Zanjan, Iran

🇮🇷 Zanjan (زنجان) is a city in north-west Iran, serving as the capital of Zanjan Province. It lies 298 km (185 mi) north-west of Tehran on the main highway to Tabriz and Turkey and approximately 125 km (78 mi) from the Caspian Sea. The city is located about 20 km south of the Qaflankuh Mountain Range. It is the 20th largest city in Iran. The population of Zanjan consists mostly of Iranian Azeris who speak the Azerbaijani language.

Zanjan is known for its handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals, called charoogh, and malileh, a handcraft made with silver wires. Zanjani artists make many things like various decorative dishes and their special covers as well as silver jewellery. In ancient times, Zanjan was known for its stainless and sharp knives. But this tradition is gradually becoming extinct by introduction of Chinese-made knives into the market which are far cheaper, more abundant and less artistic. Many villagers today are traditional carpet weavers. Zanjan's population boasts the highest level of happiness among the people of 30 other provinces in Iran, according to a detailed survey conducted by Isna.

Industries • Lead • Zinc • Pasteurized milk • Chemical productions • Weaving • Cotton • Food productions • Transformator • Electrical productions.

Handicrafts The most famous handicrafts are knives, charuq (a local style of women's shoes, similar to clodhopper shoes), filigree and gilding. Gilding is the one important art for decoration the books and calligraphies. Other handicrafts include copper-smithing, rug weaving and carpet weaving (including Kilm and Jajim style).

Education: Universities Zanjan is also home to several universities such as: • University of Zanjan • Zanjan University of Medical Sciences • Islamic Azad University of Zanjan • Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS).