The Province of Zanjan
The province of Zanjan is 21,841 km2 (8,433 sq mi) in the north-west of Iran and its capital is the city of Zanjan. It is bounded on the northeast by Gilan province, on the north by Ardabil and East Azarbaijan provinces, on the northwest by West Azarbaijan and on the west by Kurdistan provinces, on the south by Hamadan province and the east by Qazvin province.
This province is one of the industrial centers of Iran due to its geographically strategic position. It lies 330 km northwest of Tehran, connected to it via a freeway; and the city of Zanjan is the most important city next to Tabriz, which is one of Iran"s most industrialized cities.
Zanjan is famous for its seedless grapes. Zanjan is known for its beautiful handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals called ‘Charoogh’, and ‘Malileh’. Malileh is a handcraft made with silver wires. Handicrafts like decorative dishes and silver jewelry are characteristics of Zanjan.
In ancient times, Zanjan was known for its stainless and sharp Knives. Many villagers today are traditional carpet weavers. This is perhaps Zanjan"s most popular handcraft. Zanjan also has a incredible cave called ‘Katala Khor’, which is near the Sultanieh.
In Ptolemy"s Geography, the city is referred to as Aganzana. It is said that the first Sassanid king Ardashir I, reconstructed the city and called it Shahin but later it was renamed to Zanjan, of which the present name is the arabicized form of it.
Sultanieh is very important historical site in Zanjan province, which is the mausoleum of Oljeitu Khudabandeh and was built in Sultanieh in 1304-13 CE.
Source: iranchamber.com
Other links:
History and Culture, Kohgiluyeh & Boyer Ahmad
The Province of Mazandaran
The Province of Sistan & Baluchistan
Nature of Kurdistan (Photo Gallery)
Chogha Zanbil (Photo Gallery)
The Province of Khuzestan
History of Khuzestan (part 1)
History of Khuzestan (part 2)
