Markazi province (Persian: استان مرکزی)[a] is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. Its capital is the city of Arak.[4] The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi and Tehran provinces, with portions being annexed by Isfahan, Semnan, and Zanjan provinces. In 2014, the province was placed in Region 4.[5]
Markazi Province was part of the Median Empire in the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-day Iran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on the Iranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area.
In the early centuries of Islam, the name of the area was changed to Jibal or Kuhestan. By the early 10th century, Khorheh had become a famous city of Jibal province, followed by Tafresh and Khomein.
In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as the Persian Corridor) and the establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the area.
Demographics
Population
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.[6] The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.[7] The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.[2]Persians make up the majority of the province,[5] but there are significant minorities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, etc.[8]
Administrative divisions
The population history and structural changes of Markazi Province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.