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Markazi province

Coordinates: 34°35′N 49°41′E / 34.583°N 49.683°E / 34.583; 49.683
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Markazi province
Persian: استان مرکزی
A view of Amingholamali Saveh Jamee mosque
A view of Amingholamali Saveh Jamee mosque
Location of Markazi province within Iran
Location of Markazi province within Iran
Coordinates: 34°35′N 49°41′E / 34.583°N 49.683°E / 34.583; 49.683[1]
CountryIran
RegionRegion 4
CapitalArak
Counties12
Government
 • Governor-generalMahdi Zandiyeh Vakili
Area
 • Total
29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total
1,429,475
 • Density49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+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

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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 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

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Population

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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

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The population history and structural changes of Markazi province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

Markazi province
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

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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

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  1. Arak University of Medical Sciences
  2. Arak University of Technology
  3. University of Arak
  4. Tafresh University
  5. Islamic Azad University of Khomein[8]
  6. Islamic Azad University of Arak
  7. Islamic Azad University of Saveh[11]
  8. Islamic Azad University of Farahan[12]
  9. Islamic Azad University of Ashtian
  10. Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
  11. Farhangian University of Arak
  12. Energy University (Saveh)[13]

Notable people

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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.

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See also

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Media related to Markazi Province at Wikimedia Commons

Notes

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  1. ^ Also romanized as Ostān-e Markazi; the Persian word markazi means "central" in English, as the province lies in central Iran
  2. ^ Separated from Komijan County and Tafresh County after the 2006 census[9]
  3. ^ Separated from Arak County after the 2006 census[10]

References

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  1. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (24 May 2024). "Markazi Province" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "Islamic Azad University of Khomein". Iaukhomein.ac.ir. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Islamic Azad University of Saveh (in Persian). Iau-saveh.ac.ir. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  12. ^ "Islamic Azad University of Farahan". Iau-farahan.ac.ir. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  13. ^ "موسسه آموزش عالي غير انتفاعي غير دولتي انرژي ساوه". Energy.ac.ir. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
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