Karaj (Persian: کرج; pronounced[kæˈɾædʒ]ⓘ)[a] is a city in the Central District of Karaj County, Alborz province, Iran, serving as capital of the province,[5] the county, and the district.[6] Earliest evidence of inhabitation in Karaj can be dated to the Bronze Age at Tepe Khurvin.[7][8] The city was developed under the rule of the Safavid and Qajar Empire and is home to historical buildings and memorials from those eras. This city has a unique climate due to access to natural resources such as many trees, rivers, and green plains. After Tehran, Karaj is the largest immigrant-friendly city in Iran, so it has been nicknamed "Little Iran."[citation needed]
Although the county hosts a population around 1.97 million, as recorded in the 2016 census,[3] most of the 1,419 km2 (548 sq mi) county is rugged mountain. The urban area is the fourth-largest in Iran, after Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan.[9]Eshtehard County[10] and Fardis County[11] were split off from Karaj County since the previous census.
^OpenStreetMap contributors (17 August 2024). "Karaj, Karaj County" (Map). openstreetmap.org (OpenStreetMap) (in Persian). Retrieved 17 August 2024.
^Karaj can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3069644" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
^Larijani, Ali (2010) [Approved 16 April 1389]. Alborz province establishment law. lamtakam.com (Report) (in Persian). Guardian Council. Notification 412/30588. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via Lam ta Kam.
^Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (2012) [Approved 17 March 1391]. Approval letter regarding national divisions in Alborz province. rc.majlis.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Board of Ministers. Notification 50868/T46965H. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via The Research Center of the Islamic Council of Iran.
^Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (1 July 2013) [Approved 29 March 1392]. Approval letter regarding country divisions in Alborz province. rc.majlis.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Council of Ministers. Notification 84917/T49173H. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via The Research Center of the Islamic Council of Iran.
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