Eşfahān
Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan. Naghsh-e Jahan Square ( Persian: ميدان نقش جهان maidaan-e naqsh-e jehaan) is situated at the center of Isfahan city Iran
Seal
Nickname: Nesfe Jahan (Half of the world). A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name.
Coordinates: 32°39′N 51°41′E / 32.65, 51.683
Country	Iran
Province	Esfahan
Government
- Mayor	Morteza Saqaeian Nejad
Elevation	1,590 m (5,217 ft)
Population (2006)
- City	1,986,542
- Metro	3,430,353
	Population Data from 2006 Census[1]
Time zone	IRST (UTC+3:30)
- Summer (DST)	March 21 - September 20 (?) (UTC+4:30)
Website: http://www.Isfahan.ir

Esfahān or Isfahan (historically also rendered as Ispahan or Hispahan, Old Persian: Aspadana, Middle Persian: Spahān, Persian: اصفهان Esfahān), located about 340 km south of Tehran at 32°39′5″N, 51°40′45″E, is the capital of Esfahan Province and Iran's third largest city (after Tehran and Mashhad). The Old Persian language is one of the two attested Old Iranian languages (besides Avestan) Middle Persian is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times (224-654 CE became a Prestige dialect Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of Mashhad ( literally the place of martyrdom) is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Shia Esfahan City had a population of 1,986,542 and the Esfahan metroplitan area had a population of 3,430,353 in the 2006 Census, the second most populous metropolitan area in Iran after Tehran. Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of ^[2]

The cities of Najafabad, Khaneh Esfahan, Khomeini-shahr, Shahin-shahr, Zarrinshahr, Mobarakeh, Falavarjan and Fouladshahr all constitute the metropolitan city of Esfahan. Najafabad is a city in Isfahan Province, Iran. In 2006 it had an estimated population of 282430 (1991 pop Khomeini-shahr (also written Khomeini Shahr, Khomeinishahr, Khomeyni-shahr, Khomeyni Shahr, Khomeynishahr, Persian: خمینی Zarrinshahr (Zarrin Shahr also known as Riz-e Lenjan is a city in Isfahan Province, Iran. Falavarjan is a small township in Iran, to the west of the city of Eşfahān.

Esfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran, and was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Year 1722 ( MDCCXXII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Safavids ( صفوی) were an Iranian ref>Helen Chapin Metz The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation This led to the Persian proverb Esfahān nesf-e jahān ast: "Esfahan is half of the world". ^[3]

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Esfahan is one of the biggest city squares in the world and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. Naghsh-e Jahan Square ( Persian: ميدان نقش جهان maidaan-e naqsh-e jehaan) is situated at the center of Isfahan city Iran It has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The city also has a wide variety of historic monuments ranging from the Sassanid to the Safavid dynasties. The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire The Safavids ( صفوی) were an Iranian ref>Helen Chapin Metz Remaining Islamic architectural sites were built from 11th to the 19th century while older pre-Islamic monuments date back to 1000 B. Islamic architecture has encompassed a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day influencing the design and construction C.

Contents 1 Geography and climate 2 History 2.1 Prehistory 2.2 Elamite Empire 2.3 Islamic Era 2.4 Modern age 3 Culture 3.1 Architecture 3.1.1 Historical sites 4 Historical Attractions 4.1 Rug manufacture 4.2 Famous people 5 Education 6 Sports 7 Sister cities 8 Gallery 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

Geography and climate

Climate chart for Esfahan
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
17   8 -5	14   12 -3	18   17 1	19   22 7	9   28 11	1   33 16	1   36 18	0   35 17	0   31 12	4   24 7	10   16 0	20   10 -3
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0. 7   46 23     0. 6   54 27     0. 7   63 34     0. 7   72 45     0. 4   82 52     0   91 61     0   97 64     0   95 63     0   88 54     0. 2   75 45     0. 4   61 32     0. 8   50 27 temperatures in °F • precipitation totals in inches

