Jihad Sazandegi Street (Hepco), beginning of Shahid Beheshti Town, Phase ۲, Arak Municipality Central Building
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The Origin of the Name Arak
In the early Islamic centuries, after the conquest of the Sasanian government, Ctesiphon and other parts of Iran around the Sasanian capital, namely the areas between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, were called Iraq, and in the second Islamic century the region between Hamedan, Rey, and Isfahan was also called Iraq-e Ajam. After the city was built, its name was first Military Fortress, Sultanabad, and then the county of Iraq, which in 1316 SH, when the national railway began operating, changed to Arak (Iraq is the Arabic form of Arak); Arak means flat land.
Arak County is located in the southwest of Tehran Province and 288 kilometers away from it, and is considered the center of Markazi Province. This city is bounded by Saveh County to the north, Hamedan to the northwest, Malayer, Khomein, and Aligudarz to the west, Mahallat to the east, and Tafresh and Ashtian to the northeast. The area of Arak is 7178.98 square kilometers, or 24.4 percent of the total area of the province.
The city of Arak lies at 34 degrees, 5 minutes, and 30 seconds north of the equator and at 49 degrees, 41 minutes, and 30 seconds east longitude from the Greenwich meridian. Naturally, the current Arak plateau covers an area of 5,400 square kilometers, of which 2,400 square kilometers are the elevated plain of Arak and the rest are the surrounding highlands. The mountains of this region are also made up of two ranges. The main range stretches from northwest to south and then turns toward the northeast, and the second range extends as two parallel ranges from south to north and in some places becomes so broad that some of its heights pass north of the city. Arak's climate has the climatic characteristics of Iran's central plateau. With cold, humid winters and hot, dry summers, the mountains around Arak, Lake Miqan, and the Farahan plain have influenced the climate of this region and given it its characteristics. In autumn and winter, clouds and western air currents lose most of their moisture over the western highlands of the region, especially the Zagros range. A cold front that occupies Arak's weather in winter, due to the surrounding highlands and perhaps the great pressure created by Lake Miqan, will remain in this region for a long time.
Arak's climate is variable; winters are mostly long and last from 4 to 6 months, and spring and autumn are short seasons, while summer appears in July and August. The number of freezing days varies from 65 to 120 days in different years. Annual precipitation also varies and is between 230 and 638 millimeters per year; average rainfall has been about 300 millimeters.
Before the city of Arak was founded, the people of this region spoke various dialects such as Tati in the Vafs area. After the founding of Arak and the migration of people from these areas to the city, these dialects blended together and created a distinct dialect, until the rise of mass media caused this dialect to decline, and now the people of Arak speak to some extent without an accent and in standard or Tehran-style speech; however, in the surrounding villages and in the city itself, the language of the elderly remains the old accent.
The population of Arak County is about 600,000, and most of the city's people are Muslim and follow the Shia faith. There is also a minority of Christians and Jews in the city. Armenians make up part of Arak's ethnic and religious minority. Over the past century, Armenians have migrated to Arak from the surrounding lands and also from New Julfa in Isfahan to work in the carpet-weaving industry and other industries, as well as to work in the British consulate as accountants and clerks. Armenians are the founders of Arak's second school, the Armenian Sharaf School, and the Saint Mesrop Church. In 2009, the Armenian population in Arak was 240 Armenians in 60 families.
Jews also formed part of Arak's religious minority until a century ago, and at one time their population reached about 1,000 people, most of whom worked in cloth selling and medicine. Initially, Jews migrated to this city from surrounding areas such as Sanjan and other towns. Now all Jews of Arak have migrated from this city.
Although Arak is known as an industrial city, it has significant agricultural potential. There are about 118,500 hectares of cultivable land in the county, from which about 402,492 tons of livestock, crop, and orchard products are harvested annually. Major agricultural products include wheat, barley, livestock fodder, sugar beet, potatoes, grapes, peaches, apples, walnuts, and almonds. In the livestock sector, there are 128 poultry farms, 112 dairy cattle farms, 416 fattening calf units, and 9 milk collection stations.
