View source for Place:Karaj

{{Short description|City in Alborz province, Iran}}
{{for multi|the administrative division|Karaj County|other places with the same name|Karaj (disambiguation){{!}}Karaj}}


{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = Karaj
| native_name                     = {{lang|fa|کرج}}
| native_name_lang                = fa
| settlement_type                 = City
| image_skyline                   = 
{{multiple image
| border                          = infobox
| total_width                     = 300
| perrow                          = 1/2/2/2/2
| image1                          = Azimieh Aerial View.jpg
| alt1                            = Azimieh
| image2                          = کاخ سلیمانیه.jpg
| alt2                            = Soleymaniyeh Palace
| image3                          = Karaj taleghani.jpg
| alt3                            = Karaj Taleghani
| image4                          = Pearl Palace -Kakh e Morvarid- Karaj Iran.jpg
| alt4                            = Pearl Palace
| image5                          = Tulips Festival Held in Iran's Karaj-5.jpg
| alt5                            = Tulips Festival Held in Iran's Karaj
| image7                          = Karaj dam.jpg
| alt6                            = IranKarajStausee
| image8                          = Aderan Karaj.jpg
| alt7                            = Aderan Karaj
}}
| image_size                      = 300px
| image_caption                   = Panoramic, Soleymaniyeh Palace, Taleghani Boulevard, Pearl Palace, Tulips Festival, Amir Kabir dam lake, Aderan Village
| image_seal                      = Karaj government logo.svg
| mapsize                         = 150px
| pushpin_map                     = Iran
| coordinates                     = {{coord|35|49|38|N|50|56|56|E|dim:10km|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_footnotes   = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=35.827222&mlon=50.948889&zoom=12#map=12/35.8272/50.9489 |website=[[OpenStreetMap]] |title=Karaj, Karaj County |date=25 March 2023 |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Iran
| subdivision_type1               = Province
| subdivision_type2               = County
| subdivision_type3               = District
| subdivision_name1               = Alborz
| subdivision_name2               = Karaj
| subdivision_name3               = Central
| established_title               = 
| established_date                = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = 
 Mehrdad Kiani
| leader_title1                   = City Council Chairman
| leader_name1                    = Javad Chapardar
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 162
| elevation_m                     = 1312
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="2016 census"/>
| population_urban                = 1973470
| population_metro                = 2512737 <ref>[https://alborz.mporg.ir/FileSystem/View/File.aspx?Mode=Download&FileId=e459d90c-57f7-48bb-b0f9-16620e16d768 Alborz downloaded document] {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref>
| population_as_of                = 2016
|population_total                 = 1592492
| population_est                  = 
| population_est_as_of            = 
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_blank1_title         = Population Rank in Iran
| population_blank1               = 4th
| area_code                       = 026
| blank_name                      = [[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info                      = [[Earth:Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|BSk]]
| website                         = [https://english.karaj.ir/ karaj.ir]
| footnotes                       = 
| timezone                        = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
| utc_offset                      = +3:30
| name                            = 
}}

'''Karaj''' ({{lang-fa|کرج}}, {{IPA-fa|kæˈɾædʒ|pron|Karaj.ogg}}) is the fourth-largest city in [[Religion:Iran|Iran]] and is near the country's capital, [[Place:Tehran|Tehran]]. It is the capital of Alborz province, and is in the Central District of Karaj County.<ref name="Alborz Province Establishment Law">{{cite web |title = Alborz province establishment law |language = fa |website = Lamtakam |url = https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/782290 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231216152645/https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/782290 |publisher = Guardian Council |last = Larijani |first = Ali |date = 16 April 1389 |archive-date = 16 December 2023 |access-date = 16 December 2023}}</ref>

