Varzaqan
Varzaqan ورزقان | |
---|---|
City | |
Gol Akhur waterfall | |
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Coordinates: 38°30′34″N 46°39′00″E / 38.50944°N 46.65000°E[1] | |
Country | Iran |
Province | East Azerbaijan |
County | Varzaqan |
District | Central |
Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 5,348 |
Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
Website | www |
Varzaqan (Persian: ورزقان)[a] is a city in the Central District of Varzaqan County,[b] East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[5] It is also the administrative center for Ozomdel-e Jonubi Rural District.[6]
History
[edit]2024 helicopter crash
[edit]On 19 May 2024, a helicopter crash occurred about 25 km (16 mi) north of the city, killing Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others.[7]
Demographics
[edit]Population
[edit]At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 3,549 in 930 households.[8] The following census in 2011 counted 5,385 people in 1,392 households.[9] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 5,348 people in 1,401 households.[2]
Geography
[edit]Earthquakes
[edit]The area is subject to earthquakes, and in 2012, a number of people were killed when an earthquake doublet (magnitude 6.4 and 6.3) struck on the afternoon of 11 August.[10]
Economy
[edit]Agriculture
[edit]Farming and gardening is the predominant occupation in the rural areas of Varzaqan. The agricultural products from the area include apple, pear, cherry, walnut and apricot fruit. Recently spruce trees have been planted as the start of a forestry industry. Cold water fish farming has been started more recently.[11]
Mining
[edit]The city is notable for the Sungun copper mine, 21.8 km (13.5 mi) from the city centre, which is estimated to have 3 percent of the known copper reserves in the world.[citation needed]
Varzaqan is a mining centre for base metal mining, as well as gold. The Sungun copper mine is now the largest copper mine in northwestern Iran. The deposit itself is one of the largest copper deposits in the world. There are nearby gold mines at Sharafabad, Hyzjan, Tshkhsrv, Astrgan, Andaryan and Myvhrvd.[11][clarification needed]
Historical landmarks
[edit]The cuneiform inscription in the village of Saqandel is the most famous historical monument in the region.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (26 February 2024). "Varzaqan, Varzaqan County" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Varzaqan can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3088233" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ "Approval of changing the name of the new county of Arsbaran to Varzaqan by the ministers who are members of the Political Commission". Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of the Farabi Library (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Political-Defense Commission of the Government Board. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Aref, Mohammad Reza. "Approval letter regarding the abstraction of Varzaqan and Kharvana Districts from Ahar County and its transformation into Arsbaran County". Islamic Parliament Research Center (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Council of Ministers. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Mousavi, Mirhossein (18 May 1366). "Creation and formation of 30 rural districts including villages, farms and places in Ahar County under East Azerbaijan province". Islamic Council Research Center (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Board of Ministers. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Live updates: Iran's president and foreign minister found dead at crash site, state media says". AP News. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed". BBC News. 12 August 2012.
- ^ a b Arzyl, Ahmed Hassan Nejad ( احمد حسن نژاد ارزیل) (2010). "تاریخچه شهرستان ورزقان (History of Varzeqan)". Archived from the original on 21 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.