With18050 Kilometres area, the province of Ardabil is located on
the north-east of Iran . It includes the districts of
Ardabil, Khalkhall, Meshkeen Shahr, Geirmi, Bilasavar and
Pars Abad. The historic and Islamic city of Ardabil is the
capital of the province.
The population of the province in 1996 was 1,168,000 from
which 48.8% were registered as urban dwellers while 51.1%
were villagers and the remaining 0.22% were registered as
nomad tribes.
Four districts of this province are located on the border
with the Republic of Azarbaijan, with a total border line of
282.5 kilometres length . The river Aras and the river Balha
consist 159 kilometres of the border length mentioned above.
Throughout two checkpoints, named Aslandooz and Bilasavar,
this province ic connected the Republic of Azarbaijan, while
Ardabil-Astara road via Hayran, connects Ardabil to Rasht,
Qazvin and Tehran.
Ardabil province enioys geographical and enviromental
diversity. The district of Ardabil is consisted mainly of
mountainous areas, including the famous mountain of Sabalan.
the mountains Talesh and Bozghoosh which surround this
district. Most of this district heights are above 3000
meters altitude, and the pake of Sabalan’s hight is 4811
meters, while is located on the north-west of the district
and causes the temperate weather of the area. Generally
speaking, the district of Ardabil is known as one of the
coldest areas of Iran with a very cold weather for 5-8
months a year . Cold winters and temperate summers
characterise the climate of the district.
Bilasavar District locates in a large plate, and it has a
warm summer and a temperate winter.
Parsabad-Mughan districtis located in a large plate too, and
its weather is temperate to warm. The plate of Mughan is
recognized as one of the most important modern agriculture
and animal husbandry of the country.
Germi District is located between two low-hight mountain
chains, and it is warm in summer and temperate in winter.
Khalkhall District is a mountainous area, so it has a very
cold weather in winter and a temperate in summer. It is
usually covered with heavy snow and ice for five months a
year , which causes the road Asalem-Khalkhall, in the
mountainous area of Talish to be closed during this period.
Mishkeen Shahr District is located on the western outskirts
of the mountain Sabalan, and it is very cold in winter and
mild in summer.
The history of the province of Ardabil is a part of the
history of Azarbaijan. Most Iranian historians believe that
the city was built by Firooz, the Sasanid king (457-489 AC),
and the city has a 1500 year history. But even earlier,
Ardabil was a very imporant city from the military and
political points of view during the Achaemenid period, which
was a military base on the northern border of the Persian
Empire. according to Avesta, the Iranian profit, Zoroaster
was born near the river " Daei Yeat " which is now named
"Aras" , and he had written his book in Sabalan area, while
he began to propagate his religion in the city of Ardabil.
At the time of the moslem Arabs invasion of Iran, (year 22
AH) the city of Ardabil was the largest in Azarbaijan, which
failed to the Muslims. Between 257-317 AH it was the
headquarters of the local government of Bani Saj who changed
their capital from Maragheh to Ardabil. And the city of
Ardabil remained the capital of Azarbijan until the Moguls
attack.
Shah Esmael, the Safavid king began his effort for
establishment of an Iranian united empire, then he settled
in Tabriz as his capital in 906 AH. During the Safavid era,
Ardabil became the most impotant city of Iran from the
political and economic points of view. The Significant
location of Ardabil on the main trade road between Iran and
Europe had increased her impotance for trading silk and
other goods between Guilan in Iran and different parts of
the Europe.
The city of Ardabil now is one of the most important cities
of the province and Iran for its man historical elements,
specially the Safavid family’s shrines, its location near
many mineral-warm spring, and location on the main access
road to the Republic of Azarbijan. These have turned the
city a tourism centre, which is visited by thousands of
tourists every year.
Among main historical monument of this city, one can name
its old bridges with their special architecture, its
historical places, significant mosques, shrines, churches
and other holy buildings, all with valuable architecture.The
significant architecture of commercial unites, specially the
traditional bazaar are attractive too.
Furthermore, the natural attraction of the region and the
city, specially Sabalan marvellous outskirts, and the warm
mineral springs of Sareain from an environment suitable for
tourists in spring and summer . Moreover, Infact,
environmental diversity of the province Helped the province
to have. province’s beautiful valleys, attractive forests,
wonderful lakes and many beautiful marshlands, and
landscapes. The lakes of Shoorabil and Neor are well
facilitated for tourism and are very attractive areas in
summer, which can be upgraded to be one of the most
attractive tourist areas in international level.
In addition to the tourism attraction of the province, its
significant location on the strategic border area as a
neighbour with the Republic of Azarbaijan, have well
faciliated for the development process of the province and
the whole region. the recent developmant of trade relations
and communication between Iran and the Republic of
Azarbaijan have been significant for the development of
tourism and economy of the province of Ardabil,and more
development is expected in the future.
Main historical, cultural and tourist characteristics of
cities, towns and regions of the province are as followings: |
