in 1500CE. Yet Ardabil remained an important city both politically and economically until modern times.

[edit] Culture

Ardabil is the seat of the sanctuary and tomb of Shaikh Safî ad-Dîn, eponym of the Safavid Dynasty. It has many hot springs and beautiful natural landscapes and these attracts tourists. The mineral springs of Ardabil are Beele-Darreh,Sareyn, Sardabeh and Booshloo, being famous for their medicinal qualities throughout Iran. It has also many beauty lakes: the largest of which are Ne'or, Shoorabil, ShoorGel, NouShahr and Aloocheh that are the habitats of some species of water birds. The beautiful Lake Ne'or is located in a mountainous area 48 km south-east of the city of Ardabil. It covers an area of 2.1 km² and has an average depth of 3 metres.

It is fed by springs in the lake bed. Lake Shoorabil is located in a hilly area south of the city of Ardabil and covers an area of 640,000 m². The surface of the lake is covered with a thin white layer of minerals, being useful for healing skin diseases and rheumatism. Near the lake there is the leisure complex of Shoorabil. Being a city of great antiquity, the origins of Ardabil go back 4000 to 6000 years (according to historical research in this city). This city was the capital of Azerbaijan province in different times, but its golden age was in the Safavid period.

One of the most ancient city in Iran, is Meshkin Shahr. It is located in the north-west of Iran in Azerbaijan and its distance to Tehran is 839 kilometers. It is the nearest city to the Sabalan high mountain. The weather of this city and the district of Meshkin Shahr is moderate mountainous. It was calling: "Khiav","Orami","Varavi" in the past. The most important places for touring in the district of Meshkin Shahr are as following : - Hot water springs of Moiel , Eelando and Qaynarja located in the suburb of the city. - Qara Soo River Sides. - Water spring of Qotur Suie located 42 kilometers to Meshkin shahr. - Old Castle of Meshkin Shahr. - Qahqaheh castle located 80 kilometers to Meshkin Shahr. - Deev castle located in kavij. - Petrograph of Shapour Sasani in Meshkin Shahr. - Old cemetery in Oonar. - Tomb of Sheykh Haydar in Meshkin Shahr. - Imamzadeh Seyyed Soleyman. see also www.khiavonline.com

The other significant historical monuments are as follows: the mausoleum of Sheikh Jebra'il, located 2 km north of Ardabil, the old but always lively bazaar, the babadavood anbaran the Friday mosque, and a few ancient bridges. In addition to these, in many villages of Ardabil, relics of ancient monuments, including tombs have been found.

[edit] Colleges and universities

• 1. Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
  2. Mohaghegh Ardabili University
  3. Islamic Azad University of Ardabil
  4. Payam Noor University of Ardabil
  5. Soureh University of Ardabil
  6. Islamic Azad University of Khalkhal
  7. site of meshkin shahr

[edit] External links

• Azerb Link Of Ardabil
• Encyclopedia of Orient About Ardabil
• Ardabil-Iran Carvan Tourism
• Ardabil entries in the Encyclopædia Iranica