Isfahan Province
 
 
The province of Isfahan, with a land area of approximately 104,650 square kilometers, is located in the center of the Iranain plateau. Consitituting of 17 cities, this province had a population of 3,751,245 according to the 1991 census.
In general, this province has a temperate and dry climate which can be divided into three categories- arid, semi-arid and semi-moist cold. In this province the four seasons of the year are clearly noticeable.
The name of Isfahan province is associated with the Zayandehroud river. This river is the largest river of the central Iranian plateau. Originating in the altitudes of the Zardkouh mountains, it flows a distance of 140 km from the west to water the eastern plains of Isfahan. Passing through the center of the city of Isfahan, it pours into the Gavkhouni swamp.
Today, due to the concentration of industrial and service units, the province of Isfahan has one of the highest employment rates in the country. Rapid, wide-ranging industrial development, especially basic industries, has converted this province into the largest industrial center in Iran. Large factories such as the Foulad Mobarakeh Steel Complex, Iran smelting factory, refinery, armament factory and a multitude of handicraft workshops and factories have contributed to the economic importance of this province.
Isfahan
The city of Isfahan, center of Isfahan Province, is amongst those cities whose history and age is as old as Iran itself. The famous ancient Iranian saying “Isfahan nesf-e Jahan” (Isfahan – a half of the world) was coined in the 16th century to express the city’s splendor, magnificence and grandeur. Even today this saying has a ring of truth in it. The history of this city is marked with ups and downs.
From ancient times, this city existed on the banks of Zayendehroud river and has been the center of a large province in central Iran since the reign of the Ashkanian and Sassanian dynasties. During the middle of the 7th century, the city fell into the hands of Islamic forces, which resulted in the steady expansion of Islamic culture and architecture in this city.
In the 13th century, the city was captured by the Mongols who massacred its inhabitants and razed it to the ground. However during the reign of Shah Abbas I, Isfahan was reconstructed and reached the zenith of its glory and prominence. Shah Abbas I made Isfahan his capital and erected beautiful buildings in the city.
Tourist spots in Isfahan Imam Square

The historic sites of Isfahan are among the world’s rare monuments. Here beauty has assumed unknown aspects. Isfahan has been an exceptionally attractive city for the tourists from all over the world.

Imam Square
Before Isfahan was selected as Capital by the Safavid dynasty, a squre called Naqsh-e Jahan (Image of the world) existed in the vicinity of Imam square. During the reign of Shah Abbas the Great, this square was enlarged to almost its present dimensions and famous historic buildings such as the Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu building and the Ghasir gate way constructed around this square. This square with a length of 510 meters and a width of 165 meters, has an area of more than eighty thousand square meters twice as large as Moscow’s Red Square.

Menar-e Jumban
Constructed over 600 years ago, this building is the tomb of Abu Abdollah. Two minarets on either side of the mausoleum yard are the main attraction of this building. Climbing up the narrow stairway to the top of one of the minaret and shaking it, sways it back and forth and so does its twin. The construction of this building is based on Mongol architecture and it is situated at a distance of 6 km to the west of Isfahan. The site is open to visitor from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.

Madraseh-ye Chahar Bagh
This school, the most famous in the history of Isfahan, was constructed during the reign of Shah Soltan Hassan Safavi about three hundred years ago. This building, an exquisite and magnificent structure outshining any contemporary construction in Islam, is the last architectural masterpiece of the Safavid era. Previously called Madraseh-ye Madar-e Shah(The King-mother’s Theological School) its construction was financed by the mother of the last Safavid King who, for this purpose, build a large caravansary nearby and contributed its income for the construction of this Madraseh. This caravansary has recently been rebuilt as the most famous luxury hotel in Iran, Abbasi Hotel.