Varzaqan

For the administrative division of East Azerbaijan province, see Varzaqan County. For the village in Mianeh County, see Varzeqan.

Varzaqan (Persian: ورزقان), also Romanized as Varzeqān and Warzagan; formerly, Karzigan (كَرزيگَن), also Romanized as Kārzigān and Karzygan,^[3] is a city in the Central District of Varzaqan County (formerly Arsbaran County),^[4] 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]

Varzaqan Persian: ورزقان
City
Gol Akhur waterfall
Varzaqan
Coordinates: 38°30′34″N 46°39′00″E / 38.50944°N 46.65000°E / 38.50944; 46.65000^[1]
Country	Iran
Province	East Azerbaijan
County	Varzaqan
District	Central
Population  (2016)^[2]
• Total	5,348
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Website	www.varzeqan.com

At the 2006 census, its population was 3,549 in 930 households.^[7] The following census in 2011 counted 5,385 people in 1,392 households.^[8] The latest census in 2016 showed a population of 5,348 people in 1,401 households.^[2]

The city is famous for the Sungun copper mine, 25 km from the city centre, which is estimated to have 3 percent of the known copper reserves in the world.^{[citation needed]}

Historical landmark

The cuneiform inscription in the village of Saqandel is the most famous historical monument in the region.

Earthquakes

Main article: 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes

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.^[9]

Economy

Farming is the predominant occupation in the rural areas. The area produces 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.^[10]

Varzeqan 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 Shrfabad, Hyzjan, Tshkhsrv, Astrgan, Andryan and Myvhrvd.^[10]

•  Iran portal

References

1. OpenStreetMap contributors (26 February 2024). "Varzaqan, Varzaqan County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
2. . AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
3. 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".
4. . 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.
5. Aref, Mohammad Reza. . Islamic Parliament Research Center (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Council of Ministers. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
6. Mousavi, Mirhossein (18 May 1366). . Islamic Council Research Center (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Board of Ministers. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
7. . AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
8. . Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 03. Archived from the original (Excel) on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
9. "Iran earthquake relief efforts begin after 250 killed". BBC News. 12 August 2012.
10. Arzyl, Ahmed Hassan Nejad ( احمد حسن نژاد ارزیل) (2010). . Archived from the original on 21 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.