{{Short description|City in Isfahan province, Iran}} {{Redirect|Espahan|the village|Espahan, Razavi Khorasan}} {{About|the city of Isfahan||Isfahan (disambiguation)}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Isfahan | native_name = {{nativename|fa|{{Nastaliq|اصفهان}}}} | official_name = | other_name = Sepahan, Aspadana, Espandana | nickname = Half of the World<br />({{lang|fa|نصف جهان}}, {{translit|fa|Nesfe Jahân}}){{force singular}} | settlement_type = [[List of cities in Iran by province|City]] | image_skyline = {{multiple image | perrow = 1/2/2/2 |caption_align=center | border = infobox | total_width = 280 | image1 = Naghshe jahan 01.jpg | alt1 = Aerial photograph of Naqsh-e Jahan Square | caption1 = A view of the city and [[Naqsh-e Jahan Square]] | image2 = The Allahverdi Khan Bridge in night.jpg | alt2 = Photograph of Allahverdi Khan Bridge at night | caption2 = [[Si-o-se-pol]] | image3 = Khaju_-_Bridge.jpg | alt3 = Photograph of Khaju Bridge at night | caption3 = [[Khaju Bridge]] | image4 = Flowers garden Isfahan Aarash (21).jpg | alt4 = Photograph of pond and bridge in the Flower Garden of Isfahan | caption4 = [[Flower Garden of Isfahan]] | image5 = کاخ_چهلستون۱_02.jpg | alt5 = Photograph of Chehel Sotoun pavillion at twilight | caption5 = [[Chehel Sotoun]] | image6 = Shah Mosque Isfahan Aarash (257).jpg | alt6 = Photograph of the entrance to Shah Mosque | caption6 = [[Shah Mosque (Isfahan)|Shah Mosque]] | image7 = Ispahan Vank Cathedral 20.jpg | alt7 = Photograph of the roof of Vank Cathedral | caption7 = [[Vank Cathedral]] }} | image_caption = | image_flag = | image_seal = Isfahan government logo 1.svg | seal_alt = Image of the logo of Isfahan | image_blank_emblem = Insignia-coatofarms-isfahan-province.png | blank_emblem_type = Flag | blank_emblem_alt = Image of coat of arms of Isfahan | image_shield = Esfahan-Untold-logo.png | shield_alt = Image of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce tourism logo | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | mapframe-marker = city | mapframe-shape = yes | mapframe-caption = A map of the Isfahan administrative area | mapsize = 300px | map_caption = Isfahan | pushpin_map = Iran#West Asia | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Iran]] | pushpin_map_alt = Map of Iran with Isfahan indicated | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Iran]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Iran|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Isfahan government logo 1.svg}} [[Isfahan province|Isfahan]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of Iran|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Isfahan County|Isfahan]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Bakhsh (administrative division)|District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Central District (Isfahan County)|Central]] | leader_title1 = Mayor | leader_name1 = Ali Ghasemzadeh | leader_title2 = [[Islamic City Council of Isfahan|City Council]] | leader_name2 = Mohammad Nour Salehi (Chairman) | area_urban_km2 = 551 | area_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.daftlogic.com/downloads/kml/10102015-9mzrdauu.kml] {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=Karl.i.biased |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | population_total = 2,238,000 | population_as_of = 2025 | population_footnotes = {{citation needed|date=December 2025}} | population_urban = 2219343{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} | population_density_sq_mi = 10,400 | population_metro = 3,989,070<ref>{{cite web |website=citypopulation.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913144137/http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |url=http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |archive-date=2018-09-13 |title=Major Agglomerations of the World - Population Statistics and Maps |date=2018-09-13}}</ref> | population_est = | population_est_as_of = | population_blank1_title = Metro rank | population_blank1 = [[List of Iran cities by population|2nd]] | demographics_type1 = GDP {{Nobold|(Nominal, 2024)}} | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.github.io/docs/fact-sheets/tellubase-factsheet-irn.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TELLUBASE—IRAN FACT SHEET|website=tellusant.github.io}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = [[City]] | demographics1_info1 = [[US$]]23.2 billion | demographics1_title2 = Per capita | demographics1_info2 = US$10,100 | translit_lang1 = | timezone = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]] | utc_offset = +3:30 | coordinates = {{Coord|32|39|55|N|51|40|13|E|dim:6km|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.665278&mlon=51.670278&zoom=13#map=13/32.6653/51.6703 |website=[[OpenStreetMap]] |title=Isfahan, Isfahan County |date=17 June 2024 |access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref> | elevation_m = 1574 | elevation_ft = 5217 | blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]] | blank_info = [[BWk]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Shams |first=H. |title=Isfahan Climate |url=https://www.irangazette.com/en/12/155-isfahan-climate.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224101556/https://www.irangazette.com/en/12/155-isfahan-climate.html |archive-date=24 February 2020 |url-status=live |website=Iran Gazette |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> | website = [https://cityofisfahan.ir/ isfahan.ir] | area_code = 031 | area_source = | blank1_name_sec1 = | blank1_info_sec1 = | footnotes = }} {{Isfahan city}} '''Isfahan''' ({{langx|fa|اصفهان}} {{IPA|fa|esfæˈhɒːn||Esfahan.ogg}}){{efn|Also spelled ''Ispahan'', ''Esfahan'' or ''Espahan.''}} is a city in the [[Central District (Isfahan County)|Central District]] of [[Isfahan County]], [[Isfahan province|Isfahan Province]], Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district.<ref name="Isfahan Structure">{{cite web |title = Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of Isfahan province, centered in the city of Isfahan |language = fa |website = Lamtakam |url = https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/113034 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240204010546/https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/113034 |publisher = Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Board |last = Habibi |first = Hassan |archive-date = 4 February 2024 |date = 21 June 1369 |access-date = 4 February 2024}}</ref> It is located {{convert|440|km|mi|abbr=off}} south of [[Tehran]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance Tehran > Isfahan - Air line, driving route, midpoint |url=https://www.distance.to/Tehran/Isfahan |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=www.distance.to |language=en-us |archive-date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822132039/https://www.distance.to/Tehran/Isfahan |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has a population of approximately 2,238,000,{{citation needed|date=December 2025}} making it the third-most populous city in Iran, after Tehran and [[Mashhad]], and the second-largest metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rail-news.ir/%D9%81%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A2%D9%87%D9%86-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/ |title=اخبار راهآهن ایران: فهرست ایستگاههای راهآهن ایران |website=Rail News Iran |access-date=2019-11-02 |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628155103/http://rail-news.ir/%D9%81%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A2%D9%87%D9%86-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Isfahan is located at the intersection of the two principal routes that traverse Iran, north–south and east–west. Isfahan flourished between the 9th and 18th centuries. Under the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid Empire]], Isfahan became the capital of Iran, for the second time in its history, under [[Abbas the Great]]. It is known for its [[Persian architecture|Persian]]–[[Islamic architecture|Muslim]] [[architecture]], grand boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques, and minarets.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |title=Isfahan Is Half The World |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/02/archives/isfahan-is-half-the-world-isfahan-is-half-the-world.html |website=New York Times |date=2 November 1975 |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723124239/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/02/archives/isfahan-is-half-the-world-isfahan-is-half-the-world.html |url-status=live |last1=McKown |first1=Robin |authorlink=Robin McKown }}</ref>
Isfahan has many historical buildings, monuments, paintings, and artifacts. The fame of Isfahan led to the Persian proverb {{transliteration|fa|Esfahān nesf-e-jahān ast}} ({{gloss|Isfahan is half the world}}).<ref name="auto2"/> [[Naqsh-e Jahan Square]] in Isfahan is one of the [[List of city squares by size|largest city squares]] in the world, and a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Meidan Emam, Esfahan|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/115/|access-date=September 9, 2021|publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002190138/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/115|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Etymology== The name Ispahan is derived from [[Middle Persian]] {{lang|pal-Latn|Spahān}}, which is attested by various Middle Persian seals and inscriptions, including that of the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] [[magus]] [[Kartir]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-iv-pre-islamic-period |title=Isfahan, Pre-Islamic-Period |date=15 December 2006 |website=Encyclopædia Iranica |access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117045153/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-iv-pre-islamic-period |url-status=live }}</ref>
The region is denoted by the abbreviation ''GD'' (Southern [[Media (region)|Media]]) on [[Sasanian]] coins. In [[Ptolemy]]'s ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]'', it appears as {{lang|grc-Latn|Aspadana}} ({{lang|grc|Ἀσπαδανα}}) or {{lang|grc-Latn|Aspazana}} ({{lang|grc|Ασπαζάνα}}), which translates to "place of gathering for the army".<ref>Muhammad Hashim Asif, Rustam al-Hukama Rustam al-Tawarikh, éd. Muhammad Mushir, Intisharat-i Amir Kabir, Téhéran, 1352, p. 454.</ref> It is believed that {{lang|pal-Latn|Spahān}} is derived from {{lang|peo-Latn|spādānām}} 'the armies', the Old Persian plural of {{lang|peo-Latn|spāda}}, from which is derived {{lang|pal-Latn|spāh}} ({{lang|pal|𐭮𐭯𐭠𐭧}}) 'army' and {{lang|fa-Latn|[[sipahi|spahi]]}} ({{lang|fa|سپاهی}}, 'soldier', literally 'of the army') in Middle Persian. Some of the other ancient names include Gey, Jey (old form Zi),<ref>{{cite web |title = گاو، اسب و اینک اصفهان! |url = https://www.isna.ir/news/isfahan-80517/%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |date = 13 March 2019 |access-date = 31 December 2021 |archive-date = 24 December 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211224103448/https://www.isna.ir/news/isfahan-80517/%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%DA%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |url-status = live }}</ref> Park, and Judea.<ref>{{cite web|title=وجه تسمیه اصفهان|url=http://daneshnameh.roshd.ir/mavara/mavara-index.php?page=%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87+%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%87+%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86&PHPSESSID=d2667391f8167f8576b2faa30b2135df&SSOReturnPage=Check&Rand=0|access-date=2020-10-06|website=daneshnameh.roshd.ir|archive-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225233231/http://daneshnameh.roshd.ir/mavara/mavara-index.php?page=%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87+%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%87+%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86&SSOReturnPage=Check&Rand=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2008-05-08|title=سازمان تبلیغات اسلامی استان اصفهان |url=http://esfahan-tebyan.ir/user/Index.jsp?SID=66&lang=Fa|access-date=2020-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508200820/http://esfahan-tebyan.ir/user/Index.jsp?SID=66&lang=Fa|archive-date=8 May 2008}}</ref>
==History== {{see also|Timeline of Isfahan}}{{More citations needed section|date=April 2025}} Human habitation in the Isfahan region can be traced back to the [[Paleolithic|Palaeolithic]] period. Archaeologists have found [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifact]]s dating back to the Palaeolithic, [[Mesolithic]], [[Neolithic]], [[Bronze Age|Bronze]], and [[Iron Age|Iron]] ages. During [[Medes|Median]] rule, Isfahan became a regional centre, especially due to the benefits of the [[Zayanderud|Zayandehrud]] River. It was a religiously and ethnically diverse city during the reign of [[Cyrus the Great]], and exhibited religious tolerance.
The [[Muslim]] [[Arab]]s [[Muslim conquest of Persia#Preparation for the conquest of Persia|captured]] Isfahan in 642 CE. They made it the capital of [[al-Jibal]] province. The city further grew under the [[Buyid dynasty|Buyid]] and [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk]] dynasties. After the fall of the Seljuks in 1200 CE, the city temporarily declined. It regained its importance during the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid]] era (1501–1736), with the city experiencing a golden age under the rule of [[Abbas the Great]], who moved his capital from [[Qazvin]] to Isfahan. During his reign, Turkish, Armenian, and Persian craftsmen were [[population transfer|forcefully resettled]] in the city to ensure its prosperity. Later, the city also had enclaves for people of [[Georgians|Georgian]], [[Circassians|Circassian]], and [[Dagestan|Daghestani]] descent.
In the 20th century, Isfahan was resettled by many people from southern Iran, especially during the population migrations at the start of the century and in the 1980s following the [[Iran–Iraq War]].
===Median and Achaemenid era=== [[File:Isfahancitycenter museum.jpg|thumb|upright|An ancient artifact from [[Isfahan City Center]] museum |alt=Metal artifact portraying a lion eating a large prey animal]]
Under [[Medes|Median]] rule, the commercial entrepôt began to show signs of more sedentary urbanism, growing into a regional centre that benefited from the fertile soil on the banks of the [[Zayanderud|Zayandehrud]] River, in a region called Aspandana or Ispandana.
When [[Cyrus the Great]] unified Persian and Median lands into the [[Achaemenid Empire]], the religiously and ethnically diverse city of Isfahan became an early example of the king's fabled [[religious tolerance]]. Having just taken [[Babylon]], Cyrus made an edict in 538 BCE declaring that [[Babylonian captivity|Jews in Babylon]] could return to [[Jerusalem]].<ref>see Ezra ch. 1</ref> Later, some of the Jewish immigrants settled in Isfahan instead of returning to their homeland. The 10th century Persian historian [[Ibn al-Faqih]] wrote:
{{blockquote|When the [[Expulsions and exoduses of Jews#Babylonian captivity|Jews emigrated from Jerusalem, fleeing]] from [[Nebuchadnezzar]], they carried with them a sample of the water and soil of Jerusalem. They did not settle until they reached the city of Isfahan, whose soil and water was deemed to resemble that of Jerusalem. Thereupon they settled there, cultivated the soil, raised children and grandchildren, and today the name of this settlement is Yahudia.<ref>{{cite book |title=Sacred Precincts: The Religious Architecture of Non-Muslim Communities Across the Islamic World |author=Gharipour Mohammad |publisher=Brill |date=Nov 14, 2014 |page=179}}</ref>}}
===Parthian era===
The [[Parthian Empire|Parthians]] (247 BCE – 224 CE) continued the tradition of tolerance after the fall of the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenids]], fostering both a [[Hellenistic]] dimension within Iranian culture and the political organization introduced by [[Alexander the Great]]'s invading armies. Under the Parthians, [[Arsacid]] governors administered the provinces of the nation from Isfahan, and the city's urban development accelerated to accommodate the needs of a capital city.
[[File:Esfahan scheme middle ages fr.png|thumb|Isfahan at the end of the 6th century (top), consisting of two separate areas: Sassanid Jay and Jewish Yahudia. In the 11th century (bottom), these two areas were completely merged. |alt=Two maps portraying the location and extent of Isfahan during the Middle Ages]]
===Sassanid era===
The [[Sasanian Empire|Sassanid Empire]] (224–651 CE) presided over massive changes in their realm, instituting sweeping agricultural reforms and reviving Iranian culture and the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian religion]]. Both the city and region were then called by the name Aspahan or Spahan. The city was governed by a group called the Espoohrans, who descended from seven noble Iranian families. Extant foundations of some Sassanid-era bridges in Isfahan suggest that the Sasanian kings were fond of ambitious urban-planning projects.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=http://archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1752&order_by=title&showdescription=1 |title=Ishafan |access-date=2013-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023052853/http://archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1752 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |website=ArchNet }}</ref>
While Isfahan's political importance declined during this period, many Sassanid princes studied statecraft in the city, and its military role increased. Its strategic location at the intersection of the ancient roads to [[Susa]] and [[Persepolis]] made it an ideal candidate to house a standing army, which would be ready to march against [[Constantinople]] at any moment. The names ''Aspahan'' and ''Spahan'' are derived from the [[Pahlavi scripts|Pahlavi]] or Middle Persian meaning 'the place of the army'.<ref name="auto3"/>
Although many theories have mentioned the origins of Isfahan, little is known of it before the rule of the Sasanian dynasty. Historical records suggest that, in the late 4th and early 5th centuries, Queen [[Shushandukht]] – the Jewish wife of emperor [[Yazdegerd I]] (reigned 399–420) and mother of his successor [[Bahram V]] – settled a colony of Jewish immigrants in Yahudiyyeh (also spelled Yahudiya and [[Jouybareh district|Jouybareh]]). The settlement was {{convert|3|km}} northwest of the Zoroastrian city of Isfahan, then known by the Achaemid and Parthian name {{lang|pal-Latn|Gabae}}.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=Esfahan {{!}} History, Art, Population, & Map|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Esfahan|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310053342/https://www.britannica.com/place/Esfahan|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{lang|pal-Latn|Gabai}} was its Sasanic name, which was shortened to {{lang|pal-Latn|Gay}} (Arabic {{transliteration|ar|Jay}}). It was located on the northern bank of the Zayanderud River. The colony's establishment has also been attributed to [[Nebuchadrezzar]], though that is unlikely.<ref name="auto1"/>
After the Arab conquest of Iran, the gradual population decrease of Gay, and the simultaneous population increase of Yahudiyyeh and its suburbs, resulted in the formation of the nucleus of what was to become the city of Isfahan. The names ''Aspadana'', ''Ispadana'', ''Spahan'', and ''Sepahan'', from which the modern name Isfahan is derived, referred to the region in which the city was located.
Isfahan and Gay were reportedly both circular in design, a characteristic of Parthian and Sasanian cities.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jayyusi|first1=Salma K.|last2=Holod |first2=Renata|last3=Petruccioli|first3=Attilio|last4=André|first4=Raymond|title=The City in the Islamic World|url=https://archive.org/details/cityislamicworld00jayy |url-access=limited |date=2008|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden |isbn=9789004162402|page=[https://archive.org/details/cityislamicworld00jayy/page/n194 174]}}</ref> However, this reported Sasanian circular city of Isfahan has not yet been uncovered.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Huff |first1=D. |title=Architecture iii. Sasanian Period|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/architecture-iii |website=www.iranicaonline.org |publisher=[[Encyclopaedia Iranica]] |access-date=16 March 2019 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329045223/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/architecture-iii |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Muslim conquest=== {{Broader|Muslim conquest of Persia|History of Iran#Early Islamic period}}
When the Arabs captured Isfahan in 642 CE, they made it the capital of [[Jibal|al-Jabal]] province, an area that covered much of ancient Media. Isfahan grew prosperous under the Persian [[Buyid]] dynasty, which came to rule much of Iran when the temporal authority of the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid]] leaders waned in the 10th century. The city walls of Isfahan are thought to have been constructed during the tenth century.<ref>{{cite web|title=City Walls of Isfahan|url=https://archnet.org/sites/16152|access-date=2020-11-03|website=Archnet|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103055100/https://archnet.org/sites/16152|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Golombek|first=Lisa|date=1974|title=Urban Patterns in Pre-Safavid Isfahan|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4310152|journal=Iranian Studies|volume=7|issue=1/2|pages=18–44|doi=10.1080/00210867408701454|jstor=4310152|issn=0021-0862|access-date=3 November 2020|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010065553/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4310152|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Isstaif|first=Abdul-Nabi|date=1997|title=Review of Al-Muqaddasī: The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Regions: Aḥsan al-Taqāsīm fī Ma'rifat al-Aqālīm|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26198094|journal=Journal of Islamic Studies|volume=8|issue=2|pages=247–250|doi=10.1093/jis/8.2.247|jstor=26198094|issn=0955-2340|access-date=3 November 2020|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106124251/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26198094|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Turkish conqueror and founder of the [[Seljuq dynasty]], [[Tughril|Toghril Beg]], made Isfahan the capital of his domains in the mid-11th century; the city grew in size and splendour under his grandson [[Malik-Shah I]] ({{abbr|r.|ruled}} 1073–92).<ref name="Britannica.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malik-Shah|title=Britannica.com|access-date=23 July 2018|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723152910/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malik-Shah|url-status=live}}</ref>
After the fall of the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuks]] ({{Circa|1200}}), Isfahan temporarily declined and was eclipsed by other Iranian cities, such as [[Tabriz]] and [[Qazvin]].
