ZANJAN

Geography and history

Zanjan province is located in central part of north-west of Iran. Zanjan Abhar, and Khodabandeh are the townships of this province

There is a vast and relatively level alluvium plain in southern part of Zanjan which bounds by Soltanieh heights at north and Ghaydar heights at the south. Several rivers flow in the province of which the most important one is "Ghexel Ozan" river having a high quantity of water.
Influenced 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 with warm summers and mild winters with considerable annual precipitation and suitable humidity

Historical

Zanjan province is one of the historical regions of Iran.The antiquity of the province can be divided into four historic periods:
Pre-historic Age (from 7th millennium BC.till early 3rd millenium BC.):
The most ancient and recognized historical vestiges belonging to pre-historic age goes to "Bardostin" culture. They are recognized by small tools dating back to 30,000.
Historic Age (early 3rd till late 2nd millennium BC.):
Pre-historic age (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 yeas of antiquity.
Historic age (early 3rd till late 2nd millennium BC.):
Human settlements in Eajrood region of Zanian in 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. indicates flourishing and sustainability of Iran's civilization in this region.

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 dominant government system in the region till early first millennium BC. Even Othartoui government could not expand its dominance over this region due to its remoteness.  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 period Tashvir fire-temples can be singled 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 Sultanieh was picked up 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.

Important Places:     

The important natural, historical, and religious sights of  Zanjan are as follows:
Several mineral water springs, Angooran Area, Zolfaghari edifice, Zanjan fortification, Shemiran, Sansiz and Sati Castles, Golshan and Malek caravansaries, Old pubic baths, Historical building of Rakhtshooi Khaneh, Several historical bridges, Historical caves of Galijak and Kharmaneh Sar, Jame' Seyed, Mirzai and Gholay Mosques and, Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim.