Isfahan is nearly as old as iran herself. Because of its favourable geographical situation at the center of Iranian plateau, with Zayande Rud its fertile soil, it has always been an important city.
Its altitude is about 1570 meters above sea level, and it has a population of over 2 million.
In ancient times it was comprised of two towns, Saruye and Mehrin which have overgrown and merged into one city. It was called Guey or Jey in Achaemenid times, and later on Spadana, Sepahan and Isfahan. Twice Isfahan has been the capital of Iran, during the Saljuk and Safavid periods.