Markazi province
Markazi province
Persian: استان مرکزی | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 34°35′N 49°41′E / 34.583°N 49.683°E[1] | |
Country | Iran |
Region | Region 4 |
Capital | Arak |
Counties | 12 |
Government | |
• Governor-general | Mahdi Zandiyeh Vakili |
Area | |
• Total | 29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi) |
Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 1,429,475 |
• Density | 49/km2 (130/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+03:30 (IRST) |
Main language(s) | Persian |
HDI (2018) | 0.791[3] high · 15th |
Markazi province (Persian: استان مرکزی)[a] is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak.[4] The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and Tehran provinces, with portions being annexed by Isfahan, Semnan, and Zanjan provinces. In 2014, the province was placed in Region 4.[5]
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 of Islam, the name of the area was changed to Jibal or Kuhestan. 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 establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the area.
Demographics
Population
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.[6] The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.[7] The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.[2] Persians make up the majority of the province,[5] but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.[8]
Administrative divisions
The population history and structural changes of Markazi province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.
Counties | 2006[6] | 2011[7] | 2016[2] |
---|---|---|---|
Arak | 602,971 | 599,634 | 591,756 |
Ashtian | 19,011 | 17,105 | 16,357 |
Delijan | 43,388 | 48,986 | 51,621 |
Farahan[b] | — | 30,042 | 28,994 |
Khomeyn | 108,840 | 107,368 | 105,017 |
Khondab[c] | — | 58,262 | 54,018 |
Komijan | 45,296 | 39,340 | 36,441 |
Mahallat | 48,458 | 53,381 | 55,342 |
Saveh | 235,843 | 259,030 | 283,538 |
Shazand | 118,789 | 117,746 | 117,571 |
Tafresh | 46,680 | 25,912 | 24,913 |
Zarandieh | 57,550 | 57,153 | 63,907 |
Total | 1,326,826 | 1,413,959 | 1,429,475 |
Cities
According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi province) live in the following cities:[2]
City | Population |
---|---|
Arak | 520,944 |
Ashtian | 8,763 |
Astaneh | 7,166 |
Aveh | 3,906 |
Delijan | 40,902 |
Davudabad | 5,491 |
Farmahin | 5,756 |
Gharqabad | 5,375 |
Hendudur | 1,918 |
Javersiyan | 4,993 |
Karchan | 3,743 |
Khenejin | 3,235 |
Khomeyn | 72,882 |
Khondab | 7,810 |
Khoshkrud | 5,246 |
Komijan | 8,776 |
Mahajeran | 20,346 |
Mahallat | 43,245 |
Mamuniyeh | 21,814 |
Milajerd | 9,288 |
Naraq | 2,592 |
Nimvar | 7,507 |
Nowbaran | 3,334 |
Parandak | 6,886 |
Qurchi Bashi | 1,374 |
Razeghi | 826 |
Saruq | 1,345 |
Saveh | 220,762 |
Shahbaz | 7,536 |
Shazand | 21,181 |
Tafresh | 16,493 |
Tureh | 2,302 |
Zavieh | 6,027 |
Colleges and universities
- Arak University of Medical Sciences
- Arak University of Technology
- University of Arak
- Tafresh University
- Islamic Azad University of Khomein[8]
- Islamic Azad University of Arak
- Islamic Azad University of Saveh[11]
- Islamic Azad University of Farahan[12]
- Islamic Azad University of Ashtian
- Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
- Farhangian University of Arak
- Energy University (Saveh)[13]
Notable people
Many figures in Iranian history trace their origins to this province. namely: Mirza Abu'l-Qasem Qa'em-Maqam, Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani, Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam, Mahmoud Hessabi, Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Araki, and many others.
Gallery
-
Kharpahlou Village
-
Painting attributed to Amir Kabir, National Museum of Iran
-
14th century ceramic bowl with hare and flying Simurghs from Sultanabad (today Arak)
See also
Media related to Markazi Province at Wikimedia Commons
Notes
- ^ Also romanized as Ostān-e Markazi; the Persian word markazi means "central" in English, as the province lies in central Iran
- ^ Separated from Komijan County and Tafresh County after the 2006 census[9]
- ^ Separated from Arak County after the 2006 census[10]
References
- ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (24 May 2024). "Markazi Province" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 00. Archived from the original (Excel) on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- ^ Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of Markazi province's divisions to the citizenship of Arak city". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Political Commission of Defense of the Government Board. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b "همشهری آنلاین-استانهای کشور به ۵ منطقه تقسیم شدند (Provinces were divided into 5 regions)". Hamshahri Online (in Persian). 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 00. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)" (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 00. Archived from the original (Excel) on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Islamic Azad University of Khomein". Iaukhomein.ac.ir. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (11 November 1388). "Approval letter of reforms and divisional changes in Markazi province". SOLH (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Board of Ministers. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Davodi, Parviz (29 July 1386). "Approval letter regarding the reforms of country divisions in Markazi province". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Political-Defense Commission of the Government Board. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Islamic Azad University of Saveh (in Persian). Iau-saveh.ac.ir. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ "Islamic Azad University of Farahan". Iau-farahan.ac.ir. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ "موسسه آموزش عالي غير انتفاعي غير دولتي انرژي ساوه". Energy.ac.ir. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.