Although the county hosts a population around 1.97 million, as recorded in the 2016 census,<ref name="2016 census">{{cite web | title = Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016) | page = 30 | language = fa | publisher = The Statistical Center of Iran | website = AMAR | url = https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_30.xlsx | access-date = 19 December 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200128141943/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_30.xlsx | format = Excel | archive-date = 28 January 2020}}</ref> most of the {{cvt|1,419|km2}} county is rugged mountain. The urban area is the fourth-largest in Iran, after Tehran, [[Place:Mashhad|Mashhad]], and [[Place:Isfahan|Isfahan]].<ref>City Population: ''[http://www.citypopulation.de/Iran-MajorCities.html IRAN: Major Cities]''</ref> Eshtehard County<ref name="Eshtehard County">{{cite web | title = Eshtehard county was added to the map of country divisions | language = fa | website = DOLAT | url = http://www.dolat.ir/NSite/FullStory/News/?Serv=0&Id=216086 | access-date = 11 November 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215835/http://www.dolat.ir/NSite/FullStory/News/?Serv=0&Id=216086 | archive-date = 23 September 2015 |date = 10 June 2012 |publisher = Ministry of Interior, Political and Defense Commission |last = Rahimi |first = Mohammadreza}}</ref> and Fardis County<ref name="Fardis">{{cite web |title = With the approval of the government board: The counties of Fardis, Badreh and Balaveh were added to the map of country divisions |language = fa |website = Mehr News |url = https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2091596/شهرستان-های-فردیس-بدره-و-بلاوه-به-نقشه-تقسیمات-کشوری-اضافه |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230324212729/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2091596/شهرستان-های-فردیس-بدره-و-بلاوه-به-نقشه-تقسیمات-کشوری-اضافه |publisher = Ministry of Interior, Board of Ministers |last = Rahimi |first = Mohammad Reza |date = 7 July 2013 |archive-date = 24 March 2023 |access-date = 11 November 2023}}</ref> were split off from Karaj County since the previous census.

At the National Census of 2006, Karaj had a population of 1,377,450 in 385,955 households, when it was in Tehran province.<ref name="2006 census">{{cite web | title = Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006) | page = 23 | language = fa | publisher = The Statistical Center of Iran | website = AMAR | url = http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/23.xls | access-date = 25 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110920084534/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/23.xls | format = Excel | archive-date = 20 September 2011}}</ref> The latest census in 2016 counted 1,592,492 people in 508,420 households,<ref name="2006 census"/> by which time the county had separated from the province and become a part of recently established Alborz province.<ref name="Alborz Province Establishment Law"/>

The earliest records of Karaj date back to the 30th century BC. The city was developed under the rule of the Safavid and Qajar dynasties and is home to historical buildings and memorials from those eras. This city has a unique climate due to access to natural resources such as many trees, rivers, and green plains. After Tehran, Karaj is the largest immigrant-friendly city in Iran, so it has been nicknamed "Little Iran."

== History ==
[[File:کاروانسرای شاه عباسی کرج 1.jpg|thumb|left|Shah-Abbasi Caravansary]]

The area around Karaj has been inhabited for thousands of years, such as at the [[History:Bronze Age|Bronze Age]] site of Tepe Khurvin and the [[History:Iron Age|Iron Age]] site of Kalak.<ref>L. van den Berghe, ''La nécropole de Khūrvīn'', Istanbul, Nederlands Historisch-Archaeologisch Instituut in het Nabije Oosten, 1964.</ref><ref name="Iranica">{{cite web |last1=Hourcade |first1=Bernard |title=KARAJ i. Modern City |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/karaj-city-modern-city |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |access-date=15 October 2022}}</ref> However, the present-day city of Karaj is mostly the result of modern industrial development in the 20th century.<ref name="Iranica"/>

Historically, Karaj was mostly significant as a stage on the road between Tehran and [[Place:Qazvin|Qazvin]].<ref name="Iranica"/> In Safavid times, a stone bridge was built that served as the main crossing into the town.<ref name="Iranica"/> The large Shah-Abbasi Caravansary, located at the southeast of Towhid Square, was built in the same era, under the rule of Šāh Esmāil.

In 1810, the Qajar prince Soleyman Mirza built the Soleymaniyeh Palace at Kajar to serve as a summer resort.<ref name="Iranica"/> The palace had four towers and was surrounded by gardens, and its reception room featured a pair of paintings by Abdallah Khan Naqqashbandi.<ref name="Iranica"/> By 1860, however, the palace was described as abandoned and only used as a shelter for travelers.<ref name="Iranica"/> Naser al-Din Shah Qajar later renovated the palace.<ref name="Iranica"/> In 1917, a School of Farming was established on the site, replacing the earlier Mozaffari Agricultural School in Tehran.<ref name="Iranica"/> Later, Reza Shah Pahlavi granted it to the [[Organization:University of Tehran|University of Tehran]]'s new Faculty of Agriculture.<ref name="Iranica"/>