The city is located in the lush plain of the Zayandeh River, at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. Zayandeh River (Persian Zayandeh Rud, from Zayandeh “life giving” Rud “river” (formerly Zendehrood) is the largest river on the central The Zagros Mountains (جبال زاجروس (رشته كوههاى زاگرس ( Sorani Kurdish: Zagros - زاگرۆس make up Iran 's and Iraq 's The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. No geological obstacles exist within 90 km north of Esfahan, allowing cool northern winds to blow from this direction. Situated at 1590 meters above sea level, Esfahan it is still very hot during the summer with maxima typically around 36 °C (97 °F). However, with low humidity and moderate temperatures at night, the climate can be very pleasant. During the winter, days are mild but nights can be very cold and snow is not unknown. "Snowfall" redirects here For other uses see Snow (disambiguation or Snowfall (disambiguation. However, on the whole Esfahan's climate is extremely dry. Its annual precipitation of 113 millimetres (4. In Meteorology, precipitation (also known as one class of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric 4 in) is only about half that of Tehran or Mashhad and only a quarter that of more exposed Kermanshah. Tehran (or Teheran) ( Persian: تهران Tehrān) is the capital and largest City of Iran, and the administrative center of Mashhad ( literally the place of martyrdom) is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Shia Kermanshah or Kermashan ( Kermānshāh; Kurdish: کرماشان Kirmaşan is the capital city of Kermanshah Province, located 525 km

History

Prehistory

The history of Esfahan can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period. The term Paleolithic (or Palaeolithic) (from Greek παλαιός palaios, " Old " and λίθος Lithos, "stone" In recent discoveries, archeologists have found artifacts dating back to the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages. Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age was a period in the development of human technology in between the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age and the Neolithic or New Stone Age The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man.

Elamite Empire

Ancient Esfahan was part of the Elamite empire. Under the name of Aspandana it became one of the principal towns of the Median dynasty, when Iranian Medes settled there. The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran. Subsequently the province became part of the Achaemenid Empire and after the liberation of Iran from Macedonian occupation by the Arsacids, it became part of Parthian Empire. The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of Esfahan was the centre and capital city of a large province, which was administered by Arsacid governors. In the Sassanid era, Esfahan was governed by "Espoohrans" or the members of seven noble Iranian families who had important royal positions, and served as the residence of these noble families as well. The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire Moreover, in this period Esfahan was a military centre with strong fortifications. There were large populations of Jews and Christians concentrated around Esfahan at this time. The city was occupied by Arabs after the final defeat of Iranians. The Islamic conquest of Persia (633–656 led to the end of the Sassanid Empire and the eventual extirpation of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia

Islamic Era

Esfahan fell, temporarily, under the rule of Arabs until the Abbasid era, only being attended to by Al-Mansur. Al-Mansur Almanzor or Abu Ja'far Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mansur (712&ndash775 Arabic: ابو جعفر عبدالله ابن محمد المنصور was the second In the 10th century, under the Buwayhid Dynasty, Esfahan regained its importance. The Buyids (آل بویه Āl-e Buye, Caspian: Bowyiyün also known as Buwaihids or Buyyids, were a Shī‘ah Iranian In the reign of Malik Shah I of the Seljuk dyansty, Esfahan was again selected as capital and commenced another golden age. Jalāl al-Dawlah Mālikshāh or simply Malik Shah ( Persian: fa ملكشاه Turkish: Melikşah) (died 1092 was the The Seljuq (also Seljuq Turks, Seldjuks, Seldjuqs, Seljuks; in Turkish Selçuklular; in Ṣaljūqīyān; in In this period, Esfahan was one of the most thriving and important cities of the world. The famous Persian philosopher Avicenna lived and taught there in the 11th century. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> ( Persian /ابو علی الحسین ابن عبدالله ابن سینا (born

The city was raided and most of its inhabitants were massacred by the Mongols in the 13th century, the raid followed by that of Timur in 1387. Timur also written Emir Timur or Amir Temur ( Chagatai: تیمور - Tēmōr " Iron " (1336 – 19 February 1405 among ^[3] However, as the result of its suitable geographic situation, Esfahan flourished again especially during the Safavid dynasty, which developed considerably. The Safavids ( صفوی) were an Iranian ref>Helen Chapin Metz

