Qazvin, city in northwestern Iran, in Tehran (Teheran) Province. The city is connected by rail with Tehran and Tabriz and has road connections with other important cities in Iran. The city is the commercial center of the surrounding agricultural region. Qazvin has textile and flour mills, and wine is produced here. The city was founded in the 3rd century AD, and a mosque, now in ruins, was built here by Harun al-Rashid in the 8th century. Qazvin was damaged by Mongol invasions in the 13th century. Later, the kings of Persia repaired it, and Shah Tahmasp I made it his capital. The city has suffered from periodic earthquakes. Population (1996) 291,117.
