Isfahan is the capital of Isfahan Province, located about 340 km. (211 miles) south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,756,126. The Greater Isfahan region has a population of 3,793,104, the third-most populous metropolitan area in Iran after Tehran and Mashhad. Isfahan is situated on the north bank of the Zayandeh Roud (It is a name of a river) at an elevation of about 5,200 feet (1,600 meters). It was first thrived under the Seljuq Turks (11th–12th century) and then under the Persian Safavid dynasty (16th–18th century). It is famous for its Persian–Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persian proverb “Esfahan Nesf-e- Jahanast” (Isfahan is half of the world). The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. It has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.