Saqqez
| Saqqez Seqiz | |
|---|---|
| city | |
|
Saqqez in evening | |
  Saqqez | |
| Coordinates: 36°14′47″N 46°15′59″E / 36.24639°N 46.26639°ECoordinates: 36°14′47″N 46°15′59″E / 36.24639°N 46.26639°E | |
| Country |
 Iran |
| Province | Kurdistan |
| County | Saqqez |
| Bakhsh | Central |
| Elevation | 1,493 m (4,898 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 131,349 |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
Saqqez (Kurdish: Seqiz, Persian: سقز; also known as Saghez, Saqqiz, and Sakīz)[1] is a city in and capital of Saqqez County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 131,348, in 31,336 families.[2]
History
The Kurds and their ancient Iranian ancestors have lived in Seqiz and the surrounding areas since approximately 1000 B.C. By the mid-seventh century B.C., the Scythians under Bartatua reached the summit of their might in western Asia, and the region of Saqqez was their political center.[3] In the pre-Islamic era, Seqiz and the surrounding areas comprised a small country known as Sagapeni, which is believed to be related to the name of the ancient Iranian Sakas (Scythians) from which the name of the city is derived.
Countries
Saqqez consist of two parts according to history: The historical part, The new part.
The Historical countries:
- Nahwqallah
- Saro Bazar
- Sahili
- Dabaghi
- Tahjvahnchi Carvansite
- Shekh Public Bath
- Khan Public Bath
- Kawa Swahr
- Kahni Ahshqahn
- Kahni Garmkahw
The new countries is building in recent century and there is not enough attention to historical architecture of the city in their building:
- Shahrak Danshgah
- Hamahllawah
- Qaracheeawah
- Bardbrrahn
- Tap Mahllahn
- Tahzaawaa
- Kareemaawah
- Sar Chnaar
- Malla Gullahn
- Shaanaaz
- Sa'dee
- Seelo
- Roudakee
- Tapa Shafe'ee
Wildlife in Saqqez and its territory
In Saqqez, there is a wide variety of wildlife due to its diverse environment and its distinct seasons. Some significant wildlife is listed below:
- Bear: The bear, called "Wrch" in the local language, lives in some of the farthest sites of the Saqqez territory. The habitat of the bears in Saqqez is one of the few remaining unique wildlife sites in the Middle East. The mountains are covered by snow for nine months of the year, and the rivers are some of the wildest rivers in the world. Bears live mostly in Sarsheew and Gawreek.
- Wolf: The wolf lives in nearly all regions of Saqqez, and its coloration varies between bright and dark depending upon the season.
- Squirrel: The squirrel lives mostly in forests around the road to Baneh in the west of Saqqez. This animal is rarely seen in other parts of the Middle East, but there is still a great reservation of this animal in the area. Most of the squirrels are gray in color but there is also a smaller species which is brown. The squirrels breed in spring and hibernate in the winter.
- Partridge: The partridge is sometimes considered the symbol of the territory. They live in the mountains and sing the songs of nature. Many local people breed and care for the partridges.
- Eagle: The eagle is a symbol of high-life for the people of this region. Despite the decreasing eagle population, the eagle is still is an inspiration for many. Many poems were written about the eagle.
- Fox: The fox is considered a symbol of curiosity among the local people. Foxes live in most regions of Saqqez.
- Other animals: Antelope, Quail, aquarium fish, Hog etc.
