Markazi province

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

Ethnicity

Persians make up the majority of the province, but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households. The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.

Administrative divisions

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

Cities

According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi province) live in the following cities:

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)

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

File:Kharpahlou, Village, Etymology.jpg|Kharpahlou Village File:AmirKabir Sani ol molk 2.jpg|Painting attributed to Amir Kabir, National Museum of Iran File:Iranische Keramik 14. Jht. Hase Simurgh anagoria.JPG|14th century ceramic bowl with hare and flying Simurghs from Sultanabad (today Arak)

Notes

References

References

1. ((OpenStreetMap contributors)). (3 January 2025). "Markazi Province".
2. "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab".
3. Habibi, Hassan. (c. 2024). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of Markazi province's divisions to the citizenship of Arak city". Ministry of the Interior, Political Commission of Defense of the Government Board.
4. (23 June 2014). "همشهری آنلاین-استان‌های کشور به ۵ منطقه تقسیم شدند (Provinces were divided into 5 regions)". Hamshahri Online.
5. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): Markazi Province". The Statistical Center of Iran.
6. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): Markazi Province". The Statistical Center of Iran.
7. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): Markazi Province". The Statistical Center of Iran.
8. Rahimi, Mohammad Reza. (c. 2024). "Approval letter of reforms and divisional changes in Markazi province". Ministry of the Interior, Board of Ministers.
9. Davodi, Parviz. (c. 2024). "Approval letter regarding the reforms of country divisions in Markazi province". Ministry of the Interior, Political-Defense Commission of the Government Board.
10. "Islamic Azad University of Khomein". Iaukhomein.ac.ir.
11. link. Iau-saveh.ac.ir
12. "Islamic Azad University of Farahan". Iau-farahan.ac.ir.
13. (2012-07-25). "موسسه آموزش عالي غير انتفاعي غير دولتي انرژي ساوه". Energy.ac.ir.