=== Khwarazmian and Mongol era === {{Expand section|date=November 2025}}
===Timurid era=== During his visit in 1327, [[Ibn Battuta]] noted that "The city of Isfahan is one of the largest and fairest of cities, but it is now in ruins for the greater part."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Battutah|first1=Ibn|title=The Travels of Ibn Battutah|date=2002|publisher=Picador|location=London|isbn=9780330418799|page=68}}</ref> In 1387, Isfahan surrendered to the warlord [[Timur]]. Initially treated with relative mercy, the city revolted against Timur's punitive taxes by killing the tax collectors and some of Timur's soldiers. In retribution, Timur ordered the massacre of the city residents; his soldiers reportedly killing 70,000 citizens. An eyewitness counted more than 28 towers, each constructed of about 1,500 heads.<ref>Fisher, W.B.; Jackson, P.; Lockhart, L.; Boyle, J.A. : ''The Cambridge History of Iran'', p. 55.</ref>
===Safavid era=== Isfahan regained its importance during the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid era]] (1501–1736). The city's golden age began in 1598 when the Safavid ruler [[Abbas the Great]] (reigned 1588–1629) made it his capital and rebuilt it into one of the largest cities of the 17th-century. In 1598, he moved his capital from [[Qazvin]] to the more central Isfahan. He introduced policies increasing Iranian involvement in the Silk Road trade.{{Cn|date=March 2026}} [[Turkish people|Turkish]], [[Armenian people|Armenian]], and [[Persian people|Persian]] craftsmen were [[population transfer|forcefully resettled]] in the city to ensure its prosperity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Iskandaryan |first=Gohar |title=The Armenian community in Iran: Issues and emigration |url=http://ysu.am/files/1-1574062812-.pdf |date=2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513053533/http://ysu.am/files/1-1574062812-.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live |journal=Global Campus Human Rights Journal |volume=3 |number=1 |page=129 |issn=2532-1455 <!-- |doi=20.500.11825/991 --> |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="EOE41">{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire |page=41}}</ref> Their contributions to the economic vitality of the city supported the recovery of Safavid prestige after earlier losses to the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] and [[Qizilbash]] tribes.<ref name="EOE41"/>
During Abbas's reign, as many as 300,000 Armenians (primarily from [[Jugha]]) were [[Great Surgun|forcefully resettled]]; some were brought to Isfahan.<ref name="University of California Press">{{cite book|last1=Aslanian|first1=Sebouh|title=From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Global Trade Networks of Armenian Merchants from New Julfa|date=2011|publisher=University of California Press|location=California|isbn=978-0520947573|page=1}}</ref><ref name="Mazda Publishers">{{cite book|last1=Bournoutian|first1=George|author-link1=George Bournoutian|title=A Concise History of the Armenian People: (from Ancient Times to the Present)|date=2002|publisher=Mazda Publishers|isbn=978-1568591414|page=[https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof00geor/page/208 208]|edition=2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof00geor/page/208}}</ref> He ordered the establishment of a new quarter for these resettled Armenians from Old Julfa, and thus the Armenian Quarter of Isfahan was named [[New Julfa]]. Today, it is one of the largest [[List of Armenian ethnic enclaves|Armenian quarters]] in the world.<ref name="University of California Press"/><ref name=" Mazda Publishers"/>
Abbas also oversaw a transformation of the urban pattern of Isfahan. The plans included the new, rectangular [[Naqsh-e Jahan Square|Shah Square]] and the linear [[Chaharbagh, Isfahan|Chahar Bagh Boulevard]]. Between these two focal points of Isfahan's urban revitalization was a large garden, today the gardens of [[Hasht Behesht]]. The new, geometric, planned portions of Isfahan stood out from the old city's complex street layouts, attracting foreign emissaries and wealthy residents along the Chahar Bagh.<ref>Gaube Heinse, Iranian Cities, New York, 1979, p. 83</ref> Shah Square would be adorned by 4 grand monuments on each side. To the north, a turquoise gate connected the new square to Isfahan's [[Grand Bazaar, Isfahan|Grand Bazaar]] and [[Kohneh Square|old square]]; to the south, the [[Shah Mosque (Isfahan)|Shah Mosque]] became the new primary place of worship for city residents.<ref>Hooshangi, Farideh. Isfahan, city of paradise; a study of Safavid urban pattern and a symbolic interpretation of the Chahar-Bagh gardens. Diss. Carleton University, 2000, p. 19-33.</ref>
In the 16th and 17th centuries, thousands of deportees and migrants from the [[Caucasus]] settled in the city following an agreement between Abbas the Great and his [[Georgians|Georgian]] subject [[Teimuraz I of Kakheti]], whereby the latter became Muslim and accepted Safavid rule. In exchange, Teimuraz was allowed to rule as the region's ''[[Wali (administrative title)|wāli]]'', and his son served as the ''[[darugha|dāruḡa]]'' ('prefect') of Isfahan.<ref name=" Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/> Teimuraz was accompanied by a troop of soldiers,<ref name="Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/> some of whom were [[Georgian Orthodox]] [[Christian]]s.<ref name=" Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/>
The royal court in Isfahan had a great number of Georgian ''[[Ghulam|ḡolāms]]'' (military servants), as well as Georgian women.<ref name="Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/> Although they spoke both Persian and Turkic, their mother tongue was Georgian.<ref name="Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/> Now the city had enclaves of those of [[Georgians|Georgian]], [[Circassians|Circassian]], and [[Dagestan|Daghistani]] descent.<ref name="Isfahan-Safavid Period VII">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-vii-safavid-period|title=Isfahan vii. Safavid Period|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517080407/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-vii-safavid-period|url-status=live}}</ref> Engelbert Kaempfer, who dwelt in Safavid Iran in 1684–85, estimated their number at 20,000.<ref name="Isfahan-Safavid Period VII"/>{{sfn|Matthee|2012|page=67}}
During Abbas's reign, Isfahan became known in Europe, and European travellers, such as [[Jean Chardin]], gave accounts of their visits to the city. The city was [[Siege of Isfahan|sacked]] by Central Asian invaders in 1722, during a marked decline in Safavid influence. Thereafter, Isfahan experienced a decline in importance, culminating in the capital being moved to [[Mashhad]] during the [[Afsharid Iran|Afsharid]] era. Subsequently, the capital moved to [[Shiraz]] during the [[Zand Iran|Zand]] era, and finally to [[Tehran]] in 1775, by [[Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar]], the founder of the [[Qajar dynasty]].
In the early years of the 19th century, efforts were made to preserve some of Isfahan's archeologically important buildings. The work was started by [[Hajji Mohammad Hossein Isfahani|Mohammad Hossein Khan]], during the reign of [[Fath-Ali Shah Qajar]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Iran Almanac and Book of Facts |volume=8 |year=1969 |publisher=Echo Institute |page=71 |oclc=760026638 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxJIAAAAMAAJ |access-date=25 January 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211230238/https://books.google.com/books?id=dxJIAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Modern age=== {{geoGroup}} <gallery mode="packed"> Isfahan from above.jpg|alt=Aerial photograph of road bridge|Street from above ETH-BIB-Rundblick von der Schahburg, Isfahan-Persienflug 1924-1925-LBS MH02-02-0159-AL-FL.tif|alt=Black-and-white photograph of city from above|Isfahan in 1924 Foolad Mobarakeh49.jpg|alt=Spools of steel sheets in a steel mill|Foolad Mobarakeh Steel Mill General map of Isfahan by Pascal Coste.jpg|alt=Printed map of Isfahan|Map of Isfahan by Pascal Coste </gallery> In the 20th century, Isfahan was resettled by many people from southern Iran. Many came during the migrations at the start of the century, and in the 1980s following the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. During the war, 23,000 people from Isfahan were killed, and there were 43,000 veterans.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 September 2020|title=شهرداری اصفهان از طرح "خادمیاران شهدا" حمایت میکند - ایمنا|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/439233/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909114846/https://www.imna.ir/news/439233/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF|archive-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
In 1921, the first telephone office was created on Shams Abadi street.<ref>{{Cite web |title=تاریخچه مخابرات اصفهان |url=https://is.tci.ir/%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%b1%d9%81%db%8c-%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b7%d9%82%d9%87/ }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
During [[World War II]], Polish refugees, mostly children, were admitted in Isfahan.<ref name=jw>{{cite book|last=Wróbel|first=Janusz|title=Uchodźcy polscy ze Związku Sowieckiego 1942–1950|year=2003|language=pl|publisher=[[Institute of National Remembrance|Instytut Pamięci Narodowej]]|location=[[Łódź]]|pages=63, 65|isbn=978-83-7629-522-0}}</ref> There were 21 Polish childcare units, located in different parts of the city.<ref name=jw/> Some 2,600 Poles were housed there as of February 1943.<ref name=jw/> Over time, Polish children were evacuated further to [[Africa]], [[India]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref name=jw/>
The city has had four master development programs. The first was created in 1971 by a German engineering firm that designed checkered streets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/382737/اصفهان-از-طرح-های-کالبدی-تا-طرح-های-توسعه-ای|title=اصفهان؛ از طرحهای کالبدی تا طرح های توسعهای|date=17 July 2019|website=ایمنا}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/679956/سایه-شهرهای-اطراف-بر-سر-اصفهان-و-دومین-طرح-جامع-وضعیت-فعلی|title=سایه شهرهای اطراف بر سر اصفهان و «دومین طرح جامع»/وضعیت فعلی طرح به شهرداری ابلاغ نشده است|date=15 August 2023|website=ایمنا}}</ref>
Today, Isfahan produces carpets, textiles, steel, handicrafts, and traditional foods, including sweets. Isfahan is noted for its production of the [[Isfahan rug]], a type of [[Persian rug]] typically made of [[merino wool]] and [[silk]].
There are [[Nuclear reactor|nuclear]] experimental reactors as well as uranium conversion facilities (UCF) for producing nuclear fuel in the environs of the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Esfahan / Isfahan - Iran Special Weapons Facilities|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/iran/facility/esfahan.htm|access-date=2020-11-09|website=fas.org|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929003927/https://fas.org/nuke/guide/iran/facility/esfahan.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> There is a major oil refinery and a large [[air force]] base outside the city. [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company|HESA]], Iran's most advanced aircraft manufacturing plant, is located just outside the city.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070609213555/http://www.hesaco.com/contactus.htm Hesaco.com]}} (from the [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company|HESA]] official company website)</ref> Isfahan was also attracting international investment as of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/07/aug/1208.html|title=International conference held on investment opportunities in Iran tourism industry|access-date=23 September 2014|archive-date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925123527/http://www.payvand.com/news/07/aug/1208.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Isfahan hosted the [[International Physics Olympiad]] in 2007.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
In 2023, 200 loudspeakers were installed in the city by the government to play the ''[[adhan|azān]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/664603/اجرای-سامانه-هوشمند-اعلان-صوتی-در-۲۲۰-نقطه-شهر-اصفهان|title=اجرای سامانه هوشمند اعلان صوتی در ۲۲۰ نقطه شهر اصفهان|date=31 May 2023|website=ایمنا}}</ref> The municipality created a tourism app called Isfahanema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/563091/اپلیکیشن-اصفهان-ما-را-از-۳۰-سازه-شهری-دریافت-کنید|title=اپلیکیشن «اصفهان ما» را از ۳۰ سازه شهری دریافت کنید|date=21 March 2022|website=ایمنا}}</ref> As of 2023, several public housing projects were being built.<ref>{{Cite news |title=20,000 National Housing Movement units to be completed in Isfahan by next March |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485250/20-000-National-Housing-Movement-units-to-be-completed-in-Isfahan |date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530094203/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485250/20-000-National-Housing-Movement-units-to-be-completed-in-Isfahan |archive-date=30 May 2023 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Tehran Times]] |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref>
In 2018, farmers in Isfahan protested for their [[water rights]], amidst ongoing [[water shortage]]s. They protested against the mismanagement and anti-American ideology of the Iranian government, chanting "Our enemy is here, they are lying that it is America", and "Front toward homeland back to enemy in Friday prayers".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-farmers-protests-isfahan/29165769.html | title=Angry Farmers Chant 'America is Not the Enemy - the Enemy is Right Here' | date=13 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-isfahan-farmers-protest-friday-prayers/29105563.html | title=«پشت به دشمن، رو به میهن»؛ نوآوری در اعتراضهای ماههای اخیر ایران | work=رادیو فردا | date=17 March 2018 | last1=عسکری | first1=هومن }}</ref>
==Geography== {{Main|Ecology in Isfahan|Regions of Iran}}
[[File:1972 to 2009 abundance percentage percentage of years of drought and wet periods data isfahan atlas.png|thumb|The distribution of drought, normal, and wet years – 1972 to 2009, Isfahan atlas|alt=Graph of distribution of drought, normal, and wet years]]
The city is located on the plain of the [[Zayanderud|Zayandeh River]] and the foothills of the [[Zagros Mountains]]. The nearest mountain is [[Mount Soffeh]], just south of the city.
===Hydrography=== An artificial network of canals, whose components are called ''madi'', were built during the Safavid dynasty for channeling water from the Zayandeh River into different parts of the city. Designed by Sheikh Bahaï, an engineer of Shah Abbas, the network has 77 ''madis'' in the northern course of the river, and 71 in the southern course. {{As of|1993}}, 91% of the centuries-old network's water was being used for agriculture purposes, 4% for industrial purposes, and 5% for domestic purposes.<ref>{{Cite book|first1=A. |last1=Karimi|first2=M. R. |last2=Delavar|chapter=Monitoring the Devastation of Isfahan Artificial Water Channels Using Remote Sensing and GIS|chapter-url=http://isprs-wgii-1.casm.ac.cn/source/MONITORING%2520THE%2520DEVASTATION%2520OF%2520ISFAHAN%2520ARTIFICIAL%2520WATER%2520CHANNELS%2520USING%2520REMOTE%2520SENSING%2520AND%2520GIS.pdf|title=The International Symposium on Spatio-Temporal Modeling |year=2005|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20210509152409/http://isprs-wgii-1.casm.ac.cn/source/MONITORING%2520THE%2520DEVASTATION%2520OF%2520ISFAHAN%2520ARTIFICIAL%2520WATER%2520CHANNELS%2520USING%2520REMOTE%2520SENSING%2520AND%2520GIS.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 70 emergency wells were dug in 2018 to avoid water shortages.<ref>{{cite web|title=حفر و تجهیز 70 حلقه چاه جدید برای جبران کمبود آب آشامیدنی اصفهان|url=http://kayhan.ir/fa/news/134810/%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B1-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%B2-70-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%82%D9%87-%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A2%D8%A8-%D8%A2%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=2020-12-15|website=kayhan.ir|archive-date=2020-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215122743/http://kayhan.ir/fa/news/134810/%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B1-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%B2-70-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%82%D9%87-%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A2%D8%A8-%D8%A2%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Ecological issues=== [[File:Zayanderud river dry with Si-o-se-pol on background.jpg|thumb|alt=The dry Zayanderud river with Si-o-se-pol in the background|The dry Zayanderud river with Si-o-se-pol in the background in 2018]]
Towns and villages around Isfahan have emptied out due to drought and water diversion.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Nik |last1=Kowsar |first2=Alireza|last2=Nader|title=Iran Is Committing Suicide by Dehydration|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/25/iran-is-committing-suicide-by-dehydration/|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Foreign Policy|date=25 February 2019 |language=en-US|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819180126/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/25/iran-is-committing-suicide-by-dehydration/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Workers demand months of unpaid wages in 9 Iran protests|url=https://irannewswire.org/tag/isfahans-water-crisis|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Iran News Wire|language=en-US|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924104040/https://irannewswire.org/tag/isfahans-water-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref> An anonymous journalist said that what is called drought is more often the mismanagement of water.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maxwell|first=Mary Jane|date=2018-08-03|title=Iran arrests scientists trying to solve water crisis|url=https://share.america.gov/iran-arrests-scientists-trying-to-solve-water-crisis/|access-date=2020-09-23|website=ShareAmerica|language=en-US|archive-date=29 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829083816/https://share.america.gov/iran-arrests-scientists-trying-to-solve-water-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dehghanpisheh|first=Babak|date=2018-03-29|title=Water crisis spurs protests in Iran|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-security-water-crisis-idUSKBN1H51A5|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205304/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-security-water-crisis-idUSKBN1H51A5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=اعتراضات جدید کشاورزان اصفهان به معضل کمآبی و حقآبه|url=https://ir.voanews.com/persiannewsiran/iran-isfahan-farmers-protest|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Voice of America|language=fa|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924104031/https://ir.voanews.com/persiannewsiran/iran-isfahan-farmers-protest|url-status=dead}}</ref> The subsidence rate is dire, and the [[aquifer]] level decreases by one meter annually.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:وضعیت وخیم استان اصفهان در زیرِ زمین |trans-title=Isfahan Province's Dire Status Underground |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2833221/%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AE%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%90-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86 |date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062801/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2833221/%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AE%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%90-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|IRIB News]] |language=fa |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>
As of 2020, the city had the worst [[air quality]] among major Iranian cities.<ref>{{cite news |title=هیچ کلانشهری در ایران به اندازه اصفهان آلوده نیست |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/84148234/ |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102909/https://www.irna.ir/news/84148234/%D9%87%DB%8C%DA%86-%DA%A9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Heydarian |first=Homeira |script-title=fa:اجرای طرح زوج و فرد خودروها تا پایان دی ماه ؛ اصفهان آلوده ترین روز سال ۹۹ را پشت سر گذاشت |trans-title=Implementation of even and odd car plans until the end of January: Isfahan has passed the most polluted day of 1999 |url=https://www.magiran.com/article/4133156 |date=1 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102902/https://www.magiran.com/article/4133156 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |url-status=live |website=Magiran |language=fa |access-date=9 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=اینجا هوا کم است |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2600294/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A7-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7-%DA%A9%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102926/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2600294/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A7-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7-%DA%A9%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Flora and fauna=== [[File:Rosa damascena0.jpg|thumb|''Rosa'' 'Ispahan'|alt=Photograph of pink roses in bloom]]
The [[Damask rose]] cultivar [[Rosa 'Ispahan'|''Rosa'' 'Ispahan']] is named after the city. The [[mole cricket]] is one of the major pests of plants, especially grass roots.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20063207014 |title=CAB Direct |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062820/https://www.cabdirect.org/?target=%2fcabdirect%2fabstract%2f20063207014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Biological Control of Insect Parasitic Nematodes Using Grass|url=http://khuisf.ac.ir/dorsapax/userfiles/file/pazhohesh/ideha92/317.pdf|journal=New Ideas in Agriculture|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062759/http://khuisf.ac.ir/dorsapax/userfiles/file/pazhohesh/ideha92/317.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2023, the city's green space was dying because of a water shortage; while trees need 150 liters, only 0.7 liters of gray recycled water were available.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=fa:وضعیت تامین آب برای ناژوان و فضای سبزِ اصفهان بسیار اسفناک است |trans-title=The water supply situation for Najwan and the greenery of Isfahan is very poor |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85186117/وضعیت-تامین-آب-برای-ناژوان-و-فضای-سبز-اصفهان-بسیار-اسفناک-است/ |date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801072425/https://www.irna.ir/amp/85186117/ |archive-date=1 August 2023 |url-status=live |website=Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) |language=fa |access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref> There is a program to plant ''Celtis australis'' and oak trees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=گونههای زاگرسی جایگزین کاجهای شهر اصفهان میشوند - خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5850663/گونه-های-زاگرسی-جایگزین-کاج-های-شهر-اصفهان-می-شوند/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=www.mehrnews.com |date=31 July 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731175630/https://www.mehrnews.com/amp/5850663/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Cow]]s endemic to Isfahan became extinct in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5049495/%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B2-%D9%88-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C |script-title=fa:گاوهای بومی اصفهان منقرض شد / خطر در کمین بز و گوسفند بومی |trans-title=Indigenous cattle of Isfahan have become extinct / Danger lurking for native goats and sheep |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022031139/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5049495/%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B2-%D9%88-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Wagtail]]s are often seen in farmlands and parks.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-08-07|script-title=fa:پرندهای با دمجنبانزیبا |trans-title=A beautiful bird with a lively tail! |url=http://www.isfahanziba.ir/content/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D9%85%E2%80%8C%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807202754/http://www.isfahanziba.ir/content/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D9%85%E2%80%8C%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=7 August 2019 |website=Isfahan-e-Ziba |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> [[Sheep]] and rams are symbols of Isfahan.<ref>{{cite web|title=1 - Iran Travel, Trip to Iran|url=https://www.irangazette.com/en/12/33-esfahan/isfahan-all-about-isfahan.html|access-date=2020-11-10|website=www.irangazette.com|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316232010/http://www.irangazette.com/en/12/33-esfahan/isfahan-all-about-isfahan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Climate===
Situated at {{convert|1590|m|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]] on the eastern side of the Zagros Mountains, Isfahan has a [[cold desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BWk''). No geological obstacles exist within {{convert|90|km|0|abbr=off}} north of the city, allowing cool winds to blow from this direction. Despite its altitude, Isfahan remains hot during the summer, with maxima typically around {{convert|35|C}}. With low humidity and moderate temperatures at night, the climate is quite pleasant.<ref name=weather-atlas/>
During the winter, days are cool while nights can be very cold. Snow falls an average of 6.7 days each winter.<ref name=weather-atlas>{{cite web |title=Isfahan, Iran - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/iran/isfahan-climate |website=Weather Atlas |publisher=Yu Media Group |access-date=5 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205041413/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/iran/isfahan-climate |url-status=live }}</ref> Isfahan's climate is generally extremely dry. Its annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] of {{convert|125|mm|in|1}} is only about half that of [[Tehran]] or [[Mashhad]] and only a quarter that of more exposed [[Kermanshah]].
