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Tabriz
Ancient names: Davrezh, Tavrezh, Tavrez
Left: Municipality of Tabriz (city hall) built in 1934, by Arfa'ol molk, Top right: Blue Mosque, Middle right: Maqbaratoshoara, Bottom right: Shah-goli.
Left: Municipality of Tabriz (city hall) built in 1934, by Arfa'ol molk, Top right: Blue Mosque, Middle right: Maqbaratoshoara, Bottom right: Shah-goli.
Country Iran
ProvinceEast Azerbaijan Province
CountyTabriz County
DistrictTabriz Central district
Established dateN/A
Government
 • MayorAlireza Novin
Area
 • Total140 km2 (50 sq mi)
Elevation
1,351.4 m (4,433.7 ft)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total1,398,060
 • Population Rank in Iran
4th
 • Demonym
Tabrizian
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (IRST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+4:30 (IRDT)
Postal code
51368
Area code0411
WebsiteTabriz municipality

Tabriz (Template:Lang-fa, Template:Lang-az) is the fourth largest city in Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former capitals and residence of the crown prince under the Qajar dynasty. The city has proven extremely influential in the country’s recent history. Tabriz is located in a valley to the north of the long ridge of the volcanic cone of Sahand, south of the Eynali mountain. The valley opens out into a plain that slopes down gently to the northern end of Lake Urmia, 60 km to the west.

With a population of about 1,400,000[1] Tabriz is Iran's fourth largest city, after Tehran, Mashhad and Esfahān and the second industrial city after Tehran. It is a summer resort and a commercial, industrial, and transportation center.[2]

With a very rich history, Tabriz once housed many historical monuments. Unfortunately, many of them were destroyed in repeated invasions and attacks by foreign forces, combined with the negligence of the ruling governments, and natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. What remains now mostly dates back to the Ilkhanid, the Safavid, and the Qajar periods. Some of the monuments are unrivalled masterpieces of architecture.[3][4][5]

Etymology

According to some sources,[6] including Encyclopædia Britannica,[7] the name Tabriz derives from "tap-riz" ("causing heat to flow" in Iranian languages), from the many thermal springs in the area. Other sources[8][9] claim that in AD 246, to avenge his brother's death, king Khosraw I of Armenia defeated 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.[10] However, this story has popular origin and no ancient source has recorded such event. This is based on accounts of Vardan, the Armenian historian in 14th century.[11]

History

An old map of Tabriz

Early Accounts

According to The Cambridge History of Iran, Tabriz was founded in early Sassanids times in 3rd or 4th century A.D. or more probably in 7th century.[12] During the Islamic conquest of Iran, Arab armies in Azerbaijan mostly turned attention toward Ardebil and Tabriz was not even listed among the cities of Azerbaijan that Iranian armies were mobilized. These accounts suggest that Tabriz was not more than a small village at this time.[13] Current excavations in Blue Mosque site may lead to new theories about the early history of Tabriz[citation needed].

From the Muslim conquest to Qajars

File:Tabriz ghadim01.gif
Ark of Tabriz
File:Tabriz ghadim.jpg
An old photo of Tabriz

After the conquest of Iran by Muslims, Arab tribe Azd form Yemen resided in Tabriz and development of post-Islamic Tabriz began from this time. Yaqut, the Islamic geographer says that Tabriz was a village before Rawwad from the tribe of Azd came to Tabriz.[13] In AD 791, Zubaidah, the wife of Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, rebuilt Tabriz after a devastating earthquake and beautified the city so much as to obtain the credit for having been its founder[3][10].

After the Mongol invasion, Tabriz came to eclipse Maragheh as the later Ilkhanid capital of Azerbaijan until sacked by Tamerlane in 1392.[14] Chosen as a capital by Arghun Khan, fourth ruler of the Ilkhanate, for its favored location in the northwestern grasslands,[15] in 1295, his successor Ghazan Khan made it the chief administrative center of an empire stretching from Egypt to the Oxus River and from the Caucasus to the Indian Ocean. Under his rule new walls were built around the city, and numerous public buildings, educational facilities, and caravansarais were erected to serve traders traveling on the ancient Silk Road. The Byzantine Gregory Choniades is said to have served as the city's Orthodox bishop during this time.[citation needed]

From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of Kara Koyunlu state in Azerbaijan[16], and from 1469 to 1501 the capital of Ak Koyunlu state.

