Tabriz
Tabriz (Persian: تبریز, pronounced [tæbˈɾiːz] ⓘ; Azerbaijani: تبریز) is a city in the Central District of Tabriz County, in the East Azerbaijan province of northwestern Iran. It is the sixth-most-populous city in Iran.
For the administrative division of East Azerbaijan province, see Tabriz County. For the type of carpet, see Tabriz rug.
Tabriz is in the Quru River valley in Iran's historic Azerbaijan region[4] between long ridges of volcanic cones in the Sahand and Eynali mountains. Tabriz's elevation ranges between 1,350 and 1,600 m (4,430 and 5,250 ft) above sea level. The valley opens up into a plain that gently slopes down to the eastern shores of Lake Urmia, 60 km (37 mi) to the west. The city was named World Carpet Weaving City by the World Crafts Council in October 2015[5] and Exemplary Tourist City of 2018 by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.[6][7]
With a population of over 1.7 million (2016),[8] Tabriz is the largest economic hub and metropolitan area in northwest Iran. The population is bilingual with most people speaking Azeri as their native language and Persian as their second language.[9] Tabriz is a major heavy industries hub for automobiles, machine tools, refineries, petrochemicals, textiles and cement production industries.[10] The city is famous for its handicrafts, including hand-woven rugs and jewelry. Local confectionery, chocolate, dried nuts and traditional Tabrizi food are recognized throughout Iran as some of the best. Some of the most esteemed cultural institutions in northwest Iran are located in Tabriz, which is also a center for intellectual activity.
Tabriz contains many historical monuments, representing Iran's architectural transition throughout its long history. Most of Tabriz's preserved historical sites belong to Ilkhanid, Safavid and Qajar.[11][12] Among these sites is the grand Bazaar of Tabriz, which is designated a World Heritage Site.[13][14] From the early modern era, Tabriz was pivotal in the development, movement and economy of its three neighboring regions; namely the Caucasus, Eastern Anatolia and Central Iran.[15] In the modern era the city played a vital role in the history of Iran. As the country's closest hub to Europe, many aspects of early modernization in Iran began in Tabriz.[15] Prior to forced ceding of the Qajar dynasty's Caucasian territories to Imperial Russia, following two Russo-Persian Wars in the first half of the 19th century, Tabriz was at the forefront of Iranian rule over its Caucasian territories. Until 1925, the city was the traditional residence of the Qajar crown princes.
Etymology[edit]
According to some sources,[16] including Encyclopædia Britannica,[17] the name Tabriz derives from tap-riz ('flowing hot'), from the many thermal springs in the area.
Other sources[18][19] claim that in AD 246, to avenge his brother's death, king Tiridates II of Armenia repelled Ardashir I of the Sassanid Empire and changed the name of the city from Shahistan to Tauris, deriving from "ta-vrezh" ("this revenge" in Grabar). In AD 297, it became the capital of Tiridates III, king of Armenia.[20] However, this story has a popular origin and no ancient source has recorded such event. This is based on accounts of Vardan Areveltsi, a 13th-century Armenian historian.[21] Accordingly, the historical Armenian name for the city was Tavrezh (Armenian: Թաւրէժ, romanized: T'avrēž).[22]
The Cambridge History of Iran[23] points to a connection between the "ancient stronghold of Tarui-Tarmakisa" (or Tarwi-Tarwakisa), which existed in the 8th century BC,[24][25] and the city of Tabriz, with Ernst Emil Herzfeld's Archaeological History of Iran[26] also directly equating "Tarwakisa" with Tabriz; cf Proto-Iranian tr̥Hwáns (able to overcome). However, some researchers believe that Tabriz may be considered a pre-Iranian toponym.
Geography[edit]
Topography[edit]
Tabriz is located in northwest of Iran in East Azerbaijan province between Eynali and Sahand mountains in a fertile area inshore of Aji River and Quri River. The local area is earthquake-prone and during its history, the city has been devastated and rebuilt several times.
Climate[edit]
Tabriz has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk, Trewartha: BS) bordering on a humid continental climate with hot summers (Köppen: Dsa, Trewartha: Dc). The annual precipitation is around 260 mm (10 in), a good deal of which falls as snow during the winter months and rain in spring and autumn. The city enjoys a mild and fine climate in spring and autumn, is hot and dry in summer, while snowy and cold in winter. The average annual temperature is 13.1 °C (55.6 °F). Cool winds blow from east to west, mostly in summer.[55]
Highest recorded temperature:42.0 °C (107.6 °F) on 26 July 1966
Lowest recorded temperature: −25.0 °C (−13.0 °F) on 20 January 1964[56]
A table of some of Tabriz traditional foods (köfte and syrup with sangak and Bonab Kababi with rice)
Chay kenar (river side) at night
a mosque in Tabriz
Tabriz was devastated by several earthquakes during its history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721) and as a result, from numerous monuments only few of them or part of them have survived until now. Moreover, some of the historical monuments have been destroyed fully or partially within construction projects (the Arg of Tabriz is in danger of destruction now, because of the ongoing nearby construction project of Mosal'laye Emam). Nonetheless, there are still numerous monuments remaining until now, which include:
Tabriz has 132 parks, including 97 small parks, 31 regional and 4 city parks. According to 2005 statistics, the area of parks in Tabriz is 2,595 km2, and the area of green spaces of Tabriz is 8,548 km2, which is 5.6 sq.m per person. A study published in 2018 found that "Most of the urban green spaces are located on the urban fringes and in low-density higher income residential areas." It also found that "Greenspace per capita provision in Tabriz is much lower than the national and international standards (some districts offer only 0–1 sq.m. per capita green space)..."[85] The oldest park in Tabriz, Golestan Baği, was established at first Pahlavi's era in the city center. Tabriz also has 8 traveller-parks with the capacity of 10.000 travellers.
An engraver in Tabriz
Schools and libraries[edit]
Universities[edit]
Tabriz is the site for 14 of Iran's most prominent universities and higher education institutes. Established in 1947, University of Tabriz[90] is the most prestigious university in north-western Iran. University of Tabriz is also considered one of five mother universities in the country which works as the regional hub of science for the region. Besides University of Tabriz, there are several other public universities, operating in the city and its suburbs. Among them the famous ones are:
Within its long history, Tabriz was always the origin for many Iranian illumination and modernization movements. This is why the city was the hometown of numerous Iranian dominant figures including many Iranian politicians, revolutionaries, artists, and military leaders. Here a partial list of some of the most notable people who born or lived in Tabriz.
For a complete list see: Category:People from Tabriz and List of people from Tabriz
Consulates[edit]
Azerbaijan and Turkey have consulate offices in Tabriz. Formerly the Soviet Union and the United States had consulate offices in Tabriz. The US consulate office closed after the 1979 Islamic revolution and the USSR's office closed after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.