AZERBAIJAN, the north-western province of Persia. It is separated on the north from the Soviet Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia by the river Aras (Araxes) ; on the east it abuts on the Talish country and the Caspian sea; on the west it is bounded by Asiatic Turkey, and on the south are the provinces of Kurdistan, Karus, Khamseh and Gilan. The area is estimated at 3 2,000sq.m. The population, roughly 1 millions, comprises various races, e.g., Persians proper, Turks, Kurds, Syrians and Armenians.
Physically, Azerbaijan is a high plateau bordered all around by higher mountain crests. Sahend mountain (r 2,000f t. ), the extinct volcano Savalan (15,792f t.) west of Ardabil, and Ararat (17,000f t.) in the north-west, are the highest elevations in the province. The central depression (about 4,000ft.) is the Urmia lake, the most extensive basin of Persia, into which numerous watercourses drain from the surrounding highlands. In general the country is superior in fertility to most provinces of Persia and consists of a regular succession of undulating eminences, partially cultivated and opening into extensive plains. The orchards and gardens which surround many villages yield fruits of almost every description and great quantities, dried, are ex ported to Russia, the chief centre of the industry and of general trade being Tabriz. There is a lack of forest and timber trees. Lead, copper, sulphur, orpiment and lignite have been found within the confines of the province, and indications of petroleum have been reported. A kind of variegated and translucent marble, known as Maragha or Tabriz marble, is quarried and much used in Persia in the construction of monumental buildings, tanks, baths, etc. The climate is subject to extremes and the cold of winter is severely felt for want of fuel, the only substitute being dried cow-dung. Water from the innumerable streams is abun dant. The natives of Azerbaijan make excellent soldiers and a large part of the Persian army is recruited from them.
The revenue of the province from all sources amounted in 1926-27 to 32,870,059 krans. Communications within the province are comparatively good. A railway, 8om. in length, operated at a profit by the Persian Government, runs from Tabriz to Julfa on the Araxes, where it connects with the Caucasian system ; a branch (30m.) from Sofia runs to Sharafkhaneh on Lake Urmia. This railway is worked in conjunction with a line of motor boats and barges on the lake and the freight business carried on is large and increasing. There are some 40m. of railway in the extreme north-west corner of the province, also the property of the Persian Government, but in bad repair. A constructed road suitable for heavy motor traffic runs from Tabriz to Julfa (8om.) parallel to the railway, and another runs from Julfa to Khoi. Roads passable by automobiles and light wheel traffic also run from Tabriz to Astara on the Caspian sea and to Kazvin. Tabriz, the chief town of Azerbaijan, has a local telephone service.