Before the expansion of Altaic languages in the area, Iranian languages[17] were spoken in Tabriz and Azerbaijan. The 13th century manuscript Safina-yi Tabriz has poems in what its Tabriz-born author has called the Tabrizi dialect (Zaban-i-Tabrizi)[18]. Samples of the Tabrizi dialect of the wider Old Azari language include quatrains recorded in Tabrizi dialect by Abd al-Qadir Maraghi, phrases from Baba Faraji Tabrizi and poems in Tabrizi in the Safina-yi Tabriz, and poetry from Homam Tabrizi, Mama Esmat Tabrizi, Maghrebi Tabrizi and others. Before the Safavid revolution, Tabriz was predominantly a Shafi'ite and Sunni city.

In 1501, Shah Ismail I entered Tabriz and proclaimed it the capital of his Safavid state. In 1514, after the Battle of Chaldiran, Tabriz was temporarily occupied by the Ottomans, but remained the capital of Safavid Iranian empire until 1548, when Shah Tahmasp I transferred it to Qazvin.

Between 1585 and 1603, Tabriz was occupied by the Ottomans but was then returned to the Safavids after which it grew as a major commercial center, conducting trade with the Ottoman Empire, Russia, central Asia, and India. In 1724 the city was again occupied by the Ottomans and retaken by Iranian army. The city was held by Russia on 1826 after a series of battles but the Iranian army retook Tabriz in 1828. Tabriz was the residence for Crown Prince within Qajar Dynasty.

Contemporary history

Constitutionalists of Tabriz, the two men in the center are Sattar khan & Bagher khan
Sattar Khan (1868-1914) was a major revolutionary figure.
  • Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Main article: Iranian Constitutional Revolution

Advantage of the vicinity to the west and with the benefit of the communications with nearby countries' enlightenment movements, Tabriz became center of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. This makes Tabriz a major pole for Iranian Constitutional Revolutionary movements between 1905 and 1911 which led to the establishment of a parliament in Iran. Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan two Tabrizi reformists whose led Tabrizi people's solidarity had a great role in achievement of this revolution.

  • Azerbaijan People's Government
Main article: Azerbaijan People's Government

After World War II, the Soviets set up the communist Azerbaijan People's Government in north-west Iran with its capital at Tabriz. The new communist government, under the leadership of Ja'far Pishevari, held power for a year from 1946, after which Tabriz returned to Iran after the forced Soviet withdrawal.

  • Iranian presidential election 2009
File:Where is my vote11.jpg
Protesters after vote fraud, Abressan intersection, Tabriz.
Main articles: Iranian presidential election, 2009 and 2009 Iranian election protests

On June 12, 2009, Iran presidential election was held, between Mir-Hossein Mousavi (who is Azeri originally), Mehdi Karroubi the reformist Lur candidate, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (who is an Arab from the small Arab settlement around Semnan) the fundamental candidate who was the favourite of supreme leader Ali Khamenei (who is also an Azeri from the town of Khameneh, Azerbaijan). People asked Where is my vote? which became the motto of huge demonstration against anti-democratic regime. International concern and condemnation have been expressed by much of the international media, the United Nations, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others at alleged voting fraud, censorship, and the use of police brutality against protestors. Extensive demonstrations have occurred across Iran, particularly in the capital Tehran. According to most of Iranians, it was supreme leather's coup d'état against improvement of democracy in the country.[19][20][21][22]

