Heavy metals are the most important environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high human activities. The presence of heavy metals in atmosphere, soil and water causes problems for all the organisms. The objectives of this research were (i) to evaluate the spatial variability of the total concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn and Fe, (ii) to determine the factors controlling their distribution, (iii) to understand the effects of land use on soil magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals accumulation, and (iv) to study the profile variability of heavy metals in soils of the Zanjan area. An area of over 2000 km 2 in the central part of Zanjan province was selected. A total of 241 composite surface soil samples (0-10 cm) were taken. The location of sampling sites was determined using a GPS and their land use and geology were also recorded. Besides, a total of 15 soil profiles on dominant parent materials were excavated and studied. After preparation of soil and rock samples, they were digested with 5N HNO 3 and their heavy metal concentration was measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Distribution maps of studied parameters were prepared using the kriging technique. Besides, selected properties of the samples including pH, EC, texture, OM, carbonates and CEC were determined. The magnetic susceptibility of the soil samples was also measured. The spatial distribution of heavy metals indicated that the concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd was highest in soils around Zanjan, Soltanieh and industrial complexes. The distribution pattern of all the other heavy metals is mainly controlled by soil parent materials. The results also showed that the type of land use affected the total concentration of the elements studied. The highest concentration of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu was found in urban soils, while Cr, Co and Ni in soils are mainly controlled by parent materials. Fe and Mn have been influenced by both anthropogenic and lithogenic factors. Both cluster analysis and PCA confirmed the results. The magnetic susceptibility of soils was highest in urban area further indicating the influence of anthropogenic activities. Frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility was highest in land uses with minimal influence of human inputs. Magnetic susceptibility at both low and high frequency had a positive correlation with Pb, Zn, Cd and sand and a negative correlation with Cr, Co, Ni, silt and clay. The analysis of parent rocks showed that igneous rocks had a high content of Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe. Shales had a high concentration of Cr, Ni, Co and Fe. Vertical distribution of heavy metals was different among the soil profiles studied. In all the pedons, the concentration of almost all the elements studied was high in the surface layer. This could be attributed to pedogenic processes, atmospheric deposition, agricultural inputs and the bioextraction process. In some profiles, the concentration of heavy metals increases with depth which indicates the influence of parent materials. The type of land use also controls the vertical variability of some heavy metals.