Ardabil

Ardabil Province neighbors Zanjan, Gilan, and west Azerbaijan provinces, and borders country of Azerbaijan. Altitude variation from 40 meters above the sea level in Mugan plain to 4811 meters on the summit of Sabalan Mountain provides a diverse climate all around the province. Ardabil consists of ten counties. The capital of the province has an identical name. Ardabil has been a busy city in different eras. It was the capital of former Azerbaijan state, and as it was situated along the Silk Road, it ended up having good economic prosperity. In addition, Ardabil’s civilization started around 3000 years ago and became a strategic city in the Parthian Empire. Although Mongols destroyed Ardabil in 13th century CE, it steadily began to flourish and reached to its glory in Safavid dynasty (16 to 18 centuries CE). Moreover, Sheikh Safi-al-din Ardabili, a prominent Sufi leader, founder of the Safavid order, and the eponym of the Safavid dynasty was born and buried in Ardabil. Ardabil flourished after the rise of Sheikh Safi-al-din Ardabili and Safavid dynasty. The most well-known handicrafts of Ardabil are Varni (a kind of Kilim woven by nomads of the region), and Masnad Kilim that are woven by the local women. Sabalan honey, Kaymak, and Ghara Halva are the most famous and popular edibles in Ardabil by locals as well as tourists. What is more, Aush Doogh is its most favorable traditional food.