Karaj
Encyclopedia
Karaj is a city in and the capital of Karaj County
, Alborz Province, Iran
. At the 2006 census, its population was 1,377,450, in 385,955 families, , making it the fifth-largest city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad
, Isfahan and Tabriz
.) It is situated 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) west of Tehran
, at the foothills of the Alborz
mountains. However, the city is increasingly becoming an extension of metropolitan Tehran.
Karaj is mostly famous because of its academic and educational complexes along with tourist attractions.
n era is a testament to this.
The Soleimanieh palace (currently housing a college of Agriculture), the mausoleum of Shahzadeh Soleiman, Imamzadeh
Rahman and Zeid Palang Abad-e-Eshtehard are other historical relics of the Karaj area.
During the Pahlavi dynasty
era, the Morvarid Palace
was constructed in nearby Mehrshahr district, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright
Foundation.
, where transportation of products between the capital and the Caspian Sea
is central. Chemicals, fertilizers and processed agricultural goods are also produced here.
The majority of the population of the city is composed of ethnic Persians who are natives to the city but there are also a minority of Persianized Lurs, Persianized Azarbaijanis and Persianized Kurds.
It is connected by freeway, railway to Tehran 40 km east and Qazvin
100 km northwest, and by commuter rail to Tehran subway system (Metro).
Amir Kabir dam
and small lakes are based here. Karaj's climate is a bit cooler than Tehran and it receives 260 mm of rain annually.
The downtown of Karaj is usually referred to Karaj Square, located hundred of meters to the West of Karaj River and the old Karaj Bridge.
Karaj's major districts include:
Karaj has a multi-purpose stadium; the Enghelab Stadium
, with capacity of 15,000 people. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home of football team, Saipa F.C.
Karaj is home to Saipa F.C. one the IPL major Football teams as of 2001. The team is registered in Tehran, but plays its games in Karaj and is called "Saipa Karaj". It is known to have one of the best youth training programs in Iranian football.
Karaj also have a Tennis Park in Jahanshahr.
The ski resorts of Dizin
and Khur are situated close to Karaj in the Alborz Mountains. Besides Skiing facilities in Dizin, there are tennis courtyards, slope for skiing on turf, some altitudes for mountain climbing and walking as well as riding and some routes for cycling.
The high altitude mountains have made it easy for people in Karaj to use them as mountain trail for hiking and mountain climbing.
There are also many private gums and clubs that are being utilized.
. Karaj has very has a pleasant climate in all four seasons. It is very famous for the natural attractions. The beautiful Alborz Mountains provide a natural beauty to the landscape of Karaj.
The stony fire-temple of Takht-e-Rostam belong to Parthians and Sassanian eras, as well as the Soleimanieh palace (which is currently part of the Agriculture faculty of University of Tehran), Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, a pre-Islamic bridge and the mausolum of Shahzadeh Soleiman are among Karaj's cutural heritage.
Karaj is also the starting point for a pleasant drive along spectacular road forced north through the alborz mountain to the Caspian Sea
.
The following are the lists of some places for outdoors activities in Karaj:
Karaj County
Karaj County is a county in Alborz Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Karaj. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 1,709,481, in 472,365 families. The county is subdivided into three districts: the Central District, Asara District, and Eshtehard District...
, Alborz Province, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. At the 2006 census, its population was 1,377,450, in 385,955 families, , making it the fifth-largest city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad
Mashhad
Mashhad , is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Shia Muslim world. It is also the only major Iranian city with an Arabic name. It is located east of Tehran, at the center of the Razavi Khorasan Province close to the borders of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Its...
, Isfahan and Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
.) It is situated 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) west of Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, at the foothills of the Alborz
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
mountains. However, the city is increasingly becoming an extension of metropolitan Tehran.
Karaj is mostly famous because of its academic and educational complexes along with tourist attractions.
History
The history of Karaj dates back many centuries. The stone built Zoroastrian fire temple of Takht-e-Rostam from the ParthiaParthia
Parthia is a region of north-eastern Iran, best known for having been the political and cultural base of the Arsacid dynasty, rulers of the Parthian Empire....
n era is a testament to this.
The Soleimanieh palace (currently housing a college of Agriculture), the mausoleum of Shahzadeh Soleiman, Imamzadeh
Imamzadeh
An Imāmzādeh is a word found in both the Persian and Urdu languages, that refers to an immediate descendant of a Shi'a Imam.Imamzadeh means “offspring” or descendent of an imam. There are many other different ways of spelling this term. Some of these are imamzada, imamzadah, and emamzadah...
Rahman and Zeid Palang Abad-e-Eshtehard are other historical relics of the Karaj area.
During the Pahlavi dynasty
Pahlavi dynasty
The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
era, the Morvarid Palace
Morvarid palace
Pearl Palace Pearl Palace Pearl Palace (kakh-e Morvarid in Persian, also known as kahk-e Shams - (كاخ مرواريد ( شمس) is a large estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation on instructions from Shams Pahlavi, elder sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran...
was constructed in nearby Mehrshahr district, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
Foundation.
