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Coordinates: 39°05′N 46°56′E / 39.083°N 46.933°E / 39.083; 46.933
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{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}

{{Short description|County in East Azerbaijan province, Iran}}
{{Short description|County in East Azerbaijan province, Iran}}

{{distinguish|Khodabandeh}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}


{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Khoda Afarin County
|name = Khoda Afarin County
|other_name =
|other_name =
|native_name = شهرستان خداآفرین
|native_name = {{langx|fa|شهرستان خداآفرین}}
|settlement_type = County
|settlement_type = [[Counties of Iran|County]]
|image_skyline = Garmanab 2.jpg
|image_skyline = Garmanab 2.jpg
|imagesize =
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Construction boom in previously abandoned villages
|image_caption = Construction boom in previously abandoned villages
|image_map = Khoda Afarin_shahrestan.png
| image_map = East Azerbaijan.svg
| image_map1 = IranEastAzerbaijan-SVG.svg
| image_map1 = IranEastAzerbaijan-SVG.svg
| map_caption = Location of Khoda Afarin County in East Azerbaijan province
| map_caption = Location of Khoda Afarin County in East Azerbaijan province (top, yellow)
| map_caption1 = Location of East Azerbaijan province in Iran
| map_caption1 = Location of East Azerbaijan province in Iran
|pushpin_map =
|pushpin_map =
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption =
|pushpin_map_caption =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Iran.svg|25px]] Iran
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Iran}}
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Iran|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]]
|seat_type = Capital
|seat_type = Capital
|seat = [[Khomarlu]]
|seat = [[Khomarlu]]
|parts_type = Districts
|parts_type = [[Bakhsh|Districts]]
| parts_style = para
| parts_style = para
| parts =
| parts =
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| p3 = [[Minjavan District|Minjavan]]
| p3 = [[Minjavan District|Minjavan]]
| p4 =
| p4 =
| p5 =
| p5 =
| p6 =
| p6 =
|leader_title =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_name =
|established_title =
|established_title =
|established_date =
|established_date =
|area_total_km2 =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2016
|population_as_of = 2016
|population_footnotes =
|population_footnotes = <ref name="2016 East Azerbaijan Province"/>
|population_total = 32995
|population_total = 32995
|population_density_km2 =
|population_density_km2 =
| coordinates = {{coord|39|05|N|46|56|E|dim:115km|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39|05|N|46|56|E|dim:60km|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=39.083333&mlon=46.933333&zoom=10#map=10/39.0833/46.9333|website=[[OpenStreetMap]] |title=Khoda Afarin County|date=4 September 2024|access-date=4 September 2024|lang=fa}}</ref>
|timezone = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
|timezone = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
|utc_offset = +3:30
|utc_offset = +3:30
⚫
|elevation_footnotes =
|timezone_DST = [[Iran Daylight Time |IRDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = +4:30
⚫
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m =
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|elevation_ft =
|website =
|website =
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Khoda Afarin County''' ({{lang-fa|شهرستان خداآفرین}}) is located in [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]] province, [[Iran]]. The capital of the county is [[Khomarlu]]. At the 2006 census, the county's population as a part of [[Kaleybar County]] was 34,461, in 7,492 households.<ref name="2006 census">{{IranCensus2006|03}} Retrieved 14 November 2022</ref> It was separated from Kaleybar County in September 2011.<ref>http://www.dolat.ir/NSite/FullStory/News/?Serv=0&Id=196474</ref> The following census in 2011 counted 34,977 people, in 9,169 households.<ref name="2011 census">{{cite web |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/2011-census/provincial-data-persian |title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011) |format=Excel |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Iran Data Portal |publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran |access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref> At the 2016 census, the county's population was 32,995, in 10,196 households.<ref name="2016 census">{{Cite web|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016) (Excel).|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113123618/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx |archive-date=2020-11-13 |access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref>


'''Khoda Afarin''' ({{langx|fa|شهرستان خداآفرین}}) is a county in [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]] province of [[Iran]]. The city of [[Khomarlu]] is the capital of the Khoda Afarin.<ref name="Khoda Afarin County Establishment">{{cite report|title=Letter of approval regarding country divisions in Kaleybar County|language=fa|website=qavanin.ir|via=Laws and Regulations Portal of the Islamic Republic of Iran|url=https://qavanin.ir/Law/PrintText/175651|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926212551/https://qavanin.ir/Law/PrintText/175651|publisher=Ministry of the Interior, Council of Ministers|last=Rahimi|first=Mohammad Reza|archive-date=26 September 2022|orig-date=Approved 7 September 1389|date=c. 2022|id=Proposal 1/4/42/111195|access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
⚫
Before the Islamic Revolution, Khomarlu was merely a village which was distinguished from other villages for housing the headquarters of Royal Gendarmery. The notary office was located in [[Abbasabad, Khoda Afarin|Abbasabad]] village and operated by a cleric, who also acted as the spiritual authority of the whole district.


