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Urmieh: Provinical capital of Western Azarbaijan in an altitude of 1,340 m above sea level at the extreme northwest of Iran, Urmieh is 946 km away from Tehran by road. The origins of Urmieh (or Rezaieh from 1930 till 1988), according to some sources, go back to the civilization of Urartu, in whose language Urmi meant a fortress. Urmieh, if it is in fact the Urmi of the Urartians, is the legendary birthplace of Zoroaster and the burial place of one of the Three Magi. The town nestles amid the foothills of the Turkish frontier, facing a turquoise colored lake of inland water. A big market-town 322 km from Tabriz, Urmieh has over 375,431 inhabitants of the most diverse ethnic and religious background: Iranian Turks, Muslims and Catholics.The largest inland water body in Iran, Lake Urmieh 20 km to the east of the town, with an area of 5,000 square Kilometers and an average depth of 5 meters, is so full of salt that it cannot support any animal or vegetable life. However, because of containing natural salts and mud, the same water is used by patients who suffer from dermal and rheumatic troubles. At Golman-Khaneh harbor, there are coastal beaches ready to welcom the travelers. It is almost 140 km long and 40 km wide; and there are several uninhabited but environmentally protected beautiful islands in the southern parts, where wild beasts and animals live. Kabudan (formerly Shahi), occasionally a peninsula when a strip of mud dries long enough to connect it to the shore, is the second largest island of the lake, after the inhabited Eslami island. Its surface area is 3170 hectare; 12 km in length and 25 km in width, it has an altitude of 1275 m. A large number of birds such as Flamingos, Pelicans, wild Geese, and Gulls are living on and around the island. Entrance therein is subject to authorization given by the Environment Protection Department of the Province. There are some boat facilities for passengers between the Eastern and Western Azarbaijan as well.The Kaboudan Island is the place where Hulagu Khan ( The Mongol Governor) was buried together with his concubines and a legendary store of riches. Kaboudan is the prototype of the “ Treasure Island”. Places of Interest: 1.Friday Mosque:Of the most important buildings of the town worth visiting, first of all we could mention the Friday Mosque, dating from Seljuk times and located inside bazaar; however, it is thought to incorporate an earlier structure. The mihrab room richly adorned with the typical decoration of the period exuberant foliage and geometric patterns framed within panels of beautifully executed Kuffi script as well as its fine carved stucco work- is of the square Seljuk “ kiosk mosque” type, influenced not by Islam at all, but by the square Sassanian five-temples seen, for instance, at Naghsh-e Rustam. Stucco plaster is known to have been used as a building material in Iran for at least 2,500 years; it was developed as a decorative medium by the Sassanians and continued to be used as such in mosques and shrines, as well as private houses, from early Islamic days until the present. 2.S-eh Gonbad:Not far from the Friday Mosque is the funerary tower called S-eh Gonbad(Three Cupolas). This circular brick tower is a 12th century AD construction with a crypt in the lower part and a portal decorated with superb designs. Three inscription friezes carved on stone in Kuffic style, can still be seen at the entrance of the monument, and the date given at the end of the inscription is the month of Mahrram in Hijrah year 580 (1184 AD). 3.Bazaar:Urmieh has a lively covered bazaar which, though considerably later in date than the Isfahan bazaar, is built upon the same traditional lines. The domed vaults have circular openings to provide light, but they also let in rain and cold so that the tendency today is to cover them with glass. Actually, the bazaar consists of a network of smaller bazaars: grocers, goldsmiths, cloth dealers, coppersmiths, shoemakers, felt makers, dyers, tinsmiths, and knife makers. The absence of motor traffic adds greatly to the attraction of these bazaars. 4.Urmieh Museeum: is located at Shahid Dr. Beheshti Avenue, where you can see objects from the earliest prehistoric eras, as well as national art relics. 5.Tribal Area and special villages,The province of West Azarbayjan has its own special attractions regarding rural and tribal spaces or settlements. These are counted as valuable area for sight-seeing specially for tourists. Such as the rural areas of Marakan, Band, Siyah Cheshmeh, Khooshaku, Sahulan, Isa Kandi, etc., to name a few having a further attraction of wildlife Around the township of Makau are settlements of the Jalali tribe. This clan is divided into two being Milan and Qezelbash tribes respectively. Tribes are on move annually from their 'summer residing quarters' to 'winter residing quarters' and vice versa during specific months.present here. The tribes of Piran Shahr are divided into 3 groups namely Mamesh, Mangoor, and Piran. These tribes have their own life style and move from one place to the other depending on seasonal changes. 6.Orumieh Lake, West Azarbayjan:The province of West Azarbayjan has the largest lake of Iran in its territory, known as Lake Orumieh. This lake is at an altitude of 1,267 m. from the sea level, with a length of 130-140 km, the width being approximately 15-50 km. and at an average depth of 50-60 m. Its waters are extremely salty (twice the salinity of the oceans), consequently the lake never freezes. From olden times, local physicians made use of the water (because of its mineral content) and coastal sludge, in treating skin diseases and rheumatoid disorders. The best season for bathing in these waters are from the end of June till the third week of August, when the lake begins getting cold. Lake Orumieh has numerous islands, both large and small totaling to 102 in number. The most important of these being the following, Kaboodan (Qoyoon Daqi), Ashk, Espeer, and Arezoo. Kaboodan Island: This island is one of the largest islands of the lake Orumieh, located to the east of which and covering an area of about 3,175 hectares. Its vegetation being generally short scrubs and a variety of trees bearing wild fruits and nuts. Mammals such as wild goat and wild sheep exist on this Island. It is protected by the Department of the Environment as a National Park. Ashk Island: This island lies to the south of the Island of Kaboodan and 40 km. from the port of Golman Khaneh. This island has a 'sweet water' spring and provides a natural habitat for resident and immigrant birds. One of the rarest species of wildlife known as the 'Iranian follow deer' is found here. The Island covers and area of 2,115 hectares and its vegetation is similar to that of the Island of Kaboodan. Espeer Island: This island covers an area of 1.151 hectares, located to the west of the Kaboodan island and 27 km. from the port of Golman Khaneh. This island provide a natural habitat for birds. The island also has one jetty. These islands have facilities for swimming and water sports. 7. Takht-e Soleyman ( Tekab): Cilck for more information Click for Hotels in Urmieh However, for some special cases requiring
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