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Qom

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Qom is a very large city in central Iran.

Qom panorama
Qom panorama

It sits on the banks of the Qom River. The city is located to the south of Tehran. It is the seventh largest city in the whole country.

13 Chardin Qom
13 Chardin Qom

This city is also the capital of Qom province. It serves as a major center for many different things. People know it for its history and its busy industry.

Many people visit Qom because it is a holy place. It is a very important site for Shi'a Islam. The city holds the shrine of Fatima bint Musa. She was the sister of Imam Ali ibn Musa Rida.

Fatima-Masuma-HS2
Fatima-Masuma-HS2

About twenty million pilgrims visit the city every single year. Most of these visitors come from Iran. Many others travel from all around the world to be there. It is also a famous place for religious study.

Qom has a very long and interesting history. In ancient times, the region was a home for followers of Anahita. She was an Iranian goddess of fertility.

Deire Gachin Caravansarai - Sasanian dating - Iran. Qom Province - Dayr-e Gachin 01
Deire Gachin Caravansarai - Sasanian dating - Iran. Qom Province - Dayr-e Gachin 01

Archaeologists have found many old things in the area. They found ruins from the Seleucid and Parthian times. One famous place is the ruins of Khurha. Some experts think it was a palace or a temple.

Qom panorama
Qom panorama

Today, the city is a busy center for industry and energy. It is close to Tehran, which helps it grow. Qom helps move petroleum and natural gas through big pipelines. These pipes carry oil to the Abadan refinery.

The Grand Teemcheh
The Grand Teemcheh

In 1956, oil was found at a place called Sarajeh near the city. This discovery helped the city become even more successful. A large refinery was even built between Qom and Tehran. The Imam Khomeini International Airport is also nearby.

Qom panorama
Qom panorama

Learning about the name of the city is quite interesting. Some researchers think the old name was Komiran. They think this might mean "Iran city."

Qom Seminary
Qom Seminary

Other books from the 10th century suggest a different story. They say the name comes from the word "Koomeh." This word means "hut." Long ago, local shepherds and farmers made houses from reeds. These reeds grew near the ford of the Qom River.

Qom panorama
Qom panorama
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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Azam Mosque.jpg
Azam Mosque.jpg
File:13 Chardin Qom.jpg
13 Chardin Qom.jpg
File:Fatima-Masuma-HS2.JPG
Fatima-Masuma-HS2.JPG
File:Deire Gachin Caravansarai - Sasanian dating - Iran. Qom Province - Dayr-e Gachin 01.jpg
Deire Gachin Caravansarai - Sasanian...
File:The_Grand_Teemcheh.jpg
The_Grand_Teemcheh.jpg
File:Qom_panorama.jpg
Qom_panorama.jpg
File:Qom-Azadari-Moharram4.JPG
Qom-Azadari-Moharram4.JPG
File:Jamkaran Mosque-3855.jpg
Jamkaran Mosque-3855.jpg
File:Mezquita del Imam Hassan Al-Asgari, Qom, Irán, 2016-09-19, DD 20.jpg
Mezquita del Imam Hassan Al-Asgari, Qom,...
File:ALGHADIR MOSQUE.JPG
ALGHADIR MOSQUE.JPG
File:QoranQomMuseum.jpg
QoranQomMuseum.jpg
File:Merkaz Modiria Hawzeha ye Ilmiyeh Qom.JPG
Merkaz Modiria Hawzeha ye Ilmiyeh Qom.JPG

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