The [[Zayande River]] starts in the Zagros Mountains, flowing from the west through the heart of the city, then dissipates in the [[Gavkhouni]] [[wetland]]. Planting olive trees in the city is economically viable because such trees can survive water shortages.<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-10-04|title=کاشت درخت زیتون در اصفهان صرفه اقتصادی دارد|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/355141/کاشت-درخت-زیتون-در-اصفهان-صرفه-اقتصادی-دارد|access-date=2020-10-27|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210071645/http://www.imna.ir/news/355141/%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|43|°C|0}} on 11 July 2001. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-19.4|°C|0}} on 16 January 1996.
In July and August 2024, Isfahan experienced a notable heatwave during which unusually high temperatures were recorded. Reported meteorological data indicated a maximum temperature of 44.6 °C on July 28, exceeding the city’s previous recorded high of 43 °C. Temperatures above 43 °C were observed for several consecutive days during this period.<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-10-04|title=موج گرمای شدید در اصفهان|url=https://www.irna.ir/amp/85551533/%7C%D8%B1%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF|access-date=2020-10-27|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=19 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219052637/https://www.irna.ir/amp/85551533/%7C%D8%B1%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
{{Weather box | location = Isfahan (1991–2020, records 1951-present) | width = auto | metric first = yes | single line = yes | Jan record high C = 20.8 | Feb record high C = 26.9 | Mar record high C = 30.0 | Apr record high C = 35.3 | May record high C = 39.4 | Jun record high C = 42.1 | Jul record high C = 44.6 | Aug record high C = 43.8 | Sep record high C = 39.4 | Oct record high C = 34.0 | Nov record high C = 27.5 | Dec record high C = 23.4 | year record high C = 44.6 | Jan high C = 10.0 | Feb high C = 13.6 | Mar high C = 18.0 | Apr high C = 23.4 | May high C = 29.2 | Jun high C = 35.2 | Jul high C = 37.6 | Aug high C = 36.2 | Sep high C = 32.4 | Oct high C = 25.8 | Nov high C = 17.1 | Dec high C = 11.7 | year high C = | Jan mean C = 3.4 | Feb mean C = 6.8 | Mar mean C = 11.4 | Apr mean C = 16.8 | May mean C = 22.3 | Jun mean C = 27.9 | Jul mean C = 30.3 | Aug mean C = 28.5 | Sep mean C = 24.4 | Oct mean C = 17.9 | Nov mean C = 9.9 | Dec mean C = 4.9 | year mean C = | Jan low C = -2.8 | Feb low C = -0.1 | Mar low C = 4.6 | Apr low C = 9.7 | May low C = 14.5 | Jun low C = 19.2 | Jul low C = 21.7 | Aug low C = 19.5 | Sep low C = 15.3 | Oct low C = 9.6 | Nov low C = 3.1 | Dec low C = -1.1 | year low C = | Jan record low C = -19.4 | Feb record low C = -12.2 | Mar record low C = -8.3 | Apr record low C = -4.0 | May record low C = 4.5 | Jun record low C = 10.0 | Jul record low C = 13.0 | Aug record low C = 11.0 | Sep record low C = 5.0 | Oct record low C = 0.0 | Nov record low C = -8.0 | Dec record low C = -13.0 | year record low C = -19.4 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 20.2 | Feb precipitation mm = 15.9 | Mar precipitation mm = 27.1 | Apr precipitation mm = 20.8 | May precipitation mm = 9.4 | Jun precipitation mm = 1.7 | Jul precipitation mm = 0.7 | Aug precipitation mm = 0.3 | Sep precipitation mm = 0.1 | Oct precipitation mm = 3.2 | Nov precipitation mm = 18.2 | Dec precipitation mm = 18.2 | year precipitation mm = | Jan snow cm = 7.7 | Feb snow cm = 0.3 | Mar snow cm = 0.1 | Apr snow cm = 0.0 | May snow cm = 0.0 | Jun snow cm = 0.0 | Jul snow cm = 0.0 | Aug snow cm = 0.0 | Sep snow cm = 0.0 | Oct snow cm = 0.0 | Nov snow cm = 0.1 | Dec snow cm = 2.4 | year snow cm = | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 3.6 | Feb precipitation days = 2.7 | Mar precipitation days = 3.8 | Apr precipitation days = 3.6 | May precipitation days = 1.6 | Jun precipitation days = 0.3 | Jul precipitation days = 0.1 | Aug precipitation days = 0.1 | Sep precipitation days = 0.0 | Oct precipitation days = 0.7 | Nov precipitation days = 2.6 | Dec precipitation days = 3.2 | year precipitation days = | Jan snow days = 2.1 | Feb snow days = 0.1 | Mar snow days = 0.4 | Apr snow days = 0.1 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 0.0 | Dec snow days = 0.7 | year snow days = | Jan humidity = 56 | Feb humidity = 43 | Mar humidity = 37 | Apr humidity = 35 | May humidity = 29 | Jun humidity = 19 | Jul humidity = 19 | Aug humidity = 20 | Sep humidity = 22 | Oct humidity = 33 | Nov humidity = 48 | Dec humidity = 59 | year humidity = | Jan dew point C =-5.8 | Feb dew point C =-6.3 | Mar dew point C =-4.9 | Apr dew point C =-0.6 | May dew point C =1.3 | Jun dew point C =0.8 | Jul dew point C =3.1 | Aug dew point C =2.5 | Sep dew point C =0.1 | Oct dew point C =-0.3 | Nov dew point C =-1.8 | Dec dew point C =-3.5 | Jan sun = 210 | Feb sun = 228 | Mar sun = 255 | Apr sun = 262 | May sun = 317 | Jun sun = 358 | Jul sun = 356 | Aug sun = 358 | Sep sun = 322 | Oct sun = 286 | Nov sun = 217 | Dec sun = 199 | year sun = |source 1 = [[NCEI|NOAA NCEI]],<ref name="ncei">{{cite web |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Esfahan-40800 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iran/CSV/Esfahan_40800.csv |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA]] |access-date=17 March 2024 |format=CSV}}</ref> (snowfall 1981-2010)<ref>{{cite web |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981-2010: Esfahan-40800 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Iran/WMO_Normals_Excel_IRAN_060719.xls |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA]] |access-date=28 March 2024 |format=XLS |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120051914/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Iran/WMO_Normals_Excel_IRAN_060719.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref> |source 2 = Iran Meteorological Organization (records)<ref name=records> *{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/esf/ESFAHAN/7.asp |title= Highest record temperature in Esfahan by Month 1951–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414135119/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/esf/ESFAHAN/7.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }} *{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/esf/ESFAHAN/6.asp |title= Lowest record temperature in Esfahan by Month 1951–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414140635/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/esf/ESFAHAN/6.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }} *{{cite web |url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=40833&ndays=31&ano=2025&mes=05&day=23&hora=9&ord=REV&enviar=Ver|title= 40800: Esfahan (Iran, Islamic Republic of)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 23 May 2025|website=ogimet.com |publisher=OGIMET |access-date= 22 August 2025 |quote=}}</ref> }}
== Energy == {{Main|Nuclear facilities in Iran}}
The nuclear facilities located in and near Isfahan include the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center (INTC), the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF), the Isfahan Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP), the Isfahan Fuel Element Cladding Plant, the Isfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center (NFRPC), and the Isfahan Nuclear Waste Storage Facility.<ref name=":212">{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=215}}</ref> In July 2022, Iran announced plans to build a new [[Research reactor|nuclear research reactor]] at the Isfahan site.<ref name="Farda">{{Cite news |last=Farda |first=RFE/RL's Radio |title=Iran Reveals Plans To Build New Nuclear Research Reactor |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-plans-new-nuclear-research-reactor/31964122.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}</ref>
=== Suspected nuclear weapon development === {{main|Isfahan Nuclear Technology/Research Center}}
Isfahan is suspected of being the primary location for [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's secret nuclear weapon development program]].<ref name=":212" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Isfahan (Esfahan) Nuclear Technology Center (INTC) |url=https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/isfahan-esfahan-nuclear-technology-center-intc/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Nuclear Threat Initiative |language=en}}</ref> In September 2008, [[IAEA]] experts stated that they only had limited access in Isfahan, and that a quantity of [[uranium]] sufficient for six [[nuclear weapon]]s were removed from Isfahan to undisclosed locations while still at a stage in the enrichment process which was not monitored.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=198}}</ref> In June 2022, the IAEA reported that 90% of Iran's most [[highly enriched uranium]] was moved to the facilities in Isfahan, which house the equipment used to convert [[Uranium hexafluoride|uranium gas]] into [[uranium metal]].<ref name="Farda"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-05 |title=Iran's Key Nuclear Sites: Locations, Functions And Global Concerns |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/international/irans-key-nuclear-sites-locations-functions-and-global-concerns |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2025, the [[United States Air Force]] conducted [[American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites|strikes]] on sites that, according to the United States and Israel, were used to develop nuclear weapons.{{Cn|date=March 2026}}
== Military facilities == {{Main|List of Iranian Air Force bases}}
According to some sources, the [[Polyacryl Iran Corporation]], the Linear Alkyl Benzene Complex, and the Chemical Industries Group in Isfahan serve as installation sites for [[chemical weapon]]s.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International |isbn=978-0-313-38089-1 |location=Santa Barbara |pages=151}}</ref> Reports from the NCRI asserted that [[nerve agent]]s produced near [[Semnan, Iran|Semnan]] were delivered to a missile plant in Isfahan for integration into [[Ballistic missile|ballistic-missile]] warheads, such as those of the [[Scud-B]].<ref name=":4" />
The Chemical Industries Group (CIG), headquartered in the city, is widely described as the backbone of Iran's weapons industry. According to United States intelligence assessments, CIG also manufactures [[Solid-fuel missile|solid-fuel propellant]] powders for the country's [[Iran's ballistic missiles program|ballistic missile]] and [[rocket artillery]] programmes.<ref name=":4" /> Within this conglomerate, a modern chemical complex erected by [[Sweden]]'s [[Bofors]] company in the late 1970s as a dual-use fertiliser-and-explosives facility did not begin operations until 1987, due to Iraqi artillery and missile strikes during the [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref name=":4" />
The [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force]] (IRGC AF) has an airbase in the city.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=اصفهان - تاريخچه |url=https://isfahan.airport.ir/137 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803180057/https://isfahan.airport.ir/137 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=isfahan.airport.ir}}</ref> The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] (IRIAF) has an airbase, the 8th Predator Tactical Fighter Base (TFB.8), which is the home base for Iranian [[F-14]]s.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2020 |script-title=fa:این موشک قدرتمند ایرانی آمریکایی ها را به وحشت انداخت + مشخصات و عکس |trans-title=This powerful Iranian missile terrified the Americans + specifications and photos |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3689253-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909114804/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/3689253-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |archive-date=9 September 2020 |access-date=23 May 2022 |newspaper=[[Donya-e-Eqtesad]] |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2019-06-12 |title=The First Time the F-14 Tomcat Killed in Battle (But Not for America) |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/first-time-f-14-tomcat-killed-battle-not-america-62377 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613130816/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/first-time-f-14-tomcat-killed-battle-not-america-62377 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Leone |first=Dario |date=2019-07-08 |title=Whoops: During the Iran-Iraq War, Baghdad Shot down an Iranian F-14A That Was Trying to Defect |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/whoops-during-iran-iraq-war-baghdad-shot-down-iranian-f-14a-was-trying-defect-66016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923063429/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/whoops-during-iran-iraq-war-baghdad-shot-down-iranian-f-14a-was-trying-defect-66016 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:انتصاب فرمانده پایگاه هشتم شکاری شهید بابایی اصفهان |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/1915475/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516013225/http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/1915475/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=www.iribnews.ir}}</ref> The local [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Sepah Pasdaran]] is named "Master of the Era" ("{{Ill|Sepah saheb al zaman|Fa|سپاه صاحبالزمان اصفهان}}" in Arabic and Farsi), after the [[Mahdi]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The [[Amir Al-Momenin University of Military Sciences and Technology]] is based in the city.
==Transportation== [[File:Esfahan BRT map.png|thumb|A map of Isfahan's operational BRT lines|alt=Map of operational BRT lines in Isfahan]] [[File:Esfahan Metro map-geo.png|thumb|A map of Isfahan's operational metro lines|alt=Map of the Isfahan Metro]]
===Roads and freeways=== From 2002 to 2013, Isfahan's internal highway network underwent an expansion. Freeways connect the city to Iran's other major cities, including Tehran, {{convert|400|km}} to the north, and Shiraz, {{convert|200|km}} to the south. Highways also service satellite cities surrounding the metropolitan area.{{cn|date=December 2025}}
The [[Isfahan Eastern Bypass Freeway]] is under construction.
In 2021, a new [[Automatic vehicle location|AVL system]] was deployed in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trafficul.ir/news/en/node/5453 |title=گروه خبر / | پویش مردمی ترافیک شهر اصفهان |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505073746/https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/4.4.0/css/font-awesome.min.css |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tr.iut.ac.ir/en/node/2191 |title=Application of Smart AVL and AFC Systems in the Management and Utilization of the Bus Transit Network | Department of Transportation Engineering |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505073026/https://tr.iut.ac.ir/en/node/2191 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://invest.isfahan.ir/fa/content/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-avl-%D9%88-afc-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%BA%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84-%D9%88-%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84 |title=سازمان سرمایه گذاری و مشارکتهای شهرداری اصفهان | شهردار اصفهان: سامانه های (AVL) و (AFC) پروژه های مشارکتی غیر مشهود اما پر اثر در حوزه حمل و نقل |language=fa |publisher=Invest.isfahan.ir |date= |accessdate=2022-03-13 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505072845/http://invest.isfahan.ir/fa/content/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-avl-%D9%88-afc-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%BA%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84-%D9%88-%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Bridges=== The oldest bridge over the [[Zayanderud]] is the [[Shahrestan Bridge]], whose foundations were built during the [[Sasanian Empire]] (3rd–7th century [[Sassanid]] era); it was repaired during the Seljuk period. Further upstream is the [[Khaju Bridge]], which Shah Abbas II built in 1650.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} It is {{convert|123|m|abbr=off}} long, with 24 arches; it also serves as a sluice gate. Another bridge is the [[Joubi Bridge|Choobi (Joui) Bridge]].
Further upstream again is the [[Si-o-seh-pol|Allahverdi Khan Bridge]], also known as ''Si-o-se-pol'' ({{langx|fa|سیوسهپل|lit=bridge of thirty-three [spans] |label=none}}). It was built during the reign of Shah Abbas the Great by Sheikh Baha'i and connected Isfahan with the [[Iranian Armenians|Armenian]] suburb of [[New Julfa]]. It is by far the longest bridge in Isfahan at {{convert|295|m|2|abbr=on}}. Another notable bridge is the [[Marnan Bridge]].
