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Tabriz (Persian: تبریز,Azerbaijani: تبریز',Təbriz ) is the fourth largest city of 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] [edit] EtymologyAccording 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] [edit] History [edit] Early AccountsAccording 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]. [edit] Medieval and renaissance history 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. [edit] Contemporary history 
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.
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.
 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 candidates, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (who is Persian originally) the fundamental candidate who was the favourite of supreme leader Ali Khamenei. People asked Where is my vote? which became the motto of huge demonstration against anti-democratic Mullahs 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] [edit] Historical time-line
 [edit] Excavation sitesSee also: Iron Age museum. In 2002, during a construction project behind the Blue Mosque (Part of Silk Road Project), an ancient graveyard was uncovered. 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 excavation with of Museum Site of the Blue Mosque is opened to public on 2006 [23]. There is another excavation in Abbasi Street at the site of the Rabe Rashidi. This academic institution dates back to more than 700 years ago and was established in the Ilkhanid period. [edit] Capital of IranTabriz has been the capital of Iran several times: during Kara Koyunlu dynesty from 1375 until 1468, then during Ak Koyunlu within 1468-1501, Some of the existing historical monuments including Blue Mosque are belong 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 used as the residence for the Iranian Crown Prince (1794-1925).  [edit] City of firstsDue to its location as a western gateway for Iran, many modern developments have been adopted first in this city, leading to its moniker as a "city of firsts".[25] These include:
[edit] Geography[edit] TopographyTabriz is located in northwest of Iran in East Azerbaijan province between Eynali and Sahand mountains in a fertile region beside the Aji River and Ghuri River. The local area is earthquake-prone and during its history the city has been devastated and rebuilt many times. [edit] ClimateTabriz has 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 direction mostly in summer.[26]
[edit] Air pollutionTabriz is second most polluted city of Iran. The level of pollution increase day after day. The main reasons of air pollution of the city are: vehicles and major factories like refinery, chemicals and petrochemical factories. According to one research 558, 167 ton pollutant ingredients is produced everyday in Tabriz.[28] [edit] GovernanceFurther 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. [edit] DistrictsThe city is divided into 8 municipal districts. Old neighborhoods of Tabriz:
[edit] Demography The city of Tabriz had a population of about 1,4 million [29] people at the time of the last official census in 2006. The majority of Tabriz residents are known as Azeris also some minority groups of Persians, Armenians, Assyrians and Kurds live in Tabriz. [edit] LanguageSee also: Old Azari language Today the predominant language in the city is Azerbaijani Turkic which is belong to Turkic languages family. Azeri is member of the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages and is closely related to Turkish. The Azeri language of today 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. Almost all inhabitants of the city also speak the Persian language.[3] [edit] ReligionThe majority of people in Tabriz are followers of Shia Islam. Some Armenians and Assyrians live in Tabriz who have their own churches and organisations. There was also a small Jewish community but they mostly have moved to Tehran.[3] [edit] Culture and Art  [edit] LiteratureThe music and folk songs of Tabriz are popular and traditions have a long history. 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:
[edit] MusicMain 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". 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] [edit] PaintingOne of the Iranian painting styles is called "Tabrizian style" which has been shaped in the era of Ilkhanids, Kara Koyunlu and the Safavids.[31] [edit] Cuisine see also: Iranian Cuisine , Azerbaijani Cuisine Ash is a kind of soup which are prepared with bouillon, different vegetables, carrot, noodle and spices. Chelow kabab - is the national dish of Iran, prepared with kebab and tomato on a plate of rice. Tabriz is famous for its Chelow kabab in Iran. Dolma is traditionally a Turkic food, delicious and special. It is prepared with eggplant, capsicum, tomato or zucchini filled with a mixture of meat, split pea, onion and different 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 many others. [edit] Monuments and LandmarksTabriz was devastated by several earthquakes during history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721) as a result from numerous monuments only few of them or part of them survived till now. Beside this some of the historical monuments are destroyed within construction projects. By the way there are still a good number of them are remained till nowadays which are listed below[28]. [edit] 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 established at first Pahlavi's era in city center. Tabriz has 8 traveller-parks with capacity of 10.000 travellers as well.[28]
 [edit] Tourism[edit] Souvenirs of Tabrizhandcrafts: 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] [edit] Regional Tourist AttractionsVillages, 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) [edit] Economy  [edit] IndustriesTabriz is second most important industrial city of Iran. Modern industries of the city include the manufacturing of machinary, vehicles, chemicals and petrochemical, refinery, cement, electrical and electronical equipments, home appliances, textiles and leather, nutrition and dairy factories and woodcraft.[3][28].