The Golden Age of Esfahan arrived in the 16th century under Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), who conquered it and made it the new capital of the Safavid dynasty. Shāh ‘Abbās I or Shāh ‘Abbās the Great ( (born January 27, 1571; died January 19, 1629) was Shah of Iran and the most eminent The Safavids ( صفوی) were an Iranian ref>Helen Chapin Metz During the reign of Shah Abbas I, who unified Persia, Esfahan reached its pinnacle. Esfahan had parks, libraries and mosques that amazed Europeans, who had not seen anything like this at home. The Persians called it Nesf-e-Jahan, half the world; meaning that to see it was to see half the world, and also referring to it as a point where many cultures and nationalities meet and mingled. In its heyday it was also one of the largest with a population of over half a million;^[3] 163 mosques, 48 religious schools, 1801 shops and 263 public baths.

In 1722, it was raided by the Afghans after a long siege, which left much of the city in ruins. Year 1722 ( MDCCXXII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Although the Afghans were a primary cause of Esfahan's decline, this can also be attributed to the development of maritime commerce by European merchants from such countries such as the Netherlands. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Esfahan's wealth originated in its role as a chief waystation along the trans-Asia trade route (such as the Silk Road), but land trade dwindled as the cheaper sea routes increased in popularity for transporting commodities between Asia and Europe. The Silk Road, or Silk Routes, are an extensive interconnected network of Trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East South and Western Asia with the

Modern age

Today Esfahan, the third largest city in Iran, produces fine carpets, textiles, steel, and handicrafts. Esfahan also has nuclear experimental reactors as well as facilities for producing nuclear fuel (UCF). This article is a subarticle of Nuclear power. A nuclear reactor is a device in which Nuclear chain reactions are initiated controlled Esfahan has one of the largest steel producing facilities in the entire region, as well as facilities for producing special alloys.

At Esfahan uranium is converted into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), which in its gaseous form is spun at high speed in the centrifuges to extract the fissile isotope. Uranium (jʊˈreɪniəm is a silvery-gray Metallic Chemical element in the Uranium hexafluoride (UF6 referred to as "hex" in the nuclear industry is a compound used in the Uranium enrichment process that produces Esfahan is Iran's only domestic source of UF₆. According to IAEA Iran is building hardened bunkers under Esfahan to protect UF₆ production. The International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its ^[4]

The cities of Najafabad, Khaneh Esfahan, Khomeini-shahr, Shahin-shahr, Zarrinshahr, Mobarakeh, Fouladshahr and Falavarjan all constitute the metropolitan city of Esfahan. Najafabad is a city in Isfahan Province, Iran. In 2006 it had an estimated population of 282430 (1991 pop Khomeini-shahr (also written Khomeini Shahr, Khomeinishahr, Khomeyni-shahr, Khomeyni Shahr, Khomeynishahr, Persian: خمینی Zarrinshahr (Zarrin Shahr also known as Riz-e Lenjan is a city in Isfahan Province, Iran. The city has an international airport and is in the final stages of constructing its first Metro line. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway

Over 2000 companies are working in the area using Esfahan's economic, cultural, and social potentials. Esfahan contains a major oil refinery and a large airforce base. HESA, Iran's most advanced aircraft manufacturing plant (where the AN-140 aircraft is made), is located nearby. Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company ( HESA) was established in 1976 and belongs to the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO ^[5]

Esfahan hosted the International Physics Olympiad in 2007. The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO is an annual Physics competition for High school students Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Culture

Architecture

Caption1

The architecture of Esfahan is made up of eight traditional forms which taken together form the foundation in the same way that music was once based on a finite number of notes. These are modulated by the use of colors and textures to leaven the surfaces and are held together in an overall construction akin to that of a sonata in which connection leads to culmination through a transition space. To appreciate the skill of the architects and designers fully, it is necessary to have an appreciation of these fundamental concepts i. e. garden, platform, porch, gateway, dome, arched chamber, and minaret, although in the geometry and architecture of the buildings they are woven together to present a seamless whole. A full discussion of the underlying principles can be found in the paper entitled "The Alchemy of the Mosque", given to a joint meeting of the School of Architecture and the Islamic Society of the University of Manchester in 1997.

