Show TABRIZ CAPITAL CITY tabriz capital of persia from which diplomatic representatives representative recently fled fit at the approach of bol forces Is one of the most important cities in persia its population Is about teheran the capital Is the only place in the dominions of the shall shah which exceeds it in size it Is beautifully situated in a wide valley on the river ajl AJI which flows into the salt lake of 35 miles to the west although apparently surrounded by mountains tabriz has an elevation of more than feet and the climate in winter is extremely severe hundreds of springs and fountains water thousands of beautiful gardens in this ancient city which for cen turlee turied lias has enjoyed a deserved reputation as a health resort indeed tradition says that the place was founded by Zob eldeb the wife of al rashad hero of the arabian according to tills this legend zobeideh deh caule came here bere to recuperate from a fever in the year oil anil a cure was quiet quickly effected thanks to the lie salubrious climate hence ali the naine nan tab rever fever riz pourer away or fever destroying As a matter of cold history ho however vever tabriz was in existence four een before the birth of the beautiful zobeideh deli up P to the tinie time of the completion of a railway through the Cau caucasus caus and the improvement of transportation facilities on the caspian sea tabriz was its the emporium of persian trade with the west now however most of its trade lias has been diverted to agtara on the Ca caspian 1150 miles to the east and to miles to tb the southeast of the three hundred mosques of which the city boasts only one deserves serva mention it Is the a blue mosque so go called because Ieca ue it Is covered with blue tiles it dates from the fifteenth century and Is now in ruins the ark or br citadel Is a brick building ot of massive walls anith a tower feet high more than halt of the trade ot of tabriz was with husia its chief imports before the world war disturbed conditions were cotton and woolen tissues sugar and tea |