Saveh Explained

Saveh
Native Name:Persian: ساوه
Native Name Lang:fa
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:Iran
Coordinates Footnotes:[1]
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Iran
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Markazi
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Saveh
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Central
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:1008
Population As Of:2016
Population Total:220762
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:IRST
Utc Offset:+3:30
Website:

Saveh (Persian: ساوه) is a city in the Central District of Saveh County, Markazi province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[2] It is about southwest of Tehran.[3] [4]

History

In the 7th century BC it was a stronghold of the Medes. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.

In the 11th century, it was a residence of the Daylamites and of the Seljuks. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids, but later grew under the Safavids. In the summer of 1725 the city was besieged and captured by the Afghans after a battle with Tahmasp Mirza.[5] It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.

Demographics

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 179,009 in 48,221 households.[6] The following census in 2011 counted 200,481 people in 58,255 households.[7] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 220,762 people in 67,230 households.[8]

Climate

Saveh has a hot semi-arid climate, (BSh) in Köppen climate classification and (BS) in Trewartha climate classification.[9] Its summers are very hot and dry, while its winters are cool to cold and somewhat rainy.

Economy

Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons.[10] Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh.

Main sights

Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road to Hamadan), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.

Legends

According to Iranian tradition, the Magi who visited the infant Jesus traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins. Marco Polo described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book, Il Milione:

Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest libraries in the Middle East, until its destruction by the Mongols during their first invasion of Iran.

Another legend about Saveh is the Lake of Saveh. It is a lake which is said to have been located near the city. According to the legend mentioned in historical Persian texts, this lake dried out on the night of the birth of Muhammad. A recent investigation in the Zarand area between Tehran and Saveh has revealed some evidence of the existence of this lake in Zarand Plain.[11]

Politics

In 2004, Saveh became only the second city in the history of the Islamic Republic to appoint a woman as mayor.[4]

Notable people

Gallery

External links

Notes and References

  1. ((OpenStreetMap contributors)) . Saveh, Saveh County . . 1 September 2023 . 1 September 2023 . fa.
  2. Web site: Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of Markazi province's divisions to the citizenship of Arak city . fa . Lamtakam . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118143614/https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/113046 . Ministry of Interior, Political Commission of Defense of the Government Board . Habibi . Hassan . 18 January 2024 . 21 June 1369 . 18 January 2024.
  3. "Savah". 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
  4. News: Iran's only female mayor sweeps up small town. August 4, 2004. The Daily Star.
  5. Book: 2910640051. The Afghan Occupation of Safavid Persia, 1721-1729. Floor. Willem M.. 1998. Peeters Publishers & Booksellers .
  6. Web site: Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006) . 00 . fa . The Statistical Center of Iran . AMAR . 25 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110920084413/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/00.xls . Excel . 20 September 2011.
  7. Web site: Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011) . 00 . fa . The Statistical Center of Iran . Syracuse University . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119170600/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Markazi.xls . 19 January 2023 . 19 December 2022 . Excel.
  8. Web site: Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016) . 00 . fa . The Statistical Center of Iran . AMAR . 19 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201017052005/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_00.xlsx . Excel . 17 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Climate: Saveh - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table . IRIMO.IR . 30 August 2013.
  10. Book: Cohen, Saul. The Columbia Gazetteer of the World. registration. Columbia University Press. 1998. 2833. 9780231110402 .
  11. Okhravi, R. and Djamali, M. (2003). "The missing ancient lake of Saveh: a historical review". Iranica Antiqua, 38, 327-344.