Meshkins are coarsely woven carpets from the Heriz region of northwest Iran, noted for their bold, Caucasian-inspired designs and earthly colouring. Meshkin or Meshkin-Shahr is a small town located to the west of Ardebil and the north of Mount Sabalan. The old name for Meshkin was "Kheyav." Pastoral nomads largely populate the rich pastures of this region. Although in Meshkin many people are engaged in handicrafts, the economy is mainly dependent on agriculture and animal husbandry.