===Ride sharing=== [[Snapp!]] and [[Tapsi (ridehailing)]]<ref>{{cite news|title=رانندگان تپسی : اینکرایهها نمیصرفد|newspaper=اصفهان امروز آنلاین |url=http://esfahanemrooz.ir/46249-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%BE%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%86%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AF.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605141235/http://esfahanemrooz.ir/46249-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%BE%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%86%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AF.html|archive-date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2017-04-12|title=تپسی در اصفهان فعال شد|url=https://itiran.com/2017/04/12/تپسی-در-اصفهان-فعال-شد/|access-date=2020-10-01|website=ITIRAN {{!}} آی تی ایران|language=fa-IR|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001102357/https://itiran.com/2017/04/12/%D8%AA%D9%BE%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B4%D8%AF/|url-status=live}}</ref> are two of the carpooling apps in the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=آمارهای اسنپ از سال 98|url=https://www.donya-e-eqtesad.com/بخش-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7-104/3655160-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%BE-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84|access-date=2020-09-24|website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد|language=fa|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804001054/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7-104/3655160-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%BE-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2019-04-01|title=Snapp: Iranian Version of Uber Guide |url=https://www.hitehranhostel.com/snapp-download-iran/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=HI Tehran Hostel|language=en-US|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925102944/https://www.hitehranhostel.com/snapp-download-iran/|url-status=live}}</ref> The city has built 42 bicycle-sharing stations and {{convert|150|km}} of paved bicycle paths.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=واگنها جدید مترو در راه اصفهان/رفع مشکل ۲۵ ساله ناژوان در انتظار مصوبه شورای عالی شهرسازی|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/462263/واگن-ها-جدید-مترو-در-راه-اصفهان-رفع-مشکل-۲۵-ساله-ناژوان-در-انتظار|access-date=2020-12-18|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218121137/https://www.imna.ir/news/462263/%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%AF%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D9%85%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%84-%DB%B2%DB%B5-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A7%DA%98%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%B1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-09|title=تحول ۷۷۷ کیلومتری در شهر اصفهان|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/460204/تحول-۷۷۷-کیلومتری-در-شهر-اصفهان|access-date=2020-12-10|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210165757/https://www.imna.ir/news/460204/%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%DB%B7%DB%B7%DB%B7-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref>
As part of Iran's Islamic religious laws, women are forbidden to use the public bicycle-sharing network, as decreed by the representative of the Supreme Leader in Isfahan, Ayatollah [[Yousef Tabatabai Nejad]], and General Attorney Ali Esfahani.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-07-15|title=امام جمعه اصفهان: دوچرخه سواری زنان را ترویج نکنید / علما می گویند جایز نیست|url=https://www.asriran.com/fa/news/736952/%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%DA%86%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AC-%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B2-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA|access-date=2020-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715094759/https://www.asriran.com/fa/news/736952/%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%DA%86%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AC-%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B2-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA|archive-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
===Mass transit=== The [[Isfahan and Suburbs Bus Company]] operates transit buses in the city. East–West BRT Bus Rapid Transit Line buses carry up to 120,000 passengers daily.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-20|title=تکمیل فاز نخست خط شرقی- غربی BRT اصفهان در آینده نزدیک|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/450670/تکمیل-فاز-نخست-خط-شرقی-غربی-BRT-اصفهان-در-آینده-نزدیک|access-date=2020-10-21|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062811/https://www.imna.ir/news/450670/%D8%AA%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%B7-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%DB%8C-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C-BRT-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%AF%DB%8C%DA%A9|url-status=live}}</ref>
The municipality signed a memorandum with [[Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters|Khatam al-Anbiya]] to construct a [[tram]] network in the city.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=تبدیل مرکز همایشها به یک منطقه دیپلماتیک/ تراموا به اصفهان میآید|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/430463/تبدیل-مرکز-همایش-ها-به-یک-منطقه-دیپلماتیک-تراموا-به-اصفهان-می-آید|access-date=2020-10-21|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026045334/https://www.imna.ir/news/430463/%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D9%87-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%BE%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Isfahan Metro]] was opened on 15 October 2015. It consists of one north–south line with a length of {{convert|20.2|km}}, and two more lines are under construction, alongside three suburban rail lines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/asia/single-view/view/esfahan-metro-opens.html|title=Esfahan metro opens|work=Railway Gazette|access-date=2018-08-02|language=en|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802204557/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/asia/single-view/view/esfahan-metro-opens.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The city is served by a [[Isfahan railway station|railway station]], with the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Railways]] running trains to [[Bandarabbas]] and [[Mashhad]]. The first high-speed railway in Iran, the [[Tehran–Qom–Isfahan High Speed Rail|Tehran-Qom-Isfahan line]], is being constructed to connect Isfahan to Tehran and Qom.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-07-21|title=China Finances Tehran-Isfahan High-Speed Railroad|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/68698/china-finances-tehran-isfahan-high-speed-railroad|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Financial Tribune|language=En|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801165122/https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/68698/china-finances-tehran-isfahan-high-speed-railroad|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Airports=== Isfahan is served by [[Isfahan Shahid Beheshti International Airport]], which in 2019 was the 7th busiest airport in Iran, and is adjacent to Khatami Air Base.<ref name="2019 report">{{cite report|author=Iran Airports Company|publisher=گروه آمار و اطلاعات هوانوردی و فرودگاهی|url=https://statistics.airport.ir/13/-/document_library_display/DFo9bkj5P2Pt/view/55752286?_110_INSTANCE_DFo9bkj5P2Pt_redirect=https://statistics.airport.ir/13?p_p_id=110_INSTANCE_DFo9bkj5P2Pt&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730185506/https://statistics.airport.ir/13/-/document_library_display/DFo9bkj5P2Pt/view/55752286?_110_INSTANCE_DFo9bkj5P2Pt_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fstatistics.airport.ir%2F13%3Fp_p_id%3D110_INSTANCE_DFo9bkj5P2Pt%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-1%26p_p_col_count%3D1|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 July 2021|title=2019 Statistics|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>
==Economy== {{Main|Economy in Isfahan}}
[[File:Esfhan market(1).jpg|thumb|upright|An old master of hand-printed carpets in Isfahan bazaar|alt=A man manually printing patterns on a carpet]]
In 2014, industry, mines, and commerce in Isfahan province accounted for 35% to 50% (almost $229 billion) of the Iranian [[Gross Domestic Product]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amar.org.ir/english/Iran-at-a-glance/Esfahan |title=Statistical Center of Iran > Iran at a glance > Esfahan |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116062047/https://www.amar.org.ir/english/Iran-at-a-glance/Esfahan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/151791/%DB%B3%DB%B5-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF |script-title=fa:۳۵ درصد تولید ناخالص ملی به استان اصفهان اختصاص دارد |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008154734/https://www.imna.ir/news/151791/%DB%B3%DB%B5-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, Isfahan province's governorate said that tourism was the number one priority.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:گردشگری اولویت اول استان اصفهان است |trans-title=Tourism is the first priority of Isfahan province |url=http://ostan-es.ir/index.aspx?page_=news&lang=1&tempname=mainshow&sub=0&PageID=67160&PageIDF=4&BlockName=tool_news_sample_maintab_block19 |date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612201145/http://ostan-es.ir/index.aspx?page_=news&lang=1&tempname=mainshow&sub=0&PageID=67160&PageIDF=4&BlockName=tool_news_sample_maintab_block19 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |url-status=dead |website=Isfahan Governorate |language=fa |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref>
According to Isfahan province's administrator for [[Department of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare]], Iran had the cheapest labor workforce anywhere in the world. The labor force grew from 1990 to 2020;<ref>{{cite web|title=Isfahan xiv. Modern Economy and Industries|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xiv2-industries-of-isfahan-city|access-date=2020-09-18|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526223524/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xiv2-industries-of-isfahan-city|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Isfahan xiv. Modern Economy and Industries|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xiv1-modern-economy-of-the-province|access-date=2020-09-18|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526223522/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xiv1-modern-economy-of-the-province|url-status=live}}</ref> however, in 2018 the [[unemployment rate]] was 15%.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-05-08|script-title=fa:دستمزد پایین کارگر در ایران باعث جذب سرمایهگذاران خارجی شده است|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/98021809975/دستمزد-پایین-کارگر-در-ایران-باعث-جذب-سرمایه-گذاران-خارجی-شده|access-date=2020-10-05|website=ایسنا|language=fa|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175338/https://www.isna.ir/news/98021809975/%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B2%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AB-%D8%AC%D8%B0%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%87-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%87|url-status=live}}</ref>
The {{ill|Esfahan Province Electricity Distribution Company|fa|شرکت توزیع برق استان اصفهان}}, established in 1992, maintains a privatized power grid in the city.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:معرفی شرکت |trans-title=Introducing the Company |url=https://epedc.ir/fa-IR/epedcPortal/4995/page/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026071345/https://epedc.ir/fa-IR/epedcPortal/4995/page/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA |archive-date=26 October 2020 |url-status=live |website=Esfahan Province Electricity Distribution Company (EPEDC) |language=fa |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://esfahanemrooz.ir/738813-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AB%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AB%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85.html |script-title=fa:تاثیر مثبت نمایشگاه جدید اصفهان بر بهبود معیشت مردم |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=15 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015082515/http://esfahanemrooz.ir/738813-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AB%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AB%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85.html |url-status=live |newspaper=اصفهان امروز آنلاین }}</ref>
As of September 2020, the handicrafts industry of Isfahan Province was contributing $500 million annually to the economy.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-30|script-title=fa:درآمد سالانه ۵۰۰ میلیون دلاری صنایع دستی استان اصفهان|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/447158/درآمد-سالانه-۵۰۰-میلیون-دلاری-صنایع-دستی-استان-اصفهان|access-date=2020-10-28|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062827/https://www.imna.ir/news/447158/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%DB%B5%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Isfahan Fair]], a {{convert|22|ha|adj=on}} exhibition center aimed at increasing tourism, was opened on 4 November 2020.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} The municipality has implemented internet payment software.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:کیف پول الکترونیکی شهرداری اصفهان (اصکیف) رونمایی شد |trans-title=Isfahan Municipality (ASKIF) e-wallet was unveiled |url=http://www.mayor.isfahan.ir/en/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1/%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%DB%8C%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505073025/http://www.mayor.isfahan.ir/en/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1/%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%DB%8C%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF |archive-date=5 May 2021 |url-status=dead |website=Isfahan Mayor's Official Site |language=fa |access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:اصکیف-کیف-پول-شهرداری-اصفهان |trans-title=Askif Wallet – City Hall, Isfahan |url=https://rasekhoon.net/mobile/software/show/7695/%D8%A7%D8%B5%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/ |date=2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505072955/https://rasekhoon.net/mobile/software/show/7695/%D8%A7%D8%B5%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/ |archive-date=5 May 2021 |url-status=live |website=Rasekhoon.net |language=fa |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref>
In 2025 Zimbabwe signed MaU{{clarify|reason=what does this acronym/initialism mean?|date=May 2025}} around trade with the city.<ref>https://ostan-es.ir/43789/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-2/{{Dead link | date=January 2026 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
===Aquaculture and agriculture=== {{See also|List of canals in Isfahan}}
Isfahan city produces 1,300 tons of salmon. More than 28% of the country's ornamental fish is supplied from Isfahan province, from 780 farms, which in 2017 farmed 65.5 million fish.<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-12-23|script-title=fa:سهم استان اصفهان از تولیدات ماهی کشور در سال گذشته|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/362289/سهم-استان-اصفهان-از-تولیدات-ماهی-کشور-در-سال-گذشته|access-date=2020-09-23|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128004543/http://www.imna.ir/news/362289/%D8%B3%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Opium]] was produced and exported from Isfahan from 1850 until it became illegal, and was an important source of income.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-05-26|title=Afyūn|publisher=Encyclopedia Iranica|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/afyun-opium|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526212516/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/afyun-opium|archive-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> Isfahan has a large number of aqueducts, farmers having to divert water from the river to farms by [[canal]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-02-07|script-title=fa:مادی های اصفهان، شریان زندگی - ایمنا|url=http://www.imna.ir/news/265774/%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207143045/http://www.imna.ir/news/265774/%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C|archive-date=7 February 2019}}</ref> Niasarm is one of the largest canals.<ref>{{cite web|date=2016-07-23|script-title=fa:مادی پر آب نیاصرم؛ غصه دار زاینده رود|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/240199/مادی-پر-آب-نیاصرم-غصه-دار-زاینده-رود|access-date=2020-09-23|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924104034/https://www.imna.ir/news/240199/%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%A8-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%BA%D8%B5%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
From 2012 to 2013 there were large protests by farmers against the Isfahan-Yazd water tunnel. In 2019, eastern city farmers demanded water, or else they would sabotage water pipes.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-07-03|title=Angry Farmers In Isfahan Sabotage Water Supply To Neighboring Yazd|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-isfahan-farmers-sabotage-water-transfer-system-to-yazd/29620054.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703092737/https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-isfahan-farmers-sabotage-water-transfer-system-to-yazd/29620054.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-07-03|access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-06-30|script-title=fa:کشاورزان معترض در نماز جمعه اصفهان به خطیب جمعه پشت کردند|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/Isfahani-farmers-protesting-in-Friday-prayer/29104426.html|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630233818/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/Isfahani-farmers-protesting-in-Friday-prayer/29104426.html|archive-date=30 June 2020 |newspaper=رادیو فردا |last1=فردا |first1=رادیو }}</ref> Farmers at the Fruits and Vegetables Central Market sell 10,000 tons a day.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:معاون استاندار: میدان مرکزی میوه و ترهبار اصفهان نیازمند مدیریت مدرن است |trans-title=Deputy governor: Isfahan fruit and vegetable center square needs modern management |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83503340/ |date=September–October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925105009/https://www.irna.ir/news/83503340/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AA |archive-date=25 September 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic News Agency|IRNA]] |language=fa |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref>
===Textiles=== The industrialization of Isfahan dates from the Pahlavi period, as in all of Iran, and was marked by the growth of the textile industry; this earned the city the nickname "Manchester of Persia".<ref>{{cite news |title=Newsletter |url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/center-for-iranian-studies/pdf-files/newslett.pdf |date=Spring 2007 |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20070610000000/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/center-for-iranian-studies/pdf-files/newslett.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2007 |url-status=dead |volume=19 |number=1 |website=Center for Iranian Studies–[[School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University|SIPA]] |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref> By the mid-1960s, there were 25 mills employing between 18,000 and 20,000 workers, and Isfahan produced almost half of Iran's textiles. In the late 1970s the [[Polyacryl Iran Corporation]] was established in Isfahan, in partnership with the American company [[DuPont]]; in the late 1990s it produced nearly 80 percent of Iran's man-made fiber. Isfahan is also home to a significant cottage industry with many small textile shops.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borijan |first=Habib |date=2015-04-01 |title=Isfahan xiv. MODERN ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES (2) Isfahan City |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xiv2-industries-of-isfahan-city/ |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Encyclopædia Iranica}}</ref>
===High tech and heavy industries=== The Isfahan Scientific and Research Town was founded in 2001, to act as a mediator between government, industry, and academia in order to establish a knowledge-based economy.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=fa:خلاصه معرفی و تاریخچه|url=http://www.istt.org/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=0&tempname=NewISTTShow&PageID=2100|access-date=2020-09-24|website=www.istt.org|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301154325/http://istt.org/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=0&tempname=NewISTTShow&PageID=2100|url-status=live}}</ref> Isfahan is the third-largest medicine manufacturing hub in Iran.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:دستاوردهای داروسازی؛ اصفهان قطب سوم داروسازی کشور |trans-title=Pharmaceutical achievements; Isfahan is the third pharmaceutical hub of the country |url=https://www.irinn.ir/fa/news/622155/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1 |date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911071800/https://www.irinn.ir/fa/news/622155/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1 |archive-date=11 September 2020 |url-status=dead |website=[[Islamic Republic of Iran News Network|IRINN]] |language=fa |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref>
The [[Telecommunication Company of Iran]] and [[Mobile Communications of Iran]] provide 4G, 3G, broadband, and [[VDSL]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-04-27|script-title=fa:افزایش پهنای باند اینترنت|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/421044/افزایش-پهنای-باند-اینترنت|access-date=2020-09-22|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164702/https://www.imna.ir/news/421044/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D9%BE%D9%87%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4996963/ |title=یک میلیون پورت VDSL در اصفهان و قم راه اندازی می شود |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925110332/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4996963/%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-VDSL-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF |url-status=live }}</ref>
Isfahan has one of the largest steel-producing facilities in the region, as well as facilities for producing special alloys. The [[Mobarakeh Steel Company]] is the largest steel producer in the Middle East and Northern Africa, and it is the biggest [[direct reduced iron]] producer in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.msc.ir/MSC-at-a-Glance_4039.html|title=MSC at a Glance|access-date=19 July 2017|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817045620/http://en.msc.ir/MSC-at-a-Glance_4039.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Esfahan Steel Company]] was the first manufacturer of constructional steel products in Iran, and it remains the largest such company today.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esfahansteel.com/en-profile|title=Esfahan Steel Company A Pioneer in The Steel Industry of Iran|access-date=19 July 2017|archive-date=29 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129132845/https://www.esfahansteel.com/en-profile|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Recreation and tourism== [[File:Esfahan-Untold-logo.png|thumb|Tourism logo by the Isfahan Province Chamber of Commerce|alt=Logo of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce]] [[File:Ali Qapu Palace - Isfahan, Iran.jpg|thumb|Detail of [[Ali Qapu]] Palace in Isfahan|alt=Wall decoration in the Ali Qapu Palace]] In 2018–2019, 450,000 foreign nationals visited the city. Some 110 trillion [[Iranian rial|rials]] (around {{US$|{{To USD round|110000000|IRN|2020}}}} million in 2020) were invested in the province's tourism sector.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-02|title=Foreign arrivals in Isfahan rise sevenfold in 7 years|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/451969/Foreign-arrivals-in-Isfahan-rise-sevenfold-in-7-years|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Tehran Times|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923072601/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/451969/Foreign-arrivals-in-Isfahan-rise-sevenfold-in-7-years|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Nazhvan Forest Park|Nazhvan Park]] hosts a reptile zoo with 40 aquariums.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1004761/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%AE%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |title=باغ خزندگان اصفهان |date=24 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924175827/https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1004761/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%AE%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |url-status=live }}</ref> There are two water parks: the Saadi water park and the Nazhvan water park.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/iran/central-iran/esfahan/attractions/nazhvan-cultural-recreational-resort/a/poi-sig/1562720/361013 |title=Nazhvan Cultural & Recreational Resort | Esfahan, Iran Attractions |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175326/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/iran/central-iran/esfahan/attractions/nazhvan-cultural-recreational-resort/a/poi-sig/1562720/361013 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} There are party gardens and wedding halls.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:بهترین باغ تالار عروسی اصفهان در سال 1400 |trans-title=The best wedding hall garden in Isfahan in 1400 |url=https://afraztalar.com/%d8%a8%d9%87%d8%aa%d8%b1%db%8c%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ba-%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b9%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b3%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%81%d9%87%d8%a7%d9%86/ |date=20 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062813/https://afraztalar.com/%d8%a8%d9%87%d8%aa%d8%b1%db%8c%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ba-%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b9%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b3%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%81%d9%87%d8%a7%d9%86/ |archive-date=30 October 2020 |url-status=live |website=Afraz Talar |language=fa-IR |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=فعالیت تالارهای اصفهان با رعایت دستورالعملهای بهداشتی|url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2746679|access-date=2020-10-23|website=fa|language=fa|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062812/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2746679/%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-06-16|title=تخلف تالارهای پذیرایی در اصفهان/توقف مراسم عروسی با ۱۰۰۰ مهمان|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/429056/تخلف-تالارهای-پذیرایی-در-اصفهان-توقف-مراسم-عروسی-با-۱۰۰۰-مهمان|access-date=2020-10-23|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026123221/https://www.imna.ir/news/429056/%D8%AA%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B0%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%DB%B1%DB%B0%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Iran - Esfehan - Soffeh view ^ Telecabin station - panoramio.jpg|thumb|View of Isfahan from Telecabin station on [[Mount Soffeh]]|alt=Aerial photograph of Telecabin station on Mount Soffeh]]
===Medical tourism=== The [[Isfahan Healthcare city]] complex, built on a {{convert|300|ha}} site near the Aqa Babaei Expressway, is intended to boost the city's medical tourism revenues.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-08-22|title=Promising Future for Isfahan Healthcare Hub|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/people/67662/promising-future-for-isfahan-healthcare-hub|access-date=2020-10-21|website=Financial Tribune|language=en|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026110748/https://financialtribune.com/articles/people/67662/promising-future-for-isfahan-healthcare-hub|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Shopping=== [[File:ICCNewEdition.jpg|thumb|[[Isfahan City Center]]|alt=Towers in the Isfahan City Center in front of a sunset]] The city is served by [[Refah Chain Stores Co.]], [[Iran Hyper Star]], [[Isfahan City Center]], [[Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc.]], and [[Kowsar Market]].<ref>{{cite web|title=راه اندازی سامانه خرید اینترنتی فروشگاههای کوثر اصفهان|url=http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2906118|access-date=2021-06-01|website=fa|language=fa|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618143205/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2906118/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Cinemas=== There are nine cinemas.<ref>{{cite web|title=برنامه سینماهای اصفهان|url=http://esfahanemrooz.ir/cinema.html|access-date=2020-09-22|website=اصفهان امروز|language=fa|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818235508/http://esfahanemrooz.ir/cinema.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Historically, cinemas old Isfahan were entertainment for the working class.
Religious people considered the cinema to be a mostly impure place and going to the cinema to was ''[[haram]]'' under Islam. During the [[1979 revolution]], many cinemas in Isfahan were burned down. Cinema Iran, now a ruin, was one of the oldest cinemas in the city. Great foreign filmmakers such as [[Agnès Varda]] and [[Pier Paolo Pasolini]] shot scenes in Isfahan.<ref>{{cite news|title=سینما در اصفهانِ قدیم تفریح کارگران بود/ رابطهی معنادار میان ظهور و افول سینما با قدرت سیاسی و اقتصادی در اصفهان|url=https://www.ilna.news/بخش-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-6/988124-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AD-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B8%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=2020-10-29|website=خبرگزاری ایلنا|language=fa|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062812/https://www.ilna.news/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-6/988124-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AD-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B8%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2018-09-13|title=تخریب قدیمی ترین سینمایی اصفهان؛ بازسازی یا تغییر کاربری|url=https://www.irna.ir/news/3647146/تخریب-قدیمی-ترین-سینمایی-اصفهان-بازسازی-یا-تغییر-کاربری|access-date=2020-10-29|website=ایرنا|language=fa|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062834/https://www.irna.ir/news/3647146/%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%82%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%BA%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2011-05-15|title=سينماهای قديمی اصفهان را از گنجه بيرون بياوريد|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/40251/سينماهای-قديمی-اصفهان-را-از-گنجه-بيرون-بياوريد|access-date=2020-10-29|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521233650/http://www.imna.ir/news/40251/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%AF%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Sports=== {{Main|Naqsh-e jahan Derby|Isfahan Province League}}
[[File:Naghsh Jahan Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium]]|alt=Panoramic photograph of the interior of the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium]] Isfahan has three [[association football]] clubs: [[Sepahan S.C.]], [[Zob Ahan Isfahan F.C.]], and [[Sanaye Giti Pasand F.C.]]. There was another club, [[Polyacryl Esfahan F.C.]], which is now defunct.
