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Hamadan

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hamadan is a famous mountainous city located in western Iran.

Matrakçı Nasuh Hamedan Map
Matrakçı Nasuh Hamedan Map

It sits in a green area near the foothills of Alvand Mountain. This mountain is very tall, reaching 3,574 meters high. The city itself sits at 1,850 meters above sea level. This high position makes the weather quite special. Summers are usually hot, dry, and very sunny. However, the winters are cold and bring heavy snow. Sometimes, the snow stays on the ground for two months.

سنگ نبشته گنج نامه همدان
سنگ نبشته گنج نامه همدان

The city has a very long and busy history. Many people believe it is one of the oldest cities in Iran. In the past, it was known by the name Ecbatana. Ancient historians say it was the capital for the Medes around 700 BCE. Later, it became a capital for the Achaemenid Dynasty. The city also served as a summer home for Parthian rulers. Even the Bible mentions the city by its old name. Because it is so high up, it was a great place to keep leather documents safe.

Drachma Mithradates II
Drachma Mithradates II

Many different groups of people have lived in Hamadan over time. It has been a crossroads for many different cultures. Most people in the city speak Persian. In the north, many people speak Azeri Turkish. Near the borders of Kurdistan and Kermanshah, people mostly speak Kurdish. Other nearby cities use languages called Lori and Lak. Today, the city is quite large and busy. In 2016, the census showed that 554,406 people lived there. They lived in 174,731 different households.

Zahedifamily
Zahedifamily

Because of its location, Hamadan has always been important for trade. It sits on the famous Silk Road. This path helped the city grow through business and commerce. Many people visit the city today to see its historic sites. Tourists love to see the Ganj Nameh inscriptions. They also visit the monument for the scientist Avicenna. The Baba Taher monument is another major sight. The city also has many schools and big universities.

Hut2 mhparni
Hut2 mhparni

One example is the Hamadan University of Technology.

Hamadan has seen many changes through the years. It has survived many wars and difficult times. During World War I, different armies occupied the city. Later, during the Iran-Iraq War, the city faced many bombings. Despite these hard moments, the city remains a strong place. It is home to famous people like the poet Baba Taher. It is also where the scientist Avicenna once taught. Today, it is a place where history and modern life meet.

Shirin-Ebadi-Amsterdam-2011-Photo-by-Persian-Dutch-Network
Shirin-Ebadi-Amsterdam-2011-Photo-by-Persian-Dutch-Network
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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Matrakçı Nasuh Hamedan Map.JPG
Matrakçı Nasuh Hamedan Map.JPG
File:Drachma Mithradates II.jpg
Drachma Mithradates II.jpg
File:سنگ نبشته گنج نامه همدان.jpg
سنگ نبشته گنج نامه همدان.jpg
File:Hut2 mhparni.jpg
Hut2 mhparni.jpg
File:Shirin-Ebadi-Amsterdam-2011-Photo-by-Persian-Dutch-Network.jpg
Shirin-Ebadi-Amsterdam-2011-Photo-by-Persi...
File:Zahedifamily.jpg
Zahedifamily.jpg
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