THE EASTERN AZERBAIJAN
PROVINCE
Surface Area:
46.929,2 km2.
Located at the
heart of the country and Southern Azerbaijan, the Eastern
Azerbaijan province consists of 19 counties, namely Tabriz,
Aher, Bostanabad, Binab, Serab, Shabester, Keleyber, Maragha,
Marand, Miyane, Heris, Azershahr, Usku, Jolfa, Malecan,
Varzeghan, Sahand and Heshtrud, 38 regions and 3149
villages. Tabriz, a historical city, is considered to be the
capitol and the biggest city of Southern Azerbaijan. The
Eastern Azerbaijan province has a land border of 235 km with
the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Railroads passing
through this province connect Southern Azerbaijan and Iran
with Nakhijevan, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Ukraine and all Black Sea
ports through the Jolfa line. Having very good highways, the
Eastern Azerbaijan province noticeably reduces the heavy
traffic problem in all cities and counties. The population
of this province was 3.325.540 in 1995. 55,1% of this
population reside in cities while 44,9% live in villages.
The population
of Tabriz reached to 1.460.000 according to 2006
estimations. The topographic features of the Eastern
Azerbaijan province are noteworthy. The highest point in
this province is the 3.722 meters high Mount Sahand, located
50 km south of Tabriz. Topographically, the Eastern
Azerbaijan province is divided into 3 different regions,
namely Mount Qaradag in the north, Sahand and Bozqush in the
center, and Ghaflankuh in the south.
The climate of
this province is cold and dry. The climate is very cold in
mountainous regions, but it is stable in plain regions and
lowlands. The average annual temperature in Tabriz is 20 °C,
but it can drop to – 25 °C. With its beautiful nature and
hospitable people, the Eastern Azerbaijan province has
nourished Tabriz, the center of the Southern Azerbaijan
homeland. With its mineral and natural water resources,
rivers, oaks, mountain peaks, waterfalls and brooks, this
province has been a source of inspiration for several
artists. Tabriz, considered to be a city of culture and
arts, is famous for scholar, poets and men of letters who
have lived there. It has been home to several renowned
figures like Molla Baba Mazid, Khoajeh Abdul Rahim Acabadi,
Sheykh Hasan, Abdol Qadir Nakhjovani, Molana Ahmad Harati,
Hamsham Tabrizi, Khaghani Shervani, Asadi Tousi, Abovalla
Falaki, Zahir-al Din Faryabi, Ghatran Tabrizi, Shekh
Mohammad Khiyabani and Sattarkhan. We cannot overlook
Mohammed Shahryar, the master poet of the Azerbaijan
homeland in the last century.
Several animal
species live in the Eastern Azerbaijan province. Bears,
wolves, foxes and rabbits live in the mountains and oak
groves. The Eastern Azerbaijan province used to be the
second industrial center of Iran in the past, and immensely
contributed to the development of the region through the
Tarktorsazi and Mashinsazi plants. Despite all these
discriminatory policies, Eastern Azerbaijan, particularly
its capitol Tabriz, is considered to be a very important
industrial region. Several minerals exist in the Eastern
Azerbaijan province. One can mention copper, iron, granite,
marble and coal mines. Petrochemical industry has been
attached more importance in recent years in Eastern
Azerbaijan. Having a vast potential in agriculture,
stockbreeding is also regarded to be an important source of
employment and income in Eastern Azerbaijan.