Sepahan has won the most league football titles among Iranian clubs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://90tv.ir/news/128742/گزارشی-از-تاریخ-قهرمانان-ایران؛-پرسپولیس-بهترین-تیم-تاریخ-سپاهان-برترین-تیم-لیگ-یک-آبی-در-صدر|title=گزارشی از تاریخ قهرمانان ایران؛ پرسپولیس بهترین تیم تاریخ، سپاهان برترین تیم لیگ/ یک آبی در صدر|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915161522/http://90tv.ir/news/128742/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%9B-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1|url-status=live}}</ref> The Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan handball team plays in the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Handball Federation]]. Sepahan has a youth women's running team that became national champions in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1711967/%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |title=سپاهان قهرمان لیگ دوومیدانی زنان شد(عکس) |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=10 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210155900/https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1711967/%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Giti Pasand has a [[futsal]] team, [[Giti Pasand FSC]]. They won the [[AFC Futsal Club Championship]] in 2012 and were runners-up in 2013. Giti Pasand also fields a women's volleyball team, [[Giti Pasand Isfahan VC]], that plays matches in the Iranian Women's Volleyball League.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-06-08|title=تیم گیتی پسند اصفهان قهرمان لیگ والیبال بانوان کشور شد/ راهیابی به مسابقات آسیایی - خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2013960/%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C|access-date=2020-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608222911/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2013960/%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%84%DB%8C%DA%AF-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C|archive-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> Basketball clubs include [[Zob Ahan Isfahan BC]] and [[Foolad Mahan Isfahan BC]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-07|title=سپاهان در بسکتبال تیمداری می کند|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/442838/سپاهان-در-بسکتبال-تیم-داری-می-کند|access-date=2020-10-19|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021121553/https://www.imna.ir/news/442838/%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B3%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> There are [[Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals|Pahlevani zoorkhanehs]] in the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=5 زورخانه معروف اصفهان را بشناسید|url=https://www.donya-e-eqtesad.com/بخش-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7-96/3626888-%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF|access-date=2020-10-21|website=روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد|language=fa|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024001539/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7-96/3626888-%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Demographics== {{Historical populations|percentages = pagr |1870|60,000 |1890|90,000 |1900|100,000 |1920|80,000 |1933|100,100 |align=right|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/iran/cities/ |title=Iran: Provinces and Cities population statistics |access-date=13 February 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091525/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/iran/cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|1942|204,600|14=254,700|26=1,502,567|32=1,961,260|31=2016|30=1,853,293|29=2011|28=1,689,392|27=2006|25=2001|15=1966|24=1,327,283|23=1996|22=1,182,735|21=1991|20=986,800|19=1986|1956|17=1976|16=444,000|18=671,800}}
In 2019, the mean age for first marriages was 25 years for females and 30 years for males.<ref>{{cite web |title=جوانان اصفهانی در هفتخان ازدواج |date=6 August 2019 |url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/450479/%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806155324/https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/450479/%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=سنازدواج در کدام شهرها بالاتر است؟ |url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/2860231-%D8%B3%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102903/https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-62/2860231-%D8%B3%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |url-status=live }}</ref>
There are almost 500,000 people living in slums, including in the northern part, and especially in the eastern sector, of the city.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-02-09|title=زنگ خطر آسیب های اجتماعی در مناطق حاشیه نشین نصف جهان|url=http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2420271/%D8%B2%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%82-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=2020-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209102516/http://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2420271/%D8%B2%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%82-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|archive-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
Esfahani is one of the main dialects of [[Western Persian]].<ref name="glottolog1">{{cite web | url=https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/west2369 | title=Spoken L1 Language: Western Farsi | publisher=Glottolog | access-date=30 September 2020 | author=Hammarström, Harald |display-authors=et al | archive-date=19 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719185447/https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/west2369 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=پژوهشي رَوِشمند درگُستره يي زبان شناختي {{!}} Foundation for Iranian Studies|url=https://www.fis-iran.org/fa/irannameh/volxvi/mohammad-ali-jamalzadeh/books-doostkhah|access-date=2020-09-18|website=www.fis-iran.org|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045316/http://www.fis-iran.org/fa/irannameh/volxvi/mohammad-ali-jamalzadeh/books-doostkhah|url-status=live}}</ref> Jewish districts speak a unique dialect.<ref>{{cite web|title=Isfahan xix. Jewish Dialect|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xix-jewish-dialect|access-date=2020-12-17|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154407/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/isfahan-xix-jewish-dialect|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the Pahlavi era, a large group of the [[Kurds|Kurdish]] Gulbaghi tribe were moved from the north of [[Kurdistan province]] to the city of Isfahan and the cities of Kashan and Naein. Today, the Gulbaghi tribe are mostly assimilated elements in the population of these cities.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://journal.sulicihan.edu.krd/index.php/sjcus/article/view/153 | doi=10.25098/6.3.21 | date=2022 | journal=The Scientific Journal of Cihan University – Sulaimanyia | volume=6 | issue=3 | title=سیاست های ایلیاتی پهلوی اول برابر گلباغی ها | pages=391–404 | last1=Ahmadi | first1=Mansur | doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://rojanpress.ir/main/1219-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%81-%D9%88-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AE%DB%8C/-%D9%86%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A7-%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A7.html | title=کینه رضا شاه از طوایف و عشایر گهلواخی/ نه گلباغی ماند اینجا نه همدانی آنجا | date=8 May 1402 }}</ref>
While immigrants may reside and work in Isfahan, they are denied entry to 12 surrounding communities.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:ممنوعیت ورود اتباع به ۱۲ شهر اصفهان |trans-title=Foreigners prohibited from entering 12 communities surrounding Isfahan |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5908341/%D9%85%D9%85%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DB%B1%DB%B2-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |date=10 October 2023 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=fa |access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref>
===Neighborhoods=== Among the neighborhoods of Isfahan are the following: {{div col|colwidth=8em}} *[[Aminabad, Mahmudabad|Aminabad]] *[[Andevan]] *[[Atasharan]] *[[Chengan]] *[[Denarat]] *[[Fenart]] *[[Fizadan]] *[[Gavart]] *[[Hasseh]] *[[Histan]] *[[Jelvan]] *[[Jey Shir]] *[[Jowharan]] *[[Kalamkharan]] *[[Khatunabad, Isfahan|Khatunabad]] *[[Kian, Isfahan|Kian]] *[[Kuy-e Golestan]] *[[Kuy-e Rowshan Shahr]] *[[Khvorasgan]] *[[Laftun]] *[[Mahmudabad, Isfahan|Mahmudabad]] *[[Mohammadabad, Qahab-e Jonubi (West)|Mohammadabad]] *[[Qaleh-ye Bertianchi]] *[[Raddan]] *[[Raran, Iran|Raran]] *[[Rowshan Dasht]] *[[Salimi, Isfahan|Salimi]] *[[Sanjavan Marreh]] *[[Shahrak-e Bakhtiar Dasht]] *[[Shahrak-e Shahid Montazeri]] *[[Shahrak-e Vali-ye Asr, Isfahan|Shahrak-e Vali-ye Asr]] *[[Shahrak-e Zayandeh Rud]] *[[Zavan]] {{div col end}}
==Religion==
===Mosques===
{{div col|colwidth=10em}} * [[Agha Nour mosque]] (16th century) * [[Hakim Mosque, Isfahan|Hakim Mosque]] * [[Ilchi mosque]] * [[Jameh Mosque of Isfahan|Jameh Mosque]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fz-az.fotopages.com/?entry=942627&back=http://fz-az.fotopages.com/?page=0jame |title=Isfahan Jame(Congregative) mosque – BackPack |publisher=Fz-az.fotopages.com |access-date=2009-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213026/http://fz-az.fotopages.com/?entry=942627&back=http%3A%2F%2Ffz-az.fotopages.com%2F%3Fpage%3D0jame |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> * [[Jarchi mosque]] (1610) * [[Lonban mosque]] * [[Maghsoudbeyk mosque]] (1601) * [[Mohammad Jafar Abadei mosque]] (1878) * [[Rahim Khan mosque]] (19th century) * [[Roknolmolk mosque]] * [[Seyyed mosque (Isfahan)|Seyyed mosque]] (19th century) * [[Masjed-e Imam|Shah Mosque]] (1629) – damaged in 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-62214619 |title=Isfahan's Shah Mosque: Important Iranian site damaged in restoration - BBC News |publisher=Bbc.com |date=2021-08-13 |accessdate=2022-07-19 |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719154030/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-62214619 |url-status=live }}</ref> * [[Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque]] (1618) * [[Agha Mirza Muhammad Baqir Chahar Suqi Mosque]] {{div col end}}
===Imamzadehs (shrine tombs)=== {{div col}} * [[Imamzadeh Ahmad]] * [[Imamzadeh Esmaeil and Isaiah mausoleum]] * [[Imamzadeh Haroun-e-Velayat]] * [[Imamzadeh Ja'far, Isfahan|Imamzadeh Ja'far]] * [[Imamzadeh Shah Zeyd]] {{div col end}}
===Churches and cathedrals=== {{Further|List of Armenian churches in Iran}}
Churches are mostly located in the [[New Julfa]] region. The oldest church in the city is the St. Jakob Church (1607). Other historically important churches include the [[St. Georg Church]] (17th century), [[St. Mary Church, Isfahan|St. Mary Church]] (1613), [[Bedkhem Church]] (1627), and [[Vank Cathedral]] (1664).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.archnet.org/sites/3908 | title=Archnet > Site > Surp Amenaprgich Vank | access-date=4 December 2022 | archive-date=4 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204161543/https://www.archnet.org/sites/3908 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Pacifique de Provins]] established a French mission in the city in 1627.
===Synagogues=== [[Benjamin of Tudela]] reported that Isfahan had 15,000 Jews in 1170.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Eckstein |first1=Zvi |author-link1=Zvi Eckstein |last2=Botticini |first2=Maristella |title=The Chosen Few: How Education Shaped Jewish History, 70-1492 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |date=2012 |isbn=9781400842483 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/book/30677/ |page=284}}</ref>
{{div col}} * Kenisa-ye Bozorg (Mirakhor's kenisa) * Kenisa-ye Molla Rabbi * Kenisa-ye Sang-bast * Mullah Jacob Synagogue * Mullah Neissan Synagogue * Kenisa-ye Keter David {{div col end}}
==Civic administration== {{main|Politics in Isfahan|Municipality of Isfahan|Isfahan Police|Isfahan Governorate}}
{{see also|Isfahan (electoral district)|Greater Isfahan Region|Districts of Isfahan}} [[File:Isfahan Municipality.jpg|thumb|Old Isfahan city hall|alt=Façade of the Old Isfahan City Hall]] [[File:Isfahan city greenspace share atlas data 2020.png|thumb|Isfahan city greenspace share atlas data 2020|alt=Pie chart of distribution of greenspace in Isfahan in 2020]]
Isfahan has a smart city program, a unified human resources administration system, and a transport system. It also has [[Isfahan waste management|waste management]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-04-18|title=بزرگترین پروژه IT و شهر هوشمند در اصفهان آماده بهرهبرداری است|url=https://www.imna.ir//news/487629/بزرگترین-پروژه-IT-و-شهر-هوشمند-در-اصفهان-آماده-بهره-برداری-است|access-date=2021-06-06|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606113503/https://www.imna.ir//news/487629/%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-IT-%D9%88-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2021-05-12|title=سیستم مدیریت یکپارچهسازی منابع انسانی اجرایی شد|url=https://www.imna.ir//news/492489/سیستم-مدیریت-یکپارچه-سازی-منابع-انسانی-اجرایی-شد|access-date=2021-06-06|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606113502/https://www.imna.ir//news/492489/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AA-%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=به درگاه الکترونیکی شهرداری اصفهان - شهر هوشمند خوش آمدید {{!}} درگاه الکترونیکی شهرداری اصفهان - شهر هوشمند|url=https://smartcity.isfahan.ir/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=smartcity.isfahan.ir|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226045336/http://smartcity.isfahan.ir/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2019-09-22|title=اصفهان به برترین شهر هوشمند ایران تبدیل شود|url=https://www.imna.ir//news/390448/اصفهان-به-برترین-شهر-هوشمند-ایران-تبدیل-شود|access-date=2021-06-06|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607065144/https://www.imna.ir//news/390448/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=پیش به سوی شهر هوشمند {{!}} اصفهان زیبا|url=http://isfahanziba.com/news/3533/%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF|access-date=2021-06-06|website=isfahanziba.com|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606113504/http://isfahanziba.com/news/3533/%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2015, the comprehensive atlas of the Isfahan metropolis, an online [[statistical database]] in Farsi, was made available, to help in planning.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:اطلس اصفهان |trans-title= |url=https://new.isfahan.ir/index.aspx?tempname=AtlasIsf&lang=1&sub=105 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164650/https://new.isfahan.ir/index.aspx?tempname=AtlasIsf&lang=1&sub=105 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=dead |website=new.isfahan.ir |language=fa |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:رونمايي از اطلس شهر اصفهان |trans-title=Unveiling of the Atlas of Isfahan |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/203537/رونمايي-از-اطلس-شهر-اصفهان |date=27 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164653/https://www.imna.ir/news/203537/%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=live |website=Iran's Metropolitan News Agency (IMNA) |language=fa |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:اطلس کلانشهر اصفهان را در پورتال شهرداری ببینید |trans-title=See the Atlas of Isfahan metropolis on the municipal portal |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/331381/اطلس-کلانشهر-اصفهان-را-در-پورتال-شهرداری-ببینید |date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202131922/http://www.imna.ir/news/331381/%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%B3-%DA%A9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF |archive-date=2 February 2019 |url-status=live |website=Iran's Metropolitan News Agency (IMNA) |language=fa |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref>
In 2020, the municipality directly employed 6,250 people with an additional 3,000 people in 16 subsidiary organizations.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-07-19|title=لزوم توجه به هماهنگسازی حقوق و دستمزد در شهرداری اصفهان|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/434547/لزوم-توجه-به-هماهنگ-سازی-حقوق-و-دستمزد-در-شهرداری-اصفهان|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005180103/https://www.imna.ir/news/434547/%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%88%D9%82-%D9%88-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B2%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|archive-date=5 October 2020|access-date=2020-10-05|website=ایمنا|language=fa}}</ref>
There have been four development programs since 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-15 |script-title=fa:اصفهان؛ از طرحهای کالبدی تا طرح های توسعهای - ایمنا |trans-title=Isfahan: From physical plans to development plans |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/382737/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815053726/https://www.imna.ir/news/382737/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C |archive-date=15 August 2020 |website=Iran's Metropolitan News Agency (IMNA) |language=fa|access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref> In 2020, the municipality created a document outlining future development programs for the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=رویکرد نوین|url=https://isfahanplan.ir/about/%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF|access-date=2020-09-22|website=برنامه جامع شهر اصفهان|language=fa-ir|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923063444/https://isfahanplan.ir/about/%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
The color theme for the city has been turquoise for some time.<ref>{{cite web|date=2015-12-17|title=تم رنگی اصفهان مشخص می شود|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/213910/تم-رنگی-اصفهان-مشخص-می-شود|access-date=2020-09-26|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926180703/https://www.imna.ir/news/213910/%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%B1%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Municipal government=== The mayor is Ghodratollah Noroozi.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The chairman of the city council is Alireza Nasrisfahani. There is also a leadership council within the city council.<ref>{{cite web|title=شورای راهبری|url=https://isfahanplan.ir/about/%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727201222/http://isfahanplan.ir/about/%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C|archive-date=27 July 2019|access-date=2020-09-22|website=برنامه جامع شهر اصفهان|language=fa-ir}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/437106/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A6%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3 |title=اعضای هیئت رئیسه شورای شهر اصفهان مشخص شدند/ نصراصفهانی رئیس ماند |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926180631/https://www.imna.ir/news/437106/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A6%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The representative of the [[Supreme Leader of Iran]], as well as the representative from Isfahan in the [[Assembly of Experts]], is [[Yousef Tabatabai Nejad]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/81886998/ |title=نماینده ولی فقیه در استان اصفهان: تشكیل شورای رهبری، ایده صحیحی نیست |date=20 December 2015 |access-date=30 September 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001102416/https://www.irna.ir/news/81886998/%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%81%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%AD%DB%8C |url-status=live }}</ref>
The city is divided into 15 municipal districts.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- ! Municipal districts of Isfahan |- | {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Name!!Persian Name!!Legal Urban Area!!Total Area of jurisdictional limit!!Population!!Population Density!!Location within Isfahan |- | [[District 1 (Isfahan)|District 1]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Yek}} || {{nts|8.10}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|8.10}} km<sup>2</sup> || 79,091 || {{nts|9764.3}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 2 (Isfahan)|District 2]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۲}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Do}} || {{nts|10.31}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|21.45}} km<sup>2</sup> || 69,120 || {{nts|3222.4}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 3 (Isfahan)|District 3]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۳}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Se}} || {{nts|11.52}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|11.52}} km<sup>2</sup> || 110,368 || {{nts|9580.5}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 4 (Isfahan)|District 4]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۴}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Ĉahār}} || {{nts|11.35}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|75.02}} km<sup>2</sup> || 133,731|| {{nts|1782.6}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 5 (Isfahan)|District 5]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۵}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Panj}} || {{nts|17.02}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|60.02}} km<sup>2</sup> || 150,865 || {{nts|2513.6}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 6 (Isfahan)|District 6]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۶}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Ŝeŝ}} || {{nts|12.55}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|67.07}} km<sup>2</sup> || 112,129 || {{nts|1671.2}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 7 (Isfahan)|District 7]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۷}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Haft}} || {{nts|13.57}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|28.57}} km<sup>2</sup> || 168,732 || {{nts|5905.6}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 8 (Isfahan)|District 8]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۸}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Haŝt}} || {{nts|20.39}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|20.39}} km<sup>2</sup> || 239,756 || {{nts|11758.5}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 9 (Isfahan)|District 9]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۹}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Noh}} || {{nts|10.54}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|20.25}} km<sup>2</sup> || 75,168 || {{nts|3712.0}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 10 (Isfahan)|District 10]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۰}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Dah}} || {{nts|16.27}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|21.46}} km<sup>2</sup> || 207,803 || {{nts|9683.3}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[Rehnan|Rehnan (District 11)]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۱}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Yāzdah}}<br />{{lang|fa|رهنان}} – {{translit|fa|Rehnān}} || {{nts|7.80}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|10.97}} km<sup>2</sup> || 58,841 || {{nts|5363.8}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 12 (Isfahan)|District 12]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۲}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Davāzdah}} || {{nts|14.78}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|82.23}} km<sup>2</sup> || 136,376 || {{nts|1658.5}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 13 (Isfahan)|District 13]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۳}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Sizdah}} || {{nts|20.10}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|35.24}} km<sup>2</sup> || 132,469 || {{nts|3759.1}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[District 14 (Isfahan)|District 14]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۴}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Ĉahārdah}} || {{nts|9.40}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|19.38}} km<sup>2</sup> || 164,850 || {{nts|8506.2}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- | [[Khorasgan|Khorasgan (District 15)]] || {{lang|fa|منطقه ۱۵}} – {{translit|fa|Mantaqe ye Pānzdah}}<br />{{lang|fa|خوراسگان}} – {{translit|fa|Xorāsgān}} || {{nts|16.64}} km<sup>2</sup> || {{nts|69.05}} km<sup>2</sup> || 121,961 || {{nts|1766.3}}/km<sup>2</sup> || |- ! Total !! !! {{nts|200.34}} km<sup>2</sup> !! {{nts|550.72}} km<sup>2</sup> !! 1,961,260 !! {{nts|3581.4}}/km<sup>2</sup> !! |} |}
===Public works=== City waste is processed and recycled at the Isfahan Waste Complex.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83793223/%D8%AA%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%DB%B5%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |title=تکمیل مجتمع پسماند اصفهان نیازمند ۵۰ میلیارد تومان تسهیلات است |date=20 May 2020 |access-date=22 September 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615155453/https://www.irna.ir/news/83793223/%D8%AA%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%DB%B5%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |url-status=live }}</ref>
The {{ill|Isfahan Water and Sewage Company|fa|شرکت آب و فاضلاب استان اصفهان}} is responsible for piping water, waterworks installation and repair, maintaining sewage equipment, supervising sewage collection, and treatment and disposal of sewage in the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://en.abfaesfahan.ir/about-us/ |date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164727/https://en.abfaesfahan.ir/about-us/ |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=dead |website=Isfahan Water and Wastewater Company |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Responsibilities |url=https://en.abfaesfahan.ir/responsibilites/ |date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164732/https://en.abfaesfahan.ir/responsibilites/ |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=dead |website=Isfahan Water and Wastewater Company |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>
Twenty-five fire departments provide service.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=fa:مرکز فرماندهی و اتاق فرمان آتش نشانی اصفهان افتتاح شد |trans-title=The command center and control room of Isfahan fire department was opened |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/84348912/%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B4%D8%AF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519024728/https://www.irna.ir/news/84348912/%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B4%D8%AF |archive-date=19 May 2022 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic News Agency]] |date=30 May 2021 |access-date=2023-06-02}}</ref> Twenty private security armed service contractors existed as of 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=نیوز |first=ممتاز |date=2012-10-04 |title=تعداد 20 شرکت حفاظتی مراقبتی انتظام در استان اصفهان ثبت شد |url=https://www.momtaznews.com/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-20-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B8%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=جديدترين اخبار ايران و جهان ممتاز نیوز |language=fa-IR |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517023117/http://www.momtaznews.com/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-20-%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B8%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Human resources and public health=== As of June 2020, 65% of the population of Isfahan province had social security insurance.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-08-29|script-title=fa:۶۵ درصد جمعیت استان اصفهان بیمه تأمین اجتماعی دارند|url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/7259196/%DB%B6%DB%B5-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829154635/https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/7259196/%DB%B6%DB%B5-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF|archive-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>
