Ardabil

Ardabil is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name Ardabil comes from the Zoroastrian name of "Artavil" which means a holy place. It is the center of Ardabil Province. At the 2011 census, its population was 564,365, in 156,324 families, where the dominant majority are ethnic Azerbaijanis.

History

Ardabil is known to have been a major tourist center which includes a World Heritage Site, the Ardabil Shrine, and a few other historical sites such as the bridges of Ardabil. The city is also known for its silk and carpet trade tradition. Ardabil rugs are renowned and the ancient Ardabil Carpets are considered some of the best of the classical Persian carpet creations.

Geography

Ardabil is located on the Balkan-Anatolia diagonal, which is the most important earthquake belt in Turkey, Iran, and the Middle East. The natural features of Ardabil province include Sabalan mountain, which is the third highest mountain in Iran and a key source of water for the city.

Climate

Ardabil has a temperate and cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSk) with dry, cold winters and mild, wet summers.

Economy

The economy of Ardabil is partially agricultural, partially tourist based, with some industries in operation.

Culture

The city is the seat of a University of Mohaghegh Ardabili and a branch of the Islamic Azad University. Ardabil is known for its trade in silk and carpets. Ardabil's carpet workshops are the oldest in the country.

See also

• List of cities in Iran
• Azerbaijan (Iran)
• Sabalan
• University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

External links

• Ardabil.com