In the 1930s, plans were drawn up for a large industrial complex covering 216 [[Hectare|hectare]]s on the south side of the village.<ref name="Iranica"/> This "Industrial Model Town of Karaj" was intended to be the site of the country's first [[Engineering:Steel mill|steel mill]]s, capitalizing on easy access to water and coal from the Alborz.<ref name="Iranica"/> However, the construction equipment imported from Germany was seized by the British at the Suez Canal, and the planned complex was never built.<ref name="Iranica"/>

A major industrial complex, the first privately-owned one in Karaj, was built in the 1960s by Mohammad-Sadeq Fateh.<ref name="Iranica"/> This complex, called Shahrak-e Jahanshahr, included oil, tea, and textile factories as well as housing for the workers.<ref name="Iranica"/>

[[File:Pearl Palace -Kakh e Morvarid- Karaj Iran.jpg|thumb|left|Morvarid Palace]]
The Morvārid Palace was constructed in nearby Mehršahr district, during the Pahlavi era. It was designed by the ''Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation'' (Taliesin Associated Architects) on instructions from Shams Pahlavi, elder sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In this period it was a transit and industrial town.

Majority of the structure is now controlled by the Basij Organization, and some sections of it are open to public under the operation of Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran.

Other historical sites of the city include the Mausoleum of Šāhzāde Soleymān, [[Religion:Imamzadeh|Emāmzāde]] Rahmān, Emāmzāde Zeyd, and Palang Ābād e Eštehārd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itto.org/iran/city/Karaj_City/|title=Karaj city in Alborz province, travel to iran, Visit Iran|first=Sirang Rasaneh|last=www.sirang.com|website=itto.org &#124; Iran Tourism & Touring}}</ref>

== Geography ==

=== Regions ===
thumb|Azimiyeh Karaj
The downtown of Karaj is usually referred to Karaj Square, located hundred of meters to the west of Karaj River and the old Karaj Bridge. The villages Hesārak, Gowhar Dašt, and Šahrak e Azimie are located in the northern Greater Karaj.

Meškin Dašt, a large agricultural area between Mehršahr and Fardis, is near Karaj.

The following table includes the major districts of the city:
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:80%; text-align:center"
|-
|Gouhar Daŝt
|Mehrŝahr
|Kiānmehr
|Karaj e Now
|Hesārak
|Deraxti
|Azimie
|Ouj
|Ŝāhin Villā
|Bonyād
|Bāqestān
|Doulat Ābād
|-
|Garm Darre
|Ŝahrake Jahānŝahr
|Mesbāh
|Mehr Villā
|Dehqān Villā
|Māhdaŝt
|Ŝahrake Banafŝe
|Fardis
|Vahdat
|Kalāk o Hesār
|Estām Ābād
|Golŝahr
|-
|Golŝahr Villā
|Zibā Daŝt
|Zoube Āhan
|Sāsāni
|Homāyun Villā
|Mehrānŝahr
|Mehdi Ābād
|Ŝahrake Xātam
|Miān Jādde
|Heydar Ābād
|Sāwoj Bolāq
|Bahārestān
|}

Open space recreational areas of Karaj include Irānzamin Park, Pārk e Xānvāde, Tennis Park, Pārk e Mādar, Tāleqān Gardens, Kordān Gardens, Jahānšahr Gardens, Pardis e Golhā, and the Tulip Garden of Gačsār.

