Iranian Azerbaijan - region in northwestern Iran
The term "Azerbaijan" also refers to a historical region in northwestern Iran. During the 1800s, parts of the region were ceded to the Russia Empire, comprising what is now known as the Republic of Azerbaijan. For more information on the country, please see Azerbaijan.
Iranian Azerbaijan (Persian and Azerbaijani: آذربایجان) is in the extreme northwest of Iran, by the border with the country and former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.
Cities
Provincial capitals
- Ardabil - capital of Ardabil province.
- Tabriz — the biggest economic hub of Northwestern Iran, the most populated city in Iranian Azerbaijan, and the capital of East Azerbaijan province.
- Urmia — capital of West Azerbaijan province.
- Zanjan - capital of Zanjan province.
Other major cities
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Jolfa - Border town with Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, but also a good base to visit the Armenian churches and the Aras Valley
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Kaleybar - A good base for seeing the spectacular Babak Castle, and the Aras River Valley
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Maku — a border town, and the hub for visiting the Chapel of Dzordzor
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Osku — known as the capital of batik in Iran.
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Takab — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby
Other destinations
- Aras River Valley - A scenic valley on the northern border with stepped villages, mountain scenery, and ancient tombs
- Kandovan — A small village with houses carved in the rocks like in Cappadocia, Turkey
Understand
Iranian Azerbaijan is traditionally inhabited by Azeris, speaking a Turkic language, and Kurds, speaking an Iranian language. The region's formation in its current borders dates back to Turkmanchay Treaty of 1828. By that treaty, the boundary between the Russian Empire and Persia was set at the Aras River, and Persia ceded to Russia the control of several Iranian Azerbaijani areas in the South Caucasus, which is now an independent country known as the Republic of Azerbaijan.
This region, especially eastern parts of it, is probably one of the most beautiful places in Iran. The region is known for its friendly people, and also known for the great food.
Iranian Azerbaijan is comprised of four provinces: Ardabil, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan.
Talk
The people of Iranian Azerbaijan are bilingual in both Persian and Azerbaijani.
Get in
By plane
International airport
Tabriz International Airport is the only international airport in Iranian Azerbaijan. It has flights to some Iranian cities and to neighboring countries.
- Tabriz International Airport (IATA: TBZ), 38.12285°, 46.244274°. A regional hub with domestic flights to Tehran, Mashad, and some other major cities of Iran, and flights to some neighboring countries.
Domestic Airports
- Urmia Airport (IATA: OMH), 37.662756°, 45.060672°.
- Ardabil Airport (IATA: ADU), 38.324620°, 48.421393°.
- Zanjan Airport (IATA: JWN), 36.7742°, 48.3585°.
- Sahand Airport (IATA: ACP), 37.346922°, 46.144598°.
By car
By the bridge over the Urmia lake Tabriz is reachable from Urmia in 1.5 hours.
By train
Some of the Iranian Azerbaijan cities have access to the railway includingː Tabriz, Maraghe, Salmas, and Jolfa.
- Tabriz Railway Station, Rah-Aahn Sq., Tabriz (5 km W of the city center of Tabriz), 38.07204°, 46.22891°. Domestic trains: There are comfortable night trains from Tabriz to Tehran (12 hr travel, 152,500 rials for 1-way ) passing Maraghe (2 hr), Zanjan (9 hr) and Qazvin. There is a 2nd class sleeping train (6 people in one room) that leaves Tabriz at 20:30 and arrives to Tehran at 09:30. Price is 40,000 rials. The more comfortable choice is to take 1st class train for 170,000 rials. This train leaves at 17:30 and arrives to Tehran at 06:00. There are 4-bed rooms with TV and dinner is included in that price. To get the ticket you need to use some of travel agencies in the city or in the train station (this option only for recent day registration). There is a weekly train goes from Tehran to Istanbul which has a stop in Tabriz. For more info visit Iranian Passenger Railway or Seat61. International trains: Weekly train to/from Istanbul, twice a week to Van, see Turkish Railway's site (dead link: August 2020).
By bus
There are bus lines from Provincial Capitals: Tabriz, Ardabil, Urmia, and Zanjan to major Iranian cities. There are minibus lines for connecting the smaller cities to the provincial capitals of Iranian Azerbaijan.
- Tabriz Main Bus Terminal, Niyayesh Blvd., Tabriz (S 3 km of city center), 38.0454°, 46.2776°, +98-41 34796091.
Get around
See
- The UNESCO World Heritage site Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran. It consists of three 7th century Armenian Christian buildings in the region — the monasteries of St. Thaddeus, St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor.
Do
Eat
- Bonanb Kabab, a big skewer kabab with ingredient of local spices, onion and beef. It is named after city Bonab in south of Tabriz.
- Chelo-Kabab, a dish of rice with ground beef kabab.
- Kofte-e-Tabrizi, a big meatball with ingredient of ground beef, rice, and herbs.
- Lighvan cheese, a domestic feta cheese from Liqvan village in south east of Tabriz.
Drink
Stay safe
Respect
The various respect tips found in the respect section of the Azerbaijan article will come in handy.