Qazvin

City in Tehran province, northwestern Iran; population (2006) 355,300. It is an important road and rail junction with transport connections running north through the Elburz Mountains, east to Tehran, and west to Tabriz and Hamadan. Qazvin's industries include carpets and textiles.

Qazvin was founded in the 3rd century AD and was a flourishing city throughout the Middle Ages, but was damaged by the Mongols in the 13th century. It was later rebuilt and became the capital of Persia under the Safavid ruler, King Tahmasp I.