Historical sites

Squares and Streets

• Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as "Shah Square" or "Imam Square" - 1602. Naghsh-e Jahan Square ( Persian: ميدان نقش جهان maidaan-e naqsh-e jehaan) is situated at the center of Isfahan city Iran
• Meydan Kohne (Old Square)
• Shahshahan Square
• Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596. Chahar Bagh may refer to Afghanistan Chahar Bagh Helmand Chahar Bagh Takhar Chaharbagh-e Farahgerd
• Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard

Palaces

• Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century. Ālī Qāpū ( Turkish for Sublime Gate;) is a grand Palace in Isfahan, Iran.
• Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
• Hasht-Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669. Hasht Behesht ("Eight Paradises" is a Safavid era palace in Isfahan, Iran.
• Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of Forty Columns) - 1647. Chehel Sotoun (also Chehel Sotoon, Persian: چهل ستون is a pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool in Isfahan,

Madressa (religious schools)

• Madreseye Sadr. "Madrasa" and "Medrese" redirect here For the village in Azerbaijan see Mədrəsə.
• Madreseye Shah ("Imam Jafar Sadegh" after revolution). Chahār Bāgh school ( Madreseye Chahār Bāgh in Persian or مدرسه چهار باغ also known as Shah school is a 16-17th century cultural complex in Isfahan
• Madreseye Khajoo.

Mosques

• Imam Mosque
• Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
• Esfahan Jame (Congregative) mosque[1]
• Friday Mosque

Caravanserais

• Shah Carvanserai

Bridges

The Bridges of Isfahan

The Zayandeh Rud (river) starts in the Zagros Mountains, flows from west to east through the heart of Isfahan, and dries up in the Kavir desert. The Shah Mosque ( Masjed-e Shah is a Mosque in Isfahan ( Eşfahān) Iran standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque ( Masjed-e Sheikh Lotf-o-llah in Persian or مسجد شيخ لطف الّله is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid This article is about Jame Mosque of Isfahan for similar uses see Jame mosque (disambiguation.

The bridges over the river include some of the nicest architecture in Isfahan. The oldest bridge is the "Pol-e Shahrestan" which was probably built in the 12th century during the Seljuk period. Further upstream is the "Pol-e Khaju" which was built by Shah Abbas II in 1650. It is 123 metres long with 24 arches, and it also serves as a sluice gate. The next bridge is the "Pol-e Jubi". It was originally built as an aqueduct to supply the palace gardens on the north bank of the river. Further upstream again is the "Si-o-Se Pol" or bridge of 32 arches. Build during the rule of Shah Abbas the Great, it linked Isfahan with the Armenian suburb of Jolfa. It is by far the longest bridge in Isfahan at 295m.

• Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge) - 11th Century. sharestan bridge
• Shahrestan bridge
• Pol-e Khaju(Khaju Bridge) - 1650. Shahrestan bridge near Isfahan is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Iran, built in the 14th Century (C Shahrestan bridge near Isfahan is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Iran, built in the 14th Century (C Khaju Bridge ( Persian: پل خواجو pol-e khajoo) is one of the most famous bridges in Isfahan, Iran and has roused the admiration khajoo bridge
• Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches) - 1602. The Si-o-se Pol (سی وسه پل siː oˈseh pol which means 33 Pol, literally 33 Bridge) or the Bridge of 33 Arches, also called the Allah-Verdi
• Pol-e-Joui or Choobi (Joui bridge).

Churches and Cathedrals

• Vank Cathedral - 17th century. Vank Cathedral, also known as The Church of the Saintly Sisters, is the most visited Cathedral in Isfahan Iran. Vank Cathedral
• Kelisaye Maryam (Maryam Church).

