Zanjan province

Situated in north -west Iran, Zanjan province has an area of 25382 square kilometers. Being generally mountainous and hilly, it is divided into thee regions with different climates. Takht_e_Soleiman, Taie ghan, Alamout, and kooh-e-Rostam are the most important mountains in the province. At a distance of 140 kilometers from the south-west of Zanjan city, in the south of Garmab village, lies a very tightly cave called Katale Khor .the rivers such as Ghesel Ozan, Abhar-Rood and Shah Rood flowing from Mountains through the province create much vegetation in it. Among the natural resources of this province, there are six hot springs and four mineral springs in which tourists are highly interested. Because of the medicinal value, these springs attract a large number of people each year. The vegetation of the province varies from one area to another, but it is generally made up of forests and pastures. The forests are mainly located in the mountainous regions adjacent to Gilan province.

  Different climates have created an animal life rich in variety. Various species of wild animals, native and migratory birds, and aquatic animals attract many tourists in the seasons during which hunting is allowed. From 25 years ago, for the preservation of wild life, a vast district of this province, called Angooran has been proclaimed a protected district by the Iranian organization of the Environment.

Kurds and Shahsavans are the main peoples living in the province. Azerbaijani, Persian, Kurdish and Tati are the languages spoken in different regions. The predominate religion is the Shi'a branch of Islam.

There is a highway running from Tehran to Zanjan city (the capital of the province). The main roads and even the side roads to different places of the province are asphalted and equipped with traffic signs. In addition to the tens of buses transporting passengers, there are regular flights between Tehran and Zanjan.

Covering this province and linking it with Tabriz and Europe on the one hand, and with Tehran and other cities on the other, "the Trans-Iranian Railway Network " transports passengers from Tehran and Tabriz by express trains every day .due to man enfold Rivers and underground waters as well as many pastures, agriculture and animal husbandry enjoys considerable growth and the agricultural products are of various kinds.

There are many mines in Zanjan province providing row materials for many home factories. Kaolin, silver, gold, cock, copper, iron, manganese, feldspar and silicate mines are some of the mines among others, in the province.

 Zanjan province is one of country 's important industrial centers, throughout which there are several industrial satellite towns and metal, food, chemical, wood, weaving, constructional and mining industries.

 Of local industries of the province, particularly of Zanjan city, is knife- making industry, the products of which are unique in delicacy and solidity.

 The capital city of this province is Zanjan; while it’s other cities are Abhar, Khodabandeh and Khoramdare.  

 Zanjan

Zanjan township is 328 km. far from Tehran. Enjoying a mild weather in summer and cold weather in winter, Zanjan is composed of two great valleys of "Zanjan Rood" and "Sefid Rood" between which Gharavol and Angooran mountains are located.The foundation date of Zanjan goes back to the reign of Ardeshir Babakan and it was called "Shahin" or "Shahan" . By passing of time, this name was changed to Hodood-Olalam or Limits of the World, 372 AH., it is described as a flourishing and blessed city with a very strong fortifications.
Zanjan was badly damaged due to Mongols attack but in the reign of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh, Sultanieh was changed to the largest capital of Ilkhani government and Islamic land. By the order of Oljaito, a fortification was constructed around Sultanieh and a huge castle was build in its midst. He built a cemetery with a high dome for himself which is famous Khodabandeh dome. Sultanieh became one of the most important cities of Ilkanan after Tabriz in the reign of Oljaito.
Oljaito’s cemetry was badly damaged by Taymour the lame after the fall of Ilkhanan in 786 AH. Sultanieh was fallen into decadence in the time of Shah Tahmas Safavid I(930-984AH.) Fathali Shah (the Ghajar King) built a summer palace in this city.
Today, as the result of the political and administration condition of the city and concentration of several provincial organizations, it attracts so many population causing development of it.
The important natural, historical, and religious sights of Zanjan are as follows:
hSeveral mineral water springs,

Zanjan is administratively divided into three parts: the central part (the city itself), and two districts outside the city called Mahneshan and Tarom-e-olya.

This city probably dates back to the Sassanian period. Conquered by the Muslims in the 7th century, obliterated by the Mongols and by Tamer lane in the 13th and 14th centuries, and having a vivid record in civilization, culture, art and sciences, Zanjan has experienced both glory and hardship. After the Islamic revolution Zanjan has made great progress in different fields. 

Khoda Bandeh

Enjoying a mountainous climate with snowy and cold winters and mild summers, Khodabandeh township is situated in south-east to Zanjan. In this region, Khodabandeh-Loo and Abhar tribes have been mixed with local tribes resulting in the appearance of a decent which is known as Zanjani decent from apparent form point of view.Khodabandeh township encompass two historical cities of Sohrvard and Sajas in which some knowledgeable men like Shahabbedin Sohrvardi are brought up.
The appearance of human settlements in this region dates back to late 4th and early 5th millennium BC.Discovered red colored earthenware is among vestiges of this region.
The important natural, historical and religious sites of city are:
hGarmab mineral water spring
hKatleh Khoor Garmab cave,
hSajas Jame’ Mosque,
hGhaydar Nabi mausoleum,

This town is located to the south of Zanjan, at a distance of 85 km from it. Begin in a mountainous region; it has cold and dry winters and mild summers. The town’s economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The shrine of Ghidar-e-Nabi is one of its sights.

Abhar  

Enjoying a mountainous climate with cold and snowy winters and moderate summers, the famous river of "Abhar Rood" flows across this city.The Abhar region, which called "Abhar Chai" (Abhar river) by native language, is one of the oldest regions of Iran. According to existing evidences, Abhar was more thriving in the second millennium BC. and in 9th century BC., a union of different tribes was established in this region by Medes.
This region became one of the important connection point coincident with the establishment Ilkhanan government and selection of Sultanieh as capital. The situation which even exists today.
From etymological point of view, the name of this city is derived from the pahlavi language word of "Oher" which means the place of controlling water flows.
The first location of the city is known as "Taphe Ghaleh" and is in the right bank of Abhar river. This place is one of the oldest human settlements of Zanjan province and was dwelled since early 4th millennium BC.
The important historical and religious sights of Abhar are as follows:
hSultanieh Royal Citadel,
hHistorical hills of Said Abad-Keresf,
hDash Kasan caves,
hSultanieh dome,
hChalbi Oghli historical aggregate,
hLame’Moques of Abhar and Ghorveh,
hPirahmad Zahrnoosh and Molla Hossein Kashi mausoleums,
hSeveral Imamzadeh (shrines),

Located in the southeast of Zanjan, in a mountainous region, this city has a mild climate. A river called Abhar flows through the city. The river, on the banks of which there are the relics of an ancient citadel named Ghaleh-Tappeh, served as a natural barrier against the enemies.

Two of the tourist attractions of city are the complex of Soltanieh and Imam-zaadeh Esma’il of course, the former is much more important

<<Back to home page