'''Ardabil''' ({{pronunciation|Ardebil.ogg}}, {{lang-fa| اردبیل}}, {{lang-az|اردبیل Ərdəbil}}, also [[romanize]]d as '''Ardabīl''' and '''Ardebīl''')<ref>{{GEOnet3|-3053565}}</ref> is an ancient city in northwestern [[Iran]], and the capital of [[Ardabil Province|Ardabil]] [[Provinces of Iran|Province]].{{sfn|Bosworth|1986|pp=357–365}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title = AZERBAIJAN | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/azerbaijan-index | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. III, Fasc. 2–3 | pages = 205–257 | year = 1987 }}</ref> As of the 2016 census, Ardabil's population was 529,374.<ref>{{Cite web|title=yearbook 1396|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/1/yearbook/1396/03.pdf}}</ref> The dominant majority in the city are ethnic [[Iranian Azerbaijanis]] and the primary language of the people is [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]].
Ardabil is known for its trade in [[silk]] and [[carpet]]s. [[Ardabil rugs]] are renowned and the ancient [[Ardabil Carpet]]s are considered among the best of classical [[Persian carpet]]s. Ardabil is also home to a [[World Heritage Site]], the Ardabil Shrine, the sanctuary and tomb of [[Shaikh]] [[Safi-ad-din Ardabili|Safî ad-Dîn]], [[eponym]]ous founder of the [[Safavid dynasty]].