Other sites

• Atashgah Atashgah- a Zoroastrian fire temple. The Atashgah of Isfahan is a Sassanid-era archaeological complex located on a hill of the same name about eight kilometers west of city center of Isfahan, Iran Zoroastrianism (ˌzɔroʊˈæstriəˌnɪzəm is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings A Zoroastrian Fire Temple is a place of worship for Zoroastrians.
• Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina (Avicenna's Dome) - 12th Century.
• The Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk & Malek Shah - 12th & 18th Century.
• New Julfa (The Armenian Quarter). New Julfa (Նոր Ջուղա "Nor Juġa" is the Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran, located along the south bank of the river Zayandeh River
• The Bathhouse of Sheikh Bahai.
• Pigeon Towers - 17th Century. Pigeon_house
• Manar Jonban, a famous minaret

Historical Attractions

imam sqeare:

imiam square contains four hystorical places:

Imam Mosque At the end of the Imam Square is one of the most stunning buildings in Iran, the Imam Mosque. Manar Jonban or the swinging minaret is a Mausoleum located in Isfahan, Iran Two turquoise minarets flank the huge gateway (27m high). Behind it and slightly to the right is the main dome (52m high) of the prayer hall. It was built over a period of 26 years and was eventually completed in 1638. In Shah Abbas? impatience to see it finished, he attempted to hurry up the work by adopting a new method of glazed tile work, known as haft rangi (of seven colours). As a result, some sections are decorated with the new style and some with the old and these ornate tiles take on a different hue according to the light conditions.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque This small mosque was built during Shah Abbas? time and dedicated to his father in law, Sheikh Lotfollah. The pale tiles on the dome change colour from cream to pink, depending on the light conditions; and the mosque is unusual because it has no minaret or courtyard. The mosque was once called the Women?s Mosque, because there is apparently a tunnel between this mosque and the Ali Qapu Palace, allowing women from the old dynasties to attend prayers without being seen in public.

Ali Qapu Palace This palace was built in the 18th century as a functioning seat of government, and included a huge pavilion from where the Safavid rulers could watch the activities in the square below. Unfortunately the Palace today is devoid of any furniture, and many of the Murals have been destroyed.

Bazaar Qaisarieh On the north side of the Imam Square lies the Bazaar Qaisarieh (Great Bazaar). The gateway to the bazaar, built in the reign of Shah Abbas is decorated with the town?s astrological sign, Sagittarius. The bazaar covers an enormous area with shops that sell almost every imaginable item, as well as mosques, tea-houses, and banks. Like most Iranian bazaars, it is loosely divided into several interconnecting corridors, each specialising in a particular trade or product.

Chehel Sotun (Forty Columns)

The Chehel Sotun palace was built as a reception hall by Shah Abbas II in 1647. It is set in the old royal park between the Ali Qapu Palace and the Chahar Bagh Avenue. The name means "The Forty Columns" and though there are only twenty columns of cypress wood, their reflections in the adjacent pool provide the other twenty.

There is also a small museum inside the building. Six Friezes are painted on the upper part of the inside walls representing Safavid court life and their military exploits. Beneath these great scenes are smaller paintings, closer in style and subject matter to Persian miniature. Covered in plaster during the Qajar period, they have recently been carefully restored. All around the room are a series of Safavid objects including carpets, armour, porcelain and coins.

Rug manufacture

Main article: Isfahan rug

Esfahan has long been one of the centers for production of the famous Persian Rug. The Iranian city of Isfahan (also spelt Esfahan has long been one of the centres for production of the famous Persian Rug. The Persian carpet ( Pahlavi bōb Persian farš فرش meaning "to spread" and qāli) is an essential part of Weaving in Esfahan flourished in the Safavid era. But when the Afghans invaded Iran, ending the Safavid dynasty, the craft also became stagnant.

Not until 1920s, between two world wars, was weaving again taken seriously by the people of Esfahan. A world war is a War affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations They started to weave Safavid designs and once again became one of the most important nexus of the Iranian rug weaving industry. Esfahani carpets today are among the most wanted in world markets, having many customers in western countries.

Esfahani rugs and carpets usually have ivory backgrounds with blue, rose, and indigo motifs. Rugs and carpets often have very symmetrical and balanced designs. They usually have a single medallion that is surrounded with vines and palmettos and are of excellent quality.

