The Central District of Saqqez County (Persian: بخش مرکزی شهرستان سقز) is a district (bakhsh) in Saqqez County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 163,999, in 37,714 families. The district has one city: Saqqez. The District has four rural districts (dehestan): Mir Deh Rural District, Sara Rural District, Tamugheh Rural District, and Torjan Rural District. Seqiz is a Kurdish city on the Zagros mountains in Iran. This city Seqiz was once the Scythian capital.
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General information
Seqiz is situated on the banks of the Seqiz river in the north-western part of Iran, south west of the Urmiye lake, on the Zagros mountains. Seqiz was originally found during the first Med empire, and at that time was called Izirta/Izirna. As the city was a Median capital, army bases, temples, and forts were built in the surrounding sites (Zewiye, Qeplantu, Aramait). When Sarken II the Assyrian king concurred Izirta, he ordered the destruction of the city, and consequently when rebuilt by the Scythians, Seqiz was renamed to Seka, later to Sakiz, and the final deformation of the name became Seqiz. Historically religious importance of Seqiz is evident given that two important Mannai, and Sassanid temples are located in the proximity. The latter was particularly prominent, as it is believed that the Sassanid kings were traveling to this temple by foot once a year. Various forms of folklore tales, and songs, further add that natives of this region were generally Zoroastrians. Not long time ago, the "modern" Seqiz was reconstructed on two major hills separated by Weli Xan river. This divides the city into two major parts, Naw Qela and Serpeche. Naw Qela (The Fort) hosted an ancient fort on a height, indicating that this has been a possible place of ancient rulers. Till very recently the fort was used for public ceremonies, particularly at the new year (Newroz) evenings, fireworks along with traditional games were organized. The geographical position of Seqiz endow particular up to date importance. 200 km from Sine (Sanandaj), 60 km from Bane (Baneh), 33 km from Bokan, and 139 km from Meriwan. These cities are links to four distinctly different kurdish regions, and this fact has given arise to a well balanced influence of cultural nuances. The cultural life in Seqiz is very rich and plays a pivotal role for other kurdish regions. Musically, activities in Seqiz have been of primary importance for development of singers such as Hesen Zirek, Qale Mare, Mezher Xaleqi, Naser Rezazi, and native musicians such as Zeze brothers, Sei Muhammad Safai and Muhammad Nahid.
Geography
Seqiz lies on 36.2° N 46.3° E, and its average height is about 1500 meters (4900 feet) above sea level. This make the climate very rough and varying, as it is very hot in summer (up to 40°C) and very cold in winter (down to -30°C).
Mountains
The highest and most prominent of the mountains in the Seqiz area are situated in the Sershîw and Xurxure ragions. These mountains are extremely rich natural resources, and host many mines. A brief list includes:
Wazêne (2697m) south west of Seqiz
Biranan (2640m) Nekeroz proximity
Pîr Bodax (2634m) south west of Seqiz
Nekeroz (2620m) south west of Seqiz
Zilfeqar (2455m) south west of Seqiz
Wenewshe (2370m) west of Seqiz
Ga Resh (2167m) east of Seqiz
Shax Resh (2156m) west of Seqiz
Kure Sute (2354m) west of Seqiz
Almelu (2089m) north of Seqiz ,jkln. Mel Qerenî (2085m) north west of Seqiz
Qelega between Mêrke Neqshe and Gwêze
Sertun Mîredê and Xapuredê proximity
Mela Mehmud Dozexere proximity
Berde Resh Dere Ziyaret proximity
Asman Bilaxî Henge Chine proximity
Gewreqela Hermê Dil proximity
Xesrewxan Qamîshle proximity
Degaga Degaga proximity
Hewt Tewanan 7 km from Zêwiye
Hacîe Tawe south west of Seqiz
Shaxe Gewre south west of Seqiz
Mehmu Shaîer Kele Shîn proximity
Qereqa Shêx Shwan proximity
Ewil Rezaq Xurxure proximity
Tenge Esihab Xurxure proximity
Bextiyar Sershîw proximity
Shîrîn Sware Berde Resh proximity