== Economy ==
==History==
⚫
Before the Islamic Revolution, the city of [[Khomarlu]] was merely a village which was distinguished from other villages for housing the headquarters of Royal Gendarmery. The notary office was located in [[Abbasabad, Khoda Afarin|Abbasabad]] village and operated by a cleric, who also acted as the spiritual authority of the whole district.
⚫
[[File:KhodaAfarin 3.jpg|left|thumb|260px|Mountainous areas of Khoda Afarin county]]
⚫
Before the [[Islamic Revolution]] of 1978, then a district of [[Ahar County]], had a dynamic economy; the surplus agricultural products from fertile farmlands along Aras were exported to [[Ahar]], and on the lush uplands large herds of sheep were a common sight. Of course, since the turbulent days of Azerbaijan Democratic Government, some residents were travelling to [[Tehran]] or [[Tabriz]] for seasonal work on construction projects, and by the late 1970s some of these migrant workers were established contractors. Accordingly, majority of active male population was spending half of the year in cities. The [[Islamic Revolution]] drastically changed social order. In the 1978–1979 period many of the migrant workers in [[Tehran]] constructed illegal dwellings on government lands at the North-East of [[Tehran]] and moved their families to the city. During the second big migration wave of the 1990s, most villages of the county were evacuated and residents settled in the shanty-towns at the South-West of Tehran. In recent years, some expatriates have returned and constructed decent houses. The county is already experiencing a construction boom. This has rapidly increased demand for construction workers. Moreover, the capital inflow to the county in anticipation of potential boom in Eco-tourism has resulted in launching many projects related to hotels and campgrounds.


After the 2006 National Census, [[Khoda Afarin District]] was separated from [[Kaleybar County]] in the establishment of Khoda Afarin County, which was divided into three districts and seven rural districts, with Khomarlu as its capital and only city.<ref name="Khoda Afarin County Establishment"/>
⚫
== Language ==


==Demographics==
⚫
The spoken language of a vast majority of the inhabitants is modern [[Azeri]], which has much similarity to [[Turkmeni]], [[Afshar language|Afshar]] and the [[Old Anatolian Turkish|Anatolian Turkish]]<ref>Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World, 2010, Elsevier, p. 110-113</ref>
⚫
=== Language ===
⚫
The spoken language of a vast majority of the inhabitants is modern [[Azeri Turkish]], which has much similarity to [[Turkmeni]], [[Afshar language|Afshar]] and the [[Old Anatolian Turkish|Anatolian Turkish]].<ref>Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World, 2010, Elsevier, p. 110-113</ref>


The ancient [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]], [[Iranic]] language of the province before its [[turkification]], survives in the [[Tati language (Iran)|Tati]] language, particularly in its [[Karingani]] dialect. In addition to the large village of [[Karingan]], the villages of Chay Kandi, Kalasor, Khoynarood, and Arazin also are the last speakers of the old native language of Azerbaijan. .<ref>James Stuart Olson, Lee Brigance Pappas, Nicholas Charles Pappas (Editors), An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires 1994, p. 623</ref><ref>E. Yarshater, Iranian Languages and Texts from Iran and Turan, edited by Maria Macuch, Mauro Maggi, Werner Sundermann, 2007, page 443.</ref>
The ancient [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]], [[Iranic]] language of the province before its [[turkification]], survives in the [[Tati language (Iran)|Tati]] language, particularly in its [[Karingani]] dialect. In addition to the large village of [[Karingan]], the villages of Chay Kandi, Kalasor, Khoynarood, and Arazin also are the last speakers of the old native language of Azerbaijan.<ref>James Stuart Olson, Lee Brigance Pappas, Nicholas Charles Pappas (Editors), An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires 1994, p. 623</ref><ref>E. Yarshater, Iranian Languages and Texts from Iran and Turan, edited by Maria Macuch, Mauro Maggi, Werner Sundermann, 2007, page 443.</ref>


