Markazi
مرکزیThe central province, known for Arak's industry and, for more than a century, for the carpets woven in its villages.
Markazi means central. Its capital, Arak, was founded in the early nineteenth century as Soltanabad, and the carpets of its villages, sold in the West as Sarouk and Arak rugs, made the region famous.
The district of Farahan, in the north of the province, was the home of two great Qajar statesmen, Qa'em-Maqam Farahani and Amir Kabir.
Cities and towns
Arakاراک
The provincial capital, founded as Soltanabad
Savehساوه
An old caravan town with a Seljuk Friday mosque
Mahallatمحلات
A town of flower nurseries and hot springs
Poets of Markaziشاعران
Zhaleh Qaem-Maqami
ژاله قائممقامیA woman of the old Qajar elite who wrote, in private and in classical forms, about marriage and a woman's lot. Most of it was read only after her death.