Markazi province

Markazi (استان مرکزی in Persian) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran.

It is in the west of the country, and its center is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.35 million. The present boundaries of the province date to the 1980s, when the province was split into the current Markazi and the Tehran Province, with portions being annexed to Esfahan, Semnan Province and Zanjan.

The major cities of the province are: Saveh, Arak, Mahallat, Khomein, Delijan, Tafresh, Ashtian, and Shazand (previously known as Sarband)

Markazi has dry cold winters due to the mountainous terrain.

History

Markazi province was part of The Median Empire in the first millenium BC, which included all central and western parts of today's Iran. The region is considered as one of the ancient settlements on the Iranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area.

In the early centuries Islam, the name of the area was changed to Jabal or Qahestan. By the early 10th century, Khorheh had become a famous city of Jabal province, followed by Tafresh and Khomein.

In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (a.k.a. The Persian Corridor) and the establishing of major industries helped boost development in the area.

Many celebrities in Iranian history trace their beginings to this province. namely: Mirza Abulqasem Qaem Maqam, Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani, Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, Qaem Maqam Farahani, Mahmoud Hessabi, Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Araki, and many others.