| Karaj كرج |
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| View of Karaj | |
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Karaj
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | Alborz |
| County | Karaj |
| Bakhsh | Central |
| Elevation | 1,312 m (4,304 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,377,450 |
| • Population Rank in Iran | 5th |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
| Area code(s) | 0261 |
Karaj (Persian: كرج pronounced [kæˈɾædʒ], also Romanized as Karadj, Karadje, and Karej; also known as Qaşabeh-e Karaj, Heredi, Keredi, and Leredi)[1] is a city in and the capital of Karaj County, Alborz Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 1,377,450, in 385,955 families, , making it the fifth-largest city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan and Tabriz.[2][3]) It is situated 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Tehran, at the foothills of the Alborz mountains. However, the city is increasingly becoming an extension of metropolitan Tehran.
Karaj is mostly famous because of its academic and educational complexes along with tourist attractions.
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The history of Karaj dates back many centuries. The stone built Zoroastrian fire temple of Takht-e-Rostam from the Parthian era is a testament to this.
The Soleimanieh palace (currently housing a college of Agriculture), the mausoleum of Shahzadeh Soleiman, Imamzadeh Rahman and Zeid Palang Abad-e-Eshtehard are other historical relics of the Karaj area.
During the Pahlavi dynasty era, the Morvarid Palace was constructed in nearby Mehrshahr district, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
The economical base for Karaj is its proximity to Tehran, where transportation of products between the capital and the Caspian Sea is central. Chemicals, fertilizers and processed agricultural goods are also produced here.
The majority of the population of the city is composed of ethnic Persians who are natives to the city but there are also a minority of Persianized Lurs, Persianized Azarbaijanis and Persianized Kurds.
It is connected by freeway, railway to Tehran 40 km east and Qazvin 100 km northwest, and by commuter rail to Tehran subway system (Metro).
Amir Kabir dam and small lakes are based here. Karaj's climate is a bit cooler than Tehran and it receives 260 mm of rain annually.
The downtown of Karaj is usually referred to Karaj Square, located hundred of meters to the West of Karaj River and the old Karaj Bridge.
Karaj's major districts include:
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Karaj has introduced several national players for a wide range of national teams.
Karaj has a multi-purpose stadium; the Enghelab Stadium, with capacity of 15,000 people. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home of football team, Saipa F.C.
Karaj is home to Saipa F.C. one the IPL major Football teams as of 2001. The team is registered in Tehran, but plays its games in Karaj and is called "Saipa Karaj". It is known to have one of the best youth training programs in Iranian football.[4]
Karaj also have a Tennis Park in Jahanshahr.
The ski resorts of Dizin and Khur are situated close to Karaj in the Alborz Mountains. Besides Skiing facilities in Dizin, there are tennis courtyards, slope for skiing on turf, some altitudes for mountain climbing and walking as well as riding and some routes for cycling.[5]
The high altitude mountains have made it easy for people in Karaj to use them as mountain trail for hiking and mountain climbing. There are also many private gums and clubs that are being utilized.
Karaj has traditionally been considered as a favorable tourism area particularly for the people from Tehran. Karaj has very has a pleasant climate in all four seasons. It is very famous for the natural attractions. The beautiful Alborz Mountains provide a natural beauty to the landscape of Karaj.[6]
The stony fire-temple of Takht-e-Rostam belong to Parthians and Sassanian eras, as well as the Soleimanieh palace (which is currently part of the Agriculture faculty of University of Tehran), Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, a pre-Islamic bridge and the mausolum of Shahzadeh Soleiman are among Karaj's cutural heritage.[7]
Karaj is also the starting point for a pleasant drive along spectacular road forced north through the alborz mountain to the Caspian Sea.[8]
The following are the lists of some places for outdoors activities in Karaj:
Karaj is connected by Highways and railway to Tehran 40 km east and Qazvin 100 km northwest, and by commuter rail to Tehran subway system (Metro). The highway system includes three highways: Tehran-Karaj Freeway, Karaj special road (highway), Karaj old road (Fat'h highway). Tehran-Karaj Freeway (also known as the Autobahn) is the most high traffic highway in Iran.
Freeway 2
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