TABRIZ, tii-brz', TAT RI s. or Mums. The second largest town of Persia. capital of the Province of Azerbaijan, situated in a wide val ley, on the Aji. a tributary of Lake Crumiah, 35 miles east of the lake. in about latitude 38° 4' N., longitude 46° IS' E., over 4000 feet above the sea (Map: Persia, B 2). Owing to the many earthquakes, large sections of the town arc in ruins. The place is healthful, although the weather is bitterly cold a third of the year. In spite of the altitude, the bare rocks rising on the northeast and eat and the peak of Sahand standing on the south give Tabriz the appearance of being shut in by mountains. The squalor of the native huts and the poor sanitary precautions are counteracted by the abundance of water and the numerous refreshing orchards and gardens. The town, in addition to its hundred public baths, numerous caravansaries, and five Christian (Ar menian) churches, has over 300 mosques. Among these, the 'Blue Mosque,' incrusted within and without with blue faience tiles, is especially " worthy of mention. The 'Ark' in the centre of the town, the residence of the heir apparent, is a large, somewhat imposing brick building. Its cracked walls bear witness to the frequency and violence of earthquakes in this region. The 'Great Maidan' square and the ample barracks are examples of modern progress. There
is an international telegraph. Before the Cau casus Railroad and the Caspian Sea became im portant mediums of transportation and the Rus sian trade was diverted to Astara and Resht, Tabriz was the emporium of 'Western trade.
In 1898-99, according to the hooks of the cus tom-house, the exports amounted to £219,030 and imports to £682.330, but it is likely that these figures are much less than the total trade. Dried fruits, silk, and various kinds of manufactures are exported from Tabriz. There are lead mines in the vicinity, and copper and cobalt are found in the Sahand. The population is estimated at from 165.000 to 200,000. It was formerly much larger.
Tabriz is said to have been founded by the wife of Ha rim al-Rashid in 791. but is mentioned be fore that date. In 858, 1041, 1721, and 1780 it was devastated by earthquakes. In that of 1721 80,000 persons lost their lives. It was held in turn by the Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols, and Turko mans, from whom it was taken by the Persians. It was several times in the possession of the Turks and was finally taken from they by Nadir Shah in 1730. Tabriz is essentially a Turkish city and Turkish is the prevalent language.