General Information About Urmia

Urmia is the largest city in West Azerbaijan Province of Iran and the capital of Urmia County. It is situated at an altitude of 1,330 metres (4,360 ft) above sea level, and is located along the Shahar Chay river (City River) on the Urmia Plain. Lake Urmia, one of the world’s largest salt lakes, lies to the east of the city, and the mountainous Turkish border area lies to the west.

Urmia is the 10th most populated city in Iran. The city’s inhabitants are predominantly Azerbaijanis who speak the Azerbaijani language. The city is the trading center for a fertile agricultural region where fruits (especially apples and grapes) and tobacco are grown. The Christian history of Urmia is well preserved, and is especially evident in the city’s many churches and cathedrals.

The majority of people are followers of Shia Islam. Urmia has many parks and touristic coastal villages in the shore of Urmia Lake. The oldest park in Urmia, called Park-e Saat, was established in the first Pahlavi era. Urmia’s largest park is Ellar Bagi Park  along the Shahar Chayi, or the “City River”.