=== Climate ===
The climate of Karaj is a bit cooler than Tehran's, and it receives 250&nbsp;mm of rain annually (and like Tehran, the precipitation pattern is similar to those of Mediterranean climates). The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies the city's climate as cold semi-arid (BSk).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Karaj - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/2098/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|metric first = yes
|width = auto
|single line = yes
|location = Karaj (1985–2010)
|Jan record high C = 18.2
|Feb record high C = 19.8
|Mar record high C = 27.4
|Apr record high C = 33.0
|May record high C = 34.6
|Jun record high C = 39.2
|Jul record high C = 42.0
|Aug record high C = 40.2
|Sep record high C = 37.2
|Oct record high C = 31.8
|Nov record high C = 25.0
|Dec record high C = 20.0
|year record high C = 42.0
|Jan high C = 6.1
|Feb high C = 9.0
|Mar high C = 14.2
|Apr high C = 20.7
|May high C = 26.2
|Jun high C = 32.6
|Jul high C = 35.2
|Aug high C = 34.5
|Sep high C = 30.4
|Oct high C = 23.5
|Nov high C = 15.1
|Dec high C = 8.9
|year high C = 21.4
|Jan mean C = 1.8
|Feb mean C = 4.1
|Mar mean C = 8.7
|Apr mean C = 14.5
|May mean C = 19.2
|Jun mean C = 24.6
|Jul mean C = 27.1
|Aug mean C = 26.8
|Sep mean C = 22.9
|Oct mean C = 17.1
|Nov mean C = 9.9
|Dec mean C = 4.6
|year mean C = 15.1
|Jan low C = -2.5
|Feb low C = -0.7
|Mar low C = 3.2
|Apr low C = 8.4
|May low C = 12.2
|Jun low C = 16.5
|Jul low C = 19.0
|Aug low C = 19.1
|Sep low C = 15.3
|Oct low C = 10.8
|Nov low C = 4.8
|Dec low C = 0.3
|year low C = 8.9
|Jan record low C = -19.0
|Feb record low C = -15.6
|Mar record low C = -10.5
|Apr record low C = -3.5
|May record low C = -0.4
|Jun record low C = 7.2
|Jul record low C = 10.6
|Aug record low C = 12.0
|Sep record low C = 7.0
|Oct record low C = -0.5
|Nov record low C = -6.0
|Dec record low C = -14.6
|year record low C = -19.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 30.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 32.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 45.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 39.1
|May precipitation mm = 19.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 2.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 3.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 1.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 1.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 15.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 27.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 33.5
|year precipitation mm = 251.7
|Jan humidity = 67
|Feb humidity = 60
|Mar humidity = 53
|Apr humidity = 48
|May humidity = 43
|Jun humidity = 34
|Jul humidity = 35
|Aug humidity = 34
|Sep humidity = 36
|Oct humidity = 44
|Nov humidity = 56
|Dec humidity = 66
|year humidity = 48
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 6.3
|Feb precipitation days = 5.7
|Mar precipitation days = 6.7
|Apr precipitation days = 5.8
|May precipitation days = 3.7
|Jun precipitation days = 1.0
|Jul precipitation days = 0.7
|Aug precipitation days = 0.3
|Sep precipitation days = 0.3
|Oct precipitation days = 3.2
|Nov precipitation days = 4.8
|Dec precipitation days = 5.8
|year precipitation days = 44.3
|Jan snow days = 5.4
|Feb snow days = 3.7
|Mar snow days = 1.9
|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 = 0.5
|Dec snow days = 2.7
|year snow days = 14.3
|Jan sun = 166.3
|Feb sun = 169.7
|Mar sun = 197.4
|Apr sun = 218.1
|May sun = 280.7
|Jun sun = 335.2
|Jul sun = 341.5
|Aug sun = 340.1
|Sep sun = 304.2
|Oct sun = 250.1
|Nov sun = 187.2
|Dec sun = 156.8
|year sun = 2947.3
|source 1 = Iran Meteorological Organization (records),<ref name=records>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/7.asp |title= Highest record temperature in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414135119/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/7.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/6.asp |title= Lowest record temperature in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414140635/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/6.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> (temperatures),<ref name=temperatures>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/3.asp |title= Average Maximum temperature in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414131253/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/3.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/5.asp |title= Average Mean Daily temperature in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414124948/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/5.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/2.asp |title= Average Minimum temperature in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414124402/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/2.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> (precipitation),<ref name=precipitation>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/25.asp |title= Monthly Total Precipitation in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150330145042/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/25.asp |archive-date= March 30, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> (humidity),<ref name=humidity>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/14.asp |title= Average relative humidity in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414135739/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/14.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> (days with precipitation and snow),<ref name=precipdays>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/29.asp |title= No. Of days with precipitation equal to or greater than 1 mm in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414125455/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/29.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/32.asp |title= No. of days with snow or sleet in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414131810/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/32.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> (sunshine)<ref name=sunshine>
*{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/42.asp |title= Monthly total sunshine hours in Karaj by Month 1985–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414141402/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/alb/KARAJ/42.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref>
}}

