Saveh Persian:ساوه | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Shahrdari Square in Saveh | |
  Saveh | |
| Coordinates:35°01′40″N50°21′40″E / 35.02778°N 50.36111°E /35.02778; 50.36111[1] | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | Markazi |
| County | Saveh |
| District | Central |
| Elevation | 1,008 m (3,307 ft) |
| Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 220,762 |
| Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
| Website | www www |
Saveh (Persian:ساوه)[a] is a city in theCentral District ofSaveh County,Markazi province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4] It is about 120 km (70 mi) southwest ofTehran.[5][6]
In the 7th century BC it was a stronghold of theMedes. During theParthian rule of Persia, it was calledSaavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.
In the 11th century, it was a residence of theDaylamites and of theSeljuks. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during theIlkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by theTimurids, but later grew under theSafavids. In the summer of 1725 the city was besieged and captured by theAfghans after a battle with Tahmasp Mirza.[7] It eventually lost much of its importance whenTehran became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 179,009 in 48,221 households.[8] The following census in 2011 counted 200,481 people in 58,255 households.[9] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 220,762 people in 67,230 households.[2]
Saveh has ahot semi-arid climate, (BSh) inKöppen climate classification and (BS) inTrewartha climate classification.[10] Its summers are very hot and dry, while its winters are cool to cold and somewhat rainy.
| Climate data for Saveh, altitude: 1108.0 m, from 1992–2005. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 19.6 (67.3) | 23.6 (74.5) | 29.0 (84.2) | 33.6 (92.5) | 39.8 (103.6) | 42.0 (107.6) | 43.8 (110.8) | 43.0 (109.4) | 39.6 (103.3) | 34.6 (94.3) | 28.0 (82.4) | 23.6 (74.5) | 43.8 (110.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9.6 (49.3) | 12.5 (54.5) | 17.1 (62.8) | 23.7 (74.7) | 29.3 (84.7) | 35.2 (95.4) | 37.7 (99.9) | 37.2 (99.0) | 33.0 (91.4) | 26.1 (79.0) | 17.1 (62.8) | 11.0 (51.8) | 24.1 (75.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 7.0 (44.6) | 11.4 (52.5) | 17.7 (63.9) | 22.9 (73.2) | 28.5 (83.3) | 31.4 (88.5) | 30.8 (87.4) | 26.2 (79.2) | 19.8 (67.6) | 11.7 (53.1) | 6.5 (43.7) | 18.2 (64.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.1 (32.2) | 1.5 (34.7) | 5.8 (42.4) | 11.7 (53.1) | 16.4 (61.5) | 21.8 (71.2) | 25.1 (77.2) | 24.4 (75.9) | 19.4 (66.9) | 13.4 (56.1) | 6.4 (43.5) | 2.0 (35.6) | 12.3 (54.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −11.0 (12.2) | −14.4 (6.1) | −4.6 (23.7) | 0.8 (33.4) | 6.8 (44.2) | 13.0 (55.4) | 17.6 (63.7) | 16.6 (61.9) | 11.2 (52.2) | 5.6 (42.1) | −7.2 (19.0) | −6.5 (20.3) | −14.4 (6.1) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 36.2 (1.43) | 23.1 (0.91) | 34.1 (1.34) | 28.0 (1.10) | 14.5 (0.57) | 1.4 (0.06) | 1.3 (0.05) | 0.2 (0.01) | 0.4 (0.02) | 6.0 (0.24) | 28.0 (1.10) | 33.1 (1.30) | 206.3 (8.13) |
| Average precipitation days | 7.5 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 52.3 |
| Source:[11] | |||||||||||||
Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons.[12] Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh.
Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road toHamadan), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.
According to Iranian tradition, theMagi who visited the infantJesus traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins.Marco Polo described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book,Il Milione:
In Persia is the city of Saba, from which the Three Magi set out... and in this city they are buried, in three very large and beautiful monuments, side by side. And above them there is a square building, beautifully kept. The bodies are still entire, with hair and beard remaining. (Book i).[13]
Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest libraries in theMiddle East, until its destruction by theMongols during their first invasion of Iran.[13]
Another legend about Saveh is the Lake of Saveh. It is a lake which is said to have been located near the city. According to the legend mentioned in historical Persian texts, this lake dried out on the night of the birth ofMuhammad. A recent investigation in the Zarand area between Tehran and Saveh has revealed some evidence of the existence of this lake inZarand Plain.[14]
In 2004, Saveh became only the second city in the history of theIslamic Republic to appoint a woman as mayor.[6]
Media related toSaveh at Wikimedia Commons
Markazi province, Iran | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Counties andcities |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sights |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| populated places | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