Famous people

Artists

• jalal al din taj esfahani,1903-, one of the best vocalist of classical music of iran
• hasan kasai,1928-,gratest ney player of iran (ney is a musical instrument in irans classical music)
• Alireza Eftekhari, 1956-, vocalist of popular and classical music

actors & movie directors

• mohamad ali keshvarz, 1930-, a famous & popular actor
• kiumars poorahmad, 1949-, a famous & popular director

painters

mahmud farshchian, 1930-,the best miniaturistof iran

Political figures

• Shapour Bakhtiar,Ex. Alireza Eftekhari is an Iranian vocalist of Iranian classical as well as popular music Shapour Bakhtiar ( (also Shapur Bakhtiar) ( Persian: شاپور بختیار Shāpūr Bakhtīār) (born 1914 or 1915 - August Prim. Minister Iran
• Ahmad Amir-Ahmadi, 1906-1965, military leader and cabinet minister of Iran
• Abdollah Noori, ?-, reformist politician and cleric
• Mohsen Nourbakhsh, 1948-2003, economist, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran
• Hossein Fatemi, 1919-1954, PhD, politician

Religious figures

• Salman Farsi
• Allamah al-Majlisi, 1616-1698, Safavid cleric, Sheikh ul-Islam in Esfahan
• Ayatollah Yousef Sanei, 1927-, reformist cleric
• Ayatollah Rahim Arbab, 1847-?, cleric, Ayatollah-al-ozma rank
• Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, 1928-1981, cleric, Chairman of the Council of Revolution of Iran

Sportspeople

• Moharram Navidkia, Captain of Sepahan Football Club

Writers and poets

• mohamad ali jamalzadeh,1891-1977,father of story writing of iran
• Houshang Golshiri, 1938-2000, writer and editor
• Mirza Abbas Khan Sheida, 1880-1949, poet and publisher
• Hamid Mosadegh, 1939-1998, poet and lawyer
• Hassan Safdari, poet and writer

Others

• Nasser David Khalili, 1945-, property developer, art collector, and philanthropist
• Arthur Pope, 1881-1969, American archaeologist, buried near Khaju Bridge

Education

Aside from the seminaries and religious schools, the major universities of the Esfahan metropolitan area are:

• Universities
  • Islamic Azad University, Majlesi Branch
  • Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
  • Isfahan University of Technology
  • University of Isfahan
  • Isfahan University of Art

• High schools
  • Harati High School
  • Adab High School

There are also more than 50 Technical and Vocational Training Centers under administration of Esfahan TVTO which provide non-formal training programs freely over the province. Sepahbod Ahmad Amir-Ahmadi (1906 - 1965 was a military leader and cabinet Minister of Iran. Mohsen Nourbakhsh (born 18 May, 1948 – died 23 March, 2003) (Persian محسن نوربخش was an Iranian Economist Hossein Fatemi, PhD was a famous politician of Iran, born in 1919 in Nain in a religious family Career He moved to Isfahan where Muhammad Baqir Majlesi, ( 1616 ad – 1698 ad (In Persian علامه مجلسی variations Majlesi, Majlessi, Majlisi, Sheikh ul-Islam ( Shaykh al-Islam, Sheikhul Islam, Shaikh al-Islam, Şeyhülislam) is a Title of superior authority in the issues of TemplateInfobox Muslim scholars --> Grand Ayatollah Yousof Sanei is an Iranian scholar renowned Ayatollah-al-ozma Haj Agha Rahim Arbab (born 1874 was born in Chermaheen in Iran, near Shahre Kord, to a family of scholars Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti (محمد حسینی بهشتی ( October 24, 1928 - June 28 The Cultural Revolution (1980-1987 (in Persian انقلاب فرهنگي was a period following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran where the academia of Iran was Moharram Navidkia ( born 1 November 1982 in Isfahan, Iran) is an Iranian football player who currently plays for and is captain of Sepahan ( is an Iranian football club based in Esfahan, Iran. Houshang Golshiri (هوشنگ گلشیری in Persian; March 16, 1938 — June 6, 2000) was an Iranian fiction writer critic Mirza Abbas Khan Sheida, or Sheida-ye-Esfahani (b 1880, d 1949) was an Iranian Sufi, Poet and Journalist. Professor Nasser David Khalili ( born 1945 in Esfahan) is a British-Iranian property developer art collector and philanthropist based in London Arthur Upham Pope (1881-1969 was an American archaeologist and historian of Persian art Khaju Bridge ( Persian: پل خواجو pol-e khajoo) is one of the most famous bridges in Isfahan, Iran and has roused the admiration Islamic Azad University ( Persian: دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی, Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi) is a private chain of universities in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Healthcare (IUMS is a large medical school of Iran. Isfahan University of Technology (IUT (دانشگاه صنعتی اصفهان is one of the best engineering schools in Iran. The University of Isfahan is the largest university in Isfahan Province in Iran. Isfahan University of Art is in Isfahan, Iran. It was operated under the name of Farabi University before 1978 then it became a campus of the University Harati High School is located in Esfahan, Iran. Harati High School Isfahan Iran دبیرستان هراتی اصفهان ^[6]

