West Azerbaijan Province

West Azerbaijan (Persian آذربايجان غربى, DMG Āẕarbāyǧān -e Garbi; Azerbaijani Qərbi Azərbaycan ) is a province in Iran. Capital is Urmia. West Azerbaijan is part of the Iranian landscape Āzarbāydschān. It borders on Turkey and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave of the state of Azerbaijan.

In the province of 2,873,459 people ( 2006 census ). The area of ​​the province covers 37 437 square kilometers. The population density is 77 inhabitants per square kilometer.

History

As part of the ancient Iranian region Āzarbāydschān the province has a very long history. So, there are many historical monuments and archaeological site such as the Stele of Bukan, Hajji Firuz Tepe, Hasanlu, Dalma Tepe, Tepe Kordlar, Musasir and Bastam in West Azerbaijan. The Turkish- Russian- Persian border treaties of 1813, 1828 and 1878, the present territory of West Azerbaijan came under international law to the then Persia, which previously had formal sovereignty over this. Thus, the still valid today Turkish- Azerbaijani- Iranian foreign borders emerged. In the 20th century, the province of Azerbaijan was divided into the present provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Ardabil. It now forms one of the 31 provinces of Iran.

Conspicuous events that affected the region in the 20th century:

  • The Anglo - Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941
  • The creation and destruction of the Azerbaijan People's Government and the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad;
  • The periodic bouts from 1979 to the 1990s, near borders with Iraq, between the Kurds ( nationalist and communist forces ) on the one hand, and the Iranian government on the other.

Geography

Today's West Azerbaijan is located in the extreme north-west of Iran. The capital of the province is 602 403 inhabitants, Urmia. From here it is up to the capital Tehran almost 900 kilometers of roads. Near the capital, the same lake, which is similar to the Lake Van in Anatolia a huge steppe. Depending on the season it reaches an area 5000-6000 km ². The endorheic lake is ice-free all year round with a salt content of up to 29%. The landscape is that of the adjacent eastern Anatolia very similar, with high mountains and many plateaus. In addition, the city of Mahabad is located in the south of the province.

Administrative divisions

The West Azerbaijan province is divided into 14 counties:

  • Bukan
  • Khoy
  • Mahabad ( Azer.: Sovujboulagh )
  • Maku
  • Miandoab ( Azer.: Qoshachay )
  • Naghadeh ( Azer.: Solduz )
  • Piranschahr ( Azer.: Khana )
  • Oshnaviyeh ( kurd.: SINO )
  • Salma
  • Sardasht
  • Seyahcheshmeh
  • Shahindezh ( Azer.: Sayinqala )
  • Takab ( Azer.: Tikantapa )
  • Urmia ( Azer.: Urmu )

The largest cities

Source: Statistical Centre of Iran

Flora and Fauna

In Urmia can survive due to the high salinity only a single species. Otherwise, the area around the lake is a paradise for ornithologists. There live flamingos, pelicans and many other water birds. In the mountains west of Azerbaijan are still living individual brown bears and many wolves. In the region of very many varieties of fruit are grown. Cherries thrive as well as oranges, lemons or grapes.

Climate

The province has a pronounced continental climate, which is also extremely cool for the latitude because of the height of most places. The winters are similar to cold as in the Alps and the summer temperatures similar to those of the Mediterranean. Rain falls all year round, but rather of low intensity. On average, the temperatures move C in the day between 0 ° C in January and 30 ° C in July, and -8 ° C in January and 18 ° C nights in July nights. Winter temperatures below -20 ° C, however, come before as regularly as summer temperatures of over 40 ° C.

Population

The majority of the population west of Azerbaijan are the Azerbaijanis, with a share of 76.2 percent of total population of the province, and after them the Kurds with 21.7 percent. There are also larger communities of Assyrians and Armenians. The languages ​​Azeri and Kurmanji are widespread in the province and in the south, many people speak Kurdish Sorani that also. Older people can understand the Persian language less well, which is no longer the case with the young people. Official language in government offices and authorities West Azerbaijan is Persian.

The data on the ethnic status of the province based on the General Cultural Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2011 are as the following table:

Religion

Most of the inhabitants of the province are Shiite Muslims. There is a small mainly Armenian Orthodox Christian minority which, as in all of Iran, no restrictions on religious practice. The capital city of Urmia is also the seat of the Chaldean Church, a branch of ostkatholischen church.

Attractions

In addition to the Lake Urmia is located in the province about 45 km from the Turkish-Iranian border, the monastery of St. Thaddeus. In Urmia itself certificates are of different religions, such as churches and mosques. In the small town Takab is a remarkable fortress from the time of the Sassanids. In the small town Bonab there to admire many pigeon towers, similar to those on the Greek island of Tinos. In addition, the archaeological excavations of Hasanlu are worth a visit. In the Iranian border town of Bazargan one has a magnificent view of the snow-capped Ararat in neighboring Turkey.

Universities

  • Urmia University of Medical Sciences
  • Urmia University
  • Islamic Azad University of Khoi
  • Islamic Azad University of Mahabad
  • Islamic Azad University of Urmia
  • Islamic Azad University of Piranshahr
DIN 31635 Teppe Hasanlu Bastam Citadel Azerbaijan People's Government Kurdish people Nationalism Communism Naqadeh Piranshahr (Mukryan) Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Oshnavieh Fish Orange (fruit) Arab people Lurs Gilaki people Citadel Ardabil Province Bushehr Province Khuzestan Province Isfahan Province Fars Province Qom Province Gilan Province Golestan Province Hamadan Province Ilam Province Khorasan Province
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