Hamadan

Hamadān[3] (pronounced [hæmedɒːn]) or Hamedān (Persian: همدان‎, Hamedān) (Old Persian: Haŋgmetana, Ecbatana) is the capital city of Hamadan Province of Iran. At the 2016 census, its population was 676,105 in 210,775 families.[4][5]

"Hamedan" redirects here. For other uses, see Hamedan (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Ramadan.
Hamedan

همدان
City
Ancient names: Ecbatana, Hangmatana
Hamedan
Hamedan in Iran
Coordinates: 34°48′N 48°31′E
Country Iran
ProvinceHamadan
CountyHamadan
BakhshCentral
Government
 • MayorSyed Mustafa Rasul (since 2014)[1]
Elevation
1,850 m (6,069 ft)
Population
 (2016 Census)
 • Rank13th in Iran
 • Urban
673,405 [2]
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (IRST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+4:30 (IRDT)
Websitewww.hamedan.ir

Hamedan is believed to be among the oldest Iranian cities. It is possible that it was occupied by the Assyrians in 1100 BCE; the Ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, states that it was the capital of the Medes, around 700 BCE.

Hamedan has a green mountainous area in the foothills of the 3,574-meter Alvand Mountain, in the midwest part of Iran. The city is 1,850 meters above sea level.

The special nature of this old city and its historic sites attract tourists during the summer to this city, located approximately 360 kilometres (220 miles) southwest of Tehran.

The major sights of this city are the Ganj Nameh inscription, the Avicenna monument and the Baba Taher monument. The majority of the population is Persian; however, there is a considerable Azerbaijani minority.[6][7][8]

History
Further information: Ecbatana and Timeline of Hamadan
16th century map of Hamadan by Matrakçı Nasuh
The Ganjnameh, a cuneiform inscription in Hamadan
Silver Drachma of Parthian king Mithridates II made in Ecbatan mint

According to Clifford Edmund Bosworth, "Hamadan is a very old city. It may conceivably, but improbably, be mentioned in cuneiform texts from ca. 1100 BC, the time of Assyrian King Tiglath-pilesar I, but is certainly mentioned by Herodotus (i.98) who says that the king of Media Diokes built the city of Agbatana or Ekbatana in the 7th century BC."[9]

Hamadan was established by the Medes. It then became one of several capital cities of the Achaemenid Dynasty.

Hamadan is mentioned in the biblical book of Ezra as the place where a scroll was found giving the Jews permission from King Darius to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 6:2). Its ancient name of Ecbatana is used in the Ezra text. Because it was a mile above sea level, it was a good place to preserve leather documents.

During the Parthian era, Ctesiphon was the capital of the country, and Hamadan the summer capital and residence of the Parthian rulers. After the Parthians, the Sassanids constructed their summer palaces in Hamadan. In the year 633 the battle of Nahavand took place and Hamadan fell into the hands of the Muslim Arabs.

During the Buwayhids, the city suffered much damage. In the 11th century, the Seljuks shifted their capital from Baghdad to Hamadan. The city of Hamadan, its fortunes following the rise and fall of regional powers, was completely destroyed during the Timurid invasion. During the Safavid era, the city thrived. Thereafter, in the 18th century, Hamadan was surrendered to the Ottomans, but due to the work of Nader Shah e Afshar, Hamadan was cleared of invaders and, as a result of a peace treaty between Iran and the Ottomans, it was returned to Iran. Hamadan stands on the Silk Road, and even in recent centuries the city enjoyed strong commerce and trade as a result of its location on the main road network in the western region of Persia and Iran.

During World War I, the city was the scene of heavy fighting between Russian and Turko-German forces. It was occupied by both armies, and finally by the British, before it was returned to control of the Iranian government at the end of the war in 1918.

Climate
Hamadan spot (light blue in center) in Hamadan province topography map

Hamadan province lies in a temperate mountainous region to the east of Zagros. The vast plains of the north and northeast of the province are influenced by strong winds, that almost last throughout the year.

The various air currents of this region are: the north and north west winds of the spring and winter seasons, which are usually humid and bring rainfall. The west-east air currents that blow in the autumn, and the local winds that develop due to difference in air-pressure between the elevated areas and the plains, like the blind wind of the Asad Abad region.

Hamadan is in the vicinity of the Alvand mountains and has a dry summer humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dsa), in transition with a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with snowy winters. In fact, it is one of the coldest cities in Iran. The temperature may drop below −30 °C (−22 °F) on the coldest days. Heavy snowfall is common during winter and this can persist for periods of up to two months. During the short summer, the weather is mild, pleasant, and mostly sunny.