The presence of factories and various industries within Arak County, along with the province's central position, has attracted industrial and service activities to Arak. One of its major handicrafts is carpet weaving, and Arak's Sarouk carpet is especially famous in this regard.
Arak is one of Iran's industrial cities and, in terms of the diversity of industrial products, ranks first in terms of the presence of mother industries, second, and overall fourth among the country's industrial hubs. Due to the presence of mother industries, production of 80 percent of the country's energy equipment, the largest aluminum production factory in the country, and the largest sodium sulfate mine in the country, this city has earned the title of Iran's industrial capital and is therefore one of the most polluted cities in Iran.
The country's first aluminum production factory (IRALCO), the first and largest wagon and locomotive manufacturing factory in the country (Wagon Pars), the country's first combine manufacturing factory (Iran Combine Manufacturing), the largest manufacturer of power transmission towers in the Middle East (Avangan), the first power transmission tower testing station in the Middle East and Asia, and the country's first solar school are located in this city. Also, due to the completion of gas supply projects, this city has been recognized as the country's first green provincial center. Because of the presence of various and mother industries in Arak, this city is called the industrial capital of Iran.
1- Arak Historic Bazaar Complex:
The Arak Historic Bazaar Complex is one of the city's earliest structures, established during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. In this complex, all welfare facilities such as a mosque, school, and water reservoir were built. Arak Bazaar is located in the center of the city's original four-block fabric, directly along north-south and east-west axes perpendicular to each other. On the four sides of the bazaar there were four gates, all of which disappeared over time as the city expanded.
2- Historical Four Seasons Bath:
This structure dates back to the Qajar era and is considered one of the region's valuable and very beautiful آثار. This bath had three sections: men's bath, women's bath, and bath for religious minorities. It is several meters below street level. The bath's changing room is decorated with beautiful seven-color tiles. At present, this bath is visited as the Four Seasons Museum by enthusiasts.
3- Historical Sepahdar School:
This school is one of the city's earliest structures, built during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, at the same time as the city of Sultanabad (Arak), by Yousef Khan Sepahdar. The architectural style is somewhat inspired by the schools of the Safavid period, but the tilework is specific to the Qajar era. This building has a mosque, a water reservoir, and a relatively large courtyard with a stone pool in the middle.
4- Historical Pir Moradabad:
In the village of Moradabad, 14 kilometers northeast of Arak, there is a shrine called Pir Moradabad. According to popular belief, the order to build this shrine was given by Shahpur Dhul-aktaf, and later the structure was destroyed; however, in the Seljuk period, the shrine was rebuilt.
5- Tomb of Prince Mohammad Abed:
This shrine is one of the region's important religious structures and is located 12 kilometers north of Arak and adjacent to the village of Mashhad Miqan. This shrine is the tomb of Prince Mohammad Abed, son of Imam Musa al-Kazim (AS), and is one of the Safavid-era structures.
6- Borzouyeh Rahgard Fire Temple:
This historical fire temple is located in the village of Rahgard, 65 kilometers northeast of Arak, and dates back to the Sasanian period; its facade is made of brick and stone.
7- Historical Caravanserai:
This structure dates back to the Safavid era and is located in Moshkabad, 40 kilometers east of Arak, near the villages of Anjadan and Amanabad. This square caravanserai was built on the route from Isfahan to western Iran.
8- Imamzadeh Ibrahim:
This shrine is located in the village of Mashhad Al-Kubeh, 45 kilometers north of Arak, and is considered one of the Safavid-era structures.
9- Imamzadeh Hava Khatun:
This shrine is located in the village of Motabad, 15 kilometers north of Arak, and consists of three separate structures. The history of this shrine dates back to the 5th century AH.
10- Haj Vakil Castle
This castle is one of the Qajar-era structures and in the past was one of the large carpet-weaving workshops of the Ziegler Company and the British consulate in Arak.
