Markazi Province

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Markazi Province
استان مرکزی
Province
Location of Markazi within Iran
Location of Markazi within Iran
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Country  Iran
Region Region 4
Capital Arak
Counties 11
Area
 • Total 29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 1,413,959
 • Density 49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zone IRST (UTC+03:30)
 • Summer (DST) IRST (UTC+04:30)
Main language(s) Persian, Azeri[2]

Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی‎‎, Ostān-e Markazi ), the medieval Iraq-i Ajam, more recently Arak—is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The word markazi means central in Persian. In 2014 it was placed in Region 4.[3]

Markazi lies in western Iran. Its capital is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.41 million.[1] The present borders of the province date to the 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and the Tehran Province, with portions being annexed by Esfahan, Semnan Province, and Zanjan.

The major cities of the province are: Saveh, Arak, Mahallat, Zarandiyeh, Khomein, Delijan, Tafresh, Ashtian, Shazand (previously known as Sarband) and Farahan

History

File:Naraq.jpg
The Congregation Mosque of Narāgh. Markazi province is rich in historical and architectural heritage.

Markazi province was part of the Median Empire in the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-day Iran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on the Iranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area.

In the early centuries Islam, the name of the area was changed to Jibal or Qahestan. By the early 10th century, Khorheh had become a famous city of Jibal province, followed by Tafresh and Khomein.

In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as the Persian Corridor) and the establishing of major industries helped boost development in the area.

Many figures in Iranian history trace their beginnings to this province. namely: Mirza Abulqasem Qaem Maqam, Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani, Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, Qaem Maqam Farahani, Mahmoud Hessabi, Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Araki, and many others.

Counties and districts

Markazi province consists of 11 counties and 18 districts (Khondab County has been added to the counties as of 2007).

Map Shahrestan Map Key Bakhsh Center
400px
Arak A Central Arak
k Khondab
Ashtian Ash Central Ashtian
Delijan D Central Delijan
Komijan K Central Komijan
m Milajerd
Khomein Kh Central Khomein
k Kamareh
Mahallat M Central Mahallat
Saveh S Central Saveh
n Nobaran
Shazand Sh Central Shazand
s Sarband
z Zalian
Tafresh T Central Tafresh
f Farahan
Zarandiyeh Z Central Mamuniyeh
k Kharqan
Neighbor provinces: E: Esfahan, H: Hamedan, L: Lorestan, Qm: Qom, Qz: Qazvin, T: Tehran

Colleges and universities

  1. Arak University of Medical Sciences
  2. Iran University of Science and Technology,[4] Arak Campus
  3. University of Arak
  4. Tafresh University
  5. Islamic Azad University of Khomein[5]
  6. Islamic Azad University of Arak
  7. Islamic Azad University of Saveh[6]
  8. Islamic Azad University of Farahan[7]
  9. Islamic Azad University of Ashtian
  10. Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
  11. Tarbiat Moallem University of Arak
  12. Energy University (Saveh)[8]

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Selected Findings of National Population and Housing Census 2011
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  4. [1]
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External links