Neka (Persian: نكا), also Romanized as Nekā’ and Nekā; also known as Nīkā; formerly, Nāranj Bāgh,[3] is a city in the Central District of Neka County, Mazandaran province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4]

Neka
Persian: نكا
City
Neka Railway Station
Neka Railway Station
Neka is located in Iran
Neka
Neka
Coordinates: 36°39′00″N 53°17′50″E / 36.65000°N 53.29722°E / 36.65000; 53.29722[1]
CountryIran
ProvinceMazandaran
CountyNeka
DistrictCentral
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total60,991
Time zoneUTC+3:30 (IRST)

At the 2006 census, its population was 46,152 in 11,941 households.[5] The following census in 2011 counted 50,680 people in 14,795 households.[6] The latest census in 2016 showed a population of 60,991 people in 19,357 households.[2]

Geography edit

Neka is located at the foot of and up into the northern Alborz (Elburs) mountain range, south of and near the Caspian Sea coast. It is close to the city of Behshahr, and 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of the coastal city of Sari.

It is noted for its destination spas at natural hot springs, and the nearby Caspian coastline and Peninsula of Miankaleh. It is a tourist destination of Mazandaran Province.

History edit

Not much is known about this area in geographical or historical accounts of the past, until the Qajar dynasty. However, in the geographical records of the early Islamic period, the name Mirdan of a city near the current city of Neka has been mentioned. Deh Khoda has mentioned the River Neka in his encyclopedia.[7] It seems that Neka was a vicinity or 'block' comprising various rural settlements.

The present Neka has sprung up from the village of 'Naranj', alongside a bridge on Neka River within the past 70 years.

Economy edit

Due to the railway line running across this area, and suitable network of communications, together with the establishment of the wood industry, oil reservoirs and an electric power plant, the area is one of the important developing centers of the province. The said city is also considered as an industrial locality in the northern region [7]

Neka Power Plant edit

The Neka Power Plant provide energy to the province and some northern parts of the country. It is one of the biggest steam powered thermal power plants in the Middle East, Its nominal capacity is 2035 MW . The main components are : steam pot, middle house, turbine place, converters and auxiliary houses. The main fuel for steam production is natural gas, with light fuel oil a secondary source, both supplied by the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company.

References edit

  1. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (14 March 2024). "City, Neka County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 02. Archived from the original (Excel) on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ^ Neka can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3076798" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
  4. ^ Habibi, Hassan. "Divisional changes in Mazandaran province". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Political and Defense Commission of the Government Council. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 02. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 02. Archived from the original (Excel) on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Neka city 2023, Mazandaran province - Things to do". itto.org. Iran tourism and touring organization. Retrieved 4 July 2023.