Urmia, Provincial capital in West Azerbaijan, Iran
Urmia is a provincial capital in West Azerbaijan province in the northwest of the country, spreading across a wide plain. The city consists of several neighborhoods with residential buildings, markets, and public squares connected by broad avenues.
The settlement emerged more than 3,000 years ago and developed into a trading center on the Silk Road. In the 19th century, the city experienced major changes through Christian missionaries who established schools and printing presses.
Residents primarily speak Azerbaijani in daily conversations, while Persian remains the official language. In the evenings, teahouses in the center fill with guests chatting over tea and pastries.
The best time to visit falls between April and October, when temperatures are moderate and the surrounding orchards ripen. Within the city, walking works well in the center, while taxis are available for longer distances.
The city houses one of the largest printing presses in the Middle East from the 19th century, which Armenian missionaries built. In some neighborhoods, houses still stand with the typical cellars used to cool fruit and wine during hot summer months.
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