Markazi Province

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Markazi Province استان مرکزی
Location

Statistics
Capital: • Coordinates:	Arak • 34.0954° N 49.6909° E
Area :	29,130 km²
Population(2005): • Density :	1,361,394 • 46.7/km²
Sub-provinces (Shahrestan):	10
Time zone:	UTC+3:30
Main language(s):	Persian, Shahsevan Turkic, Some see it seen as a dialect of Azeri, Armenian, Khalaj, Sangesari

Markazi (استان مرکزی in Persian) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. The word markazi means central in Persian.

Markazi is in west Iran, and its capital is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.35 million. The present boundaries of the province date to the 1980s, when the province was split into the current Markazi and the Tehran Province, with portions being annexed to Esfahan, Semnan Province and Zanjan.

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

The Congregation Mosque of Narāgh. Markazi province is rich in historical and architectural heritage.

1 Counties and districts
- 1.1 Counties
2 Geography and climate
3 History
4 Colleges and universities
5 External links

[edit] Counties and districts

Markazi province consists of 8 counties and 15 districts.

[edit] Counties

[edit] Geography and climate

Markazi has dry cold winters due to the mountainous terrain. It has an area of 29,530 km² (1.8% of all of Iran.)

[edit] History

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 Jabal or Qahestan. By the early 10th century, Khorheh had become a famous city of Jabal 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 celebrities 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.