Shal City

Shal, a city in the district of Shal in Boin Zahra City, Ghazvin Province, lies on the bank of Khar Rud River, which separates Esfarvarin and Shal rivers from each other.
The main part of the river flows on the northern land in Shal. The river runs in winter and early spring depending on the rainfall and originates in Abhar and Zanjan mountains.
Shal is located 55 km southwest of the center of the province.
The ancient city of Shal has a population of about 16,000. The residents speak in Tati but in some areas and villages like Tarkam and Hashem Khan Castle people speak in Azeri.
The city is divided into 2 main neighborhoods; 1.Oliya ( Gelikiyeh) 2. Sofla ( Dagh).
The main industry is making bricks in furnaces (brick kilns) -the city contains almost 200 Hoffman brick kilns and pottery workshops- and its souvenirs are grapes.
Its rams are among the best races in the world. They are exported to various countries.
The old city has long been a place to train scientists and famous hero clerics. Among contemporary clerics is the well-known Ayatollah Mousavi Shali PBUH.
As it was said, its main produce has long been grapes which are dried in the sunlight to export raisins to the wold market.
Among other agricutlral products are sunflowers, almond, apples, pears, berries, sour cherries, cherries, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, sweet corn, wheat, barley, and sea-buckthorn. Its local bread is quite delicious.
Why it is called Shal?
On the philosophy of its naming some believe that it is taken from Shal trees which were in abundance in the city. Some others say that in the past the city was called Chal, literally a kind of large hole, since it is a flat , low land.
History and geographical location
The inscriptions found around Jame Mosque in the city indicate that over 1,200 years ago in the time of Imam Sadegh PBUH, scientists resided in the area.
In the old days the large seasonal Khar Rud River used to contain abundant water which was there until late spring. It ran through several cities and villages, watering the agricultural lands and orchards. Today, as a result of climate change and irregular and illegal exploitation of sand and gravel on the bed of the river it is a dream to see it flowing constantly. It might be running occasionally.
The river goes through Shal and reaches the salty lands of the north of Eshtahard and pours into Qom Lake while its name changes into Salt River.