Definition
Qaleh Sheykhan (Persian: قلعه شیخان) is a village in Iran.
Overview
Qaleh Sheykhan is situated within the Central District of Bijar County, in Kurdistan Province, Iran. It is administratively part of the Howmeh Rural District. According to the 2006 national census, the village had a population of 215 individuals, comprising 44 families. The settlement lies in the northwestern part of the country, in a region characterized by a mix of mountainous terrain and agricultural land.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Qaleh Sheykhan” combines two Persian words: “Qaleh” (قلعه) meaning “fortress” or “castle,” and “Sheykhan” (شیخان), the plural form of “Sheikh,” a title traditionally used for community elders or religious leaders. The name therefore can be interpreted as “Fortress of the Sheikhs,” suggesting historical ties to a fortified site associated with local tribal or religious leadership.
Characteristics
- Geographical Coordinates: Approximately 35°50′N latitude and 47°34′E longitude.
- Administrative Division: Country – Iran; Province – Kurdistan; County – Bijar; District (Bakhsh) – Central; Rural District – Howmeh.
- Population (2006): 215 residents in 44 households, indicating a small, tightly‑knit rural community.
- Economy: Primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry, typical of villages in the Kurdistan region.
- Infrastructure: The village is connected by local roads to nearby settlements and the county seat of Bijar. Basic amenities include a primary school and a mosque serving the local population.
Related Topics
- Bijar County – the administrative region encompassing Qaleh Sheykhan.
- Kurdistan Province – one of Iran’s thirty‑one provinces, noted for its Kurdish cultural heritage.
- Rural districts of Iran – administrative subdivisions governing villages like Qaleh Sheykhan.
- Iranian census data – source of demographic information for settlements across the country.
Note: All presented data are derived from publicly available census records and geographic references; no speculative information is included.