Climate data for Hamedan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6)		 19.0
(66.2)		 25.0
(77.0)		 28.0
(82.4)		 33.0
(91.4)		 39.0
(102.2)		 40.6
(105.1)		 39.4
(102.9)		 36.4
(97.5)		 30.0
(86.0)		 23.0
(73.4)		 18.8
(65.8)		 40.6
(105.1)
Average high °C (°F) 2.0
(35.6)		 4.3
(39.7)		 11.5
(52.7)		 18.1
(64.6)		 23.9
(75.0)		 30.9
(87.6)		 34.9
(94.8)		 34.2
(93.6)		 29.8
(85.6)		 21.9
(71.4)		 13.7
(56.7)		 5.9
(42.6)		 19.3
(66.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.6
(23.7)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 4.5
(40.1)		 10.4
(50.7)		 15.5
(59.9)		 21.3
(70.3)		 25.3
(77.5)		 24.3
(75.7)		 19.0
(66.2)		 12.1
(53.8)		 5.3
(41.5)		 −0.9
(30.4)		 10.8
(51.5)
Average low °C (°F) −10.5
(13.1)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 2.7
(36.9)		 6.4
(43.5)		 9.8
(49.6)		 13.9
(57.0)		 12.8
(55.0)		 7.0
(44.6)		 2.5
(36.5)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 −6.6
(20.1)		 2.1
(35.8)
Record low °C (°F) −34
(−29)		 −33.0
(−27.4)		 −21
(−6)		 −12.0
(10.4)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 2.0
(35.6)		 7.0
(44.6)		 4.0
(39.2)		 −4.0
(24.8)		 −7.0
(19.4)		 −14.5
(5.9)		 −29
(−20)		 −34
(−29)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 46.3
(1.82)		 43.6
(1.72)		 49.4
(1.94)		 49.8
(1.96)		 37.8
(1.49)		 3.7
(0.15)		 2.0
(0.08)		 1.8
(0.07)		 0.8
(0.03)		 20.7
(0.81)		 26.9
(1.06)		 40.9
(1.61)		 323.7
(12.74)
Average rainy days 11.6 11.1 12.4 12.1 9.5 2.0 1.3 1.6 1.0 5.6 6.8 10.1 85.1
Average snowy days 8.8 8.2 4.2 0.6 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.9 6.9 29.8
Average relative humidity (%) 76 73 64 56 50 36 31 31 34 48 61 73 53
Mean monthly sunshine hours 131.8 137.1 174.5 199.6 258.5 341.8 342.7 322.2 295.6 234.3 183.1 135.3 2,756.5
Source: NOAA (1961-1990)[10]
Heydare, Hamadan
Alvand Mountain
Mishan, a plain of Alvand Mountain

Panoramic view
Hamadan at night. Hamadan was redesigned in 1928 by German architects and urban planners to resemble the spokes of a hexagram.[11]

People

According to the survey of 1997, the population of the province of Hamadan was 1,677,957.[12] Based on official statistics of 1997, the population of Hamadan county was 563,444 people. The majority of population are Persians with a sizeable minority of Azeris,[13] and a small group of Persian Jews.

Culture
The Saint Mary Church of Hamadan
A church in Ekbatan Hospital in Hamadan
The Stone Lion

Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramics, and carpets.

Distinctions

Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization lists 207 sites of historical and cultural significance in Hamadan.

The Tomb of Esther and Mordechai is believed by some to hold the remains of the biblical Esther and her uncle Mordechai.

The scientist and writer Avicenna (Abu Ali Sina) is interred here; Avicenna Mausoleum was constructed in his honor in 1952. The 11th-century Iranian poet Baba Taher is also interred here.

Badi' al-Zaman al-Hamadani, author of the Maqamat, was born here.

  • Tomb of Baba Taher
  • Inside the tomb of Baba Taher
  • The Tomb of Avicenna
  • The handwriting of Canon of Medicine in the Tomb of Avicenna
  • Tomb of Esther and Mordechai, a tomb believed by some to hold the remains of Esther and Mordechai
  • Inside the structure alleged by some to be the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai
  • Emamzade Abdollah Mosque
  • Dome of Alavian related with Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani
  • Qorban Tower
  • Ganj Nameh
  • Ali-Sadr Cave

Sport

PAS Hamedan F.C. were founded on June 9, 2007 after the dissolution of PAS Tehran F.C.. The team, along with Alvand Hamedan F.C., is in the Azadegan League.

