Definition
Mahabad-e Olya (Persian: مهابادعليا, also Romanized as Mahābād-e ‘Olyā) is a village in Howmeh Rural District, Central District of Kermanshah County, Kermanshah Province, Iran.
Overview
Mahabad-e Olya is situated in western Iran within the administrative hierarchy of Kermanshah Province. It is part of the Central District (Bakhsh) of Kermanshah County and belongs to the Howmeh Rural District. According to the 2006 national census, the village had a population of 284 individuals living in 58 families. The settlement is characterized by its rural setting and agricultural activities typical of the region.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Mahabad” combines the Persian words mah (ماه), meaning “moon,” and ābād (آباد), a suffix denoting an inhabited place or settlement, roughly translating to “Moon City” or “Moon‑settlement.” The suffix ‘Olyā (عليا) is derived from Arabic, meaning “upper” or “higher,” and is used in Iranian toponymy to distinguish a settlement that is geographically higher or upstream relative to a counterpart often named Sofla (“lower”).
Characteristics
- Geography: The village lies in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, an area characterized by a semi‑arid climate with cold winters and warm, dry summers.
- Economy: The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with cultivation of wheat, barley, and various horticultural crops.
- Infrastructure: As a small rural settlement, Mahabad-e Olya has basic infrastructure, including a primary school, a mosque, and limited road connections to the county capital, Kermanshah city.
- Demographics: The population recorded in 2006 suggests a small, close‑knit community with an average household size of roughly five persons, which aligns with rural demographic patterns in the province.
Related Topics
- Kermanshah Province
- Kermanshah County
- Rural Districts of Iran
- Iranian village naming conventions (e.g., Olya and Sofla)
- Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2006)
Note: The demographic data reflects the 2006 census; more recent figures may not be publicly available.