Iranian Azerbaijan (Persian: آذربایجان ایران; Āzarbāyjān-e Irān, also known as Southern Azerbaijan or South Azerbaijan (Azeri: گوني اذعربایجان, Güney Azərbaycan) is a region in the northwest of Iran, approximately consisting of the provinces of Ardebil, East Azarbaijan, and West Azarbaijan. This is the area that was historically named Azarbaijan/Azerbaijan, from which the Republic of Azerbaijan (which became the Azerbaijan SSR later and then the Republic of Azerbaijan again) took its name when it was formed as independent state with the help of the Ottomans in 1918. The new republic consisted of three former provinces of Aran, Shervan and Talish-i Gushtasbi which were taken by Russia in the Persia-Russia Wars.

Iranian Azarbaijan has an area of 176,512 sq km and a population of about 7-30 million (estimates vary). Iranian Azarbaijan is famous for its great nature beauty. There are 17 rivers and two lakes in the region. Cotton, nuts, textiles, tea, machinery and electrical equpiments are main industries.

Major cities include Tabriz, Urmia, Ardabil, Maragheh and Marand.

• PAN-TURANIANISM TAKES AIM AT AZERBAIJAN: A Geopolitical Agenda