ZANJAN

Geography and History
 Zanjan province, Which is also called " Zanjan Plain", is located in central part of north-west of Iran. Zanjan, Abhar,and Khodabandeh compose the townships of this province.
The population of this province in November 1996 was900,000 out of which 47.62% were urban dwellers and 52.37% resided in rural areas and remaining were non-resident . The sex ratio of the population is 101.3.
Zanjan province is composed of two regions, mountainous and plain. Having some high summits, the mountainous areas encompass the northern regions of Zanjan township and the remaining parts of the province are a plain region.
There is a vast and relatively level alluvium plain in southern part of Zanjan which bounds by Soltanieh heights at the north and Ghaydar heights at the south.
Several rivers flow in the province of which the most important one is "Ghezal Ozan" river having a high quantity of water.
Influencing by mountainous areas and being under indirect impacts of humid west-northern air currents. Zanjan province enjoys two different climates Mountainous climate with snowy cold winters and mild summers, and warm and semi-humid climate in upper Tarom region having warm summers and mild winters with considerable annual precipitation as well as suitable humidity. Rainfall rate in spring and summer is more than other seasons . The duration of dry months in the province is relatively long. Two dominant and important wind currents of the province are Sormeh and Garm (Warm) Summer and spring are the most suitable times for spending of leisure time in this province.
The nature, rivers, mineral water springs and climate totally have their own freshness and beauty for each newcomer.
Zanjan province is one of the historical regions of Iran. The antiquity of the province can be divided into four historic periods:
Pre-historic ago ( from 7th millennium BC.till early 3rd millennium BC.): The most ancient and recognized historical vestiges belonging to pre-historic age goes to "Bardostin". culture which are known by small tools having about 30,000 years of antiquity .
Historic settlements in Eajrood region of Zanjan in 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. indicates flourishing and sustainability of Iran’s civilization in this region.
Evaluation of black engravings on discovered earthenware of buff color shows the linkage and continuity of Damghan Hesar hill, Kashan Sialk hill, and Eajrood of Zanjan civilizations.
New historic age ( late 2nd millennium BC. to early 7th century AD.): The most distinct vestiges of this period is a kind of simple gray earthenware which conforms to simultaneity of Aryan tribes migration to this region. Teapot shape earthenware with relatively long hose were found in all tombs of this age which could be attributed to funeral ceremonies. There have not been a determinate government system in the region till early first millennium BC. Even Othartoui government could not expand its dominance over this region due to remoteness of it. According to Assyrians documents,this region was named Andya in 9th century BC. and its dwellers have probably communicated with Lulubi and Gouti tribes who resided in slopes of Zagross mountain range. There is ambiguity about the history of the region from 7th century BC. to late millennium BC. i.e. whole Achaemenian period. The discovered coins "Derik" and "Riton" in Khodabendeh are the vestiges of Achaemenian period. The valleys of Zanjan Rood and Ghezel Ozan were more thriving in parthians and Sassanians times. Amongst the most important remains of this period Tashvir fire- temples can be pointed out.
Islamic period (from 7th to 19th century AC.):This period begins with conquest of Iran in the time of Osman caliphate. Existing texts and evidences show that this region was very thriving from economic, cultural and artistic points of view during the whole Islamic period . One of the reasons for selecting Sultanieh as capital by Mongol Ilkhanan was economic briskness of the region in 7th and 8th centuries AH. After the decline of Ilkhani government by Sarbedaran movement in 9th century AH. Zanjan was attacked by Taymour the lame and was damaged badly.
The region was relatively thriving from economic and cultural points of view in Safavid and Ghajar time specially during the reign of Shah Tahmasb and Agha Mohammad Khan.
The major historical, cultural, and tourism characteristics of the province are as follows:

Zandjan

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:
Several mineral water springs,
Angooran Protected Area,
Zolfaghari edifice,
Zanjan fortification,
hShemiran, Sansiz and Sati castles,
Golshan and Malek caravansaries,
Old public bathes,
Historical building of Rakhtshooi Khaneh (wash- house),
Several historical bridges,
Historical caves of Galijak and Kharmaneh Sar,
Jame’Mospues of Seyed , Mirzai and Gholayr,
Imamzadeh Seyed Ibrahim.

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:
Sultanieh Royal Citadel,
Historical hills of Said Abad-Keresf,
Dash Kasan caves,
Sultanieh dome,
Chalbi Oghli historical aggregate,
Lame’Moques of Abhar and Ghorveh,
Pirahmad Zahrnoosh and Molla Hossein Kashi mausoleums,
Several Imamzadeh (shrines),

Khodabandeh

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:
Garmab mineral water spring
Katleh Khoor Garmab cave,
Sajas Jame’ Mosque,
Ghaydar Nabi mausoleum,

Protected Areas

Climatic and geographic variation in different parts of the province have caused the appearance of fauna and flora diversity. The most important protected areas in Zanjan province are:Angooran Protected Area, Located in Angooran district covering an area of 111,00 hectare,Sahrein Protected Area, located in the limits of Zanjan township,The most important wildlife of these regions are:
Mammals like wild goat, wild sheep, gazelle, bear, hyena, leopard, wolf, rabbit, wild cat, fox, jackal, bore, squirrel and sable.
Endemic birds like partridge, turtledove, grouse, ringdove, vulture, owl, dull-yellow partridge, pigeon, heron, goose, crane, duck, eagle, falcon, starling and.
Migratory birds like waterfowl, bustard, flamingo, crane, pelican, wild goose, grouse and
Different species of fishes.

Tourism Facilities

The cities of Zanjan and the cities of the province are mainly located in the course of Tehran- Bazargan transit highway as well as Tehran - Tabriz railway, so are easily accessible. There are different accommodation and communication facilities in the province and the people are well acquainted with tourism.
The souvenirs of the province are handicrafts like different kinds of knives (penknife, switch blade knife, pocketknife, and ), carpet, rug, charogh ( local shoe), and filigree works.