Semnan (city)
Coordinates: 35°35′N 53°23′E / 35.583°N 53.383°E
| Semnan Seman |
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 Semnan
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| Coordinates: 35°35′N 53°23′E / 35.583°N 53.383°E | |
| Country |  Iran |
| Province | Semnan |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Alireza Khosravi |
| Elevation | 1,130 m (3,707 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 119,778 |
| estimate | |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| Area code(s) | +98 231 |
| Website | http://www.semnan.ir |
Semnan (Native Name: Seman, Persian: سمنان ) is a city in Semnan Province, northern Iran with a population estimated at 119,778 inhabitants (2005) [1] It is the provincial capital of Semnan province and Semnan County.
Semnan is situated at 1,138 metres above sea level at the southern foot of the Alborz Mountains.
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[edit] Economy
The production of textiles and carpets were the most important industries in the history of the city. But nowadays, in relation to its population, Semnan has very powerful industrial sectors, especially regarding its automobile industry (cars and bikes). Semnan has traditionally been an important stopover on the trade routes between Tehran (220 kilometers [136 miles]) and Mashad (685 kilometers [426 miles]), and is today linked with the two cities by road and railways.
[edit] Demographics
Older Semnan was made up of four main districts: Shaji (Shahjoo), Naasaar, Latibaar and Esfanjon (Esfanjan). These four districts still exist today, but the city has grown and become much larger including some new districts. To the west of the city is "Maleh" which used to be a separate settlement but was not a part of Semnan. In the local language the inhabitants are known as Malezh. "Maleh" consists of three parts: Koery (Kodivar), Koshmeni (Kushmaqaan) and Zaveni (Zavaqaan). "Maleh" is now part of Semnan.
As a result of the Qajar dynasty's heavy influence on the city of Semnan, especially under Fath Ali Shah's reign, some families in Semnan can trace their lineage back to Qajar tribes. Also, much of the city's Sayyid population tends to descend from the Alavids of the Caspian region to the north of the province.
[edit] Language
According to the book "Dictionary of Semnan Ancient Dialect", Semnan traditionally has had its own language. The book collected more than 12,000 words of this language. Local people call their language "Semani". Most of the older people and some of younger in the city know and communicate in this language, however, most of the younger people do not know it as an effect of education in Persian in all schools. [2]
[edit] Higher education
- University of Semnan
- Semnan University of Medical Sciences
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences
- Islamic Azad University of Semnan
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Semnan |
[edit] References
- ^ 2005 population estimates for cities in Iran
- ^ "Dictionary of Semnan Dialect", Mohammad Hasan Javaheri, Parviz Pezhom Shariati, 2008, Abrokh Publications
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