Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is located in the northwest of Iran at the intersection of the Alborz mountain range, the Zagros and the Caucasus and the territory is mainly mountainous.

Azerbaijan is bounded in the north by the Aras River, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in the south by Kurdistan province, in the east by Gilan province and the Caspian Sea and in the west by Turkey and Iraq. Azerbaijan is located in the northwest of Iran at the intersection of the Alborz mountain range, the Zagros and the Caucasus and the territory is mainly mountainous. The rivers of Azerbaijan flow mostly in the basin of Lake Urmia and Khazar Lake. The weather in most parts of the west and northwest of Azerbaijan is Cold-summer Mediterranean and in the southern region is Hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Getting in the direction of Europe has given a specific strategic location to the area.

Azerbaijan is divided into four provinces as follows:

• East Azerbaijan Province:
   

This province is considered to be the largest and most densely populated area in the north-western part of Iran. East Azerbaijan has a mountainous cold climate and the entire province covered by mountains and ridges. This province is the connecting point of two main mountain ranges of Iran, Alborz, and Zagros, and its highest point is Sahand Mountain. The capital of the East Azarbaijan Province is Tabriz Metropolis. The major cities of the province include Maragheh, Marand, Ahar, and Mianeh.

The most important tourist attractions of East Azerbaijan:

 Babak Castle: 
Babak Castle built on top of a 2300-meter high mountain, located about three km from the city of Kaleybar. The castle built during the Sasanian era and its name came from the name of Babak Khorramdin, the leader of the confrontation with the Arabs until 893 AD. The castle is located 200 kilometers north of Tabriz and about three hour's drive as needed.

 Asiyab Kharabe Fall (Broken Mill Fall):
Asiyab Kharabe Fall consists of some small and large waterfalls that flow down the top of the mountain. The walls of the cascade covered with mosses and other aquatic plants that create a pleasant landscape. This waterfall located in the city of Jolfa, a few kilometers from the Iranian border with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The fall is located 160 kilometers north of Tabriz and about two hour's drive as needed.

 Maragheh Observatory:
The Maragheh Observatory built during the Hulagu Khan period under the supervision of Khajeh Nasir Tusi in Maragheh. This observatory located above a cliff in the west of Maragheh, near the villages of Taleb Khan and Hajji Kord villages, where the Lake Urmia can be seen from afar. The Maragheh Observatory is located 140 kilometers south of Tabriz and about two hour's drive as needed.

 Bazaar of Tabriz:
Bazaar of Tabriz is the largest and most important indoor market in the world, located in the city of Tabriz. The market is about one square kilometer, the largest indoor market in the world.

 Kandovan Ancient Rocky Village:
The Kandovan Ancient Rocky Village is one of the villages of East Azerbaijan province and the city of Osko, which has a history of seven thousand years. This ancient village has many tourist attractions due to the shape of its houses, which are hollow in the mountains. The village is located 50 kilometers south of Tabriz and about an hour's drive as needed. The village is located 50 kilometers south of Tabriz and about an hour's drive as needed.

• West Azerbaijan Province:
   

West Azarbaijan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the northwestern part of Azerbaijan. The capital of the West Azerbaijan Province is Urmia.

The most important tourist attractions of West Azerbaijan:

 St. Thaddeus Monastery:
The St. Thaddeus Monastery is located 20 km northeast of Chaldoran County, next to a village of the same name. Apart from the Armenian church ceremonies are held every year, every day welcomes travelers, tourists, and foreign and domestic visitors. The St. Thaddeus Monastery is located 240 kilometers North of Urmia and about three hour's drive as needed.

 Chapel of Dzordzor:
Chapel of Dzordzor is one of the most spectacular monuments in Iran, located next to Baron Dam, 13 km from Maku, in a village called Baron. This building is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This church displaced from its original location! It happened in 1988, which was due to the possibility of the destruction of the church, during the revival of the fields of the Maku Plain. At that time, the Cultural Heritage Organization, in coordination with the Caliphate Armenians of Azerbaijan, moved the church to a safe place. The church located 250 kilometers north of Urmia and about four hour's drive as needed.

