Qom, city in central Iran, and administrative center of Qom province. Located about 120 km (about 75 mi) south of the capital city of Tehran, Qom is situated in a 940-m (3100-ft) high basin on both banks of the Qom River, which flows from the Zagros Mountains west of the city and terminates in a large salt marsh.
The city is a rail and highway transportation hub and has numerous factories that produce hand-knotted carpets, ceramics, glass, textiles, refined petroleum products, and processed foods. Northeast of the city near the village of Alborz is an oil field, but the inferior quality of the deposits has delayed its exploitation. An important natural gas field lies southeast of the city near the village of Sarajeh. However, since the 1920s the city of Qom has been known primarily for its Shia Islamic theological colleges. In addition, for several centuries Qom has been an important pilgrimage center for Shia Muslims, who visit the famous shrine here to Fatima the Pure, a saint who lived during the 9th century.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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