The mountainous terrain, shepherding and cultivation of hillsides possess the isolating features for the development of a sophisticated [[whistled language]].<ref>J.Meyer, Bioacoustics of human whistled languages: an alternative approach to the cognitive processes of language, Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências,76, 405-412, (2004)</ref> The inhabitants of the region employ the fingered whistle format for long range communication. More importantly, the majority of males are able, and perhaps addicted, to masterfully mimic the melodic sounds of musical instruments using fingerless whistle. Melodic whistling, indeed, appears to be a private version of the [[Ashik|Ashug]] music for personal satisfaction.
The mountainous terrain, shepherding and cultivation of hillsides possess the isolating features for the development of a sophisticated [[whistled language]].<ref>J.Meyer, Bioacoustics of human whistled languages: an alternative approach to the cognitive processes of language, Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências,76, 405-412, (2004)</ref> The inhabitants of the region employ the fingered whistle format for long range communication. More importantly, the majority of males are able, and perhaps addicted, to masterfully mimic the melodic sounds of musical instruments using fingerless whistle. Melodic whistling, indeed, appears to be a private version of the [[Ashik|Ashug]] music for personal satisfaction.


===Population===
⚫
==Administrative divisions==
At the time of the 2011 census, the county's population was 34,977 people in 9,169 households.<ref name="2011 East Azerbaijan Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): East Azerbaijan Province|website=irandataportal.syr.edu|via=Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/East-Azerbaijan.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116202318/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/East-Azerbaijan.xls|archive-date=16 January 2023|access-date=19 December 2022|format=Excel}}</ref> The 2016 census measured the population of the county as 32,995 in 10,196 households.<ref name="2016 East Azerbaijan Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): East Azerbaijan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113123618/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_03.xlsx|format=Excel|archive-date=13 November 2020}}</ref>

⚫
===Administrative divisions===

Khoda Afarin County's population history and administrative structure over two consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Khoda Afarin County Population
|+ Khoda Afarin County Population
|-
|-
! Administrative Divisions !! 2006<ref name="2006 census" /> !! 2011<ref name="2011 census" /> !! 2016<ref name="2016 census" />
! Administrative Divisions !! 2011<ref name="2011 East Azerbaijan Province"/> !! 2016<ref name="2016 East Azerbaijan Province"/>
|-
|-
| '''[[Central District (Khoda Afarin County)|Central District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''34,461''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''9,489''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''8,531'''
| '''[[Central District (Khoda Afarin County)|Central District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''9,489''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''8,531'''
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Bastamlu Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| 5,907 || style="text-align: right;"| 5,407 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,561
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Bastamlu Rural District|Bastamlu RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 5,407 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,561
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | Dizmar-e Sharqi Rural District || style="text-align: right;"| 2,888 || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"|
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Keyvan Rural District|Keyvan RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 2,423 || style="text-align: right;"| 2,068
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | Garamduz Rural District || style="text-align: right;"| 11,434 || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"|
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Khomarlu]] (city) || style="text-align: right;"| 1,659 || style="text-align: right;"| 1,902
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Keyvan Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| 2,905 || style="text-align: right;"| 2,423 || style="text-align: right;"| 2,068
| '''[[Garamduz District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,964''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,544'''
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | Minjavan-e Gharbi Rural District || style="text-align: right;"| 4,378 || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"|
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Garamduz-e Gharbi Rural District|Garamduz-e Gharbi RD]]{{efn|Formerly [[Garamduz-e Gharbi Rural District|Garamduz Rural District]]<ref name="Khoda Afarin County Establishment"/>}} || style="text-align: right;"| 8,826 || style="text-align: right;"| 8,308
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | Minjavan-e Sharqi Rural District || style="text-align: right;"| 5,727 || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"|
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Garamduz-e Sharqi Rural District|Garamduz-e Sharqi RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 4,138 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,236
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Khomarlu]] (city) || style="text-align: right;"| 1,222 || style="text-align: right;"| 1,659 || style="text-align: right;"| 1,902
| '''[[Minjavan District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,524''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''11,920'''
|-
|-
| '''[[Garamduz District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,964''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,544'''
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Dizmar-e Sharqi Rural District|Dizmar-e Sharqi RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 3,097 || style="text-align: right;"| 2,760
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Garamduz-e Gharbi Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| 8,826 || style="text-align: right;"| 8,308
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Minjavan-e Gharbi Rural District|Minjavan-e Gharbi RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 4,214 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,094
|-
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Garamduz-e Sharqi Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| 4,138 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,236
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Minjavan-e Sharqi Rural District|Minjavan-e Sharqi RD]] || style="text-align: right;"| 5,213 || style="text-align: right;"| 5,066
|-
|-
| '''[[Minjavan District]]''' || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| '''12,524''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''11,920'''
| '''Total''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''34,977''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''32,995'''
|-
|-
| colspan=3 | {{small|RD {{=}} Rural District}}
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Dizmar-e Sharqi Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| 3,097 || style="text-align: right;"| 2,760
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Minjavan-e Gharbi Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| 4,214 || style="text-align: right;"| 4,094
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | [[Minjavan-e Sharqi Rural District]] || style="text-align: right;"| || style="text-align: right;"| 5,213 || style="text-align: right;"| 5,066
|-
| '''Total''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''34,461''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''34,977''' || style="text-align: right;"| '''32,995'''
|-
| colspan=4 | {{small|<sup>1</sup>As a part of Kaleybar County}}
|}
|}