Sports

Esfahan has two football (soccer) clubs that have been title contenders in Iran's Premier Football League. The Iran Pro League (IPL ( currently known as the Persian Gulf Cup (جام خلیج فارس is a professional football league competition for clubs located at These are:

• Sepahan Isfahan (Official website)
• Zob Ahan Isfahan (Official website)

Sister cities

Gallery

Shah Mosque-currently known as Imam's Mosque-, a north-south view of Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Sepahan ( is an Iranian football club based in Esfahan, Iran. Zob Ahan Football Club ( is an Iranian football club based in Esfahan, Iran. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Cairo () which means "the Vanquisher" or "the Triumphant" is the capital and largest city of Egypt. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Florence ( Italian: Firenze Florentia and Fiorenza) is the Capital City of the Italian region of Tuscany Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Yerevan (Երևան Երեւան or Երեվան ˌjɛrəˈvɑːn sometimes written as Erevan, Iravan, Erewan, Ayrivan, and Erivan Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Iaşi (pronunciation in Romanian: /jaʃʲ/ or Jassy, is a city and municipality in north-eastern Romania. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and ( lahor is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES	Pedestrians are offered tea in the resting areas under the historic Khaju Bridge. Khaju Bridge ( Persian: پل خواجو pol-e khajoo) is one of the most famous bridges in Isfahan, Iran and has roused the admiration	The famous Si-o-se Pol over the Zayandeh rud is considered the epitome of Safavid bridge design. The Si-o-se Pol (سی وسه پل siː oˈseh pol which means 33 Pol, literally 33 Bridge) or the Bridge of 33 Arches, also called the Allah-Verdi Zayandeh River (Persian Zayandeh Rud, from Zayandeh “life giving” Rud “river” (formerly Zendehrood) is the largest river on the central	Kelisa-e Vank, the Vank Cathedral. Vank Cathedral, also known as The Church of the Saintly Sisters, is the most visited Cathedral in Isfahan Iran.
Geometric calligraphy at the Shah Mosque.	Esfahani carpet trader.	view of Ali Qapu Palace at night

See also

• Iranian architecture
• Isfahan Province

References

• Urban Planning of Isfahan in the Seventeenth Century - Abouei, Reza, University of Sheffield, School of Architecture, 2005

External links

Governmental websites

• Municipality of Isfahan
• Isfahan Official website
• Isfahan Metro

Other websites

• Isfahan (information from 'iranchamber. The University of Sheffield is a research University, located in Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. com')
• Isfahan Cultural Heritage Organization
• Isfahan Architecture (Quicktime required)
• Isfahan (a video documentary)
• Esfahan, half the world
• Shapour Bahrami, Esfahan, Iran, Photo Set, flickr
• HORIZON, Isfahan, Photo Set, flickr
  Note: This is an outstanding photo set of which almost all photographs have been provided with explanatory captions. QuickTime is a Multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc, capable of handling various formats of Digital video, Media clips sound text The set also contains a brief history of Esfahan and its magnificent architecture. For details, one should view the expanded set: flickr.

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