Historical time-line

Zahhak's stucco
  • 4 BC: It is the capital of Media Atropatene ,named after Atropates, an Iranian governor of the province (appointed by Alexander the Great). [citation needed]
  • 297 AD: It becomes the capital of Tiridates III, the king of Armenia.
  • 791: Tabriz is rebuilt by Zubaidah, wife of Harun al-Rashid, after being destroyed by an earthquake.
  • 858: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
  • 1041: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
  • late 1200s: The Mongol Il-Khan Arghun makes Tabriz his capital.[15]
  • 1501: Ismail Safavi crowned as Shah in Tabriz, founding the Safavid dynasty
  • 1548: Tabriz is replaced by Qazvin as the capital of the Safavid kingdom. Tabriz was considered too exposed to a potential Ottoman invasion.
  • 1721: An earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
  • 1780: Another earthquake destroys large parts of Tabriz.
  • 1826: Tabriz is occupied by the Russians.
  • 1828: Qajar army takes back Tabriz.
  • 1850: Báb, the founder of the Bábí Faith and Forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh is executed in Tabriz.
  • 1906 - 1908: Tabriz becomes the centre of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.
  • 1927: An earthquake destroyed large parts of Tabriz.
  • 1941: Tabriz occupied by the Soviet troops.
  • 1945: December: Becomes the capital of a short-lived Soviet-backed autonomous Azerbaijan People's Government.
  • 1946: Tabriz University is opened.
  • 1947: Iranian troops take back Tabriz.
File:Iron Age museum03.jpg
Excavation founding in 2002 in Blue mosque site, Iron Age branch, Azerbaijan Museum.

Excavation sites

See also: Iron Age museum.

In 2002, during a construction project at north side of the Blue Mosque (Part of Silk Road Project), an ancient graveyard was revealed. This was kept secret until a construction worker alerted the authorities. Radiocarbon analysis by Allameh Tabatabi University has shown the background of the graves to be more than 3800 years old. A museum of these excavations including the Blue Mosque was opened to public in 2006 [23].

There is another excavation in Abbasi Street at site of Rabe Rashidi. This academic institution is dated back to more than 700 years ago and was established in Ilkhanid period.

Capital of Iran

Tabriz was known as capital of Iran several times: during Kara Koyunlu dynasty from 1375 until 1468, then during Ak Koyunlu within 1468-1501, Some of the existing historical monuments including Blue Mosque are belonged to Kara Koyunlu period. Finally, it was capital of the Iranian Empire within the Safavid period from 1501 until their defeat in 1514 [24].

During the Qajar dynasty, Tabriz was residence of Iranian Crown Prince (1794-1925).

File:Blue Mosque11.jpg
Blue Mosque is built during Kara Koyunlu dynasty.

City of The Firsts

Due to its location as a western gateway of Iran, many modern developments have been adopted first in this city, leading to its moniker as a "city of firsts".[25] These include:

  • Iran's first printing house was founded in Tabriz (1811).
  • Iran's first modern school was founded in Tabriz by Hassan Roshdieh (1888). The language of instruction was Persian and Azari Turkic.
  • The first Iranian special school for deaf children was founded in Tabriz by Jabbar Baghcheban (1924).
  • The first Iranian special school for blind students was founded in Tabriz by a German mission (1926).
  • The first Iranian kindergarten was founded in Tabriz by Jabbar Baghcheban (1923).
  • Iran's first modern-style municipal government was set up in Tabriz.
  • Tabriz Chamber of Commerce was the first of its kind founded in Iran (1906).
  • The first public libraries in modern Iran were founded in Tabriz.
  • Iran's first cinema was founded in Tabriz (1900), while the first cinema in Tehran was founded by a Tabrizi (1921).
  • Tabriz was the first city in Iran to install a telephone system (about 1900).

Geography

Topography

Tabriz is located in northwest of Iran in East Azerbaijan province between Eynali and Sahand mountains in a fertile area in shore of Aji River and Ghuri River. The local area is earthquake-prone and during its history, the city has been devastated and rebuilt several times.

Climate

Tabriz has a continental climate and regular seasons(Köppen BSk). The annual precipitation is around 380 millimetres (15 in), a good deal of which falls as snow during the winter months and rain in spring and autumn. The city enjoys mild and fine climate in spring, dry and semi-hot in summer, humid and rainy in autumn and snowy cold in winter. The average annual temperature is 13oC. Cool winds blow from east to west mostly in summer.[26]

Climate data for Tabriz
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: [27]

Air pollution

Tabriz is the 2nd most polluted city of Iran. The level of air pollution increases day after day. The main reasons for this phenomenon are: vehicles and major factories like oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical factories. According to research, 558,167 tons of pollutants are produced everyday in Tabriz.[28]

Governance

Further information: List of Tabriz Mayors

City authority lies with the mayor, who is elected by a municipal board. The municipal board is periodically elected by the city residents. Municipality of Tabriz is used as the Municipal central office.

