Markazi Province

Markazi Province استان مرکزی
—  Province  —
Location of Markazi within Iran
Coordinates: 34°05′43″N 49°41′27″E / 34.0954°N 49.6909°E / 34.0954; 49.6909Coordinates: 34°05′43″N 49°41′27″E / 34.0954°N 49.6909°E / 34.0954; 49.6909
Country	Iran
Capital	Arak
Counties	11
Area
- Total	29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
- Total	1,351,257
- Density	46.4/km2 (120.2/sq mi)
Time zone	IRST (UTC+03:30)
- Summer (DST)	IRST (UTC+04:30)
Main language(s)	Persian

Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی, Ostān-e Markazi ) is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The word markazi means central in Persian.^{[citation needed]}

Markazi lies in western Iran. Its capital is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.35 million. The present borders of the province date to the 1980s, 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, and Shazand (previously known as Sarband)

History

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 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 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
	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	Mamooniyeh
		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, Arak Campus
3. University of Arak
4. Tafresh University
5. Islamic Azad University of Khomein
6. Islamic Azad University of Arak
7. Islamic Azad University of Saveh
8. Islamic Azad University of Farahan
9. Islamic Azad University of Ashtian
10. Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
11. Tarbiat Moallem University of Arak

References

1. ^ [1] National Census 2006

External links

• Official website of Markazi Governorship
• Foreign Commercial Centre of Markazi Province
• Provincial Cultural Heritage Organization
• Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Mines