Qazvin

Qazvin is a city in northwestern Iran and the capital of Qazvin Province. Located about 150 kilometers west of Tehran, it sits in a valley between the Alborz mountains and the Qazvin plain. The city has historically served as a political and cultural center in the region and remains an important urban hub.

The area has ancient roots, with settlements dating back to Median and Achaemenid times. Qazvin was the capital of the Safavid dynasty for a period in the early 16th century before the capital moved to Isfahan, and it was a key stop on trade routes linking Iran with the Caucasus and Anatolia. The city contains historic architecture from the Seljuk through Safavid eras, including the Jameh Mosque of Qazvin. The surrounding province includes the Alamut region, known for its medieval fortresses and dramatic landscapes.

As the provincial capital, Qazvin is an administrative and economic center with a population in the hundreds of thousands. The local economy combines services, light manufacturing, and agriculture in the surrounding areas. The city lies on the main transit corridor between Tehran and Tabriz and hosts several higher education institutions, such as Qazvin University of Medical Sciences and other universities.

The climate is semi-arid, with hot summers and cool winters. The culture reflects Persian and Azerbaijani influences, visible in language, markets, and cuisine. The city preserves traditional architecture, historic caravanserais, and qanats in the surrounding countryside, contributing to its historical and cultural character.