Districts

The city is divided into 8 municipal districts. Old neighborhoods of Tabriz:

Demographics

File:Tabriz Population Change.jpg
Tabriz Population Change.

According to official census of 2006, the population of Tabriz is about 1,400,000 [29]. The majority of Tabriz residents are known as Azeris. Also, some minority groups of Persians, Armenians, Assyrians and Kurds also live in Tabriz.

Language

See also: Old Azari language

Today, the predominant language spoken in Tabriz is Azerbaijani Turkic, which belongs to the Turkic languages family. Azeri is a member of Oghuz branch of Turkic language, and it is closely related to Turkish and Turkmeni. The modern Azeri language is evolved from the Eastern Oghuz dialect of Western (Oghuz) Turkic, which spread to Southwestern Asia during medieval Turkic migrations and was heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic. Classical literature in Azeri was formed in 14th century, based on the Tabrizi and Shirvani dialects, which were used by classical Azeri poets and writers such as Nasimi, Fuzuli and Khatai. Besides, some inhabitants speak the Persian language, which is the official language of Iran and the sole language of education.[3]. Also, Armenian language is another traditional language, spoken and written by Christians in Tabriz.

Religion

The majority of people are followers of Shia Islam. Some Armenians and Assyrians live in Tabriz and have their own churches and organizations. There used to be a small Jewish community, but most of them have moved to Tehran.[3]

Culture and Art

File:Amir nezam house02.jpg
Orosey window of Amir Nezam House
Armenian illuminated manuscript of 1337, done by Avag in Sultania / Tabriz.

Literature

The music and folk songs of Tabriz are popular, and traditions have a long history. The prominent Iranian Azeri poet Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar was born in Tabriz. The handicrafts in the Bazaar of Tabriz, and in particular the Tabriz rug, are famous worldwide. The culture, social values, language and the music is a mixture of what exists in rest of Iran.

Tabriz also has a special place in Persian literature, as the following sample of verses from some of Iran's best poets and authors illustrates:

Music

Main article: Music of Iran
See also: Music of Azerbaijan

The professional music of Azari people are divided into two "distinct types", the music of "ashyg" and the "mugam". Mugam "is not common" among Iranian azaris, who "prefer the School of Tabriz".

Tabriz style in Iranian miniature

On the other hand, the music of the ashyg is found in most places in northwestern Iran and particularly in Tabriz, Maraghe, Khoy, and Orumïye (Rezaye). In Iran, the primarily distinct styles of Mugam and the music of the ashyg "still share common characteristics" including "the initial range, which is restricted to a pentachord (jins), readily identifiable modes, melodic lines consisting predominantly of sequential notes, time signatures (4/4, 6/8, 3/4), brevity of compositions, arrangements of dance melodies, tone colour, the dragging of the voice and vocal techniques which are similar to those of popular singing and small instrumental ensembles (three or four musicians)."[30] Ashighs are traveling bards, who sing and play the saz or qopuz, a form of lute. Their songs are partly improvised around a common base.[clarification needed]

Painting

One of the Iranian painting styles is called "Tabrizian style" which has been shaped in the era of Ilkhanids, Kara Koyunlu and the Safavids.[31]

Cuisine

see also: Iranian Cuisine , Azerbaijani Cuisine

Ash is a kind of soup which are prepared with bouillon, various vegetables, carrot, noodle and spices.

Chelow Kabab - is the national dish of Iran, prepared with Kebab and roasted tomatoes (and roasted hot peppers occasionally) on a plate of steamed rice. Tabriz is famous for its Chelow Kabab in Iran.

Sample of Tabrizi traditional foods.

Dolma is a traditional delicious Turkic food. It is prepared with eggplant, capsicum, tomato or zucchini filled with a mixture of meat, split pea, onion and various spices.

Garniyarikh (Lit."the torn abdomen" in Azeri) is a kind of Dolma filled with meat, garlic, almonds and spices.

