Bonāb, East Azerbaijan, Iran

🇮🇷 Bonab (نمين, Namīn) is a city in the Central District of Bonab County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, and serves as capital of the county.

Bonab is 120 km south of Tabriz (the capital of the province), near Lake Urmia. The majority of the population of Bonab speak Azerbaijani and are ethnically Azerbaijanis.

Based on the archaeological signs found in old Bonab city explorations, the history of this city dates back six thousand years. Also the discovery of old earthenware and metal ware and signs of urban civilization prove this ancient history. Bonab has 25 registered historical monuments on the list of Iran’s national monuments, out of which, 8 are under protection.

Bonab city is located on the slopes of Sahand Mountain and in the fertile plains. Handicraft production is seasonal, taking place mostly in rural areas. There are 500 important production and industrial units in this area. They include machine tool and vehicle factories, an oil refinery, and a petrochemical complex. Other major Industries include food processing, cement, textiles, electrical equipment, and sugar milling. Oil and gas pipelines run through the region. Wool, carpets, and metal-ware are also produced.

Bonab city has the only nuclear research centre in the north-west of the country; it was here that the laser ion argon 10 was first produced in the Middle East. Some of the activities of this centre are: laser construction and design, thyratron production, advanced metal welding to non-metal, thermal sensors manufacturing, making X-ray tube, and optimization of nylon vacuum coating system.

Bonab plays a major role in the economy of East Azerbaijan province as it is home to several steel factories and many other small and large manufacturing plants. Geographically, it plays a strategic role in connecting the cities of Tabriz, Maragheh, Urmia, Miandoab and Malekan. Bonab is also famous for its traditional Bonab kabab, which is a type of mixed ground beef and lamb Kabab.

There are human-built remains from Urartu Civilization in the Savar Village near Bonab which dates back to 700 BC and Iron Age. Also, Bonab became very prosperous during the Safavid Dynasty and the traditional theme of architecture in Bonab pertains to this era.

National Kabab Festival Bonab is famous for its big Kabab koobideh. Nowadays there are many restaurants around Iran that started serving the same recipe of Bonab kabab. Bonab's Kabab was registered as National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Iran in 2015 and since then, every year in July Iran's National Kabab Festival is held in Bonab.

Education: Universities • Bonab Higher Education Complex • Islamic Azad University of Bonab • Payame Noor University of Bonab

History and Finds Iranian archeologists hope a newly-discovered tunnel in Bonab, north-west of Iran, is likely to lead them to the legendary city of Shiz, dating back to 7,000 years. Shiz is believed to have been one of the most prosperous cities in ancient Persia and historical documents indicate it housed over ten thousands people during its booming days. Experts cannot, however, agree on the geographical location of the city, which is believed to have been older than Susa, south-west of Iran.