Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی, Ostān-e Markazi) 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 Province (مادستان)استان مرکزی
Province
A view of Amingholamali Saveh Jamee mosque
Counties of Markazi Province
Location of Markazi Province in Iran
Coordinates: 34.0954°N 49.6909°E / 34.0954; 49.6909
Country	Iran
Region	Region 4
Capital	Arak
Counties	12
Government
• Governor-general	Farzad Mokhlesolaemeh
Area
• Total	29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi)
Population  (2016)[1]
• Total	1,429,475
• Density	49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+03:30 (IRST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+04:30 (IRST)
Main language(s)	Persian
HDI (2018)	0.791[2] high · 15th

Markazi lies in central Iran. Its capital is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.41 million.[4] 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

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 establishing of major industries helped boost development in the area.

Many figures in Iranian history trace their beginnings 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.

Demographics

Persians make up the majority of the province,[3] the province also include significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.[5]

Colleges and universities

1. Arak University of Medical Sciences
2. Arak University of Technology
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. Farhangian University of Arak
12. Energy University (Saveh)[8]

Counties and districts

Markazi province consists of 12 counties and 18 districts Khondab County was added in 2007). Farahan County was also added later in 2010.

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
	Khomeyn	Kh	Central	Khomeyn
		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
	Zarandieh	Z	Central	Mamuniyeh
		k	Kharqan
Neighbor provinces: E: Esfahan, H: Hamedan, L: Lorestan, Qm: Qom, Qz: Qazvin, T: Tehran

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)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Markazi Province.

• Markazi Government General
• Foreign Commercial Centre of Markazi Province
• Cultural Heritage Organization of Markazi province
• Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Mines