Arak Government Citadel, Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, Haj Agha Mohsen Iraqi House, and Khakbaz House are among the city's other historical monuments. Imamzadeh Abdullah, Amina Khatun, and the tomb of Agha Nureddin Iraqi are among Arak's religious structures.
Recreation Area:
The flow of the Qarachay headwaters (Shara and Mohajeran River) in the west of Arak County, along with the presence of green areas along this river and the mountainous climate and elevated points for mountaineering, has set this part of Arak County apart from other areas.
Springs:
Chapoghli Spring:
This spring is located on the northern slope of the high and lofty Bagh Bar Aftab heights south of the Arak-Malayer-Shazand junction. It is situated at the top of a very beautiful valley. The clean and gentle mountain air and the bubbling spring with very cool, pleasant water and therapeutic properties have attracted some nature lovers. At the spring outlet there is an area that has been terraced, and trees can be seen there.
Keykhosrow Spring (Hok Sarab):
This very large spring or source is located in the Kazaz plain and on the slopes of Mount Rasvand; its greenery and beautiful nature are very eye-catching.
Caves:
Arak County has been the site of the formation of many caves due to the spread of limestone and dolomite formations, which we describe below:
Sefidkhani Cave:
This cave is located 18 kilometers south of Arak County in Mount Sefidkhani. At the foot of this mountain range there are many water springs, the most famous of which is Chapoghli Spring. One of the cave's beauties is the presence of a "jinn chimney," seen at the cave entrance like a funnel. The presence of a large water pit and many beautiful stalactite columns are other attractions of Sefidkhani Cave.
Anjadan Cave:
Anjadan is located 40 kilometers southeast of Arak on the slopes of Mount Cheshmeh, between Khomein, Arak, and Mahallat, and has become famous because of its well-known caves and archaeological remains.
Asili Cave:
Located west of Anjadan, it contains pools whose walls are entirely covered with limestone materials and prismatic stalactite crystals.
Lake or Miqan Desert:
Lake or Miqan Desert is located northeast of Arak and in the Farahan plain; its area varies between about 100 and 110 square kilometers, and it is about 1,655 meters above sea level. The lake's water is salty. Climatically, the lake has mild winters. This feature has made it a habitat for birds, especially migratory birds, in autumn and early winter.
Takht-e Sadat Tourist Area (Kerharud and Sanjan Gardens):
One of the natural attractions with an area of 100 hectares and near the Kerharud and Sanjan area. Attractions of the area include a spring, fruit orchards, and the shrine of the Kerharud Sayyids.
Sarkh Kuh Recreation Area (Sorkheh Mountain):
Among the recreational places of Arak city and adjacent to the Dargah Gerdoo tourist area.
Dargah Gerdoo Tourist Area:
This area, with an area of 100 hectares, is located south of Arak city and has suitable weather and pristine nature. In 2006, this area was approved by the Cabinet as a model tourism area.
Local souvenirs:
Fatir, shirmal, kasmeh, komaj, jozghand, grape molasses, kaf-lameh, pomegranate paste, halva ardeh, honey, handmade carpet, baslogh, green raisins, elephant ear pastry, grapes, tarkhineh, and local soap are among Arak's souvenirs.
Among the notable figures and luminaries of Arak are:
Agha Zia al-Din Iraqi, jurist, اصولی, Shia mujtahid
Mahmoud Sanaei, poet, translator, psychoanalyst, and theorist in educational and psychological studies
Mohammadmehdi Fouladvand, professor of theology at the University of Tehran and one of the translators of the Quran, Nahj al-Balagha, and Sahifa Sajjadiyya into Persian
Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Mohammad Ali Araki, jurist, Shia marja
Mostafa Qoli Bayat (Samsam al-Molk), politician and one of the founders of modern agriculture in Iran and founder of the College of Agriculture in Karaj. He established Arak's first boys' high school, which was named Samsamiyeh.
Morteza Qoli Bayat (Saham al-Saltanah), politician and several-term prime minister of Iran.