Some sport complexes in this city include: Qods Stadium, Shahid Mofatteh Stadium, Takhti Sport Complex and the National Stadium of Hamadan.

Education
Hamadan University of Technology, in Hamadan

Before the Persian Constitutional Revolution, education in Hamadan was limited to some Maktab Houses and theological schools. Fakhrie Mozafari School was the first modern school of Hamadan, which was built after that revolution. Alliance and Lazarist were also the first modern schools founded by foreign institutions in Hamadan.

Some of the popular universities in Hamadan include:

  • Bu-Ali Sina University[14]
  • Hamadan Medical University[15]
  • Hamadan University of Technology[16]
  • Islamic Azad University of Hamadan[17]

Famous Hamadanians

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Iran

Twin towns – Sister cities

Hamadan is twinned with:

gollark: How Cous and bad.
gollark: How does it even do outputs? MANY pointers?
gollark: Imagine NOT having sufficient metaprogramming capability to generate optimized parsing code at compile time?!
gollark: Is that parsed at *runtime*? Ew.
gollark: This is inferior to binary parser combinators.

See also

References
  1. معارفه سرپرست شهرداري همدان. Municipality.hamadan.ir (in Persian). Hamedan Municipality. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  2. "Statistical Center of Iran > Home". www.amar.org.ir.
  3. Multiple Authors (April 18, 2012). "HAMADĀN". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  4. "The population of the counties in Hamadan (Hamadān) Province by census years". www.citypopulation.de.
  5. "کاهش جمعیت استان همدان در سرشماری 95". www.isna.ir.
  6. "Introduction". www.hamedan.rmto.ir.
  7. Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi, Peter McDonald, Meimanat Hosseini-Chavoshi, "The Fertility Transition in Iran: Revolution and Reproduction", Springer, 2009. pp 100-101: "The first category is 'Central' where the majority of people are Persian speaking ethnic Fars (provinces of Fars, Hamedan, Isfahan, Markazi, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Yazd and Tehran..."
  8. (Parviz Aḏkāʾi and EIr, HAMADĀN i. GEOGRAPHY in Encyclopædia Iranica:"Languages spoken. Hamedān has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia and a mosaic of cultures and dialects live there side by side. The main language spoken, especially in the provincial capital and its surroundings, is Persian, which is also the lingua franca in other regions. In the northern parts of the province, however, the language mostly spoken is Azeri Turkish, while in the northwest and west, near the provinces of Kurdistan and Kermānšāhān, people mostly speak Kurdish, while in some other cities such as Malāyer, Nehāvand, and Sāmen most people speak Lori and Lak (Faraji, p. 1296)."
  9. Bosworth, Clifford Edmund (2008). Historic Cities of the Islamic World. Brill Academic Publishers. p. 151. ISBN 978-90-04-15388-2.
  10. "Hamedan Nozheh Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  11. Subani, Hamad (2013). The Secret History of Iran. Lulu.com. p. 19. ISBN 9781304082893.
  12. Official statistics from 1997 (1375) - Hamadan provinces - Population and ethnicites - "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link) accessed on March 12, 2006. Replaced with Archive link on Feb 22, 2010.
  13. "Hamadan - Iran". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  14. "صفحه اصلی - دانشگاه بوعلی سینا". basu.ac.ir.
  15. "سايت اصÙ"ÙŠ - دانشگاه عÙ"وم پزشكي همدان". www.umsha.ac.ir.
  16. "دانشگاه صنعتی همدان".
  17. "Welcome to Website Islamic Azad University of Hamedan Branch". 11 March 2005. Archived from the original on 11 March 2005.
  18. "خبرگزاری فارس - "بخارا" زادگاه و "همدان" مدفن بوعلی‌سینا خواهرخوانده می‌شوند". خبرگزاری فارس. 23 November 2011.

Bibliography

Media related to Hamadan at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
-		 Capital of Median Empire
As "Ecbatana"
678–549 BCE		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-		 Capital of Achaemenid Empire (Persia)
As "Ecbatana"
Served as Summer Capital
550–330 BCE		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Isfahan		 Capital of Seljuq Empire (Persia)
(Western capital)
1118–1194		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Isfahan		 Capital of Iran (Persia)
1118–1194		 Succeeded by
Gurganj
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