 | |
| UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage | |
| Selected Collection of Qajar Era Maps of Iran | |
 | |
| Greatest extent of the Qajar | |
| Country |  Iran |
|---|---|
| Reference | The Selected Collection |
| Region | Middle East |
| Inscription | 2013 |
The Selected Collection of Qajar Era Maps of Iran is a historical archive housed at the Center for Documents and Diplomatic History of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. This collection comprises approximately 500 hand-drawn or lithographic maps from the Qajar period (1789–1925), offering valuable insights into the cartographic and geopolitical landscape of Iran during that time. [1] [2]
The maps in this collection utilize measurement units common in that era, such as zar (a traditional Persian cubit) and farsang (a Persian league, roughly equal to 6.24 kilometers). They cover a diverse range of subjects, including:
Due to their historical significance, these maps serve as an essential resource for researchers studying Iran's social, political, legal, and geographical transformations. They also provide crucial insights into Iran's regional influence and territorial changes over time.[1]
In 2013, the collection was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, recognizing its historical and documentary value for global heritage.[1][2]
The maps are preserved under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with ongoing efforts to digitize and catalog them for academic and research purposes. Scholars from various fields, including history, geography, and political science, frequently utilize the collection to analyze historical shifts in Iran's borders and urban development.[1]
Similar historical cartographic archives exist in institutions such as the National Library and Archives of Iran and international museums holding Persian manuscripts and maps from the Qajar period.
The Selected Collection of Qajar Era Maps of Iran remains an invaluable reference for understanding the historical geography of Iran and its regional dynamics.[1]
 | This Iran-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