Hajji Agha Mohsen Mojtahed Iraqi, one of the mujtahids of the Qajar era
Agha Nureddin Iraqi, one of the influential clerics of the Constitutional Revolution era
Habibollah Zolfonoun, Quran commentator, mathematician, and calendar expert
Customs and Traditions
Since the city of Arak does not have a long historical background, the city's culture has been influenced by mixed cultures. This culture has mostly formed from folkloric beliefs with religious or social aspects. Among the traditional ceremonies that were common in Arak in the past are the Kouseh Naqldi and Rashki and Masi celebrations.
Cinema
Arak's first cinema, called Arian, began operating in Arak in 1931. The cinema's founder, "Iermanov," was one of the Russian immigrants and operated in the city until 1935. Today, the country's largest cinema, called "Esteghlal Cinema," is located in Arak. This cinema, whose suitable capacity exceeds 900 seats, has been converted into a cultural, artistic, and cinematic center after eight years of closure. In addition to Esteghlal Cinema, the city has three other cinemas, of which the two cinemas "Farhang" and "Asr-e Jadid" are active and the Shahr-e Sanati cinema has been closed. Farhang Cinema, one of Arak's three active cinemas, is more than 50 years old.
Library
The first public library in Arak was established in 1943 CE in this city by the efforts of a group of Arak's elders. After that, in 1934 SH, a public library was opened in the private home of the late Hossein Deha. Library No. 1, Shahid Zarastvand Library, Mirjafari Library, Ayatollah Araki Library, Dr. Hasibi Library, Ostad Dehghan Library, Valiasr Library, Sanjan Library, Imam Khomeini Kerharud Library, and Dr. Khazaeli Library (for the blind) are among the city's important libraries.
Aghalayi Bookstore is one of the oldest bookstores in Arak.
Publications
Arak's first newspaper, called Ettelaat Newspaper, was published in 1907. After that, the Ranjbar newspaper, printed lithographically, was published in 1909 by Sheikh Ali Nokhostin, who was a constitutionalist. In 1931 SH, the Naghsh-e Iran newspaper was published under the management of Mr. Maki. Currently, two newspapers, 11 weeklies, and 7 monthlies are published in Arak and Markazi Province. Newspapers such as Sarcheshmeh Newspaper, Navid Newspaper, the weeklies Sama-e Qalam, Atr-e Yas, Shahab, Laleh Sorkh, Avaye Khomein, Ravi, Shams-e Markazi Province, Sobh-e Khomein, Nameh Amir, Majnoon, Arman-e Javan, Chashm-e Rah, Gol-e Yas, Madineh-ye Goftogu, the biweekly Yaghut-e Sorkh Saveh, and monthlies such as Golhaye Saveh, Ahd-e Javd, Vahm-e Sabz, Ashtian, Basirat, Rah-e Danesh, and Sahifeh-ye Pakdelan are published in Markazi Province or Arak.
Airport
Arak has an international airport. Before the runway extension project was implemented, this airport was only for domestic flights and medium-sized, cargo, and military aircraft, and it was not possible for wide-body aircraft to land there. In 2013, with the full implementation of the Arak Airport development plan in the areas of runway extension, expansion, and reinforcement, the airport became capable of accepting aircraft up to Airbus class.
Arak has long been located on Iran's north-south national railway route, and the railway has played an important role in the city's overall prosperity. The protected area of the Arak Railway General Directorate starts from Saghe Station in Qom Province and extends on one side to Momenabad Station in Lorestan Province and on the other to Malayer Station in Hamedan Province.
The West Country Railway project also started from Arak and connects the cities of Nahavand and Malayer in Hamedan Province to the rail network. The continuation of this rail route in Kermanshah Province passes through the cities of Sahneh, Kermanshah, and Eslamabad-e Gharb and connects to Iraq at the Khosravi border. The opening of the Arak–Malayer railway will be a major step in developing transit from the country. The 90-kilometer Arak–Malayer railway was inaugurated in Mehr 1390 SH and is part of the West Country Railway project. The Arak–Isfahan railway is another project whose study and construction have begun. The construction of the Arak–Mohajeran local train, approved by the Markazi Province Housing Council in Farvardin 1390 SH, was among the rail transport approvals for Arak.