Amir Kabir Dam and some other small lakes are based in Karaj. The city is a starting point for a drive along road forced north through the Alborz mountain to the Caspian Sea.<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=PNYLJakw1SQC&pg=PA117 Iran. Ediz. Inglese]'' by Andrew Burke, Mark Elliott, and Kamin Mohammadi, 2004</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{bar box
| title=Ethnic groups of Karaj (Pars advanced research scholars)<ref>{{cite web|title=Pars|url=http://farsi.parsprobe.com/|website=Pars|access-date=2016-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217035803/http://farsi.parsprobe.com/|archive-date=2016-02-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| titlebar=#ddd
| left1='''Ethnic groups'''
| right1='''Percent'''
| float=right
| bars=
{{bar percent|Persians |red|48.3|53%}}
{{bar percent|Azerbaijanis|green|35|30%}}
{{bar percent|Kurds|blue|15|7.2%}}
{{bar percent|Gilak and Tabari|yellow|10.5|5%}}
{{bar percent|Lurs|purple|3.5|4.1%}}
}}

The majority of the residents of Karaj are Persians, with Azerbaijanis making up the second major ethno-linguistic group of the city. Kurds, Gilak, Tabari and Lurs include the other ethnicities among the population of Karaj.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Gender segregation population in 2016
!Male
!Female
!Total
!Ref.
|-
|890,824
|886,570
|1,759,394
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/|title=درگاه ملی آمار|website=www.amar.org.ir|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906071718/https://www.amar.org.ir/|archive-date=2019-09-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Population by age group in 2016 (%)
!age (0–14 years)
!age (15–29 years)
!age (30–64 years)
!age (65 years and older)
|-
|20.3%
|23.6%
|50.2%
|6.0%
|}

== Transport ==
[[File:Golshahr metRo.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=|Golshahr Metro Station]]

=== Railway ===
Karaj is connected by railway and highways to Tehran 40&nbsp;km east and [[Place:Qazvin|Qazvin]] 100&nbsp;km northwest, and by commuter rail to the subway system of Tehran.

=== Metro ===
The city is served Karaj Metro with 2 lines and 10 stations. Karaj urban railway organization established on 21 December 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://irtco.ir/en/pages/content.php?id=26|title=Karaj Urban Railway History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110146/http://irtco.ir/en/pages/content.php?id=26|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead|access-date=2015-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irangulistan.com/cartes/train/iran-railways-map.jpg|title=Iran Railways Map}}</ref> 
[[File:Karaj Metro map-Future-geo.png|thumb|250px|right|Karaj Metro operational and under construction lines]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+Karaj 6 lines information
! Line
! Line Route
! Length
! Stations
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#c9b846" | '''{{color|black|1}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Germdareh – new city of Mehestan'''
| 43&nbsp;km (26.7&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 7
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#58e558" | '''{{color|black|2}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Kamalshahr–Mallard'''
| 27&nbsp;km (16&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 23
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#1c2695" | '''{{color|black|3}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Karaj–Azimiyeh'''
| 14&nbsp;km (9&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 12
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#e71425" | '''{{color|black|4}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Baghestan – Karaj (Payam) Airport'''
| 18&nbsp;km (11.1&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 19
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#9d279f" | '''{{color|black|5}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Shahid Moazen Boulevard – Mohamadshahr'''
| 12&nbsp;km (7.5&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 10
|-
| style="text-align:center; color:#FFFFFF; background-color:#916832" | '''{{color|black|6}}'''
| style="text-align:center" |'''Esteghlal Boulevard – Shahid Soltani Square'''
| 9&nbsp;km (6&nbsp;mi)
| style="text-align:center" | 8
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | '''Total:'''
|'''97&nbsp;km (60&nbsp;mi)'''
| style="text-align:center" | 76
|}

=== Road ===
The highway system of Karaj includes Tehran–Karaj Highway, Karaj Special Road, and the old road of Karaj (Fath Highway). Bākeri Expressway is one of the main north-to-south routes in west Tehran, which is connected to the Tehran–Karaj Highway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.tehran.ir/default.aspx?tabid=77&ArticleId=1562|title=Main Bridges on Tehran-Karaj Highway Commissioned|website=Tehran official web site}}</ref> Tehran–Karaj Highway is one of the busiest sections in Iran with AADT of 217084.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tinn.ir/vdcft0dyjw6dj0a.igiw.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812083805/http://tinn.ir/vdcft0dyjw6dj0a.igiw.html|url-status=dead|title=تردد بیش از یک میلیون خودرو از آزادراه تهران -کرج|archive-date=Aug 12, 2013}}</ref> Karaj–[[Place:Qazvin|Qazvin]] has an AADT of 79606.

