Ardakan

Ardakan is a city in the Central District of Ardakan County, Yazd province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.

Population
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 51,349 in 13,730 households. The following census in 2011 counted 56,776 people in 16,198 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 75,271 people in 22,475 households.

Overview
Ardakan is the second major city of Yazd province. It was established in the 12th century in the Zardug region. Ardakan is 60 kilometres away from Yazd, and it has dry weather.

The word Ardakan in Persian means "holy place" or "clean place" (Modern Persian: arda+kan / Middle Persian: arta+gan) and the city has many historical religious attractions such as the Grand Mosque of Ardakan (Masjed-e Jame'), Zire-deh Mosque, Emam-Zadeh Mir Seyyed Mohammad and Tekyeh bazaar.

The most important shrine is Pir-e Sabz Chak Chak. Other shrines include Pir Shah Eshtad Izad, Pir Shah Tashtar Izad, Pir Shah Mehr Izad and Pir Shah Morad.

Ardakan is the birthplace of former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami. It is also a famous type of carpet found around the world.

The city's neighborhoods include Zeyn Aldin, Koshkeno, Bazarno, and Jannat Abad.

Notable people

 * Mohammad Khatami, Iran President
 * Reza Davari Ardakani philosopher
 * Abu al-Fazl Razavi Ardakani, Shia Cleric
 * Ali Khatami