Markazi -19
Markazi region      | ♦ Capital: Arrack   | ♦ Surface: 29 406 km²  | ♦ Inhabitants: 1 351 257
History and CultureFeaturesSouvenirs and handicraftsWhere to eat and sleep

Geographic context

The Markazi region is located between the mountain ranges of Elborz and Zagros and near the central desert. The highest point in the region is the Shahbaz peak in the Rasvand Mountains and the lower area is located on a plain south of the town of Save. The capital of the region is the city of Arak and the other major inhabited centers are: Ashtian, Tafresh, Khomein, Save, Shazand, Mahallat and Delijan.

Climate

The Markazi region has three types of climate: semi-desert, mountain temperate and high mountain cold. Due to the climatic complexity, the air humidity tax and the rainfall level are also variable in the different cities and areas of the region. Atmospheric precipitations often occur in snowfalls in mountain areas and in rains in low territories.

History and culture

From the findings found in the archaeological sites of Zolf Abad in Tafresh and Tepe Chelpi Saruq in Arak, signs of the Elamite urbanization have emerged in the Markazi region. In the same period in which the fall of the Elamite empire occurred, some Aryan populations arrived in the Iranian plateau, where they decided to establish their headquarters. In the first millennium a. C., today's Markazi region was part of the Great Media which encompassed all the central and western territories of the Iranian plateau, territories that are considered among the oldest centers of human settlements. In the period of the Seleucids this area captured the interest of the Greek sovereigns, especially the northern territories of the region (the village of Khorhe). At the time of the Sasanian king Khosrou Parviz the Iranian plateau was divided into four parts, whose names were: 'Bakhtar' (North), 'Khor Aban' (East), 'Nimruz' (South) and 'Khorbaran' (West) ). Today's Markazi region was located in the 'Khorbaran' area. In the early centuries of the Islamic age, this area changed its name to 'the country of Jibal' or 'Qahestan'. After the second century of the lunar egghira, this region together with the territories of Hamadan, Rey and Esfahan became famous with the title of 'Iraq-e Ajam'. From a cultural and cultic point of view, the Markazi region was one of the major centers where thinkers, poets, mystics, politicians and great men of Shiite faith formed. Among the eminent personalities of literature and culture of this territory we can mention: Adib-ol-Mamalek Farahani, Abbas Eqbal Ashtiyani, Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, Qaem Maqam Farahani and Professor Mahmud Hesabi.



Souvenirs and handicrafts

Among the handicraft artifacts and souvenirs typical of the Markazi region can be mentioned the following: carpets, kilims, jajim, traditional embroidered slippers, objects in terracotta and ceramics, calligraphy on various supports, different species of ornamental flowers, and the famous soap of shazand. The 'Saruq rug' in the Arak area is one of the most famous Persian rugs. Calligraphic art is also part of the precious cultural heritage of this region and the Vashqan village is very famous for this discipline. Other characteristic products of the Markazi region are the pomegranate and the melon.


Local cuisine

Among the local dishes of this region we can mention the following: Dogole (a type of meat broth), Tatali, Kalle Pache, various types of soup (Ash-and Tarkhine-ye Shir, Ash-and Eshkane-Ev Garma, Ash -and Tarkhine-ye Jo, Ash-e Halim, Ash-e Tarkhine, Ash-e Anar, Ash-e Bibi Seshanbe, Ash-e Khiyar), various types of food with vegetables (Khoresh-e Anar, Khoresh-e Kadu Halvayi, Khoresh-e Pagharak, Khoresh-e Alu Esfenaj), Kalle Gonjeshki, Kufte, ShirBerenj, Patle Polo, Reshte Polo, Tas Kabab-e Well.

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