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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Markazi Province
Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی) is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The word markazi means "central" in Persian and the province lies in central Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak.

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province had a population of 1,326,826 in 364,155 households. The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households. In 2014 it was placed in Region 4. At the most recent census in 2016, the population had increased to 1,429,475 in 455,866 households. Persians make up the majority of the province, but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.

The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and Tehran province, with portions being annexed by Isfahan province, Semnan province, and Zanjan province.

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 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.

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.

Administrative divisions

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 2011 2016
Arak 602,971 599,634 591,756
Ashtian 19,011 17,105 16,357
Delijan 43,388 48,986 51,621
Farahan — 30,042 28,994
Khomeyn 108,840 107,368 105,017
Khondab — 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:

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

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

Gallery

See also

Media related to Markazi Province at Wikimedia Commons