Ardabil Province

Location: In the north-west of the country

Borders: East Azarbaijan province to the west, Zanjan province to the south, Gilan to the east and the Republic of Azarbaijan to the north and northeast.

Area: 18011 sq km

Elevation: 1300 m above sea level.

Climate: The coldest province in Iran

Capital: Ardabil

Population: 1165025

Industry: carpets, rugs, agriculture

History: It was used to be a part of East Azerbaijan province, and was being a separate province in 1993. Ardabil was probably founded in the 5th century AD. It became the capital of Azarbaijan, in the loth century but Tabriz soon suoerseded Ardabil. In 1220 AD, it was destroyed by the Mongols. Ardabil is best known as the birthplace of the eminent religious leader Sheik Safi od-Din (1251-1334) from whom the Safavid dynasty was descended. Sheikh Safi was the founder of a sufi order and monastery in Adebil, the prime mover of Iranian culture in 15th and 16th century. Shi'ism began to spread through mosques, monasteries and Dervish centers, and very soon conquered the masses. Shah Ismail created an immense empire: he succeeded in subjecting the principalities that had formed after the fall of Timurid state. In 1510 Timur conquered Baghdad . The decision to uphold Shi'ism might be interpreted as an extreme endeavor to prevent the Iranian nation from becoming absorbed by the west (Ottomans) and the east (Uzbeks). The town was occupied by the Turks in 1725 and the Russians in 1828. Its proficient library was taken to St. Petersburg by the Russians.