This complex is the largest manufacturer of tractor in the Iran which has some branches in other cities inside and outside Iran. This complex produces not only the tractor but also automotive parts, forging and casting products for all related industries and a Camionet which called Azarash. The largest forging press of middle est is located in this complex which has 8000Tones capacity. [edit] Small businesses
[edit] Handcrafts ateliersMain 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.
 [edit] ShoppingShopping locations in the city center including the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz, the pedestrian mall on Tarbiyat street, Shahnaz and Ferdowsi streets also Abressan intersection and Kouy Valiasr have lots of traditional and modern boutiques of jewelry, rug, clothes, handcrafts, confectionary and drynuts shops, home appliances and many others.[5] [edit] Tabriz International ExhibitionTabriz has annual international exhibitions at different times of a year that companies from all around the world bring their products.[33] [edit] Education_of_Tabriz.JPG)  Tabriz is 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. Other than University of Tabriz five 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 Behind this few of Iranian universities have their branches in Tabriz including: Imam Hossein University, Shahid Beheshti Training Teacher Center of Tabriz Also private universities are: Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Seraj Higher Education Institute, University College of Nabi Akram, Khajeh Rashid University. There are few technical colleges which serving to 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 Unit of East Azerbaijan.[34] [edit] Famous high schools Old schools
New Ones
[edit] Religious centres
 [edit] LibrariesTabriz 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 Tabriz. [edit] Infrastructure[edit] Health systemsThe 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]      [edit] TransportationInner 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 about 18 km from Baseej square in the east to railway station in the west of the city. There is 50 bus stop in the path of B.R.T.
Tabriz subway train network is still under construction and is not complete. 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] International:
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.
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 west part of the city at the end of Khomeyni street.
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] [edit] SportSport is an important part of Tabriz's culture. The most popular sport in Tabriz is soccer. Tabriz is home to four Iranian major soccer teams: Machine Sazi Tabriz F.C., Teraktor Sazi F.C. (ITMCO), Shahrdari Tabriz F.C., Petrochimi Tabriz F.C. Tabriz also has two stadiums for soccer: Bagh Shomal Stadium, with capacity of 20,000 and Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium with 71,000. Azerbaijan Cycling Tour is a professional cycling tour, which is held annually in part of Iranian Azerbaijan, is starting from Tabriz. Tabriz also have an UCI Continental cycling team thatcompeting 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] [edit] Media [edit] TelevisionTabriz has one television Channel called "Sahand TV" that broadcasts in both Persian and Azerbaijani languages and is government-run. It broadcasts internationally through satellite Intelsat 902.[38][39] [edit] RadioTabriz has one government-controlled radio channel broadcasting in both Persian and Azerbaijani languages.[38] [edit] PressTabriz has 14 weekly magazines and eight main newspapers: Amin, Asr Azadi [40], Fajr Azarbaijan, Saeb tabriz, Peyam noor, Navaye misho and Saheb.[41] [edit] Major notable people from TabrizFor a complete list see: List of people from Tabriz
[edit] Sister cities and twin townsTabriz is twinned with the following cities: [edit] Consulates
[edit] Photo Gallery of TabrizFor More Photos Go To:Tabriz City Photo Gallery.
  [edit] See also
[edit] References
North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50 [edit] External links
Categories: Tabriz | East Azarbaijan Province | Iran | Iranian provincial capitals | Cities, towns and villages in East Azarbaijan Province | Pre-Islamic heritage of Iran | Visitor attractions in Iran | Visitor attractions in Iran by city | Visitor attractions of Iran by province | Cities along the Silk Road | Iranian architecture | Archaeological sites in Iran | Economy of Iran | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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