Isfahan is known as the [[multiple sclerosis]] capital of the world, due to the presence of polluting industries.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=اصفهان پایتخت بیماری ام اس دنیا|url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6368625/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909114855/https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6368625/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7|archive-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
In 2015, almost 15% of the people suffered from [[Depression (mood)|depression]], from being cut off from the Zayandeh River, due to severe drought.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=افسردگی 15 درصد اصفهانیها با خشکی زاینده رود {{!}} سایت انتخاب|url=https://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/228078/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-15-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF|access-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909114841/https://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/228078/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-15-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF|archive-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> A male empowerment/rehab center opened in 2023, followed by a female support addiction center.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:راه اندازی اولین مرکز ماده ۱۶ بانوان در اصفهان |trans-title=Launching the first Article 16 women's center in Isfahan |url=https://www.mojnews.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-62/489770-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |website=Moj News Agency |language=fa |access-date=2 June 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801072506/https://www.mojnews.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-62/489770-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:افتتاح مرکز توانمندسازی استان با حضور استاندار اصفهان |trans-title=Inauguration of the provincial empowerment center in the presence of Isfahan governor |url=https://ostan-es.ir/13666/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%B1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601144920/https://ostan-es.ir/13666/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%B1/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2023 |website=Isfahan Provincial Government |language=fa |access-date=2 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:بهرهبرداری از مرکز جامع توانمندسازی اصفهان |trans-title=Exploitation of Isfahan Comprehensive Empowerment Center |url=https://esfahanzibaonline.ir/3052/city-use-comprehensive-center-empowerment-of-isfahan |website=Esfahan Ziba Online |date=7 February 2023 |language=fa |access-date=2 June 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801072430/https://esfahanzibaonline.ir/3052/city-use-comprehensive-center-empowerment-of-isfahan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=fa:استاندار اصفهان: زمینهسازی بازگشت معتادان درمان یافته به جامعه ضروری است |trans-title=Governor of Isfahan: It is necessary to lay the groundwork for the return of treated drug addicts to the society |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85022352/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DA%AF%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208073224/https://www.irna.ir/news/85022352/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DA%AF%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic News Agency]] |date=7 February 2023 |language=fa |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref>
==Mass surveillance== In 2024–25, the Iranian government used the city as a testing ground for enforcing its mandatory [[hijab law]]. It employed cameras for surveillance and deployed government agents to report women who do not adhere to the government-approved hijab dress code.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://filter.watch/english/2025/04/17/investigated-report-isfahan-targeted-with-imsi-catchers-and-surveillance-cameras/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417175441/https://filter.watch/english/2025/04/17/investigated-report-isfahan-targeted-with-imsi-catchers-and-surveillance-cameras/ | archive-date=17 April 2025 | title=#A Battlefield Named Isfahan: Targeted Use of IMSI-Catchers and Surveillance Cameras to the Enforce Chastity and Hijab Law - Filterwatch | date=17 April 2025 }}</ref>
==Education and science== {{Main|Education Department of Isfahan}} {{Further|List of universities in Isfahan Province|List of schools in Iran#Isfahan|List of Isfahan schools|List of universities in Iran#Isfahan}}
The first elementary schools in the city were [[maktabkhaneh]]s.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=fa:مکتبِ مکتبخانههای اصفهان {{!}} اصفهان زیبا|url=http://isfahanziba.com/news/2481/%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D9%90-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%E2%80%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=2020-12-21|website=isfahanziba.com|archive-date=2020-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221062701/http://isfahanziba.com/news/2481/%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D9%90-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%E2%80%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=fa:مکتبخانه هاي قديم در اصفهان احياء مي شوند|url=http://old.ido.ir/n.aspx?n=13900511193|access-date=2020-12-21|website=old.ido.ir|archive-date=2020-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221062713/http://old.ido.ir/n.aspx?n=13900511193|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-24|script-title=fa:در مکتبخانهها چه میگذشت؟|url=https://www.irna.ir/news/84084097/در-مکتبخانه-ها-چه-می-گذشت|access-date=2020-12-21|website=ایرنا|language=fa|archive-date=2020-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027061112/https://www.irna.ir/news/84084097/%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%DA%86%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%B4%D8%AA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-03-23|script-title=fa:آموزش و پرورش در ایران باستان|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/98122721096/آموزش-و-پرورش-در-ایران-باستان|access-date=2020-12-21|website=ایسنا|language=fa|archive-date=2020-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325032745/https://www.isna.ir/news/98122721096/%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B4-%D9%88-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[World War II]], [[Evacuation of Polish civilians from the USSR in World War II|Polish children sought refuge in the city]]; eight primary and technical trade schools were established. Between 1942 and 1945, approximately 2,000 children passed through, with Isfahan briefly gaining the nickname "City of Polish Children".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/polish-refugees-iran-1942/|title=The life of Polish refugees in Iran seen through rare photographs, 1942-1945 - Rare Historical Photos|date=8 December 2016|access-date=22 April 2022|archive-date=22 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422021353/https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/polish-refugees-iran-1942/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2017/10/the-city-of-polish-children.html|title=The City of Polish Children|website=blogs.bl.uk|access-date=22 April 2022|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021223901/https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2017/10/the-city-of-polish-children.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, there were 20 schools for trainables attended by 5,000 children.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:۵۰۰۰ دانشآموز استثنایی اصفهان ۲۰ مدرسه استاندارد دارند! |trans-title=5000 exceptional students of Isfahan have 20 standard schools! |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/377404/%DB%B5%DB%B0%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%B2%DB%B0-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF |date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922164708/https://www.imna.ir/news/377404/%DB%B5%DB%B0%DB%B0%DB%B0-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%B2%DB%B0-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=live |newspaper=ایمنا |access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref>
===Notable schools=== [[File:Esfahan Central Library.jpg|thumb|The Central Municipal Library of Isfahan|alt=Façade of the Central Municipal Library of Isfahan]]
{{div col}} * [[Chahar Bagh School]] (early 17th century) * Kordi<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.haratischool.ir/en/harati-high-school/ |title=Harati School |access-date=4 December 2022 |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204161820/https://www.haratischool.ir/en/harati-high-school/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * [[Kassegaran school]] (1694) * Khajoo Madrasa * Nimavar School (1691) * [[Sadr Madrasa]] (19th century) {{div col end}}
In total, there are more than 7,329 schools in Isfahan province.<ref>{{cite web|title=پایگاه مدارس استان اصفهان|url=http://old.roshd.ir/Default.aspx?tabid=250&SSOReturnPage=Check&Rand=0|access-date=2020-10-06|website=old.roshd.ir|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230145720/http://old.roshd.ir/Default.aspx?tabid=250&SSOReturnPage=Check&Rand=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Colleges=== In 1947, the [[Isfahan University of Medical Sciences]] was established; it now has almost 9,200 students and interns.<ref>{{cite web|title=The University Campus {{!}} Isfahan University of Medical Sciences|url=http://english.mui.ac.ir/content/university-campus|access-date=2020-10-06|website=english.mui.ac.ir|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131123546/http://english.mui.ac.ir/content/university-campus|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1973, the [[American School of Isfahan]] was built; it closed during the 1978–79 revolution. In 1974, the first technical university in Iran, the [[Isfahan University of Technology]], was established in the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=درباره دانشگاه {{!}} دانشگاه صنعتی اصفهان|url=https://www.iut.ac.ir/about-us|access-date=2020-10-06|website=www.iut.ac.ir|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817063553/https://iut.ac.ir/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref> It focuses on science, engineering, and agriculture programs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Isfahan University of Technology {{!}} Isfahan University of Technology|url=https://www.iut.ac.ir/en/about-iut|access-date=2020-09-22|website=www.iut.ac.ir|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201190237/http://www.iut.ac.ir/en/about-iut|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1977, the [[Isfahan University of Art]] was established. It was temporarily closed after the [[Iranian revolution|1979 revolution]], and was reopened in 1984, after the [[Iranian Cultural Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web|title=درباره دانشگاه|url=http://aui.ac.ir/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&PageID=63&tempname=ArtShow&sub=0&methodName=ShowModuleContent|access-date=2020-10-06|website=aui.ac.ir|archive-date=4 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204090947/http://www.aui.ac.ir/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=0&tempname=ArtShow&PageID=63&methodName=ShowModuleContent|url-status=live}}</ref>
Aside from seminaries and religious schools, the other public, private major universities of the Isfahan metropolitan area include: the [[Mohajer Technical And Vocational College of Isfahan]], [[Payame Noor University]], the [[Islamic Azad University of Isfahan]], the [[Islamic Azad University of Najafabad]], and the [[Islamic Azad University of Majlesi]].
{{As of|2007}}, there were also more than 50 technical and vocational training centres in the province, under the administration of the Isfahan Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO), providing free, informal, workforce skills training programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etvto.ir/p/en/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008230645/http://www.etvto.ir/p/en/index.htm |archive-date=8 October 2007 |title=Isfahan Technical and Vocational Training Organisation |date=8 October 2007 |access-date=2012-04-23}}</ref> As of 2020, 90% of workforce skills trainees were women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/432632/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1 |title=اصفهان در گام نخست کسب عنوان پایتخت مهارت کشور |work=ایمنا |date=8 July 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925102942/https://www.imna.ir/news/432632/%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Notable philosophers=== {{See also-text|[[School of Isfahan]]}}
Major philosophers include [[Mir Damad]], known for his concepts of time and nature, as well as for founding the School of Isfahan;<ref>{{cite web|title=Mir Damad, Muhammad Baqir (d. 1631)|url=http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H053.htm|access-date=2021-01-17|website=www.muslimphilosophy.com|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220030220/http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H053.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Mir Fendereski]], who was known for his examination of art and philosophy within society.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mri Fendereski|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/mir-fendereski-sayyed-amir-abul-qasem|access-date=2021-01-17|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122211455/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/mir-fendereski-sayyed-amir-abul-qasem|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Culture== {{Main|Culture in Isfahan}}
The festivals of [[Tirgan]] and [[Sepandārmazgān]] are ancient traditions in Isfahan. Historically, men used to wear the [[kolah namadi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=آداب و رسوم مردم اصفهان|url=https://www.beytoote.com/art/city-country/customs-isfahan-people.html|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.beytoote.com|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805044151/https://www.beytoote.com/art/city-country/customs-isfahan-people.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=بهنام|url=http://www.ichodoc.ir/p-a/CHANGED/110/html/110_30.htm|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.ichodoc.ir|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118230353/http://www.ichodoc.ir/p-a/CHANGED/110/html/110_30.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Isfahan School of painting flourished during the Safavid era.<ref>{{cite web|date=2011-07-12|title=آشنایی با مکتب اصفهان|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/140141/آشنایی-با-مکتب-اصفهان|access-date=2020-12-18|website=همشهری آنلاین|language=fa|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130101236/http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/140141/%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=تبیان|first=موسسه فرهنگی و اطلاع رسانی|title=مکتب اصفهان|url=http://article.tebyan.net/194648/%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=2020-12-18|website=article.tebyan.net|date=15 January 2012 |language=Persian|archive-date=17 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417014605/http://article.tebyan.net/194648/%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reza |first1=Khajeh Ahmad Attari Ali |last2=Habibollah |first2=Ayatollahi |last3=Asghar |first3=Shirazi Ali |last4=Mohsen |first4=Marasi |last5=Khashayar |first5=Ghazizadeh |title=The Study of Human Iconography in the Painting School of Isfahan 10-11/16-17 |url=https://www.sid.ir/en/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=348727 |date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218121130/https://www.sid.ir/en/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=348727 |archive-date=18 December 2020 |url-status=live |journal=Motaleate Tatbighi Honar |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=81–92 |issn=2345-3842 |via=[[Scientific Information Database]] |language=en |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
The annual Isfahan province theatre festival takes place in the city.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-19|title=از جشنوارۀ تئاتر اصفهان چه خبر؟|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/99092922180/از-جشنوارۀ-تئاتر-اصفهان-چه-خبر|access-date=2020-12-19|website=ایسنا|language=fa|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219114724/https://www.isna.ir/news/99092922180/%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%80-%D8%AA%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1|url-status=live}}</ref> Theater performances began in 1919 (1297 [[Hijri era|AH]]), and currently, there are 9 active theaters.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-10-07|title=تاریخچه تئاتر اصفهان|url=https://namaname.com/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=پایگاه خبری نمانامه|language=fa-IR|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022015632/https://namaname.com/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE%DA%86%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=انسان شناسی و فرهنگ {{!}} انسانشناسی، علمیترین رشته علوم انسانی و انسانیترین رشته در علوم است.|url=http://anthropology.ir/article/18474.html|access-date=2020-12-19|website=anthropology.ir|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219114725/http://anthropology.ir/article/18474.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=|title=Iranian theaters|url=https://esfahan.theater.ir/file/6/attach2018044044074256251892.pdf|journal=Esfahan Theater|volume=|pages=|via=|access-date=2020-12-19|archive-date=2020-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219114910/https://esfahan.theater.ir/file/6/attach2018044044074256251892.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The awarding of the annual Isfahan literature prize began in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |author=Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com) |url=https://dw.com/fa-ir/%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/a-2407342 |title=سومین دوره جایزه ادبی اصفهان | فرهنگ و هنر | DW | 15.01.2006 |publisher=DW |date=2006-01-15 |accessdate=2022-03-13 |archive-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007182309/https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86/a-2407342 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83537012/ |title=جایزههای ادبی و کتاب سال اصفهان، فرصتی برای نکوداشت مولفان - ایرنا |publisher=Irna.ir |date= November 2019|accessdate=2022-03-13}}</ref>
Since 2005, November 22 is Isfahan's National Day, commemorated with various events.<ref>{{cite news |last=Askarieh |first=Fatemeh |title=National Day of Isfahan Commemorated with Various Events |url=https://ifpnews.com/national-day-of-isfahan-commemorated-with-various-events/ |date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005124621/https://ifpnews.com/national-day-of-isfahan-commemorated-with-various-events |archive-date=5 October 2020 |url-status=dead |website=Iran Front Page (IFP) News |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>
New Art Paradise, built in District 6 in 2019, has the biggest open-air amphitheatre in the country.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:افتتاح بزرگترین آمفی تئاتر روباز کشور در اصفهان |trans-title=The opening of the country's largest open-air amphitheater in Isfahan |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/009vFU |date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005124623/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2365020/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|IRIB News Agency]] |language=fa |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>
Based on a statue creators' symposium in 2020, the city decided to add 11 permanent art pieces to the city's monuments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://isfahan.ir/ar/node/17572|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911071722/https://isfahan.ir/ar/node/17572|archive-date=11 September 2020|title=اضافه شدن ۱۱ اثر هنری به مجسمههای شهر اصفهان | درگاه الكترونيكي شهرداري اصفهان}}</ref>
The [[Isfahan international convention center]] is under construction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LTD |first=Kaspid |title=Isfahan International Conference Halls |url=https://www.hexa.ir/Project/Detail/161/isfahan-international-conference-halls |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=سایت هگزا |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034219/https://www.hexa.ir/Project/Detail/161/isfahan-international-conference-halls |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Cuisine=== [[File:Beryane isfahan 1.jpg|thumb|[[Isfahan beryani]], one of the traditional dishes of Isfahan|alt=Fried meat on flat oiled flatbread]]
[[Gosh-e fil]] and [[Doogh]] are local snacks.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-10-21|title=10 Weird Persian Food That Will Blow Your Mind in Iran|url=http://www.persianfoodtours.com/weird-persian-food/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Persian Food Tour|language=en-US|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105219/http://www.persianfoodtours.com/weird-persian-food/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Kimia|last=Raghebi|date=2019-12-25|title=Iran's Delicious Food Destinations|url=https://www.visitouriran.com/blog/irans-delicious-food-destinations/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Visit Our Iran|language=en-US|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811122541/https://www.visitouriran.com/blog/irans-delicious-food-destinations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other traditional dishes include [[Khoresht mast]], [[Isfahan beryan|beryani]], meat with beans, and pumpkin [[aush]].<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:طرز تهیه آش کدو حلوایی به ۴ روش پرطرفدار |trans-title=How to prepare pumpkin soup in 4 popular ways |url=https://www.parsine.com/fa/news/484257/%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%B4-%DA%A9%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DB%B4-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1 |date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212170904/https://www.parsine.com/fa/news/484257/%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%B4-%DA%A9%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DB%B4-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |url-status=live |newspaper=پارسینه |language=fa |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-10-27|title=طرز تهیه آش کدو حلوایی اصفهان با ماش و سبزی، خوشمزه و مجلسی|url=https://fidia.ir/pumpkin-ash/|access-date=2020-12-12|website=فیدیا|language=fa-IR|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212170851/https://fidia.ir/pumpkin-ash/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=آش کدو اصفهانی|url=http://takandam.com/fa/news/Cooking/local-food/ash-kadoo.html|access-date=2020-12-12|website=takandam.com|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212170853/http://takandam.com/fa/news/Cooking/local-food/ash-kadoo.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:طرز تهیه گوشت و لوبیا، آبگوشت سنتی کاشان و اصفهان |trans-title=How to prepare meat and beans, traditional broth of Kashan and Isfahan |url=https://www.parsine.com/fa/news/651209/%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |date=11 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211071343/https://www.parsine.com/fa/news/651209/%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AA%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=11 December 2020 |url-status=live |newspaper=پارسینه |language=fa |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Khoresht mast {{!}} Traditional Dessert From Isfahan {{!}} TasteAtlas|url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/khoresht-mast|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.tasteatlas.com|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211071343/https://www.tasteatlas.com/khoresht-mast|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Beryānī|publisher=Encyclopedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/beryani-from-beryan-roast-an-iranian-meat-dish-usually-served-wrapped-in-flat-bread-in-later-times-particularly-pop|access-date=2020-12-11|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926010825/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/beryani-from-beryan-roast-an-iranian-meat-dish-usually-served-wrapped-in-flat-bread-in-later-times-particularly-pop|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2017-10-13|title=Beryani; Special Meal of Iran's Isfahan Province|url=https://ifpnews.com/beryani-special-meal-iran-isfahan|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Iran Front Page|language=En|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211071344/https://ifpnews.com/beryani-special-meal-iran-isfahan|url-status=live}}</ref> The sweets [[Gaz (candy)|gaz]] and [[poolaki]] originated in Isfahan.
Teahouses are supervised and were allowed to offer [[hookah]] until 2022.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-08-08|title=چایخانه های اصفهان تا ۱۴۰۲ میتوانند قلیان عرضه کنند|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/384783/چایخانه-های-اصفهان-تا-۱۴۰۲-می-توانند-قلیان-عرضه-کنند|access-date=2020-09-24|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924104035/https://www.imna.ir/news/384783/%DA%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%DB%B1%DB%B4%DB%B0%DB%B2-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%82%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B6%D9%87-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, there were almost 300 teahouses with permits.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-02-25|title=چایخانهداران و قلیانیهای اصفهان از فردا تعطیل میشوند|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/98120604858/چایخانه-داران-و-قلیانی-های-اصفهان-از-فردا-تعطیل-می-شوند|access-date=2020-09-24|website=ایسنا|language=fa|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227035815/https://www.isna.ir/news/98120604858/%DA%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D9%82%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B7%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Music=== The [[Bayat-e Esfahan]], one of the [[Mode (music)|modes]] used in [[Iranian traditional music]], derives its name from Isfahan.