Kofta (Koufteh) Tabrizi is a special food prepared in Tabriz. The word kofta is derived from Persian kūfta: In Persian, کوفتن kuftan means "to beat" or "to grind".[32]

There are also delicious confections, biscuits and cookies, some of which are Tabriz specialities including Ghorabiye, Eris, Nugha, Tasbihi, Latifeh, Ahari, Lovadieh, Lokum and etc.

Monuments and Landmarks

Tabriz was devastated by several earthquakes during 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 (e.g. Ark of Tabriz is in a real hazard of destruction now, because of ongoing construction project of "Mosal'laye Emam" close to it). Nonetheless, there are still numerous monuments remaining until now, which are listed as follows:[28].

Parks and Gardens

Tabriz has 132 parks, including 97 small parks, 31 regional and 4 city parks. According to 2005 statistics, area of parks in Tabriz is 2,595 km2 also area of green spaces of Tabriz is 8,548 km2, which means 5.6 sq.m per person. The oldest park in Tabriz, called Golestan Park, was established at first Pahlavi's era in city center. Tabriz has 8 traveller-parks with capacity of 10.000 travellers, as well.[28]

File:Shah gholi panorama2.jpg
Wide view of Shah-goli park

Tourism

Souvenirs of Tabriz

St. Stepanous Cathedral, Jolfa

handcrafts: Rug (well known worldwide), pottery and ceramics, silverware, Ghalamzani (toreutics) , Moarraq, Monabbat, embroider, wood engraving.[28]

confections: Ghorabiye, Latifa, Nugha, Eris, Lokum (turkish delight), Baklava.[28]

also: dry nut, shoe, local clothes, spices.[3]

Regional Tourist Attractions

Villages, Towns: Herbi&Bera, Jolfa (St. Stepanous Cathedral), kandovan (famous for its strange architecture), Kerghe, Lighvan, Seydava, Sharaf khanah (near Lake Urmia), Zonouz.

Lakes: Ammand dam-lake, Ghouri lake, Lake Urmia.

Mountains: Arasbaran forests, Eynali, Sahand (ski complex near Sahand mountain), Yum (ski complex of Misho mountains)

Economy

File:Tabriz rug01.jpg
A sample of Tabriz rugs
File:Silver handcrafts of Tabriz1.jpg
Silver handcrafts of Tabriz

Industries

Tabriz is the 2'nd industrial city of Iran. Modern industries in this city include the manufacturing of machinary, vehicles, chemicals and petrochemical materials, refinery, cement, electrical and electronical equipment, home appliances, textiles and leather, nutrition and dairy factories and woodcraft.[3][28].

  • Iran Tractor Manufacturing Complex:

This complex is the biggest manufacturer of tractor in Iran, which has some domestic & abroad branches too. It produces not only the tractor but also automotive parts, forging and casting products for related industries and a truck called Azarash. The biggest forging press of Middle East, with capacity of 8000 tones, is located in this complex.

Small businesses

Handcrafts ateliers

Main article: Persian carpet
See also: Tabriz rug

Tabriz is the major center for production of the famous Iranian Rugs. Their high quality is greatly valued in world markets. Tabrizi rugs and carpets usually have ivory backgrounds with blue, rose, and indigo motifs. They often have very symmetrical and balanced designs. They usually have a single medallion that is surrounded with vines and palmettos. One of the main quality characteristics of Tabriz rugs is the weaving style, using special ties that guarantee the durability of the rug in comparison for example with Kashan rugs.

Shopping

Shopping centers are mostly located in city center, including Grand Bazaar of Tabriz, pedestrian malls on Tarbiyat street, Shahnaz street and Ferdowsi street. Also, there are some malls and a lot of elegant & luxurious boutiques of jewelry, rugs, clothes, handcrafts, confectionary and nuts, home appliances and so on in Abressan intersection, Roshdiyeh district and Kouy Valiasr.[5]

The special feature of Tabriz malls is that most of them are designated to a particular order, such as home appliances, jewelry, shoes, clothes, wedding ceremonies, ladies/babies/men specialties, leather products, handcrafts, agricultural products, computers, electronic components, industrial equipment, piping equipment, chemical materials, agricultural machines, stationery, books, rugs, construction stuff and others.

Likewise, there are seasonal/occasional shopping fairs opened mainly in Tabriz International Exhibition Center too.

