Covering an area of 84 square kilometers Zanjan is the capital of Zanjan Province in northwestern Iran with hot and dry summers, cold and moist winters. Zanjan lays 298 km north-west of Tehran on the main highway to Tabriz and Turkey and approximately 125 km from the Caspian Sea.

Zanjan is hidden in tiny alleys behind its modern facade, with some attractive mosques, a fantastic bazaar, a plethora of knife-grinders and some delightful teahouse restaurants. It is also  a logical base for visiting the impressive Soltaniyeh mausoleum and a good staging point to reach Takht-e Soleiman via the scenic Dandy road.

Zanjan has always enjoyed prominence, due to its strategic location on the trade route from Rey to Azerbaijan.