The aerial transport of Karaj is served by the Payam International Airport, which was established in 1990, and was officially opened in 1997.

{{wide image|Karaj Chalus Road Cross the River LD - panoramio.jpg|1200px|A view of the Karaj-Chalous Road (Road 59) and the Karaj River}}

=== Bus ===
Currently, the total number of buses in Karaj and the suburbs are 1,600 units. More than 80 lines serve citizens.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Preparing Alborz Card<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alborzcard.ir/|title=البرزکارت &#124; البرزکارت: کارت بلیت الکترونیکی کرج|website=alborzcard.ir}}</ref> can reduce the cost of travel tickets.
[[File:Payam Airport 08.jpg|thumb|right|Payam Airport]]

=== Metro ===
The Karaj Metro consists of two lines. Line One travels from west to east through the city (from Karaj Station to Golshahr Station). It continues eastward to become Line Five of the Tehran Metro. On its way to Tehran, it stops at Chitgar park and Azadi stadium. The second line of Karaj metro (north to south) is under construction and opened for limited service in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Second Karaj metro line opened for limited service |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/second-karaj-metro-line-opened-for-limited-service/63653.article |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=www.railwaygazette.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UrbanRail.Net -> Karaj |url=https://www.urbanrail.net/as/ir/karaj/karaj.htm |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=www.urbanrail.net |language=en}}</ref>

=== Air ===
Payam International Airport, is an international airport located in Karaj, 40 kilometers (25&nbsp; mi) from Tehran, in the Alborz Province of Iran. The airport was established in 1990, but was not opened officially until 1997. Payam Aviation Services Co. operates the airport as part of Payam Special Economic Zone. Payam Air previously operated an airmail hub at the airport.
Currently, this airport and its special area are used for purposes such as cargo transit, commercial transportation, and goods mail in the development of the country's communication and information technology industries.

== Economy ==
The economic base of Karaj is its proximity to [[Place:Tehran|Tehran]]. It is due to the transportation of products between Tehran and the Caspian Sea. Chemicals, fertilizers and processed agricultural goods are also produced in the city.

Zowb Āhan, the avenue leading to an industrial plant, is located at the south of Ostandar Square. ''Zowb e Āhan'' or ''Zowb Āhan'', literally "steel mill", was a contract between the Pahlavi government and a consortium from [[Place:Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]]. The establishment of the factory ''Zowb Āhan e Karaj'' was halted by the beginning of the Second World War, and it was never launched.

Šahrak-e Jahānšahr was the first modern private industrial and housing complex of Karaj, built in the 1960s. The factories ''Jahān Čit'' (textile factory), ''Rowqan Nabāti e Jahān'' (oil factory), and ''Čāy e Jahān'' (tea factory), were established at the complex. It is one of the largest industrial zones of the nation, with a 20% share of the national GDP.

The [[Finance:Special economic zone|special economic zone]] of Payam, with an area about {{cvt|3600|ha|km2 acre}} within the territory of Payam International Airport, was established in Karaj for development of air cargo and postal transportation, cold store, and packing services, as well as perishable and time sensitive exports. It is the only SEZ in the region with the privilege of its own airline.
=== Women's clothing ===

Small and medium women's clothing companies in Karaj produce all kinds of daily clothes and leather boots. Karaj was one of the few Iranian cities in the 2010s that controlled the damage to the environment in the process of producing women's clothing. Karaj women's over-the-knee boots are exported to the whole country and have a significant contribution to the city's economy.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Karaj Atlas (اطلس کلانشهر کرج) |publisher=شهرداری کرج |year=2019 |location=Tehran, Iran |pages=22 |language=Persian}}</ref>
== Education ==
[[File:Kharazmi University of Karaj 05.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kharazmi University (Karaj Campus)]]
[[File:Abzums medical school in winter.jpg|200px|thumb|Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of medicine]]
Educational and research centers of the city include:
* [[Organization:University of Tehran|University of Tehran]] (Agriculture and Natural Resources College)
* [[Organization:Kharazmi University|Kharazmi University]] (Karaj Campus)
* [[Organization:Tehran University of Art|Tehran University of Art]] (Karaj Campus)
* [[Organization:Payame Noor University|Payame Noor University]] (Karaj Center)
* Technical and Vocational University (Alborz Province)
* [[Organization:University of Applied Science and Technology|University of Applied Science and Technology]] (Alborz Province)
* [[Organization:Farhangian University|Farhangian University]] (Alborz Province)
* [[Organization:Alborz University of Medical Sciences|Alborz University of Medical Sciences]]
* Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch
* Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute 
* Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization
* Materials and Energy Research Center
* Standard Research Institute
* Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (Center of Agriculture and Nuclear Medicine)

