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| Khoy | |
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  Khoy
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Iran |
| Province | West Azarbaijan Province |
| Elevation [1] | 1,148 m (3,769 ft) |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| - Summer (DST) | IRST (UTC+4:30) |
Khoy (Persian: خوی, Kurdish: Xoy), also spelt Khoi, Khuy[2]page # needed, Khvoy and Xoy, is a city in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran. It is located north of the state capital, Urmia, and 807 km north-west to Tehran. The region's economy is based around agriculture, particularly the production of fruit, grain, and timber. Khoy is nicknamed as the Sunflower city of Iran. As of 2006 census, the city had a population of 178,708, with an estimated 2008 population of 184,409.[3]
Khoy is well known for the tomb of Shams Tabrizi, renowned Iranian poet and mystic. It was also located on the Silk Road. Khoy had been under attack by Russia in 1827 and Turkey in 1911. During World War II, the city was under the control of the Soviet Union.
The name of city is related to the local word meaning salt (khwe) which may refer to its status as the trade center for the salt mines in the region. Another explanation for the name originates from the shape of the city, because it is in the shape of a hole and it is next to "Avrin" mountain.citation needed
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History
Khoy was fortified at various times in its history, most recently by the Qajar dynasty in the Nineteenth Century. In 1911 it was occupied by Turkish troops, followed in World War I by Russian troops, who withdrew in 1917. In World War II it was again occupied by Soviet troops, who remained until 1946.
Khoy was the capital of the Emirate of Khoy (Her), born out of the Vaspurakan Kingdom between 908 and 1021.
Khoy was returned to Persian rule during the Seljuq period. After the death of Persian Emperor Nadir Shah Afshar in 1747 by the leader of the Dumbuli Azeri tribe, Khoy once again broke away from Persia along with several other states, including Afghanistan, becoming the Khanate of Khoy (1747-1813). The return of Khoy to Persia was precipitated by the Russian threat during the Russo-Persian Wars.
Famous places
- Tomb of Shams Tabrizi
- Bastam and Bolourabad historical castles
- Khatoon [old] bridge
- Old stone gate of the city
- Old bazaar of Khoy
Famous people
- Grand Ayatollah Abul-Qassim Khoei
- Javad Khan Qajar Khoei
References
- ^ "Khoy, Iran Page". Retrieved on 2008-07-07.
- ^ van Donzel, E. J. (compiler) (1994) "Khoi" Islamic Desk Reference E.J. Brill, Leiden, ISBN 90-04-09738-4
- ^ "Khvoy," World Gazetteer.
