Khoy

Khoy (Persian خوی, Azerbaijani Xoy / خوی ) is a city in the Iranian province of West Azerbaijan north of the city of Urmia. The population consists mainly of Azerbaijanis and Kurds. In 2008, the city had 184 409 inhabitants. The predominant religious group in the population are Shiites.

Khoy Khoy is located in the Valley and is surrounded by high mountains. This means that the winters are mild in comparison to the other cities. Minimum temperatures reach -14 ° C. The summers are very hot.

The region's economy is structured agrarian. Crops are fruits, cereals, tobacco, cotton and timber. The name comes from the word Qvyvn Khoy ( sheep). The Encyclopaedia of Islam is derived from the city name from the Kurdish word Khoy / Xoy for salt. Near the city there are many salt mines.

The city had an important position as a station on the Silk Road. As a border town between Iran and the Ottoman Empire and Iran, and the Russian Empire Khoy was important. Khoy was attacked by Russia in 1827 and 1911 by Turkey. During the Second World War, the city was controlled by the Soviet Union.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Gholam Reza Aghazadeh (* 1949), politician