Markazi province

Markazi province (Template:Langx)Template:Efn is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak.<ref name="Markazi Province Structure">Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>

History

The Congregation Mosque of Narāgh

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

Ethnicity

Persians make up the majority of the province,<ref name=":0" /> but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.<ref name=":1" />

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.<ref name="2006 Markazi Province">Template:Cite report</ref> The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.<ref name="2011 Markazi Province">Template:Cite report</ref> The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.<ref name="2016 Markazi Province">Template:Cite report</ref>

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<ref name="2006 Markazi Province"/>	2011<ref name="2011 Markazi Province"/>	2016<ref name="2016 Markazi Province"/>
Arak	602,971	599,634	591,756
Ashtian	19,011	17,105	16,357
Delijan	43,388	48,986	51,621
FarahanTemplate:Efn	—	30,042	28,994
Khomeyn	108,840	107,368	105,017
KhondabTemplate:Efn	—	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:<ref name="2016 Markazi Province"/>

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<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
6. Islamic Azad University of Arak
7. Islamic Azad University of Saveh<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
8. Islamic Azad University of Farahan<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
9. Islamic Azad University of Ashtian
10. Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
11. Farhangian University of Arak
12. Energy University (Saveh)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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)

External links

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