== Sports ==
[[File:Enghelab-Stadium.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Karaj Enqhelab Stadium]]
Karaj was formerly home of the Persian Gulf Pro League club Saipa for several years, and this club won its first league championship in this city; in 2014 the team relocated to Tehran. Currently the only professional football team in city is Oxin Alborz that play in the Azadegan League. The Home stadium of Oxin Alborz F.C. is Enghelab Stadium that located in Karaj Enghelab sport complex and has a capacity of 15,000 people.  The stadium held a match between Iran and Indonesia in June 2009. The stadium also held an international match, on May 1, 2012, where Iran's National Football team played Mozambique.

Saipa volleyball team lost to Kalleh in this stadium in 2011–12 and became the runner-up in the final match of the country's volleyball premier league. Saipa has won the runner-up title of Iran Super League seven times.

One of the international ski resorts of Iran The, Dizin ski resort, is located a few kilometers north-east of the city, in the Alborz. In Dizin, along with skiing facilities, there are tennis courtyards, a slope for skiing on turf, some altitudes for mountain climbing and walking as well as riding and some routes for cycling.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itto.org/tourismattractions/?sight=1013&name=Dizin+Ski+Slope |title=ITTO: Dizin Ski Slope |access-date=2010-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307133009/http://www.itto.org/tourismattractions/?sight=1013&name=Dizin+Ski+Slope |archive-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Karaj also has an international tennis complex which is used to training and tournaments. Jahanshahr International Tennis Complex is located in Bagh Fateh. This park has eight practice courts and one competition court with a capacity of 1,200 people. It is the only tennis complex in Iran that has covered courts.{{cn|date=January 2023}}

==Notable people==

=== Academia and scholars ===

* Saied Reza Ameli (b. 1961), a scholar of communication

=== Actors ===
* Mehran Rajabi (b. 1962), actor
* Mehraneh Mahin Torabi (b. 1957), actress

=== Politicians and political activists ===

* Armita Abbasi (born 2001), protester, arrested and assaulted
* Shadi Amin (b. 1964), political activist, researcher
*Fatemeh Ajorlou (b. 1966), politician
*Mahmoud Bahmani (b. 1947), politician

=== Writers ===
<!-- Please respect alphabetical order, by last name -->
* Hossein Sanapour (b. 1960), writer
* Saeed Kamali Dehghan (b. 1985), journalist

=== Athletes ===
*Ali Kiaei (b. 1987), futsal player
*Milad Farahani (b. 1988), football player
*Afshin Kazemi (b. 1986), futsal player
*Ahmad Sanjari (b. 1960), football coach
*Alireza Heidari (b. 1976), Olympic wrestler
*Mehdi Mahdavi (b. 1984), volleyball player
*Mojtaba Taghavi (b. 1968), football player
*Leila Esfandyari (1970–2011), mountain climber
*Ali Mohammadi (b. 1984), wrestler
*Ebrahim Sadeghi (b. 1979), football player
*Ebrahim Masoudi (b. 1982), futsal player
*Reza Mohammadi (b. 1986), football player
*Amin Manouchehri (b. 1986), football player
*Rouhollah Dadashi (1982–2011), powerlifter
*Mohammad Nosrati (b. 1981), football player
*Farshad Falahatzadeh (b. 1967), football player
*Behnaz Shafiei (b. 1989), racing driver and motorcycle racer

== See also ==
* Mehršahr
* Amir Kabir Dam
* Morvārid Palace

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage|Karaj}}
* [https://english.karaj.ir/portal/home/ Karaj city portal] 
* [https://www.alborz.ir/ About Alborz province] {{in lang|fa}}<!--Farsi-->
* [https://moi.ir/en Ministry of the Interior of Iran]








[[Category:Iranian provincial capitals]]


{{Sourceattribution|Karaj}}