Bijar

The city is located in the eastern part of Kurdistan, in a mountainous area, at an altitude of 1911 meters above sea ​​level ^[1] . Bijar is located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Sanandaj , the provincial capital, and 330 kilometers west of Tehran , the capital of the country.

According to the census, in 2006 the population was 46,156 ^[3] ; Kurds dominate the national composition ^[4] , Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims dominate in the confessional one.

Bidjar was first mentioned in the 15th century as a village belonging to Ismail , a Shah from the Safavid dynasty ^[4] . It was formed as a city only in the XIX century. During World War I, the city ​​was alternately under the occupation of Russian , British and Turkish troops ^[4] .

Bijar - the world famous center of carpet weaving . In addition to the city itself, carpets are woven (mostly in an artisanal way ) also in more than 40 neighboring villages ^[4] . Agricultural production is also developed ^[4] .

12 kilometers north of the city, in the village of Kamechokay, there is a fortress ^[6] , the construction of which dates back to the 9th or 8th century BC. e. The tower ^[7] , erected during the reign of the Seljuks , in the 11th or 12th century, is located 40 kilometers south of Bijar.

In addition, 30 kilometers west of the city, there is a mineral spring ^[8] , the bitter waters of which are used in the treatment of rheumatism .