جاذبه های شهر زنجان/
Zaanjan Tourism Attractions
Zanjan province has been naturally blessed with many bounties and is today one of the richest provinces in Iran . This province is located in the north west of the country encompassing some 21, 841 sq km . Zanjan is bound by the provinces of East Azarbayijan in the west , Gilan to the north , Ghazvin in the east and by the Markazi province to its south .
It currently has a population numbering close to 1 million souls .
The province capital of the province is also called Zanjan and the other major cities are Abhar , khodabande , ijrud , Taram , Mah Neshan , and Khorram Darreh .
The impressive feature of the people of this province is hospitality , a point also mentioned in the tourists accounts .
Marriage ceremonies and a festival called Hala that is taken place in the harvest are very interesting . The differing temperate weather conditions have also nurtured a rich abundance of animal life , native and migratory birds , and aquatic animals and fish attract many tourists inj the hunting seasons . In order to preserve the provinces rich wild life , the Iranian Environmental organizations proclaimed the area known as Angooran , as an enormous protected wild life refuge area some 25 years ago .
Zanjan enjoys a pleasant temoerate climate throughout the year and can be divided into three general areas each with different weather conditions . The4 temperature rarely varies from a low of 5 degrees centigrade in the winter to a high of 20 D,C in the summer .
The countryside is generally mountainous and hilly and the three largest mountains in the province are known as Takhtesoleyman, Taleghan , and Kooherostam .
Numerous rivers flow down from the mountains throughout this Lush province , the most important of which are the Ghezel Owzan , Abhar rood , and Shah Rood.
The aboundance of water has produced a lush variety of flora that can be counted amongst the many God given natural resources of this province .
The vegetation of the province varies from one district to the next , but is generally made up of forests and pastures .
The forests are mainly located in the mountainous regions adjacent to Gilan province .
The province is populated mainly by kurds and Shahsavans . Azerbayijan , Persians , Kurdish , and Tati are all languages that are spoken in different regions of this province . The predominant practiced religion is the Shiite branch of Islam .
The province has a fairly modern and developed infrastructure . There is a modern 6 – lane highway connecting Tehran to Zanjan . All the main roads and most of the secondary roads to different places within the province are paved in asphalt and bear modern traffic sign posts . public and private bus services cover all its cities and towns .
Additionally , there is an airport and there are regular commercial airline flights between Tehran and Zanjan . The trans- Iranian railway network services this province and links it wiyh Tehran , and other domestic cities on the other . This rtailway has daily express rail links to and from Tehran and Tabriz.
The existence of so many rivers and lush fertile pastures has made agriculture and animal husbandry , major activities in Zanjan . There has been a considerable growth in both the amount and variety of agricultural products produced in Zanjan in recent years . Today the principal products are wheat , barely , chicken and dairy products .
Zanjan province has also been further blessed with a great variety of natural mineral resources . Among these we can list kaolin , silver, gold , coke , copper , iron , manganes , feldspar, and silica.
These are all actively mined and mining is thereby another major actively of this province. There are currently 74 active miners in the province.
Due to the availability of these rich mineral resources in the province , there are a great number of local factories and the province has become an important center for industry .
There are several industrial park/city complexes along with their satellite urban developments catering to the required personnel .
These industries are mainly related to the fields of metal, food, chemical , wood, textile, and constrtuction.
Another famous traditional industry of this province specially worth mentioning is knife making, which is mostly carried out within the city of Zanjan itself. The products of this local industry are unique in that they are once both delicate and extremely robust . The city of Zanjan , this provincial capital city has two main administrative districts namely the central , which includes the city proper, and Zanjan Rood . This citys existence probably dates from the Sassanid era.
It was vanquished in the Muslim invasion of the 7th century, and then , in both the 13th and 14th centuries , underwent annihilation by Mongol hordes from the east including the one led by Tamerlane.
During its long history this city has experienced both glory and hardship and has a record steeped in early civilization , culture , the arts , and science .
After the advent of Islamic revolution Zanjan has made great progress in different fields.
Sightseer attractions
The province contains 6 hot and four springs. Every year these springs attract and draw large numkbers of tourists from all regions of Iran and neighboring countries who come to enjoy the medicinal and rejuvenate qualities of waters.
Located some 140 km south west of the provincial capital , one can find the village of Garmab ( hot spring ) , just to the south of which there is avery picturesque cave known as Katle khor which is well worth a visit.
The name of katle khor , means - mount of sun - .Geological studies in 1984 showed that the cave formation dates back to the Jurassic period.
It is belived that the cave joints to Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan province. This cave wasw discovered about 90 years ago but it was registred by Ahmad Jamali.
Among other sights to be found in Zanjan city are the following:
1- Traditional Market
Because of its age and cultural , economic, and religious significance , Zanjans bazaar is one of the most important historical complexes in Iran . Dating from the Qajar period ( 1779- 1925) the Bazar is located in the heart of the old city.
It consist of two sections called in turn , the upper and lower bazaar . With an area of 150000 sq m , the bazaar comprises 490 shops and two Public bath houses namely Boloory and moini . trameets all the consumer needs of the people in this area and is a great attraction for tourists.
2- Stone caravansary.
This robat was built in the Safavid age. (16th century) and is the oldest historical site in the city of Zanjan .
Much of the original buildings is in ruins and at present the site is mostly occupied by a building housing the Endowment Organizations.
3- Mirza e mosque.
Located in the lower bazaar , Mirza e mosque is the oldest religious edific in this city , again probably dating back to the Safavid era ( 18th century) . It consist of two parts : The old sanctuary and the new mosque . Having all components of the traditional mosques such as dome, tilework in beautiful Islamic patterns, it is well worth a visit.
4- Jame mosque.
Located in the center of the old city , jame mosque and school complex is a historical local known collectively as the Sayyed mosque.
This complex is very eye catching and was built in the Qakar age in a very artistic and impressive architectural style.
The diversity of adjacent elements in the interior of the structure and the harmony of the exterior façade of the building , have together created a pleasant atmosphere. The mosques turquoise – colored dome , verandes, sanctuary , arches , and tile work with delicate patterns and harmonious colors are aesthtically pleasing .
The mosque has 24 chambers located around its central courtyard for the use of Islamic scholars.