Hamadan province

Hamadan province is a major administrative region in western Iran.

It is located within the eastern reaches of the Zagros Mountains. The province covers a total area of 19,546 square kilometers. This represents about 1.2% of the total land area of Iran. Hamadan is known for its deep history and its mountainous landscape. It serves as a vital part of the western region of the country. The province is divided into several counties, including Hamadan, Malayer, and Nahavand.

The geography of the province is defined by high peaks and seasonal water. Most of the land is either farmland or pastures. Farmland covers about 48% of the province, or 950,000 hectares. Pastures cover nearly 46% of the land, totaling 905,000 hectares. The Alvand range sits just south of Hamadan city. Its highest summit reaches 3,580 meters above sea level. In contrast, the lowest point is 1,420 meters in the Gamasiab river valley.

This dramatic change in height shapes the local environment.

Water moves through the province via several distinct river systems. Many rivers begin as snowmelt from the mountains. The Talvar and Qarachay rivers flow toward the north and east. The Qarachay river eventually reaches Lake Qom in Markazi province. To the south, the Gamasiab river rises near Nahavand. It receives water from the Malayer and Qelqelrud rivers.

Because summers are dry, many rivers dwindle to parched streams. To help with this, the Ekbatan Dam was built in 1963. It sits on the Yalfan River and holds 12 million cubic meters of water. This water is used primarily for agricultural irrigation.

Hamadan is one of the most ancient parts of Iranian civilization. The modern city of Hamadan is the site of the ancient city of Ecbatana. Ecbatana was once the capital of the Medes. Historical records link the city's structures to Diya Aku, a King of the Medes from 700 BC. The Parthian and Sassanid empires also used the area for summer palaces. During the 11th century, the Seljuks moved their capital from Baghdad to Hamadan. However, the city faced destruction during the Timurid invasion. It thrived again later during the Safavid era.

Archaeological finds offer a window into this long past. Travelers can find relics from the Achaemenid period throughout the region.

One important site contains Achaemenid inscriptions known as the Ganj-nameh. Another notable find is a Golden Rhyton from the Achaemenid era.

Local Jewish traditions also connect the area to the Bible. The city was known as Shushan during the time of King Ahasuerus. Today, the Tombs of Mordecai and Esther are located in Hamadan.

The province is home to a diverse population with many different languages. In 2016, the population was measured at 1,738,234 people. Most residents are Muslim, with 99.88% of the population identifying as such in 1996. Language varies depending on the specific region of the province. In the city of Hamadan, most people speak Persian. People in the northern part often speak Azerbaijani. In the west, near Kermanshah, many people speak Kurdish. Luri and Laki are also spoken in the southern areas like Malayer.

The climate in Hamadan is characterized by extreme seasonal changes. Winters are long and can be very cold. There are usually between 120 and 140 days of frost each year. The mountains remain covered in snow for six to eight months. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -32 degrees Celsius. Summers are generally mild but can reach 39 degrees Celsius. These temperature swings affect how people live and how they use the land for farming.