About IRAN

	Geography And Weather
Church of Saint Stephanos Church of Saint Stephanos Church of Saint Stephanos Church of Saint Stephanos Jameh Mosque	With an area of 43,660 square kilometers, including Orumyeh lake,the province of West Azarbayjan is located on the north-west of Iran. It include 12 townships: Boukan, Khoy, Makoo, Mahabad, Meyandoab, Naghadeh, Pyranshahr, Salmas, Sardasht, Shahindej, Takab, and Oromyeh. In 1996 the population of the province was 2,496,320, of which 52.68% were urban inhabitant, 47.31% were living in rural areas and the remaining were nomads. West Azarbayjan province is one of the mountainous araes with divers and vast topography. There is a long range of high mountains on the western part of the province which forms the international border with Iraq and Turkey. This lofty snow-clad mountain range extends from the exterme northern part of the province southward.Consequently, melted snow create many water streams which flow through many valleys affording a good landscape. These rivers terminate to 3 major basins i.e. Orumieh lake, the great fault of Khoy and Rood Kaloy valley which are the lowest lands of the province. The climate of the province is mainly influnced by the rain winds of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean. But in certain months of winter, northern cold winds affect the province and cause a lot of snow with a very cold weather. According to exiting meteorological data, temperature varies from an area to another in the province. Average temperature differs form 9.4( C in Makou to 11.6( C in Mahabad. While it is 9.8( C in Orumyeh and 10.8( C in Khoy, Makou 9.4( C, and in Mahabad 11.6(C. According to same dada, The highest temperature in the province reaches 34 ( C in july, and the lowest temperature is - 16( C in january. Maximum change of temperature in summer is 4( C and in winter 15( C. West- Azarbayjan province, encompassing vast and fertile plains, high mountains, enjoying moderate and healthy weather, rivers with high volume of water, vineyards, orchads, luxuriant forest and rangelands, mountain outskirt with wonderful flora, magnificent wildlife and beautiful shoers around the lake with differnt recretional facikities, which all together form one of the most beautiful and spectacular region in Iran. A land with wonderful flora during the spring and the summer covered with tulip, poppy, narcissus and hyacinth extending from Arass rivers banks in the north to Zab Kouchak valley in the south. Westlands, marches coasts and island of the lake are habits of divers species of endemic and migratory birds as well as the rivers are habitat of different aquatic species. the long snowny winters provide remarkable opportunities for skiing on the wonderful sky sites which are well equipped with necessary facilities. the high mountains along with pleasant weather are amongst the attraction of the province in summer. The beautiful shores of the Orumyeh lake and its clear and blue water , with 140 km. lenght, provide remarkable attractions for tourists in the summer especially those intersted in swimming, water therapy and water sports as well as boating . Orumyeh lake, due to its high salinity containing different minerals, is one of the best place in the world for water therpay. Those suffering from rheumatism and diseases come here to use curative water, sands and sludge of the lake. Moreever , There are tens of hot water springs with curative properties in different parts of the province.
	History and Historical Sites
	The West-Azarbaiyjan province is a part of the ancient civilization of Iran. There are many historical castles, hundreds of antique hills and discovered archeological objects which all of them reflect region’s long history. On the other hand, this province has always been the residence of different peoples and cultures, somewho, influencing each other. Existence of mosques, churches and ruined fire-temples all indicate its religius evolution along the history. Shi’ite in Orumyeh and northern cities of the province and Sunnite in the southern parts are the main religions. Other religious minorities like Assyrians and Armenias are dependent upon different Christian churches. Ethnic groups and religious monorities like Azaris, Kords, Assyrians and Armenians, speaking different languages, have their own culture and tradition which are very intersting social aspects of the region.
	Orumyeh
	Orumyeh, the capital city of the province, is located 951 km. north-west of Tehran , 18 km. west of Orumyeh lake in a luxuriant plain. The heighst oh this province separate it from Iraq and Turkey. The weather in Orumyeh is cold in winters and moderate in the summer.the latest archeological discoveries in Orumyeh indicate that the history of region goes 2000 BC. Some historians believe that Orumyeh is the birth place of Zoroaster, The most famous Persion prophet in the 3rd century AH.Geopraphers named Orumyeh as the third largest city in Azarbaijan territory after Ardabil an dMaragheh . There had been many historical sites and mounuments in Orumyeh which were unfortunately destroyed because of some historical events and invasions of different tribes and clans.The most important historical and eye-pleasing places are as follows: hOrumyeh lake and its coast for recreation and water therapy.Moreever, it is one of the Biosphere Reserves registered by UNESCO. hKabood, Ashk, Arezoo and Espeer island which are valuable of being habitats of different species of wildlife, Zandi, Haftabeh and Qaynarjeh mineral and hot water springs, hFarhad, Takht Ghara, and Danyal caves with historical value. hGhahar Borj building and Ismail Agha, Kazem Khan, Bardok, Dam Dam and Bakhshi Qala castles having historical and architectural values. hOld Bazar of Orumyeh, a very old trade center, hArcheological and Natural History Museum, hMir Davood cave, hOld Mosques of jame’, Sardar and Orumyeh minaret hAlavian dome and different Imamzadeh and shrines.
	Bookan
	Bookan is located between Maindoab and Saghez cities beside Sminineh Rood river. This township is on demarcation line of two province of W-Azarbaijan and kordestan. The name of this city is a combination of two kordish world of " BooK " meaning " Bride " and " an " which is plural mark i.e. " Brides ". It is narrated that bookman, due to its crossroad situation, was passed by different group of villager during wedding ceremonies and they used to stop here for sometimes to sing and dance around a pool which exists now is a worth seeing place of the city.
	Takab
Parthian fire temple	Takab township is one of the historical and worth seeing places of the province. There are tens of historical sites belonging to both pre-Islamic periods. " Takht-e-Soleyman " is one of these places located 45 km. north-east to Takab. It is the center of Sassanid Great Fire-temple named " Azargoshab " ( one of the three famous Sassanid fire-temples). Presently its remains, surrounded by a wall, is one of the memorials of the past. It is said that " Sheez " city was located in the same place and probably is ruined as a result of volcanic action of Zenadn mountain or other unknown reasons.The historical cave" Kerfeto " is located south-west to Takab, andGhayab Abad, Kohal , and Kahris caves as well as other hstorical sites are in this townships.
	Khoy
	Khoy township is located 807 km. north-west to tehran enjoying mild weather. This township is one of the ancient places in Iran.Khoy means " salt " and it was named so because of the salt mines of the region. The first dwellers of it were Median tribes. According to existing historical documents, Khoy had been a very important place as the result of being pased by a branch of famous Silk-Road which linked west to east, was crossing this city. The most famous historic and natural sites of Khoy are as follows: hSeveral mineral water springs with recreational and water therapy values, hBastam and Bolourabad historical castles, hKhatoun old bridge, hOld stone gate of the city, hOld bazaar of Khoy, hSeveral old mosques and Shams Tabrisi Minaret, hAncient churches.
	Sardasht
	Sardasht township is located on the south western part of the province, on the international border with Iraq. The natural view and landscape of the city is very beautiful and attractive. The people of Sardasht believe that this city is the birthplace of Zoroaster, Iranian prophet. Its name was also attributed to Zoroaster which was changed to Sardasht after Islam. " Shalmas " waterfall, located close to this city, is very famous and is surrounded by very beautiful natural views.Gheshmeh-Grow( Spring ), located in Mahabad-Sardasht road,is one of the recreational and worth seeing places of this township.
	Salmas
	Salmas township is located 854 km. north-west to tehran in a moderate plain. In historical and geographical books it is remainded of Salmas as a beautiful city with good bazzars and stone mosque.According to the recent archeological discoveies on Taban hill, the antiquity of Salmas goes back to Medians time and it was named " Zarvand " in Achaemenians era. In Arsacides time, this city was one of the buffering province between Iran and Roman Empire and was annexed to Sassanians territory after the defeat of khosrow Arsacide.the most important historical and worth seeing places of this township are: hSeveral mineral water springs With therapy virtues, hHistorical Goorchin Ghaleh castle located in 10 km.south o Salmas, hJamal Abad old dam in suburbs of Salmas, hKhan Takhti stone carvings belonging to Sassanide era, hKooh Gharni and Yarough underground, hSaint George Church Salmas city.
	Makoo
Kudish girls from Maku A carpet weaver Kurd of Maku	Makoo is 939 km. far from tehran and located a mountainous region with 1,294 km. altitude from see level providing it with temperate climate. Makoo, with a semi-circle shape, is situated on the slopes of a mountain which has enclosed the city as an umbbrella. This city was not more than a castle in begining of Shah Abbas the First’s reign .The foundation date of the city 1012 AH.Makoo city, enjoying a beautiful natural landscape, encompasses so many historical and natural sites of which the most important ones are: hSeveral wetlands, hMany mineral water springs hGhaleh-joogh waterfall, hMarkan protect area and Agh-Gol game field, hBaghcheh-Joogh place, Kolah Farangi building and Old building of Makoo police Center, hOld castle of Ravaz and Ghaleh Siah, hOld bridg of Panj Cheshmeh (five arches), 5 km. far from Makoo hOld stone epigraph of Roosa historical city in Makoo city, hOrartoi stone grave named Sangar in Makoo, hSeveral old churches, hChaldoran battle field Siah Cheshmeh in which the famous war between Shah Ismail Safavid and Sultan Salim ( Ottoman emperor) happend.
	Mahabad
	Mahabad township is located 873 km. far from Tehran 100 km. south to Orumyeh. The weather in Mahabad is cold in mounatianous areas while it is mild in the plain and forest. Mahabad was formerly Savojbolagh Mokri. In the year 1038 AH. near the end of Shah Abbas the First’s reign, it was the capital city of the local government and many noteworthy buildingswere constructed over there. Presently, many eye-catching historical sites exist in this township of which the followings are mentioned: hSeveral historical caves belonging Orartoi period, hMedian city of Anderghash, hAchaemenian crypt of Daka in Anderghash, hMausoleum of Bedaghol-Sutan in south-west to Mahabad.
	Maindoab
	relatively humid and moderate weather. Situated between Zarinehrood and Siminehrood rivers, it is called Miandoab. So many tribes and clans have lived and governed in this region during its long history. the main intersting sights of this township are: hMiandoab dam recreational area, hGhara-gol and Yasrl Abad wetlands, hZendan Soleyman minerat water spring, hBakhtak castle in Milan village, hDash Tapeh historical area around Miandoab
	Naghadeh
	Naghadeh township surrounded by Mahabad, Pyranshar, Oshnavieh and Orumyeh is a focal Point for linkage of these cities. This city has many events eah left its own historical vestiges. Archeological discoveries in Hasanloo hill, close to the city, reviles its long history which goes back to the year 2000 BC. Different tribes like Assyrians, Kords, Manasa, and Turks have continuously migrated and resided in this area. Finally, in the early time of Ghajar dynasty, Ghara Papagh ( black hat ) tribe migrated to Iran from Caucasia and dwelled in Soldoos vast plain.They are engaged in agricultural activities in present location of Naghadeh. The most important worth seeing and historical places of the city are as follows: hSeveral wetlands, hZendan and Baba Hasan caves, hKelishin historical inscriptions in southwest to Orumyeh lake, hHasanloo ancient hill located 12 km. north-west to Naghadeh hof which the " Golden Cup " is very famous
	Wild life
	West Azarbaijan Province, as the result of natural conditions and special topographic structure, encompasses so many rivers, Wetlands, Marches, small and large lakes and is known as one of the most important habitat for different species of fauna both endemic and migratory.Waterfowls are the main migratory species which come to the habitats of this province for wintering and nesting.The most important recognaized species of the province are: Persian follow deer, rabbit, bear, hyena, boar, fox, jackal, wild sheep, wild goat, gazella, leopard, squirrel, and different species of reptiles. The most important endemic and migrant birds of the province are: famingo, Pelicans, Partridge, turtledove, grouse, ringdov, vulture, owl, dull-yellow Partridge, heron, goose, crane, duck, eagle and starling. Biological diversity of the province is very important from international point of view so that Orumyeh Lake National Park is registerd as Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. the main habitats of the province which are under the protection of Department of the Environment are as follow: hOrumyeh Lake National Pack covering an area of 4810 ha. including all islands, coasts and coastal vegatation . hMarkan Protected Area located south of Aras river banks and north of Makoo township, hAgh Gol Protected Area between Poldasht and Makoo,Several other wildlife refuge area as well as free game fields.
	Tourism Facilities
	There are suitable transportation facilities in the province, like Orumyeh International Airport, so it is easily accessible. Iran-Europe transit road and railroad pass through the north of the province. Border city of Bazargan, located in far north-west of Iran ( Province), is one of the most important center for commerical and tourism activities. Small town of Poldasht at the north of the province is a suitable way for accessibility Nakhjavan Autonomous Republic.There are suitable accommodation facilities in different cities of the province like hotels mostels and guest houses. The people are very kind and famous hospitality.All neccessary information are mentoined in this book.

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