Tabriz

Capital of Eastern Azerbaijan, northwest Iran; population (1991) 1,089,000. It is situated on a small river called Aji Chay which flows into Lake Urmia. Industries include metal casting, carpets, cotton, and silk textiles. Features include The Arg, or citadel, and the Blue Mosque. It is connected by rail to Julfa (140 km/87 mi) on the Armenian border, and to Tehran.

During the Perso-Turkish wars of the 16th and 17th centuries it frequently changed hands. It was occupied by Russian forces in both world wars. Earthquakes have ruined the city several times. It was the capital of Iran in the time of Shah Ismail I and Ghazan Khan. A university was established here in 1948.