Tabriz International Exhibition Center

Various fairs are periodically opened in Tabriz International Exhibition Center in determined dates during a year, where domestic & abroad companies expose and introduce their stuff, technologies and brands.[33]

Education

File:Daneshsara (Faculty of Education) of Tabriz.JPG
Danesh Sara (faculty of education)

Tabriz is a site for some of Iran's most prominent universities, the main university of the city is University of Tabriz established in 1947. University of Tabriz is the most prestigious university in north-western part of Iran. There are five other public universities, operating primarily in the city: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz Arts University, Payam-e Noor University of Tabriz, Tarbiat Moallem University of Azarbaijan

Furthermore, a couple of Iranian universities have their branches in Tabriz, including: Imam Hossein University, Shahid Beheshti Training Teacher Center of Tabriz

Likewise, private universities are: Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Daneshvaran Higher Education Institute, Seraj Higher Education Institute, University College of Nabi Akram, Khajeh Rashid university.

There are few technical colleges, which serve the students as well: Elmi-Karbordi University of Tabriz, Tabriz College of Technology, Roshdiyeh Higher Education Institute of Tabriz, Jahad Daneshgahi (ACECR) Higher Education Institute, East Azarbaijan Branch, Azzahra College of Technology, State Organization of Technical and Vocational Training

Research centres: East Azarbaijan Park of Science & Technology, Islamic Azad University - Science and Research branch of East Azerbaijan.[34]

Famous High Schools

File:Former Roshdieh school.jpg
former Roshdieh school
  • Memorial school (American School of Tabriz) was opened on 1891 and is one of the most famous schools of its type. After World War II, the school's name was changed to Parvin High School, under Iran education ministry's management. Currently, it is divided into three separate high schools, and the original building is under reconstruction.
  • Roshdieh school is the first modern Iranian school, which was established by Haji-Mirza Hassan Roshdieh. Currently, its building is used as the Tabriz branch of the National Iranian Documents and Library Office.
  • Vahdat technical college is another famous school in Tabriz. It was developed by the Germans during World War II. The main building has the shape of an 'A'.
  • Ferdowsi high school is one of the largest and most prominent academic high schools in Tabriz. The original building was constructed by German engineers before World War II (to serve as hospital). The building is in the shape of a letter 'H'.
  • Mansoor high school (now divided into two high schools with new names) is one of the most highest-ranking schools in Tabriz, which was established about 50 years ago. One of the high schools is known as Taleqani and the other as Motahhari.
  • Teez'houshan school (Shahid Madani) (Farzanegan) (SAMPAD/NODET) middle and high schools were established in 1989 for high I.Q. talented students.

Religious Centres

  • Valiasr Religious School
  • Talebieh Islamic Science School
File:Panoramic view of Tabriz art uni.jpg
Tabriz Art university

Libraries

Tabriz National Library, also known as Central Library of Tabriz, is the most prestigious library in Tabriz, and its numerous unique handwriting old books made it a vulnerable source for researchers in Iranian literature. There are other libraries behind National library which are serving to public some of which are: Tarbiat library, library of Helal Ahmar, library of Shahid Motahhari, library of Shahriyar, library of Jafarieh and Farhangsara of Tabriz.

Infrastructure

Health systems

The government of Iran operates the public hospitals in the Tabriz metropolitan region, some of which are aligned with medical faculties. There are also a number of private hospitals and medical centers in the city.[5]

File:Boulevard in Tabriz01.jpg
Boulevard of university.

Transportation

Inner City:

Most Tabriz residents travel by car through the system of roads and highways. Tabriz is also served by taxi and bus.

Tabriz has taxi and public bus network. There are also some private groups, which provide services called Phone-taxi.[5]

Tabriz is the second city in Iran after Tehran that B.R.T system has been established in. It includes a distance of about 18 km from Baseej Square in the east to railway station in the west of the city. There are 50 bus stops in the path of B.R.T.

  • Metro Network (Subway Train Network)

Tabriz subway train network is still under construction. The government of Iran had planned to finish 6 km of line No.1 of the network in 2006, but this was not achieved due to financial problems.[35]

File:Metro El Goli.jpg
Shahgholi metro Station.
File:Tabriz bus terminal.jpg
Tabriz bus terminal.

