Lorestan province with an area of 28,294 square kilometers in the west of Iran ranks the 16th largest province of the country. Lorestan including 10 counties and Khorramabad city as its center, borders Markazi, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Khuzestan, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari, and Isfahan provinces.
Two ethnic groups of Lur and Lak, each with their own language, live in Lorestan. Geographically, the Zagros Mountain range surrounds all parts of the region where there are three climatic zones including:
- cold mountainous and semi-arid
- temperate and semi-arid,
- and warm and dry regions.
Lorestan Province, Iran
Historically, the lands inhabited currently by the tribes of Lur were under the influence of the Ilam (Elamite) Empire (2700- 539 B.C.) before the arrival of the Aryans. The primary inhabitants of Lorestan were the Kassite or Kashos, a name which is probably driven from a location entitled Kashkanrud.
Lur-e-Kuchak (the smaller Lur) also known as the Khorshidian as the branch of Lur tribes, founded by Shojaedin Khorshid Lur, ruled the northern and western parts of the region with Shapurkhast (Khorramabad) as their center of government. The last ruler of Lur-e-Kuchak, Shah Verdi Khan, was killed during the reign of Shah Abbas I of Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736).
The combination of beautiful oak forests, numerous mountains, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and caves attract the attention to Lorestan province. In addition to natural landscapes, various cultural and religious resources such as castles (e.g., the historical castle of Falak-ol-Aflak), minarets, bridges, and mosques add to the beauty and attractiveness of Lorestan. Among the most prevailing handicrafts of the province are Varsaho-Sazi (nickel silver dishes), herbal dyeing, leather making, enamel, illuminated manuscript, and sculpture making.
Eatable souvenirs of the province include local honey, dairy products, Doogh (a mixture of yogurt, water, salt, and dried herbs), bread, cookies, various medicinal plants, and Varsho (Nickel-silver). Some of the local dishes also include Borujerdi dolma, Ghalieh Torsh Stew, Tuff, and Kashk (curd), rennet of natural cheeses (Golma), and Aush (a kind of soup). Of the celebrities of the province, we mention Loris Tjeknavorian (Iranian-Armenian Musician) and Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob (historian and writer).
