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	Geography and History
	Regarding geographic situation, Qazvin province, as a bridge, connects the capital of the country to the northern and western regions and European and Caucasian countries as well. While this province is developed from agricultural point of view, it has become one of the important focal point for development of the country due to its suitable condition. Qazvin province was separated from Tehran province in 1996 as a new province in divisions of the country. Qazvin and Takestan townships constitute the administrative and political limits of this province. The population of Qazvin province was 968,257 in 1996, out of which 57.11% were urban dwellers and 42.89% were lived in rural areas. The sex ratio of the province is 101. From geographical setting point of view, Qazvin province is divided into two mountainous and plain sections. The mountainous part is situated in the northern part of the province which includes the southern part of Alborz Mountain Range. The Alborz valleys extend southward as well. The climate of the province is cold in the north and moderate in the south. Generally, winters are cold and snowy in the north with moderate summers, but in plain areas winters are relatively cold and summers are relatively warm. The antiquity and historical records of the province dates back to Median government in 9th century BC. In that time, Qazvin region was the arena of invasions of different tribes and clans including Tabarestan Dialameh tribes. In early Islamic period Qazvin was settled by victorious Arab forces. In early Safavid time, Qazvin was chosen as capital. Due to closeness to Tehran, Qazvin was one of the important governmental centers in Ghajar time.
	Qazvin
Jameh Mosque 11th cent., Qazvin	Qazvin township is located in a vast plain 144 km. west to Tehran. The city was founded in the time of Sassanide Shapour I, famous as Shad Shapour, in order to prevent the invasions of Dialameh and it was gradually developed as the main nucleus of Qazvin city. After the invasion of Arabs to Iran and commencement of Islamic conquests, this city was surrounded by one of the famous Arab commanders named Bera-ebn Azeb in the year 24 AH. In Islamic era, Qazvin became one of the military bases of Arab forces. In Omavi time, Jome’ Mosque, which was one of the reputable mosques of the city till Haroon-al-Rashid’s reign, was constructed. In 176 AH., another city or castle was established in front of the old Qazvin city which was famous as Madineh

	Mobarakieh. Caliph Haroon-al-Rashid, after being aware of bravery of Qazvin’s people against Dailamian invasions, ordered to construct a mosque in Madineh Mobarakieh as well as a wall around it. After his death, the work was completed by one of his Turkish commanders in 256 AH. From late 5th century AH. to the time when Ismailieh castles were attacked by Mongol Holakoo, Qazvin was influenced by the events relating to Hasan Sabbah (Ismailieh) movement and his successors and it was also the witness of long clashes and wars between central government and Ismailieh.Qazvin was selected as capital by Safavid and several buildings and monuments were constructed over there. In Ghajar time, Tehran was selected as capital and Qazvin became a city of importance due to locating in the course of the way to Europe.Presently, Qazvin city is one of the important cities of the country and is considerably developed from economic and social points of view and also it is one of the centers of industrial, agricultural and service development of Iran. The important natural, historical and religious sights of Qazvin are as follows: hSeveral mineral water springs, hPortals of Ali Ghapoo and Chehel Sotoon edifices in Qazvin, hSeveral castles including Alamout, Nowzer Shah, Lambsar, Semiran, Sangrood, Shahrak, Sasan, Shirkooh and ..., hBarajin castle, Sangi (stone) castle with Koofi inscription, hSafa public bath, hSeveral underground water reservoir, hYaleh Gonbad and Kafar Gonbad domes, hSeveral old private houses like Razavi, Saadieh, Zarab Khaneh, Golshan, Vasir, Hadgi Reza and Shahroodi inside the city, hSeyed Alikhan and Sepahsalar ancient dams, hOld graveyards of Hasan Abad and Shah Kooh, hGazorkhan and Harzvil ancient villages, hNosrat Abad, Ghazanchal, Hossein Abad, Meshkin Tapeh, Tapeh Alvand, Agha Baba, Dolat Abad and .... ancient hills, hSeveral Baazars and Timcheh (arcade), hSeveral caravansaries, hOld gates of Qazvin, hMuseum and Kolah-Farangi edifice in Qazvin, hKabir, Haydarieh, Masjedolnabi, and Sanjideh Jame’ mosques, hSeveral mourning places (Hosseinieh) and old schools, hSeveral old tombs and mausoleums, hSo many Imanzadeh.
	Takestan
	Today Takestan, which was called "Siadeh" or "Siadhen" in the past, has a long history and it was very thriving with distinguished situation in Sassanide time. Very interesting pieces of plaster work have been discovered in "Tapeh Khadoo" located in east north of Takestan which belong to Sassanide period.Takestan township is one of the centers for agricultural activities in the province and is situated in the course of Teheran-Europe main road. The important natural, historical and religious sights of Takestan are as follows: hYaleh spring, hAvaj hot water spring, hSoltan Abad, Khandoo, and Dakan histirical hills, hGhaleh Dokhtar castle 15 km. to Takestan-Zanjan road, hShah Abbasi public bath, hSeveral Imamzadeh,
	Tourism Facilities
	There are suitable transportation, communication, and health facilities both in Qazvin and Takestan and they are easily accessible. Qazvin has suitable hotels, guest houses and other accommodation facilities. People are well acquainted with tourism. The most important handicrafts of the province are Stony objects, tilling, inlaid works, carpet, plaster works, calligraphy, and mirror making. All necessary information is mentioned in the related section of this book.

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