⚫
[[File:KhodaAfarin 3.jpg|left|thumb|260px|Mountainous areas of Khoda Afarin county]]
Before the [[Islamic Revolution]] of 1978, then a district of [[Ahar County]], had a dynamic economy; the surplus agricultural products from fertile farmlands along Aras were exported to [[Ahar]], and on the lush uplands large herds of sheep were a common sight. Of course, since the turbulent days of Azerbaijan Democratic Government, some residents were travelling to [[Tehran]] or [[Tabriz]] for seasonal work on construction projects, and by the late 1970s some of these migrant workers were established contractors.

⚫
Accordingly, the majority of active male population was spending half of the year in cities. The [[Islamic Revolution]] drastically changed social order. In the 1978–1979 period many of the migrant workers in [[Tehran]] constructed illegal dwellings on government lands at the North-East of [[Tehran]] and moved their families to the city. During the second big migration wave of the 1990s, most villages of the county were evacuated and residents settled in the shanty-towns at the South-West of Tehran. In recent years, some expatriates have returned and constructed decent houses. The county is already experiencing a construction boom. This has rapidly increased demand for construction workers. Moreover, the capital inflow to the county in anticipation of potential boom in Eco-tourism has resulted in launching many projects related to hotels and campgrounds.


== Historical sites ==
== Historical sites ==
Line 116: Line 122:
* [[Vinaq]]. An old mansion in Vinaq village, which was built by Tomanies in 1907. The mansion is similar to the Aynaloo mansion in architecture.
* [[Vinaq]]. An old mansion in Vinaq village, which was built by Tomanies in 1907. The mansion is similar to the Aynaloo mansion in architecture.
* Baba Seyfaddin pilgrimage site near [[Garmanab]] village. The village is also a significantly important place as in last 150 years it has been inhabited by [[Armenians]], followers of [[Yârsânism|Yarsan]] religion and [[Shia Islam|Shia]] Islam, respectively. The graveyard of [[Armenians]] has been preserved and the writings on the grave stones may provide important clues to the history of Arasbaran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panoramio.com/photo/95810420|title = Panoramio is no longer available}}</ref>
* Baba Seyfaddin pilgrimage site near [[Garmanab]] village. The village is also a significantly important place as in last 150 years it has been inhabited by [[Armenians]], followers of [[Yârsânism|Yarsan]] religion and [[Shia Islam|Shia]] Islam, respectively. The graveyard of [[Armenians]] has been preserved and the writings on the grave stones may provide important clues to the history of Arasbaran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panoramio.com/photo/95810420|title = Panoramio is no longer available}}</ref>
[[File:Izadi holy mountain.jpg|right|thumb|260px|A holy mountain of the Yârsân religion.]]
* [[Khodaafarin Bridges|Khoda Afarin bridges]]. Two bridges on Aras river are located near [[Khomarlu]]. One bridge is badly damaged and the other is still usable for pedestrians. The later bridge is 160 m in length.
* [[Khodaafarin Bridges|Khoda Afarin bridges]]. Two bridges on Aras river are located near [[Khomarlu]]. One bridge is badly damaged and the other is still usable for pedestrians. The later bridge is 160 m in length.
* [[Alherd, Khoda Afarin|Alherd]] village. This historical village has an ancient graveyard with tombstones, unusually, engraved with ornamental figures. It is possible that archaeological studies may unravel significant historical evidences.
* [[Alherd, Khoda Afarin|Alherd]] village. This historical village has an ancient graveyard with tombstones, unusually, engraved with ornamental figures. It is possible that archaeological studies may unravel significant historical evidences.


