Markazi province

Markazi Province (Persian: استان مرکزی)[lower-alpha 1] 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.[4]

For other uses of a similar name, see Markazi.

Markazi Province
Persian: استان مرکزی
Province
A view of Amingholamali Saveh Jamee mosque
Location of Markazi Province within Iran
Coordinates: 34°35′N 49°41′E[1]
CountryIran
RegionRegion 4
CapitalArak
Counties12
Government
 • Governor-generalFarzad Mokhlesolaemeh
 • MPs of Assembly of ExpertsAhmad Mohseni Garakani and
Mohsen Araki
 • Representative of the Supreme LeaderGhorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi
Area
 • Total29,127 km2 (11,246 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total1,429,475
 • Density49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+03:30 (IRST)
Main language(s)Persian
HDI (2018)0.791[3]
high · 15th

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province had a population of 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.[5] The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.[6] In 2014 it was placed in Region 4.[7] At the most recent census in 2016, the population had increased to 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.[2] Persians make up the majority of the province,[7] but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.[8]

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

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
Counties2006[5]2011[6]2016[2]
Arak602,971599,634591,756
Ashtian19,01117,10516,357
Delijan43,38848,98651,621
Farahan[lower-alpha 2]—30,04228,994
Khomeyn108,840107,368105,017
Khondab[lower-alpha 3]—58,26254,018
Komijan45,29639,34036,441
Mahallat48,45853,38155,342
Saveh235,843259,030283,538
Shazand118,789117,746117,571
Tafresh46,68025,91224,913
Zarandieh57,55057,15363,907
Total1,326,8261,413,9591,429,475

Cities

According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi Province) live in the following cities:[2]

CityPopulation
Arak520,944
Ashtian8,763
Astaneh7,166
Aveh3,906
Delijan40,902
Davudabad5,491
Farmahin5,756
Gharqabad5,375
Hendudur1,918
Javersiyan4,993
Karchan3,743
Khenejin3,235
Khomeyn72,882
Khondab7,810
Khoshkrud5,246
Komijan8,776
Mahajeran20,346
Mahallat43,245
Mamuniyeh21,814
Milajerd9,288
Naraq2,592
Nimvar7,507
Nowbaran3,334
Parandak6,886
Qurchi Bashi1,374
Razeghi826
Saruq1,345
Saveh220,762
Shahbaz7,536
Shazand21,181
Tafresh16,493
Tureh2,302
Zavieh6,027

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[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]

See also

Media related to Markazi Province at Wikimedia Commons

Notes
  1. Also romanized as Ostān-e Markazi
  2. Separated from Komijan County and Tafresh County after the 2006 census[9]
  3. Separated from Arak County after the 2006 census[10]

References
  1. OpenStreetMap contributors (24 May 2024). "Markazi Province" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. "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. "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.
  6. "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 00. Archived from the original (Excel) on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  7. "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.
  8. "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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