On 12 and 13 January 2018, the Iranian singer [[Salar Aghili]] performed in the city without the female members of his band, due to interference by local officials at the [[Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/01/female-musician-banned-from-performing-on-stage-in-isfahan/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028222433/https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/01/female-musician-banned-from-performing-on-stage-in-isfahan/#:~:text=Iranian%20singer%20Salar%20Aghili%20performed,Iran%20(CHRI)%20has%20learned|url-status=dead|title=Female Musician Prohibited From Performing on Stage in Isfahan|date=19 January 2018|archivedate=28 October 2020}}</ref>
===News media=== The first newspaper publication in the city, ''[[Farhang (newspaper)|Farhang]]'', was printed for 13 years in the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar era]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://malekmuseum.org/artifact/1393.19.00010/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C+-+%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C+-+%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C+-+%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C+-+%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF+%28+%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86+%29 |title=فرهنگ (اصفهان) - قاجاریه |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429191124/http://malekmuseum.org/artifact/1393.19.00010/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C+-+%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C+-+%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C+-+%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C+-+%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF+%28+%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86+%29 |url-status=live }}</ref> Iran's Metropolises News Agency (IMNA), formerly called the Isfahan Municipality News Agency, is based in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/302321/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201026182231/https://www.imna.ir/news/302321/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7|archive-date = 26 October 2020|title = درباره ایمنا|date = 9 May 2017}}</ref> The state-controlled [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] system (IRIB) has a TV network and radio channel in the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=صدا و سیمای مرکز اصفهان - صدا و سیمای اصفهان|url=http://isfahan.irib.ir/main|access-date=2020-09-22|website=isfahan.irib.ir|archive-date=9 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909115140/http://isfahan.irib.ir/main|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Cultural sites== {{see also|Isfahani style|Tourism in Iran|List of historical structures in Isfahan Province|Hall of Art, Isfahan}} [[File:Iranian Handicraft.JPG|thumb|A handicraft shop|alt=Two men making metal handicrafts at the front of a store]] [[File:Masjid Shah, view of the courtyard by Pascal Coste.jpg|thumb|[[Shah Mosque (Isfahan)|Shah Mosque]]. Painting by the French architect, [[Pascal Coste]], visiting Persia in 1841.|alt=Painting of the Shah Mosque in Isfahan]] [[File:Si-o-se-Pol.jpg|thumb|[[Si-o-se Pol]]|alt=Si-o-se Pol at night, with arches illuminated]] [[File:Naghshe Jahan Square Isfahan modified.jpg|thumb|Naghsh-e-Jahan Square|alt=Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, with Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in background]] [[File:Ali-qapu-rooz.jpg|thumb|[[Ali Qapu]] Palace|alt=Façade of Ali Qapu Palace]] [[File:Carpet bazzar.JPG|thumb|A carpet shop in Grand Bazaar, Isfahan|alt=Three people sitting in a carpet shop]] [[File:Khaju Bridje at night.jpg|thumb|[[Khaju Bridge]]|alt=Khaju Bridge at twilight, with arches illuminated]] [[File:Khaju-Bridge-Esfahan.jpg|thumb|upright|Detail of Khaju Bridge|alt=A vault of the Khaju Bridge, showing decorations on walls and ceiling]] [[File:Esfahan armenian Barry Kent.JPG|thumb|[[Armenians|Armenian]] [[Vank Cathedral]]|alt=Gate and tower of Vank Cathedral]]
The city centre consists of an older section centered around the [[Jameh Mosque of Isfahan|Jameh Mosque]] and the Safavid expansion around [[Naqsh-e Jahan Square]], with nearby palaces, bazaars, and places of worship<ref>Assari, A., Mahesh, T., Emtehani, M., & Assari, E. (2011). [http://www.iotpe.com/IJTPE/IJTPE-2011/IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011/3-IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011-pp18-24.pdf Comparative sustainability of bazaar in Iranian traditional cities: Case studies in Isfahan and Tabriz. International Journal on Technical and Physical Problems of Engineering (IJTPE)(9), 18-24.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222163420/http://www.iotpe.com/IJTPE/IJTPE-2011/IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011/3-IJTPE-Issue9-Vol3-No4-Dec2011-pp18-24.pdf |date=22 December 2018 }}</ref> This area is called Seeosepol, after the [[Si-o-se-pol|bridge of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-03-04|title=Iran's tourism, historical centers charming: CNN|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/82451397/Iran-s-tourism-historical-centers-charming-CNN|access-date=2020-12-26|website=IRNA English|language=en|archive-date=4 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104081552/https://en.irna.ir/news/82451397/Iran-s-tourism-historical-centers-charming-CNN|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Baths=== Ancient baths include the [[Jarchi hammam]], the [[Ali Gholi Agha hammam]], and the [[Shaykh Bahai hammam|Garmabeh-e-shaykh]]. The latter was built by [[Baha' al-din al-'Amili]], and for many years was provided hot water to the public without any visible heating system, which would usually need tons of wood.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-04-22|title=Sheikh Bahai; renowned & distinguished scholar of Safavid Era|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/157704/Sheikh-Bahai-renowned-distinguished-scholar-of-Safavid-Era|access-date=2020-09-22|website=Mehr News Agency|language=en|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430141141/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/157704/Sheikh-Bahai-renowned-distinguished-scholar-of-Safavid-Era|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Old Bathhouses of Esfahan|url=https://irantour.tours/iran-cities/esfahan/esfahan-historical-sites/the-old-bathhouses-of-esfahan.html|access-date=2020-10-23|website=irantour.tours|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026200724/https://irantour.tours/iran-cities/esfahan/esfahan-historical-sites/the-old-bathhouses-of-esfahan.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shahzadeh Bathhouse in Isfahan {{!}} Travel to Iran|url=https://www.alaedin.travel/en/attractions/iran/isfahan/shahzadeh-bathhouse|access-date=2020-10-23|website=alaedin.travel|language=en-US|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027003219/https://www.alaedin.travel/en/attractions/iran/isfahan/shahzadeh-bathhouse|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2019-05-04|title=به گرمابه ها جان دوباره بدهید|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/372034/به-گرمابه-ها-جان-دوباره-بدهید|access-date=2020-10-23|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=9 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909114901/https://www.imna.ir/news/372034/%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Khosro Agha hammam]] was demolished by unknown persons in 1992. Chardin writes that there were 273 baths in Isfahan in the Safavid era.<ref name=":2" />
===Bazaars=== The [[Grand Bazaar, Isfahan]], and its entrance, the [[Qeysarie Gate]], were built in the 17th century. [[Opium den]]s and [[coffeehouse]]s, clustered around the [[Charbagh|Chahar bagh]] and the [[Chehel Sotoun]], served as social hubs. The best-known traditional coffeehouse is Qahva-ḵāna-ye Golestān.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=fa:بازار اصفهان؛ بازمانده شکوه دوران صفوی |trans-title=Isfahan Bazaar: Survivor of the glory of the Safavid era |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-features-49595792 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911212338/https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-features-49595792 |archive-date=11 September 2019 |url-status=live |work=Persian BBC News |language=fa |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |script-title=fa:بازار های اصفهان در دوره صفویه |trans-title=Isfahan markets in the Safavid period |url=https://rasekhoon.net/article/show/924932/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%87 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506134159/http://rasekhoon.net/article/show/924932/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%DB%8C%D9%87 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |url-status=live |website=Rasekhoon.net |language=fa |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Coffeehouse |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/coffeehouse-qahva-kana |date=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526233947/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/coffeehouse-qahva-kana |archive-date=26 May 2020 |url-status=live |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:کوکنارخانهها و قهوهخانههای عصر صفوی |trans-title=Poppy houses and coffee houses of the Safavid era |url=https://www.cgie.org.ir/fa/news/179872/کوکنارخانهها-و-قهوهخانههای-عصر-صفوی |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062804/https://www.cgie.org.ir/fa/news/179872/%DA%A9%D9%88%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D9%82%D9%87%D9%88%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%DB%8C |archive-date=30 October 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Encyclopaedia Islamica]] |language=fa |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=fa:کوکنارخانههاصفویعصرو قهوهخانههای |title=Poppy and Coffee Houses in the Safavid Age |url=http://shahrvand-newspaper.ir/1396/06/27/Main/PDF/13960627-1226-11-45.pdf |date=2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062802/http://shahrvand-newspaper.ir/1396/06/27/Main/PDF/13960627-1226-11-45.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2020 |newspaper=Shahrvand-newspaper.ir |language=fa |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Coffee Ruled Before Teahouses Became the Culture |url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/7184/coffee-ruled-before-teahouses-became-the-culture |date=19 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030062825/https://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/7184/coffee-ruled-before-teahouses-became-the-culture |archive-date=30 October 2020 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Financial Tribune]] |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>
===Cemeteries=== The [[Bagh-e Rezvan Cemetery]] is one of the largest and most advanced in the country.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:آرامستان باغ رضوان اصفهان، خانه ابدی قربانیان کرونایی |trans-title=Ramestan Bagh Rezvan Isfahan, the eternal home of the victims of Corona |url=https://www.isna.ir/photo/99011105653/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%B1%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C |date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414083154/https://www.isna.ir/photo/99011105653/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%B1%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Iranian Students News Agency]] (ISNA) |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> Other cemeteries include the [[New Julfa Armenian Cemetery]] and the [[Takht-e Foulad]].
===Gardens and parks=== The Pardis Honar Park, in District 6, had cost 30 billion [[Iranian toman|toman]] {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa: پروژه۳۰ میلیارد تومانی پردیس هنر اصفهان افتتاح میشود |trans-title=The 30 billion Toman project of Isfahan Art Campus will be inaugurated |url=https://www.imna.ir/news/368558/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87%DB%B3%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF |date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014132414/https://www.imna.ir/news/368558/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87%DB%B3%DB%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF |archive-date=14 October 2020 |website=Iran's Metropolitan News Agency (IMNA) |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> Some other zoological gardens and parks include the [[Bird Garden of Isfahan]], [[Flower Garden of Isfahan]], [[Nazhvan Recreational Complex]], [[Dream Land Isfahan]], and the [[East Park of Isfahan]].<ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:پارک ها و مراکز تفریحی استان اصفهان + تصاویر |trans-title=Parks and recreation centers of Isfahan province + pictures |url=http://nedaesfahan.ir/24938/پارک-ها-و-مراکز-تفریحی-استان-اصفهان-تص.htm |date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226042129/http://nedaesfahan.ir/24938/%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%A9-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AD%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B5.htm |archive-date=26 February 2020 |url-status=live |website=Nedaesfahan |language=fa |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>
===Historical houses===
The [[Alam's House]] in Isfahan was historically owned by [[Qajar]] aristocrats. It has a central courtyard entirely surrounded by residential parts.<ref name="Rāhnamā 2004, p. 135">'{{cite book|title=Rāhnamā ye Safar be Ostān e Esfāhān (Travel Guide for the Province Isfahan)|publisher=Rouzane|isbn=964-334-218-2|author=Hosseyn Yaghoubi|editor=Arash Beheshti|page=135|language=Persian|year=2004}}</ref> The [[Amin's House]], another Qajar-era house, contains many decorations such as [[stucco]], mirror decorations and [[marquetry]] doors<ref name="Rāhnamā 2004, p. 135"/>
Other historical houses in Isfahan include the [[Malek Vineyard]], [[Qazvinis' House]], [[Sheykh ol-Eslam's House]], and the [[Constitution House of Isfahan]].
===Mausoleums and tombs=== Mausoleums and tombs in Isfahan include the [[Al-Rashid Mausoleum]], [[Baba Ghassem Mausoleum]], [[Mausoleum of Safavid Princes]], [[Nizam al-Mulk Tomb]], [[Saeb Mausoleum]], [[Shahshahan mausoleum]], and [[Soltan Bakht Agha Mausoleum]].
===Minarets=== [[Menar Jonban]], built in the 14th century has an [[iwan]] measuring {{convert|10|m}} high.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minaret |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/minaret-1 |date=9 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044636/https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/minaret-1 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |url-status=live |website=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> Other minarets include the [[Ali minaret]], [[Bagh-e-Ghoushkhane minaret]], [[Chehel Dokhtaran minaret]], [[Dardasht minarets]], [[Darozziafe minarets]], and [[Sarban minaret]].
===Museums=== Museums in Isfahan include the [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Isfahan|Museum of Contemporary Art]], [[Isfahan City Center]] museum, [[Museum of Decorative Arts, Isfahan|Museum of Decorative Arts]], and the [[Natural History Museum of Isfahan]].
===Palaces=== Palaces located in Isfahan include [[Ālī Qāpū|Ali Qapu]], [[Chehel Sotoun]], [[Hasht Behesht]], and [[Talar-e-Ashraf]].
===Squares and streets=== [[File:Aghigh Square esfahan 201312 06.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kohneh Square|Meydan Kohne]] at night|alt=Kohneh Square at night, showing illuminated fountains]]
Significant squares and streets in Isfahan include [[Chaharbagh Boulevard]], Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard, [[Kohneh Square|Meydan Kohne]], [[Naghsh-e Jahan Square|Naqsh-e Jahan Square]] (also known as Shah Square or Imam Square), Amadegah,<ref>{{cite news|title=آمادگاه چرا آمادگاه شد؟|url=http://esfahanemrooz.ir/38562-آمادگاه-چرا-آمادگاه-شد؟.html|access-date=2021-01-04|website=اصفهان امروز آنلاین|language=fa|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211084651/http://esfahanemrooz.ir/38562-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%DA%86%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D8%9F.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2011-05-16|title=گذری بر خیابان آمادگاه اصفهان آمادگاه؛ خیابان آه و ناله|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/isfahan-3055/گذری-بر-خیابان-آمادگاه-اصفهان-آمادگاه-خیابان-آه-و-ناله|access-date=2021-01-04|website=ایسنا|language=fa|archive-date=4 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104081549/https://www.isna.ir/news/isfahan-3055/%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%87-%D9%88-%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87|url-status=live}}</ref> and Taleghani Street (also known as Shah Street).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://esfahanemrooz.ir/18214-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4.html |title=خیابان طالقانی و مردمانش |newspaper=اصفهان امروز آنلاین |access-date=14 January 2021 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717052011/http://esfahanemrooz.ir/18214-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Other sites=== [[File:Gavart village pigeon towers 129.jpg|thumb|Gavart village pigeon towers|alt=Refer to caption text]]
Other cultural sites include the [[Atashgah of Isfahan]], a [[fire temple|Zoroastrian fire temple]]; [[Isfahan Observatory]]; and [[Asarkhane Shahi]].
Ancient [[Dovecote#Iran|pigeon towers]] are found across the city, with 22 towers in [[Gavart]] alone.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-04-07|title=کبوترخانههای گورت اصفهان و وعدههایی که عملی نشد|url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83662979/کبوترخانه-های-گورت-اصفهان-و-وعده-هایی-که-عملی-نشد|access-date=2020-12-17|website=ایرنا|language=fa|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217171936/https://www.irna.ir/news/83662979/%DA%A9%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2019-09-24|title=برج کبوتر حصه جان دوباره میگیرد|url=https://www.imna.ir/news/390564/برج-کبوتر-حصه-جان-دوباره-می-گیرد|access-date=2020-12-17|website=ایمنا|language=fa|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217171949/https://www.imna.ir/news/390564/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AC-%DA%A9%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%B5%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-01-12|title=صیانت از تاریخ با احیای کبوترخانهها|url=https://www.irna.ir/news/83630150/%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7|access-date=2020-12-17|website=ایرنا|language=fa|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102170149/https://www.irna.ir/news/83630150/%25D8%25B5%25DB%258C%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586%25D8%25AA-%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B2-%25D8%25AA%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B1%25DB%258C%25D8%25AE-%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A7-%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AD%25DB%258C%25D8%25A7%25DB%258C-%25DA%25A9%25D8%25A8%25D9%2588%25D8%25AA%25D8%25B1%25D8%25AE%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586%25D9%2587-%25D9%2587%25D8%25A7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=fa:کبوترخانههای اصفهان معماری هوشمندانه برای پرندگان |trans-title=Dovecots of Isfahan are intelligent architecture for birds |url=https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2931272/%DA%A9%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86 |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217171941/https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/2931272/%DA%A9%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=17 December 2020 |url-status=live |website=[[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|IRIB]] News Agency |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201102/castles.of.the.fields.htm |title=Castles of the Fields |publisher=Saudi Aramco World |access-date=2012-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007001028/http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201102/castles.of.the.fields.htm |archive-date=7 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==International relations== Since 1994, Isfahan has been a member of the [[League of Historical Cities]] and a full member of [[Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ICCN Full Members {{!}} ICCN UNESCO|url=http://www.iccnunesco.org/iccn-full-members/|access-date=2021-08-27|website=ICCN UNESCO|language=es|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827114139/http://www.iccnunesco.org/iccn-full-members/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=the League of Historical Cities {{!}} Member Cities|url=https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/detail174|access-date=2021-08-27|website=www.lhc-s.org|language=en|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328224416/https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/detail174|url-status=live}}</ref>
There are plans to create a diplomatic district next to the [[Isfahan international convention center|Imam Khamenei International Convention Center]] where foreign countries would locate their consulates.<ref name=":0" /> China has expressed readiness to be the first country to open a consulate in the zone.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-05-18|title=China to open consulate in Isfahan diplomatic zone: Mayor|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83318613/China-to-open-consulate-in-Isfahan-diplomatic-zone-Mayor|access-date=2020-09-26|website=IRNA English|language=en|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926180741/https://en.irna.ir/news/83318613/China-to-open-consulate-in-Isfahan-diplomatic-zone-Mayor|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/3897431/سرشماری-اتباع-فاقد-مدرک-افغانستانی-در-استان-اصفهان-آغاز-شد/|title=سرشماری اتباع فاقد مدرک افغانستانی در استان اصفهان آغاز شد - خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency|website=www.mehrnews.com|date=5 February 2017 }}</ref>
The building housing the [[Consulate General of Russia, Isfahan|General Consulate of the Russian Federation in Isfahan]] is a registered cultural heritage site.<ref>{{cite web|title=صفحه اصلی - سرکنسولگری فدراسیون روسیه در شهر اصفهان|url=https://isfahan.mid.ru/fa_IR/web/isfahan-en|access-date=2020-09-26|website=isfahan.mid.ru|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926180704/https://isfahan.mid.ru/fa_IR/web/isfahan-en|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Isfahan municipality created a [[citizen diplomacy]] service program to encourage [[Public diplomacy of Iran|connections]] with sister cities around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kayhan.ir/en/news/87174/%E2%80%98citizen-diplomat%E2%80%99-initiative-to-strength-isfahan-foreign-relations |title='Citizen Diplomat' Initiative to Strength Isfahan Foreign Relations |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203160053/http://kayhan.ir/en/news/87174/%E2%80%98citizen-diplomat%E2%80%99-initiative-to-strength-isfahan-foreign-relations |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://c2m.isfahan.ir/Diplomat/Create |title=خدمت شهروند دیپلمات شهرداری اصفهان |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503083211/https://c2m.isfahan.ir/Diplomat/Create |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgia.mfa.gov.ir/en/newsview/624636/IRAN-Report-7|title = Iran Report (7)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:خواهرخوانده های اصفهان |trans-title=The Adopted Sisters of Isfahan |url=https://intaffairs.isfahan.ir/fa/sister-in-law-cities |date=1 August 2022 |website=International Cooperation Center of Isfahan |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723083604/https://intaffairs.isfahan.ir/fa/sister-in-law-cities |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Twin towns – sister cities=== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Iran}} [[File:Isfahankualalumpur.jpg|thumb|upright|Esfahan Street in [[Kuala Lumpur]], and Kualalampur Avenue in Isfahan|alt=Above, street sign reading "Jalan Esfahan"; below, street sign reading "Kovalalampor Ave."]]