Karaj today
The economical base for Karaj is its proximity to TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, where transportation of products between the capital and the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
is central. Chemicals, fertilizers and processed agricultural goods are also produced here.
The majority of the population of the city is composed of ethnic Persians who are natives to the city but there are also a minority of Persianized Lurs, Persianized Azarbaijanis and Persianized Kurds.
It is connected by freeway, railway to Tehran 40 km east and Qazvin
Qazvin
Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin in Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 349,821, in 96,420 families....
100 km northwest, and by commuter rail to Tehran subway system (Metro).
Amir Kabir dam
Amir Kabir Dam
Amir Kabir dam , also known as Karaj dam, is a dam in Iran, located northwest of Tehran and north of Karaj. Amir kabir Dam was constructed on the Karaj River, and was the first multi-purpose dam in Iran.- Construction :...
and small lakes are based here. Karaj's climate is a bit cooler than Tehran and it receives 260 mm of rain annually.
The downtown of Karaj is usually referred to Karaj Square, located hundred of meters to the West of Karaj River and the old Karaj Bridge.
Karaj's major districts include:
- GohardashtGohardashtGohardasht, formally called Rajaei Shahr, is a town in Alborz Province of Iran, located north of the large city Karaj which is near Tehran.-Name:Gohardasht was founded by a local land owner, who named this newly founded town after his girl Gohar....
- MehrshahrMehrshahrMehrshahr is an area located south-west of Karaj city, in Alborz province, Iran. The word Mehrshahr is composed of Mehr meaning sun or love, and Shahr meaning city; suggesting Mehrshahr to mean the city of sun or love...
- Kian-mehr
- HesarakHesarak, KarajHesarak is a large suburb of Karaj in Iran.It is connected via Metro to Greater Tehran. It is close to where Morvarid Palace is located.Tarbiat'e Moallem University is located in Hesarak...
- Azimiyeh
- Ouj
- Shahin Vila
- Bonyad
- Baghastan
- Dowlat abad
- Garmdare
- Jahanshahr
- Mesbah
- Mehr Vila
- Dehghan Vila
- Mahdasht
- Shahrake Banafsheh
- Fardis
- Vahdat :One Of the Few Government Worker residential For Raja {Rah - Ahan -E -Iran -} .
- Kalak & Hesar
- Islam Abad
- Golshahr
- Zibadasht
- Zob-e-Ahan
- Sasani
- Homayoonvila
- Asara
- Mohammad Shahr
- Mehdi Abad
- Shahrak-e-Khatam
Special Economic Zone & Airport
- Payam Special Economic ZoneSpecial Economic ZoneA Special Economic Zone is a geographical region that has economic and other laws that are more free-market-oriented than a country's typical or national laws...
& Payam international cargo airportPayam International AirportPayam Airport is an international cargo airport located in Karaj 40 km from Tehran, Iran. The airport was established in 1990 but wasn't opened officially until 1997. Payam Aviation Services Co. operate the Payam Airport as well Payam Airline, Payam Special Economic Zone and Postal hub in...
outside Mehrshahr
Higher education and research
- University of Environment
- Karaj Payam Noor University Aerospace Association
- Karaj Payam Noor UniversityKaraj Payam Noor UniversityKaraj Payam Noor University is located in Karaj, Iran, and has two campuses. The main campus is located in Gohardasht, and another campus is located in Ghalamestan Street. The University was founded in 2000-01. In the founding year, 70 students were admitted for the Accounting B.Sc degree...
http://www.karaj.tpnu.ac.ir - Islamic Azad UniversityIslamic Azad UniversityIslamic Azad University is a private chain of universities in Iran.Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University was founded in 1982 and currently has an enrollment of 1.5 million students, making it the world's third largest...
of Karaj - Art University
- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of University of Tehran, located in Karaj
- Center for Research in Agriculture and Nuclear Medicine of Karaj
- Tarbiat Moallem University of TehranTarbiat Moallem UniversityTarbiat Moalem University , also known as Kharazmi University , is a major university in Tehran, Iran, offering undergraduate and postgraduate studies...
which renamed to "Kharazmi" in 2000. The second campus of the university is located in Hesarak near Karaj, inaugurated in 1986. - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute at Hesarak
- Alborz HighSchool (Alborz Colleague)
Sports
Karaj has introduced several national players for a wide range of national teams.Karaj has a multi-purpose stadium; the Enghelab Stadium
Enghelab Stadium (Karaj)
The Enghelab Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Karaj, Iran. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home of football team, Saipa F.C. as of 2001. It has a capacity of 15,000 people....
, with capacity of 15,000 people. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home of football team, Saipa F.C.