== [[Ashugh]] music ==
== Ashugh music ==


The county has been known as the epicenter of [[Arasbaran]] school of [[Ashugh]] music. The mountainous terrain, and the socio-cultural upheavals of the past two centuries have given a characteristic melancholic feature to the songs composed by the rebel-poets originating from the region. A revealing example is a song which was composed by Bahman Zamani following the tragic drowning of [[Samad Behrangi]] in [[Aras River|Aras]].
The county has been known as the epicenter of [[Arasbaran]] school of [[Ashugh]] music. The mountainous terrain, and the socio-cultural upheavals of the past two centuries have given a characteristic melancholic feature to the songs composed by the rebel-poets originating from the region. A revealing example is a song which was composed by Bahman Zamani following the tragic drowning of [[Samad Behrangi]] in [[Aras River|Aras]].


==See also==
If, the mighty mountains can boast their height again,
*[[Khoda Afarin Dam]]
*[[List of villages in Khoda Afarin]]


== Notes ==
If the crystal-clear water can irrigate the slopes again,
{{notelist}}

If, again, the ripen fruits can bent green branches,

Then, who says that my melodic words will not outlive me?

Two living masters of [[Ashugh]] music, Changiz Mehdipour and Rasool Qorbani, were born in Khoda Afarin county. In addition, many inhabitants, particularly the second generation immigrants living in Tehran, play [[Kopuz]] as a manifestation of their long denied cultural identity.

{{Commons}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Portal|Iran}}
{{Commons-inline}}


{{Portal-inline|Iran}}
{{clear}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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{{Khoda Afarin County|state=collapsed}}
{{Khoda Afarin County|state=collapsed}}


[[Category:Khoda Afarin County| ]]
[[Category:Khoda Afarin County]]

⚫
[[Category:Counties of East Azerbaijan Province]]


⚫
[[Category:Counties of East Azerbaijan province]]
{{EastAzerbaijan-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:02, 8 December 2024

Not to be confused with Khodabandeh.

Khoda Afarin County
Persian: شهرستان خداآفرین
County
Construction boom in previously abandoned villages
Construction boom in previously abandoned villages
Location of Khoda Afarin County in East Azerbaijan province (top, yellow)
Location of Khoda Afarin County in East Azerbaijan province (top, yellow)
Location of East Azerbaijan province in Iran
Location of East Azerbaijan province in Iran
Coordinates: 39°05′N 46°56′E / 39.083°N 46.933°E / 39.083; 46.933[1]
Country Iran
ProvinceEast Azerbaijan
CapitalKhomarlu
DistrictsCentral, Garamduz, Minjavan
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total
32,995
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (IRST)

Khoda Afarin (Persian: شهرستان خداآفرین) is a county in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. The city of Khomarlu is the capital of the Khoda Afarin.[3]

History

[edit]

Before the Islamic Revolution, the city of Khomarlu was merely a village which was distinguished from other villages for housing the headquarters of Royal Gendarmery. The notary office was located in Abbasabad village and operated by a cleric, who also acted as the spiritual authority of the whole district.

After the 2006 National Census, Khoda Afarin District was separated from Kaleybar County in the establishment of Khoda Afarin County, which was divided into three districts and seven rural districts, with Khomarlu as its capital and only city.[3]

Demographics

[edit]

Language

[edit]

The spoken language of a vast majority of the inhabitants is modern Azeri Turkish, which has much similarity to Turkmeni, Afshar and the Anatolian Turkish.[4]

The ancient Indo-European, Iranic language of the province before its turkification, survives in the Tati language, particularly in its Karingani dialect. In addition to the large village of Karingan, the villages of Chay Kandi, Kalasor, Khoynarood, and Arazin also are the last speakers of the old native language of Azerbaijan.[5][6]

The mountainous terrain, shepherding and cultivation of hillsides possess the isolating features for the development of a sophisticated whistled language.[7] The inhabitants of the region employ the fingered whistle format for long range communication. More importantly, the majority of males are able, and perhaps addicted, to masterfully mimic the melodic sounds of musical instruments using fingerless whistle. Melodic whistling, indeed, appears to be a private version of the Ashug music for personal satisfaction.

