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It 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 above sea level, and is located along the Shahar River on the Urmia Plain. Lake Urmia, one of the world’s largest salt lakes, lies to the east of the city, and the border area with Turkey lies to the west.
The province is bound with three provinces East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Iraq. This township is widespread in the plain with 70km length and 30 km wide beside Urmia Lake.
Weather is Mediterranean and four seasonal. Temperature is different from hottest summer days to the summer, coldest night.
Urmia Lake is the biggest salt water lake of Iran is located between the eastern Azerbaijan province and the western Azerbaijan province. These lake water resources are supplied from 21 permanent rivers, 7 seasonal rivers and 39 watercourses, the lake’s interior springs, direct snow and rain. This lake has been constituted of two aqueous and arid environment (national park) with varied islands which is one of the most significant natural habitats, plants and animals in Iran.
The national park value is based on the wildlife habitat types, species of vegetation on the islands, natural interaction in Azerbaijan region, tourist, recreational and social values, named National Park and Sepehr Biological Reserve, International Wetlands and Medical Value (Mud). Now the lake is in danger of getting arid.
After the introduction of Islam in Iran, a lot of mosques replaced the fire temples. It is said that it was the same for Jameh Mosque of Urmia. The construction of the building began in the seventh century AH because the pictorial decorations of this mosque such as stucco, columns and vaults match the architectural style of Seljuk dynasty.
The altar is estimated to be built in 676 AH. During different eras, many damages have been inflicted to the body of the building. Many repairs have been conducted, too. But their dates are not known. Even though the date of the restoration of this building is not known, it is certain that this mosque has been repaired and restored along with other old parts of the city, the bazaar in particular.
Jameh Mosque of Urmia has many sections. The first section that a visitor will encounter is two entrances that connect the mosque to bazaar. The old sanctuary that has a dome, is one of the sections that attracts the attention of the tourists. It was built in the Seljuk era, and the famous altar that is located in this section is attributed to Ilkhanate dynasty. The stucco in the altar is one of the highlights of this building. Chehelsotun hall, literally meaning a hall with forty columns, is younger than the sanctuary and is connected to it.