Karaj is home to Saipa F.C. one the IPL major Football teams as of 2001. The team is registered in Tehran, but plays its games in Karaj and is called "Saipa Karaj". It is known to have one of the best youth training programs in Iranian football.
Karaj also have a Tennis Park in Jahanshahr.
The ski resorts of Dizin
Dizin
Dizin is a ski resort situated to the north of Tehran in the Alborz mountain range.The huge Dizin ski resort was established in 1969 . The ski season in Dizin also lasts longer than European ski resorts because of its high altitude.The highest ski lift reaches , making it one of the 40 highest ski...
and Khur are situated close to Karaj in the Alborz Mountains. Besides Skiing facilities in Dizin, there are tennis courtyards, slope for skiing on turf, some altitudes for mountain climbing and walking as well as riding and some routes for cycling.
The high altitude mountains have made it easy for people in Karaj to use them as mountain trail for hiking and mountain climbing.
There are also many private gums and clubs that are being utilized.
Tourism
Karaj has traditionally been considered as a favorable tourism area particularly for the people from TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. Karaj has very has a pleasant climate in all four seasons. It is very famous for the natural attractions. The beautiful Alborz Mountains provide a natural beauty to the landscape of Karaj.
The stony fire-temple of Takht-e-Rostam belong to Parthians and Sassanian eras, as well as the Soleimanieh palace (which is currently part of the Agriculture faculty of University of Tehran), Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, a pre-Islamic bridge and the mausolum of Shahzadeh Soleiman are among Karaj's cutural heritage.
Karaj is also the starting point for a pleasant drive along spectacular road forced north through the alborz mountain to the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
.
The following are the lists of some places for outdoors activities in Karaj:
Recreation
- Amir Kabir damAmir Kabir DamAmir Kabir dam , also known as Karaj dam, is a dam in Iran, located northwest of Tehran and north of Karaj. Amir kabir Dam was constructed on the Karaj River, and was the first multi-purpose dam in Iran.- Construction :...
lake in the road of Chalus. This area is used for sports such as canoeing, fishing, water skiing, swimming and gliding. - Atashgah
- Khanevadeh Park - biking roads
- Road to Chaloos, which is the most beautiful road in Iran
- Jahanshahr Gardens
- Tulip Garden in Gachsar
- Tennis Park
- Iranzamin Park
- Park of Madar
- Golha Garden
- Mahestan Shopping Center
- ArangehArangehArangeh is a village located in the Alborz Mountain range north of Karaj on the Chalus road....
Valley - Varian Village; the only means of accessibility to the village of Varian is by canoe from the lake of the dam.
- Baraghan Village
- Taleghan Gardens
- Taleghan dam lake
- Agasht
- DizinDizinDizin is a ski resort situated to the north of Tehran in the Alborz mountain range.The huge Dizin ski resort was established in 1969 . The ski season in Dizin also lasts longer than European ski resorts because of its high altitude.The highest ski lift reaches , making it one of the 40 highest ski...
ski resort at an attitude of 3,800 m. above sea-level in the Chaloos road - Khur ski resort
- Karaj River, This river is about 220 km in length
- Yakh Morad Cave, the cave is situated in the district of Gachsar. Low temperature within the cave is as such that even till the months of May/June icicles can be still observed here.
- Pole khab valley
- Jey and Charan Villages
- Sijan Village
- Vineh
- Kordan Gardens
- Pich Adran Waterfall, at 15 km Chaloos road
- Wallah spring water
- Gila-gila spring water
Cultural attractions
- Shah Abbasi Caravanserai; The medieval Caravanserai in Karaj
- The stony fire-temple of Takht-e-Rostam
- Kakh-e Morvarid or kakh-e Shams (Pearl Palace) in Mehrshahr
- Ancient bridge of Karaj
- Ghale' Dehshad (Dehshad citadel)
- Ghale' Faramarz (Faramarz citadel)
- Emamzadeh TaherEmamzadeh TaherEmamzadeh Taher is located in Iran in the town of Karaj, is one of the most famous cemeteries in Iran.-Notable interments:Many prominent figures of Iranian literature, art and culture are interred here, including:- External links:...
- Soleimanieh palace, which is currently part of the Agriculture faculty of University of Tehran
- Emamzadeh Rahman Palang Abad,
- The mausolum of Shahzadeh Soleiman
Transportation
Karaj is connected by Highways and railway to Tehran 40 km east and Qazvin 100 km northwest, and by commuter rail to Tehran subway system (Metro). The highway system includes three highways: Tehran-Karaj Freeway, Karaj special road (highway), Karaj old road (Fat'h highway). Tehran-Karaj Freeway (also known as the Autobahn) is the most high traffic highway in Iran.Roads and freeways
Freeway 2Freeway 2 (Iran)
-West Part:Freeway 2 runs from the capital city, Tehran to Tabriz in northwestern Iran. This freeway is an important transit road that connects Iran's industrial zones to Tabriz and Turkey.-East Part:...