Population

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At the time of the 2011 census, the county's population was 34,977 people in 9,169 households.[8] The 2016 census measured the population of the county as 32,995 in 10,196 households.[2]

Administrative divisions

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Khoda Afarin County's population history and administrative structure over two consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

Khoda Afarin County Population
Administrative Divisions 2011[8] 2016[2]
Central District 9,489 8,531
Bastamlu RD 5,407 4,561
Keyvan RD 2,423 2,068
Khomarlu (city) 1,659 1,902
Garamduz District 12,964 12,544
Garamduz-e Gharbi RD[a] 8,826 8,308
Garamduz-e Sharqi RD 4,138 4,236
Minjavan District 12,524 11,920
Dizmar-e Sharqi RD 3,097 2,760
Minjavan-e Gharbi RD 4,214 4,094
Minjavan-e Sharqi RD 5,213 5,066
Total 34,977 32,995
RD = Rural District
Mountainous areas of Khoda Afarin county

Before the Islamic Revolution of 1978, then a district of Ahar County, had a dynamic economy; the surplus agricultural products from fertile farmlands along Aras were exported to Ahar, and on the lush uplands large herds of sheep were a common sight. Of course, since the turbulent days of Azerbaijan Democratic Government, some residents were travelling to Tehran or Tabriz for seasonal work on construction projects, and by the late 1970s some of these migrant workers were established contractors.

Accordingly, the majority of active male population was spending half of the year in cities. The Islamic Revolution drastically changed social order. In the 1978–1979 period many of the migrant workers in Tehran constructed illegal dwellings on government lands at the North-East of Tehran and moved their families to the city. During the second big migration wave of the 1990s, most villages of the county were evacuated and residents settled in the shanty-towns at the South-West of Tehran. In recent years, some expatriates have returned and constructed decent houses. The county is already experiencing a construction boom. This has rapidly increased demand for construction workers. Moreover, the capital inflow to the county in anticipation of potential boom in Eco-tourism has resulted in launching many projects related to hotels and campgrounds.

Historical sites

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  • Aynaloo. An old mansion in the lush Aynaloo valley, which was built by wealthy Tomanies in 1907.
A historical building in Aynaloo. According to the locals it served as a silo for grain storage
  • Vinaq. An old mansion in Vinaq village, which was built by Tomanies in 1907. The mansion is similar to the Aynaloo mansion in architecture.
  • Baba Seyfaddin pilgrimage site near Garmanab village. The village is also a significantly important place as in last 150 years it has been inhabited by Armenians, followers of Yarsan religion and Shia Islam, respectively. The graveyard of Armenians has been preserved and the writings on the grave stones may provide important clues to the history of Arasbaran.[9]
  • Khoda Afarin bridges. Two bridges on Aras river are located near Khomarlu. One bridge is badly damaged and the other is still usable for pedestrians. The later bridge is 160 m in length.
  • Alherd village. This historical village has an ancient graveyard with tombstones, unusually, engraved with ornamental figures. It is possible that archaeological studies may unravel significant historical evidences.

Ashugh music

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The county has been known as the epicenter of Arasbaran school of Ashugh music. The mountainous terrain, and the socio-cultural upheavals of the past two centuries have given a characteristic melancholic feature to the songs composed by the rebel-poets originating from the region. A revealing example is a song which was composed by Bahman Zamani following the tragic drowning of Samad Behrangi in Aras.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Formerly Garamduz Rural District[3]

References

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  1. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (4 September 2024). "Khoda Afarin County" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): East Azerbaijan Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (c. 2022) [Approved 7 September 1389]. Letter of approval regarding country divisions in Kaleybar County. qavanin.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Council of Ministers. Proposal 1/4/42/111195. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2023 – via Laws and Regulations Portal of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
  4. ^ Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World, 2010, Elsevier, p. 110-113
  5. ^ James Stuart Olson, Lee Brigance Pappas, Nicholas Charles Pappas (Editors), An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires 1994, p. 623
  6. ^ E. Yarshater, Iranian Languages and Texts from Iran and Turan, edited by Maria Macuch, Mauro Maggi, Werner Sundermann, 2007, page 443.
  7. ^ J.Meyer, Bioacoustics of human whistled languages: an alternative approach to the cognitive processes of language, Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências,76, 405-412, (2004)
  8. ^ a b Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): East Azerbaijan Province. irandataportal.syr.edu (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University.
  9. ^ "Panoramio is no longer available".

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