Persian Iraq
Persian Iraq (Persian: عراق عجم; Arabic: عراق العجم), also spelled Persian Irak, is a historical term for the central-western region of Iran, including cities such as Isfahan, Ray, Qazvin and Kashan. From the 11th to 19th centuries, the name Iraq referred to two neighbouring regions: Arabic Iraq (ʿIrāq-i ʿArab) and Persian Iraq (ʿIrāq-i ʿAjam). Arabic Iraq corresponded with ancient Babylonia (now central-southern Iraq), and Persian Iraq corresponded with ancient Media (now central-western Iran). The two regions were separated by the Zagros Mountains.[1][2]
Later, until the beginning of the 20th century, the term Iraq in Iran was used to refer to a much smaller region south of Saveh and west of Qom. This region was centered on Sultanabad, which was renamed later as Arāk.[3]
See also
- Jibal (the same region)
References
- ↑ "ʿERĀQ-EʿAJAM(Ī)". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- ↑ "Iraq". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved January 30, 2006.
- ↑ "ARĀK". Encyclopædia Iranica.