Climate
At an altitude of 1,493 metres (4,898 feet), Saqqez has got the lowest temperature recorded in Iran for a metropolitan area. It has a seasonally varying climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. According to the Köppen climate classification Saqqez has a Dsa climate, or the hot summer variety of the Continental Mediterranean climate. During summers, there is a large daily temperature range due to the combination of thin, dry air, produced by the high elevation, and low summertime humidity. During the cold spell of 1969 in Iran, Saqqez recorded a temperature of −36 °C (−33 °F). The temperature remained the lowest ever recorded in Iran by a weather station till Kheirabad Zanjan hit −36.4 °C (−33.5 °F) on January 29 of 1997.[4][5] Saqqez hit again the temperature of −36 during the 1972 Iran blizzard which lasted from February 3 to February 9, 1972. Based on unofficial but reliable temperature records, Saqqez hit −45.8 °C (−50.4 °F) in December 2006, and −42.3 °C (−44.1 °F) in January 2007 which are the lowest temperatures recorded in meteorological recording history of Iran for a city.[6][7]
| Climate data for Saqqez, Iran | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 18.2 (64.8) |
20 (68) |
24 (75) |
29 (84) |
34.4 (93.9) |
39 (102) |
43 (109) |
42 (108) |
39 (102) |
32 (90) |
26 (79) |
22.2 (72) |
43 (109) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 2.4 (36.3) |
4.7 (40.5) |
11.0 (51.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
29.8 (85.6) |
34.3 (93.7) |
34.2 (93.6) |
29.8 (85.6) |
22.2 (72) |
13.4 (56.1) |
6.1 (43) |
19.03 (66.25) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −8.1 (17.4) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
3.6 (38.5) |
6.6 (43.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
14.0 (57.2) |
13.4 (56.1) |
8.3 (46.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
3.24 (37.83) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −33 (−27) |
−36 (−33) |
−27.6 (−17.7) |
−9 (16) |
−5 (23) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
3.8 (38.8) |
4.8 (40.6) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−7 (19) |
−24 (−11) |
−32 (−26) |
−36 (−33) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 66.6 (2.622) |
58.7 (2.311) |
79.5 (3.13) |
83.6 (3.291) |
52.0 (2.047) |
5.8 (0.228) |
2.9 (0.114) |
2.5 (0.098) |
1.4 (0.055) |
27.8 (1.094) |
56.9 (2.24) |
61.7 (2.429) |
499.4 (19.659) |
| Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 8.5 | 8.3 | 10.0 | 9.8 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 4.3 | 6.2 | 8.1 | 65.2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 70 | 64 | 58 | 52 | 40 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 47 | 63 | 71 | 53.3 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 121.5 | 142.2 | 177.4 | 213.1 | 287.1 | 345.1 | 357.4 | 344.3 | 311.1 | 254.3 | 174.1 | 123.4 | 2,851 |
| Source: Synoptic Stations Statistics | |||||||||||||
Photo gallery of Saqqez
Saqqez is famous because of its beautiful views in spring, and so many historical sites. Here is some photos of Saqqez's historical bazar, fort and spring:
-
New "Pol Hawayee"
-
Public Library of Saqqez
-
Payam-e Nour university
-
Maskan-e Mehr in Qarachee Abaad
-
Saqqez from Hawaayee bridge
-
View of saqqez over river of Saqqez
-
Laleh park view over Simineh river
-
Old graveyard of Saqqez close to Hazrat-e Omar mosque
-
Shar park(Mawlawee Kurd)
-
bar garaj
-
Hemn Square
-
Judgement house
-
Saqqez's view from Tapay Shafe'i
-
Saqqez's view from Tapay Shafe'i
-
Hazrat Omar, mosque
-
Saqqez in the evening
References
- ↑ Saqqez can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3082379" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ↑ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)" (Excel). Islamic Republic of Iran. Archived from the original on 2011-11-11.
- ↑ The Cambridge ancient history, Volume 3, Part 2, By Cambridge University Press, see page 565, ISBN 0-521-22717-8
- ↑ http://www.payvand.com/news/08/feb/1191.html
- ↑ http://www.irimo.ir/english/monthly&annual/map/province/zanjan.asp
- ↑ http://www.iranembassy.org.za/E/Media/Land.htm
- ↑ http://www.irimo.ir Iranian Meteorological Organisation's "Century weather stats data bank"
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