International:

  • Roads

Tabriz is linked to Europe through Turkey's roads and Bazargan (Azerbaijani, Persian: بازرگان ) border, also Tehran-Tabriz freeway is almost complete except for the last 20 km between Tabriz and Bostan Abad.

  • Railways

The city is linked to Iran National Railways (IRIR, Persian: رجا ) also to Europe by Turkey's railways via Ghotour (Azerbaijani, Persian قطور) bridge in West Azarbaijan province of Iran. Tabriz was the first city in Iran to be served by railways with the construction of the Tabriz-Jolfa line. Tabriz Railway Station is located in the western part of the city, at the end of Khomeyni Street.

  • Airport

Tabriz International Airport opened in 1950 and is the only international airport in East Azarbaijan (since 1991). Recently, it became the first Iranian airport to gain ISO9001-2000. Its international air routes are to the following cities[36]:

Domestic air routes to:Tehran, Mashhad, Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, Mahshahr, Asalouyeh, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Rasht.[37]

Sport

Sport is an important part of Tabriz's culture. The most popular sport in Tabriz is Football. Tabriz is home to four Iranian major Football teams: Tractor Sazi F.C., Machine Sazi Tabriz F.C., Shahrdari Tabriz F.C., Petrochimi Tabriz F.C.

Tabriz also has two stadiums for Football: Bagh Shomal Stadium, with capacity of 20,000 and Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium with 71,000.

Tractor Sazi F.C.

Tractor Sazi F.C. is an Iranian football club, based in Tabriz, which plays in Iran's Pro League. The team was sponsored by Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co. (ITMCO). The club used to have a significant presence in the old Azadegan League (current IPL), but has been playing in Iran's second-highest league since relegation in the 2001-02 season. They also provided Iran with some of the most talented players during the nineties. In 2009, Trakhtorsazi, the well-known team of Azarbaijan province, improved to the first class league of Iran and has got the most enthusiased fans in Iran's league, according to surveys.[citation needed]

Azerbaijan Cycling Tour is a professional cycling tour, which is held annually in part of Iranian Azerbaijan, is starting from Tabriz. Tabriz also has an UCI Continental cycling team that is competing in UCI-sanctioned competitions through Asian continents. The team is: Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team

The city has several swimming pools that are parts of sport complexes, both public and private: Takhti swimming pool, Tabriz Petrochemical Company's sports complex, Bargh swimming pool, Sahand swimming pool, Bagh Shomal swimming pool, Kargaran sports complex, Hotel Elgoli swimming pool, Hotel Shahryar swimming pool, Azarsatrup sports complex, Sauna Tabriz, Azaran sauna & pool, Zamzam swimming pool, Aseman residential complex swimming pool.[5]

Media

Sahand TV main building

Television

Tabriz has one television channel called "Sahand TV" that broadcasts in both Persian and Azerbaijani languages, and it is government-run. It broadcasts internationally through satellite Intelsat 902.[38][39]

Radio

Tabriz has one government-controlled radio channel broadcasting in both Persian and Azerbaijani languages.[38]

Press

Tabriz has 14 weekly magazines and 8 main newspapers: Amin, Mahd Azadi, Asr Azadi [40], Fajr Azarbaijan, Saeb Tabriz, Peyam Noor, Navaye Misho and Saheb.[41]

Major notable people from Tabriz

For a complete list see: List of people from Tabriz

Sister cities and twin towns

Tabriz is twinned with the following cities:

Consulates

Flag Country Address
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Aref st., Valiasr, Tabriz, Iran
Turkey Turkey Homafar st., Valiasr, Tabriz, Iran

For More Photos Go To:Tabriz City Photo Gallery.

