Varzaqan
Persian: ورزقان | |
---|---|
City | |
Coordinates: 38°30′34″N 46°39′00″E / 38.50944°N 46.65000°E[1] | |
Country | Iran |
Province | East Azerbaijan |
County | Varzaqan |
District | Central |
Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 5,348 |
Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
Website | www |
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]
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]
The cuneiform inscription in the village of Saqandel is the most famous historical monument in the region.
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]
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]