 Takht-e-Soleyman:
Takht-e Soleyman is a great historical site near Takab and the village of Takht-e- Soleyman in West Azerbaijan province. According to the ancient resources, Takht-e- Soleyman was Iran's capital of Persian in the Parthian Empire. It was the extensive educational, religious, social and religious center of Iran before Islam as well. The Takht-e-Soleyman is located 300 kilometers south of Urmia and about a five-hour drive as needed.

 Lake Urmia:
Lake Urmia is the largest lake in the territory of Azerbaijan, located between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan. In recent years, the lake has had a problem of water stress and a complete drying hazard.

• Zanjan Province:
   

Zanjan province is one of the provinces of Iran located in the Azerbaijan region of Iran. The capital of this province is Zanjan. This province has eight cities and 1210 villages. Zanjan province has always been popular among tourists because of many cities and tourist destinations. Zanjan Tour has been considered as one of the favorite destinations of the domestic tour.

The most important tourist attractions of Zanjan:

 Behestan Castle:
Behestan Castle is one of the 20 historical castles of Zanjan and located in the Mah Neshan city, Zanjan province, near the village of Behestan and along the river Qezel Ozan. The fortune of this castle dates back to the Medes. According to the original design, the creators of the castle built it by tunneling into the mountain and created different sections in which, connected to each other by corridors. The Behestan Castle is located 100 kilometers west of Zanjan and about two hour's drive as needed.

 Dome of Soltaniyeh:
This is the most magnificent building of the Azeri style (An Iranian architecture style), which located beside the tomb of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh (Al-Jayto). The dome is 48.5 meters high and the diameter of the crater is 25.5 meters, which built in 703 (AH) by order of Al Jayto (Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh). The Dome of Soltaniyeh is located 40 kilometers south of Zanjan and about one hour's drive as needed.

 Dashkasan:
Dashkasan is composed of several porches and ancient enclosures, and there are plenty of impressive stone reliefs found there. This amazing place is located at the heart of the Soltanieh Mountains, near the village of Viyar, 15 km northeast of Soltaniyeh. When you first see Dashkasan, you think you are going to China. One of the most fascinating and most famous monuments of this place is stone reliefs of two dragons. The Dashkasan is located 70 kilometers south of Zanjan and about one hour's drive as needed.

• Ardabil Province:
   

Ardabil province is one of the tourism destinations in Iran. One of the characteristics of this province is its pleasant and cool climate in the spring and summer. The area of this province is 17953 square kilometers and the center of this province is the city of Ardabil. Sabalan Mount is one of the high mountains of Iran located in this province.

The most important tourist attractions of Ardabil:

 Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili’s Shrine:
Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili’s Shrine is a cylindrical tower with a short dome on top of it. Architecturally and temporally, this shrine is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the eighth century AH and subsequent years. It also registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 Alvares Ski Resort:
The Alvares Ski Resort not only is the largest ski resort in Iran, but also is a unique and special recreational center in the north west of Iran. In addition to the suitable facilities for skiing, the Alvares Ski Resort is situated in enchanting place, on the slopes of Sabalan Mountain in the vicinity of the Alvares village. The ski resort is located 12 kilometers from the village of Alvares and 24 kilometers from Sarein. The Alvares Ski Resort is located 70 kilometers west of Ardabil and about one hour's drive as needed.

 Shorabil Lake:
Shorabil Lake is one of the natural inland lakes in Iran that located in the south of Ardabil. The results of geological studies indicate that the age of this lake is older than Lake Urmia. During Autumn, many immigrant birds land on the lake and prepare the best opportunity for birdwatching. The Shorabil Lake is located 10 kilometers south of Ardabil and about Half an hour's drive as needed.