Hamadan is the capital city of Hamadan Province of Persia. It had an estimated population of 550,284 in 2005. Hamedan is believed to be amongst the oldest persian cities and one of the oldest in the world. Hamadan is a green mountainous area on the foothills of the 3574-meter Alwand Mountain,in the mid west of Persia. The city is 1850 meters above sea level. The special nature of this old city and its historic sites attract tourists during the summer to this city, located approximately 400km southwest of Tehran.
Hamadan is also home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well-known for handicrafts like leather and ceramic work as well as for its beautiful carpets. Persia's Cultural Heritage Organization lists 207 sites of historical and cultural significance in the city of Hamadan alone.
Bijar Kurdish rugs are often called the Iron Rugs of Persia. The Bijar was a heavy durable rug that has been very popular in the United States. Now the Bijar rug rends to be a finer thinner more Sarouk like rug. Most Bijar Kurdish carpets are woven by Gerrus Kurds in the Bijar area while a finer copy of Bijar carpets are woven by Afshar weavers who live in the Tekab and Tekkenteppe Area in Gerus. Bijar is a town in North-West Persia approximately 45 km from Senneh (Sanandaj) Nowadays, the Bidjar carpets made in Persia can be put into the following main categories:
Traditional Bijars, f.i. Bijars with rose motifs, Halvai and Tahghavi-Bidjars, Afshar Bidjars , Garouss, Songhor, Kermanshah