File:Tabriz-panorama2.jpg
Panoramic view of Tabriz from Eynali mountain, August 2009
File:Panoramic view of park mashrouteh 2.jpg
Panoramic view of Tabriz from Mashrouteh Park, September 2009

See also

References

  1. ^ Iran - Statistical Centre retrieved 27 February 2008
  2. ^ Statistical Center of Iran: Results of national 2007 census
  3. ^ a b c d e f Editorial Board, East Azerbaijan Geography, Iranian Ministry of Education, 2000
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ a b c d e [2]
  6. ^ Gholam-Reza Sabri-Tabrizi. Iran: A Child's Story, a Man's Experience, International Publishers Co., 1989, p. 72, ISBN 0-7178-0682-0
  7. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica. "Tabriz", Online Edition, 2007
  8. ^ "Tabrīz." Microsoft Encarta 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.
  9. ^ Samuel Graham Wilson. Persian Life and Customs, Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1896, p.323
  10. ^ a b Edward Backhouse Eastwick. Journal of a Diplomate's Three Years' Residence in Persia, Smith, Elder and Co., 1864, p. 327
  11. ^ V. Minorsky-[C.E. Bosworth], Blair, Sheila S. (2009) "Tabriz" Encyclopedia of Islam, Second Edition. Brill.
  12. ^ William Bayne Fisher, J. A. Boyle (1968), The Cambridge History of Iran: The Land of Iran, 1st Edition, Cambridge University Press, p. 14
  13. ^ a b Minorsky, V., -(C.E. Bosworth); Blair, Sheila S., "Tabrīz", Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd Edition, Brill Academic Publishers, ISBN 90-04-13974-5, 9789004139749
  14. ^ Andrew Burke and Mark Elliott. Iran, Lonely Planet, 2004, ISBN 1-74059-425-8, p. 133
  15. ^ a b David Morgan, The Mongols p. 142
  16. ^ V. Minorsky. "Jihān-Shāh Qara-Qoyunlu and His Poetry (Turkmenica, 9)", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 16, No. 2 (1954), p. 277
  17. ^ Jean Druing, "The Spirit of Sounds: The Unique Art of Ostad Elahi", Cornwall Books, 2003, p172:"Maraghi mentions the Turkish and the Shirvani tanbour, which had two strings tuned in second (which the Kurds and Lors call Farangi) and was quite popular among the inhabitants of Tabriz (a region which was not yet Turkish speaking at the time) "
  18. ^ صادقی, علی اشرف 1379: چند شعر به زبان کرجی, تبریزی و غیره ... در مجله ی زبان شناسی, سال پانزدهم, شماره ی دوم, پاییز و زمستان Ali Asghar Sadeqi, "Some poems in the Karaji, Tabrizi and others" in Zaban-Shenasi(Persian), Year 15,No.2(Fall and Winder),1379(2001).
  19. ^ http://www.etemademelli.ir/
  20. ^ www.ghalamnews.ir
  21. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk
  22. ^ http://www.cnn.com
  23. ^ Photos of Museum Site of Blue Mosque.
  24. ^ Richard Tapper. "Shahsevan in Safavid Persia", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1974, p. 324. See also, Lawrence Davidson, Arthur Goldschmid, "A Concise History of the Middle East", Westview Press, 2006, p. 153; and Britannica Concise. "Safavid Dynasty", Online Edition 2007
  25. ^ For a complete list of Firsts in Tabriz see: سرداري‌نيا، صمد. "تبريز شهر اولين‌ها"، تبريز: كانون فرهنگ و هنر آذربايجان، 1381
  26. ^ www.worldclimate.com, Climate data for Tabriz, 1963-1990
  27. ^ "آب و هوای تبریز". fa.wikipedia.org. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g http://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B2
  29. ^ 2007 census
  30. ^ During, J. (2001). "Azerbaijan". The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians. Macmillan. ISBN 1561592390.
  31. ^ [3]
  32. ^ Alan S. Kaye, "Persian loanwords in English", English Today 20:20-24 (2004), doi:10.1017/S0266078404004043.
  33. ^ http://www.tabrizfair.ir/
  34. ^ [4]
  35. ^ Tabriz Metro
  36. ^ http://www.tabrizairport.ir
  37. ^ [5]
  38. ^ a b [6]
  39. ^ [7]
  40. ^ http://www.asreazadi.com
  41. ^ a b [8]
  42. ^ Baku#cite note-27,
  43. ^ Ho Chi Minh city#cite note-26,
  44. ^ [http://www.rosbalt.ru/2009/01/16/610380.html Tabriz and Kazan sister cities agreement]
  45. ^ Agreement between Tabriz and Vienna municipality

North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50

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Preceded by Capital of Iran
1375–1514 		Succeeded by

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