Arak has three terminals serving the whole country and Markazi Province:
Central: located next to the 5-star Amir Kabir Hotel.
North: located in the north of the city and adjacent to Amir Kabir Square.
South (Ghadir): located in the southwest of the city and adjacent to Basij Square.
Education
The first modern-style school in Arak was founded by Samsam al-Molk Bayat in 1942 CE under the name Samsami School, and it was the third modern school in Iran. The second school was called Montaseriyeh and was founded in 1946 CE by Montaser al-Dowleh (the then governor). Saham al-Saltanah also founded the city's third school, called Sahamiyeh. The first girls' school, named Shams al-Mokhadarat, was opened in 1953 CE. In 1907 SH, Armenians residing in Arak founded the Armenian Sharaf School.
Higher Education
In Mehr 1350 SH, a number of professors from the University of Tehran and the former Higher Teachers' College laid the groundwork for establishing a private higher education institution as the first higher education center in Markazi Province, under the name Marjan Higher School, in the city of Arak. Marjan Higher School initially admitted 240 students in four fields: physics, chemistry, biology, and Persian language and literature. By late 1351 SH, this institution continued operating under the name Arak Higher School of Sciences affiliated with Tehran Teacher Training University and under government management. In 1354 SH, when all higher education institutions were privately run, they were handed over to the government, and this school also became state-run.
Higher Education Centers
The universities and higher education centers in Arak have turned this city into one of the country's academic hubs, among which can be mentioned Arak University, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak University of Technology, and Arak Islamic Azad University. Arak University, as the comprehensive and mother university of Markazi Province, is the policymaker for higher education planning in Markazi Province. After Arak University, the Islamic Azad University branch of Arak, with the implementation of two phases of the university town-research complex, has the largest university town in the center of the country.
Religious Schools
The first religious school in Arak was Sepahdar School, built by Yousef Khan Gorji between 1848 and 1852 CE. Ninety years after the construction of Sepahdar School, between 1936 and 1941, Haj Mohammad Ebrahim Khansari School and Mosque were established in Abbasabad neighborhood. The third religious school in Arak was also built between 1939 and 1941, the Agha Zia al-Din School, by the late Haj Hossein Malek al-Tojjar Tabrizi. Since the late Agha Zia al-Din was the imam of the mosque in this school, the school and mosque became known as Agha Zia al-Din School and Mosque.
Handicrafts
Handicrafts of Arak include traditional handwoven items (carpet weaving, kilim weaving, jajim weaving), traditional embroidery, wooden works (wood carving and engraving, marquetry, sculpture, turning, traditional construction, openwork and wood latticework), pottery, calligraphy and miniature painting (traditional design, Iranian painting, floral and bird motifs, illumination and gilding, calligraphy, inscription writing), metal works (coppersmithing, engraving, tinning, blacksmithing, metal openwork, gold and silver filigree), making traditional footwear (giveh sewing and giveh weaving), architectural ornaments (traditional stucco, mirror work, etc.), and cutting precious and semi-precious stones.
Carpet weaving has long been common in this region, and Farahan, Sarband, and Sarouk carpets have enjoyed global fame. Carpet weaving became the main export commodity of this city from the time it was founded by Yousef Khan Gorji. According to Cecil Edwards, carpets in Arak were once highly important, prestigious, and abundant, and were rivals to Kerman carpets. Among the famous types of Arak carpets is the Sarouk carpet of Arak, which is globally renowned for its durability, unique designs, and the type of wool used. Arak remained one of the most important carpet-exporting centers to Europe until 1940.
Teh Tali, yogurt stew, yogurt-and-buttermilk stew (Doghuleh Doodar), ash-e joodogh, cucumber soup, petleh polo, Mostafa soup, shofteh, ash-e joodogh, and ash-e Bibi Seshanbeh