Isfahan is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=شهرهای خواهر|url=https://new.isfahan.ir/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=52&tempname=tem93&PageID=4020|website=isfahan.ir|publisher=Isfahan|language=fa|access-date=2020-06-18|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618113813/https://new.isfahan.ir/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=52&tempname=tem93&PageID=4020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Cooperation Center of Municipality of Isfahan Bagh Zereshk international affairs |url=https://intaffairs.isfahan.ir/ |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503083212/http://intaffairs.isfahan.ir/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
#{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xi'an]], [[Shaanxi]], China (1989) #{{flagicon|MYS}} [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (1997) #{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Florence]], Italy (1998) #{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Iași]], Romania (1999) #{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Barcelona, Spain]] #{{flagicon|ARM}} [[Yerevan]], Armenia (2000) #{{flagicon|GER}} [[Freiburg im Breisgau]], Germany (2000) #{{flagicon|KWT}} [[Kuwait City]], Kuwait (2000) #{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Havana]], Cuba (2001) #{{flagicon|PAK}} [[Lahore]], Pakistan (2004) #{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia (2004) #{{flagicon|SEN}} [[Dakar]], Senegal (2009) #{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Baalbek]], Lebanon (2010) # {{Flagicon|Uzbekistan}}[[Samarkand, Uzbekistan]] since July 2021 # {{Flagicon|Portugal}}[[Porto, Portugal]] since July 2021 #{{flagicon|Russia}}[[Kazan, Russia]] 2025 <ref>{{Cite web | title=Kazan and Isfahan become sister cities — RealnoeVremya.com | url=https://m.realnoevremya.com/articles/8722-kazan-and-isfahan-become-sister-cities?_url=%2Farticles%2F8722-kazan-and-isfahan-become-sister-cities#from_desktop | access-date=2026-01-16 | website=m.realnoevremya.com}}</ref> #{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gyeongju]], South Korea (2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=SisterCities|url=https://www.gyeongju.go.kr/open_content/eng/page.do?mnu_uid=1369&|publisher=Gyeongju|access-date=2020-06-18|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621052510/https://www.gyeongju.go.kr/open_content/eng/page.do?mnu_uid=1369&|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Cooperation agreements=== Isfahan cooperates with: *[[Barcelona]], Spain (2000) In addition, the [[New Julfa]] quarter of Isfahan has friendly relations with:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.issy.com/decouvrir-issy/international/asie-et-orient/ispahanquartier-de-la-nouvelle-jolfa-iran|title=Ispahan/Quartier de la Nouvelle-Jolfâ (Iran)|access-date=17 February 2021|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210220431/https://www.issy.com/decouvrir-issy/international/asie-et-orient/ispahanquartier-de-la-nouvelle-jolfa-iran|url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]], France (2018)
==Notable people== {{Main|Category:People from Isfahan}}
{{Famous|date=October 2020}} <!-- Descending alphabetical order; Artists, Martyrs, Religious,...--> ;Music [[File:Leila Forouhar in Las Vegas.JPG|thumb|[[Leila Forouhar]]]] * [[Alireza Eftekhari]] (1956–), singer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biographyy.ir/1392/11/علیرضا-افتخاری-بیوگرافی/|title=بیوگرافی علیرضا افتخاری|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305040810/http://www.biographyy.ir/1392/11/%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%88%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%DB%8C/|archive-date=2014-03-05|url-status=dead|access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref> * [[Leila Forouhar]] (1959–), pop singer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gahar.ir/بیوگرافی-لیلا-فروهر-عکس/|title=بیوگرافی لیلا فروهر / عکس · جدید 96 -گهر|newspaper=جدید ۱۴۰۳ -❤️ گهر |date=18 April 2014 |access-date=14 July 2017|archive-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723211630/http://gahar.ir/%d8%a8%db%8c%d9%88%da%af%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%81%db%8c-%d9%84%db%8c%d9%84%d8%a7-%d9%81%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%87%d8%b1-%d8%b9%da%a9%d8%b3/|url-status=live |author1=Saeid }}</ref> * [[Hassan Kassai]] (1928–2012), musician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kassaimusic.ir/Content/Default.aspx?Landir=ltr&Lan=En&State=0|title=Hassan Kassai|access-date=14 July 2017|archive-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702151235/http://www.kassaimusic.ir/Content/Default.aspx?Landir=ltr&Lan=En&State=0|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Saeidi brothers]] (1981–), traditional singers<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 2021 |title=Saeidi vocalist brothers dedicate music video "Your Pure Way" to health workers |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460894/Saeidi-vocalist-brothers-dedicate-music-video-Your-Pure-Way |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=Theran Times}}</ref> * [[Hassan Shamaizadeh]] (1943–), singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biography91.blogfa.com/post/1|title=بیوگرافی حسن شماعیزاده|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831043049/http://biography91.blogfa.com/post/1|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Jalil Shahnaz]] (1921–2013), [[tar (drum)|Tar]] soloist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harmonytalk.com/archives/000556.html|title=شهسوار تار|access-date=15 July 2017|archive-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610065236/http://www.harmonytalk.com/archives/000556.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Film [[File:Mohammad-Ali Keshavarz, 10th Donyaye Tassvir Awards (23 8604220232 L600).jpg|thumb|[[Mohammad-Ali Keshavarz]]]] * [[Rasul Sadr Ameli]] (1953–), director * [[Sara Bahrami]] (1983–), actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ariapix.net/سار-بهرامی-بیوگرافی-عکس/|title=سارا بهرامی + بیوگرافی|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829055900/http://ariapix.net/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%88%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Homayoun Ershadi]] (1947–), Hollywood actor and architect * [[Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari]] (1956–2001), former princess of Iran and actress * [[Bahman Farmanara]] (1942–), director * [[Jahangir Forouhar]] (1916–1997), actor and father of Leila Forouhar * [[Mohamad Ali Keshvarz]] (1930–2020), actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://namnak.com/محمد-علی-کشاورز.p4003|title=بیوگرافی "محمد علی کشاورز" + عکس|date=9 September 2013 |access-date=20 August 2018|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827003459/http://namnak.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B2.p4003|url-status=live}}</ref> *[[Mahdi Pakdel]] (1980–), actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://namnak.com/مهدی-پاکدل.p11177|title=بیوگرافی مهدی پاکدل و همسرش|work=نمناک |access-date=20 August 2018|archive-date=1 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901081910/http://namnak.com/%D9%85%D9%87%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AF%D9%84.p11177|url-status=live}}</ref> *[[Nosratollah Vahdat]] (1925–2020), actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://namnak.com/%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AA.p29845|title=گفتگو با نصرتالله وحدت در بهار 90 سالگی|work=نمناک |date=24 April 2016 |access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=27 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133143/http://namnak.com/%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AA.p29845|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Craftsmen and painters * [[Mahmoud Farshchian]] (1930–2025), painter and miniaturist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://farshchian.honar.ac.ir/index.aspx?siteid=10&pageid=548|title=مروری کوتاه بر زندگینامه استاد محمود فرشچیان|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019033605/http://farshchian.honar.ac.ir/index.aspx?siteid=10&pageid=548|archive-date=2013-10-19|url-status=dead|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> * [[Bogdan Saltanov]] (1630s–1703), Russian icon painter of Isfahanian Armenian origin
;Political figures
* [[Ahmad Amir-Ahmadi]] (1906–1965), military leader and cabinet minister * [[Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti]] (1928–1981), cleric, chairman of the Council of Revolution of Iran<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hawzah.net/fa/Question/View/7274/زندگی-نامه-شهید-بهشتی|title=زندگینامه شهید بهشتی|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909131147/http://www.hawzah.net/fa/Question/View/7274/%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA%DB%8C|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Nusrat Bhutto]] (1929–2011), chairman of [[Pakistan People's Party|Pakistan Peoples Party]] from 1979 to 1983; wife of [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]]; mother of [[Benazir Bhutto]] *[[Meir Ezri]] (1924–2015), Israeli ambassador to Tehran * [[Hossein Fatemi]], [[Ph. D]] (1919–1954), politician and foreign minister * [[Mohammad-Ali Foroughi]] (1875–1942), politician and [[Prime Minister of Iran]] in the World War II era<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/97060603209/%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF|title=با "محمدعلی فروغی" بیشتر آشنا شوید|date=28 August 2018|archive-date=27 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227230506/https://www.isna.ir/news/97060603209/%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Dariush Forouhar]] (1928–1998), a founder and leader of the Hezb-e Mellat-e Iran (Nation of Iran Party) * [[Hossein Kharrazi]] (1957–1987), chief of the army in the [[Iran–Iraq War]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/4781905/حسین-خرازی-که-بود-و-چگونه-به-شهادت-رسید|title=حسین خرازی که بود و چگونه به شهادت رسید؟|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831084928/http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/4781905/%D8%AD%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%88-%DA%86%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Mohsen Nourbakhsh]] (1948–2003), economist and governor of the [[Central Bank of Iran]] * [[Mohammad Javad Zarif]] (1960–), minister of foreign affairs and former ambassador to the United Nations<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/184251/ناشنیدههایی-از-زندگی-ظریف-در-روز-تولدش|title=ناشنیدههایی از زندگی "محمدجواد ظریف" در روز تولدش|access-date=17 August 2017|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817162205/http://www.entekhab.ir/fa/news/184251/%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B8%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%81-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B4|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Religious figures * [[Lady Amin]] (1886–1983), female jurisprudent, theologian, Muslim mystic ('arif), and [[Ijtihad|Mujtahideh]] * [[Seyyed Ali Qazi Askar]] (1954–), Iran's [[Supreme Leader of Iran|supreme leader]] representative in [[Hajj]] * [[Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti]] (1928–1981), cleric and chairman of the [[Council of Revolution of Iran]]<ref name=":1" /> * [[Fethullah Qa'ravi Isfahani]] (1850–1920), [[Qajar Iran|Qajar]] cleric and anti-[[British Empire|British]] rebel * [[Allamah al-Majlisi]] (1616–1698), Safavid cleric and [[sheikh ul-Islam]] * [[Amina Bint al-Majlisi|Amina Begum Bint al-Majlisi]], female Safavid mujtahideh. * [[Ibn Manda|Muhammad Ibn Manda]] ({{abbr|d.|died}} 1005 / [[Hijri era|AH]] 395), historian and [[Sunni]] [[Hanbali school|Hanbali]] scholar of [[hadith]] * [[Salman the Persian]] ({{circa}} 568–652), religious scholar and [[Companions of the Prophet}|companion of Muhammad]] * [[Abu Nu`aym|Abu Nu'aym Al-Ahbahani Al-Shafi'i]] (d. 1038 / AH 430), Sunni [[Shafi'i school|Shafi'i]] scholar
;Sportspeople * [[Mohammad-Ali Asgari]] (1954–), [[association football|football]] administrator * [[Milad Beigi]] (1991–), [[Olympics|Olympic]] [[taekwondo]] bronze medalist and world champion * [[Abdolali Changiz]] (1957–), Esteghlal FC football player * [[Mansour Ebrahimzadeh]] (1956–), [[Sepahan S.C.]] football player and head coach of [[Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.|Zobahan F.C.]] * [[Ghasem Haddadifar]] (1983–), captain of Zobahan F.C. * [[Sina Karimian]] (1988–), K-1 cruiserweight kickboxing champion * [[Arsalan Kazemi]] (1990–), forward for the [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball]] team and the [[Iran men's national basketball team|Iran national basketball team]] * [[Rasoul Korbekandi]] (1953–), goalkeeper of the Iranian National Team * [[Sohrab Moradi]] (1988–), Olympic weightlifting gold medalist and 105 kg category world record holder * [[Moharram Navidkia]] (1982–), captain of Sepahan S.C. * [[Mohammad Talaei]] (1973–), world champion wrestler * [[Mahmoud Yavari]] (1939–2020), football player and coach of Iranian National Team
;Writers and poets * [[Jaleh Esfahani]] (1921–2007), poet<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=ESFAHANI, Jaleh|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|date=20 July 2009|last=Vajdi|first=Shadab |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/esfahani-jaleh/}}</ref> * [[Hatef Esfehani]], [[Afsharid Iran|Afsharid era]] moral poet * [[Mohammad-Ali Jamālzādeh Esfahani]] (1892–1997), author * [[Kamal ed-Din Esmail]] (late 12th century – early 13th century) * [[Houshang Golshiri]] (1938–2000), writer and editor * [[Jajarmi]], 14th century poet and anthologist * [[Hamid Mosadegh]] (1939–1998), poet and lawyer * [[Mirza Abbas Khan Sheida]] (1880–1949), poet and publisher * [[Shahla Sherkat]] (born 1956), writer, publisher, editor; a pioneer of the [[women's movement]] in modern Iran * [[Saib Tabrizi]] (1592–1676), poet
;Others * [[Ali Abdi (activist)|Ali Abdi]] (1985–), human and women's rights activist * [[Abd-ol-Ghaffar Amilakhori]], 17th-century noble * [[Adib Boroumand]] (1924–2017), poet, politician, lawyer, and leader of the [[National Front (Iran)|National Front]] * [[George Bournoutian]], American-Iranian professor, historian and author * [[Ispahani family]], [[Persian people|Perso]]-[[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]] business family *[[Sediqeh Dowlatabadi]] (1882–1961), feminist activist, journalist, educator and one of the pioneering figures in the Persian women's movement *[[Mahlagha Jaberi]] (born 1989), [[influencer]] and [[Instagram model]] * [[Jesse of Kakheti]], king of [[Kingdom of Kakheti|Kakheti]] in eastern [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] from 1614 to 1615 * [[Simon II of Kartli]], king of [[Kingdom of Kartli|Kartli]] in eastern Georgia from 1619 to 1630/1631 * [[David II of Kakheti]], king of Kakheti from 1709 to 1722 * [[Constantine II of Kakheti]], king of Kakheti from 1722 to 1732 * [[Nasser Khalili|Nasser David Khalili]] (1945–), British property developer, art collector and philanthropist * [[Alexander Kostellow]] (1897–1954), Iranian-American industrial designer<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |date=1954 |title=Alexander Jusserand Kostellow |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_i-d_1954-10_1_5/page/10/mode/2up?q=%22alexander+kostellow%22 |journal=Industrial Design |volume=1 |issue=5 |pages=10 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1954-09-02 |title=Obituary for Alexander Kostellow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph-obituary-for-al/162684432/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph |pages=11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> * [[Jack Mahfar]] (1931–), businessman * [[Arthur Upham Pope]] (1881–1969), American archaeologist and art historian, buried near [[Khaju Bridge]] * [[Alexandre de Rhodes]] (1591–1660), [[French people|French]] [[Jesuit]] and designer of [[Vietnamese alphabet]], buried in the city's [[Armenia]]n cemetery
== 2025 ammunition factory explosion == On 29 April 2025, an explosion occurred at a company warehouse of Ava Nar, a Persian gunpowder manufacturer, located in central Isfahan. In the explosion two people were killed and two others were injured. The cause of the explosion is yet to be known. This event took place only three days after the [[Port of Shahid Rajaee explosion|explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-29 |title=Gunpowder factory explosion kills two as Iran faces string of deadly blasts |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202504298879 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.iranintl.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:Persian-Potteries-17th-Century-Isfahan.jpg|alt=Two ceramic plates with painted floral designs|Persian pottery from the city of Isfahan, 17th century File:Vanderaa1725.jpg|alt=Print depicting Isfahan in background, with a caravan of men and camels on road in foreground|Isfahan, capital of the Kingdom of Persia File:Ispahan - Pont Alla - Werdie - Chan - Bruyn Cornelis De - 1725.jpg|alt=Print depicting view of town above, and view of bridge below|[[Si-o-se-pol]] Bridge by [[Cornelis de Bruijn]], 1705 File: Isfahan to the south side by Eugène Flandin.jpg|alt=Drawing of several buildings, with mountains visible in background|Isfahan to the south side, drawing by [[Eugène Flandin]] File:Ali minaret by Eugène Flandin.jpg|alt=Drawing of street with minaret and mosque in background|Ali [[minaret]], 1840, drawing by Eugène Flandin File:"Les Russes à Ispahan" by Eugène Damblans in Le Petit Journal, 23 April 1916.jpg|alt=Drawing of Russian cavalry on horseback in front of a mosque; four Russian flags are being displayed|[[Russia]]n army in Isfahan in the 1890s </gallery>
==See also== <!--♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--> * [[15861 Ispahan]] * [[Acid attacks on women in Isfahan]] * [[Courts of Isfahan]] * [[Isfahan National Holy Association]] * [[Isfahan Seminary]] * [[Islamic City Council of Isfahan]] *[[Isfahan Zoo]] * [[List of the historical structures in the Isfahan province]] * [[Prix d'Ispahan]]
== Notes == {{notelist}}
==References== ===Citations=== {{reflist}}
===Works cited=== * {{cite book|last1=Matthee|first1=Rudi|title=Persia in Crisis: Safavid Decline and the Fall of Isfahan|date=2012|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1845117450}}
==Further reading== {{See also|Timeline of Isfahan#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Isfahan}} * Kheirandish, Elaheh. ''Baghdad and Isfahan: A Dialogue of Two Cities in an Age of Science CA. 750–1750'' (Harvard UP, 2021) [https://www.amazon.com/Baghdad-Isfahan-Dialogue-Science-750-1750/dp/1780768338/ excerpt] * {{cite book |author1= Yves Bomati |author2=Houchang Nahavandi |title=Shah Abbas, Emperor of Persia, 1587–1629 |date=2017 |editor=Parviz Amouzegar |publisher= Ketab Corporation |place=Los Angeles |isbn=978-1595845672 |translator=Azizeh Azodi}} * {{cite book|author=Dehghan, Maziar |year=2014|title=Management in IRAN|isbn= 978-600-04-1573-0}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|url=http://www.isfahan.ir/}} * [https://tourismapp.isfahan.ir/ tourism guide]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130051402/http://esup.isfahan.ir/ |date=30 November 2020 }} * {{URL|ica.isfahan.ir/ | esro}} * [https://isfahan.iranpl.ir/portal/home/ Public libraries atlas]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416095635/https://isfahan.iranpl.ir/portal/home/ |date=16 April 2021 }} (Persian) * [http://dlim.ir/dl/search Digital Library of Isfahan Municipality]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624113955/http://dlim.ir/dl/search/ |date=24 June 2021 }} * {{Cite web | title=Hokiku88 {{!}} Situs Taruhan Bola Terbaru & Game Slot Populer Di Indonesia | url=https://shora-isfahan.com/ | access-date=2026-01-16 | website=shora-isfahan.com}}
{{S-start}} {{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Seljuq Empire]] (Persia)|before= [[Rey, Iran|Rey]]|after=[[Hamadan]] {{small|(Western capital)}}<br />[[Merv]] {{small|(Eastern capital)}}|years=1051–1118}} {{Succession box|title=[[Capitals of Persia|Capital of Iran (Persia)]]| before=[[Qazvin]]|after=[[Mashhad]]|years=1598–1736}} {{Succession box|title=Capital of [[Safavid dynasty]]| before=[[Qazvin]]|after=-|years=1598–1722}} {{S-end}} {{Navboxes|list1 = {{Isfahan metropolitan area}} {{Isfahan County}} {{Isfahan Province}} {{Isfahan Colleges}} {{Provincial capitals of Iran}} {{Iranian Architecture}} }} {{Subject bar|commons=yes|wikt=yes|n=yes|q=yes|s=yes|b=no|voy=yes|v=yes|d=yes|d-search=Q42053|portal1=Asia|portal2=Geography|portal3=Iran|portal4=Cities}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Isfahan| ]] [[Category:Achaemenid cities]] [[Category:Cities in Isfahan province]] [[Category:Former capitals of Iran]] [[Category:Iranian provincial capitals]] [[Category:Parthian cities]] [[Category:Populated places in Isfahan County]] [[Category:Sasanian cities]] [[Category:Seleucid colonies]]