The Zagros Mountains cover the northern areas of the province, while the southern regions are mostly covered by hills and plains. Khuzestan has mountainous and arid-desert climates in highlands and the lower regions, respectively.

The land of Khuzestan was somehow similar to the land of the Elam (Elamites) Empire (2700- 539 B.C.) and what makes them distinctive is the ancient city of Susa as an indication of the glory. Shapur I, one of the kings during the Sassanid Empire (224-651 A.D.), built the famous Band-e Shushtar and Gundeshapur city.

The latter was an international reputed educational center with scholars from Greece, Egypt, India, and Rome. After the seizure of Khuzestan by the Arabs following their invasion of Iran in 641 A.D., the region was ruined for a while. Ahvaz as one of the oldest cities in Iran was called “Hormoz Ardeshir” in ancient times. The city experienced its boom during the reign of Ardeshir, the first king of the Sassanid Empire following its selection as the capital of the Susiana (Khuzestan), while Susa was also a candidate.

When invaded by the Arabs, they entitled Ahvaz “Soq-Al-Ahvaz”, meaning the Khuzi market (Hozi). The Khuzi was a local ancient tribe of warriors that influences the name of the province. When the king Nasser-al-Din Shah of Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925) took the throne, a comprehensive peace was brought to the area and by his order, Naseri Port was built so as to develop the shipping industry in the Karun River; it was built next to old Ahvaz. However, Khuzestan suffered irreparable damages during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988.

The significant natural attractions of the province include Karun, Karkheh, and Dez Rivers, attracting a significant number of domestic tourists to Khuzestan province. Shrine of Khezr, Ashkoft Kul-e Farah (Izeh), Shahsavar ancient site, and Shevi Waterfall are among other prominent attractions of Khuzestan. The religious rituals of the Mandaeans who follow John the Baptist and live along the Karun River are also one of the unique tourist attractions.

Importantly, the three sites of Chogha Zanbil holy temple from the Elamite civilization, the ancient city of Susa, and the Shushtar Hydraulic Structures have been registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Khuzestan handicrafts include carving on gold and silver, woodcarvings, handmade fabric, mat and Abba (a kind of religious costume) weaving. Different kinds of dates and southern fishes are souvenirs of the province, while fish and shrimp are the main ingredients of most Khuzestani dishes due to the closeness to the sea. Samosa, Falafel, Qaliyeh Mahi, Fried Shrimp, Shushtari rice and Hariseh are the most notable local foods.

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According to the archaeological excavations in different areas of Kermanshah such as the ancient hill Ganj Dareh in Harsin, the history of the province dates back to about 7,000 to 8,500 B.C. This proves the existence of the humans during the Stone Age of Paleolithic and Neolithic periods in this area. Sassanid kings (224-651 A.D.) were also present in this area where they built sumptuous and luxurious palaces and pavilions due to their appropriate geographical position.

The area was entitled “Qarmisin” by the Islamic geographers until the 4th century A.H. but later, it was replaced with Kermanshah. When the Islamic army conquered the historical city of Hulwan, Qarmisin was defeated by the Muslims without any resistance on the part of locals. The center of this district was the city of Qarmisin (Kermanshah), which was one of the four great cities of Jebal province (Ray, Hamedan, and Isfahan) during the Abbasid Caliphate period (750-1518).

Following the Mongol invasion, the area was severely damaged but during the time of Safavid (1501-1736), once again it found great significance though was seized several times by the Ottoman forces. When the Safavid Empire collapsed, the Ottoman forces dominated the area but years later, they were expelled from the west of Iran by Nader Shah Afshar (reign: 1736-1747) who also destroyed the old castle of Kermanshah and built a new fort in its place.

The pristine and beautiful nature of Kermanshah province along with the historical resources attracts domestic and inbound tourists to the region. The Uraman area, located in two provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah, is known as the Hezar Masouleh, attributing to the fact that there are many stepped villages (e.g., Hajij Village and Paveh City) in the area. Based on this style of architecture, the roof of the building below in the yard of the building above. Furthermore, Taq-e Bostan, Anubanini petroglyph, central mosque and the market of Kermanshah, Shafei Mosque, Tekyeh Biglarbeygi, Tekyeh Moaven al-Molk, and the Quri Qale Cave are among the historical attractions of the province.

Importantly, the Behistun inscription has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Of the most important handicrafts of the region include Giveh-Keshi (a form of shoes), Chopoq-Bafi (mat weaving), Qalam-Zani (engraving), Daf, Tar, and Tanbur (musical instruments), leather making, rug, men’s and women’s traditional clothing (Chookhe). In terms of souvenirs, Kak sweets, date bread, Kermanshahi oil, rice bread, sugary bread, Shaho honey, and Paveh pomegranate sauce are known in the province. Some of the local dishes include Dandeh Kebab, Aush-e Abaasali, Khomar Aushi, almond stew, Parsht, Dordeh, Sibpollo (rice and apple), Kermanshahi and Baghi Abgoosht.

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It contains 13 counties with Bandar Abbas as its center and different ethnic groups who mostly speak Farsi (with Bandari dialect) and Arabic (in some regions). In terms of climate, Hormozgan province is generally one of the hot and dry regions of Iran, while its coastal strip is specifically hot and humid in summer.

n ancient times, some tribes lived on the western coasts of the Persian Gulf and southwestern plains of Iran. According to the archeological evidence, sailing was prevailing in the region at that time, for example, when the land of Babylonians was occupied through sailing in the Persian Gulf in the 7th century B.C. The earliest historical sources indicating sailing in the Persian Gulf date back to the time of Nearchus or Neerak (360-330 B.C.), one of the admirals of Macedonia. In the aftermath of the invasion of Arab to Iran, the Persian Gulf coasts came under the rule of Umayyad (661-750) and Abbasid (750-1258) caliphates, respectively.

Marco Polo, a famous Italian merchant globetrotter visited the port of Hormuz, about which he noted that jewels of Iran, tusk, and silk of India and China and the Bahraini pearl were traded at this port. Afonso de Albuquerque surrounded the Hormuz Island with seven warships in the seventh year of Shah Isma’il Safavid reign. During the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid, Imam-Quli Khan, the governor of Fars and Qeshm, recaptured Hormuz and the southern ports from Portuguese.

Later, Shah Abbas formed an alliance with Britain and completely eradicated the Portuguese’s influence from the Persian Gulf, leading to the substitution of “Bandar Abbas” for Gamrun as the name of the port. In the First World War, coincided with the late Qajar dynasty (1796-1925), important events happened in the Persian Gulf region and coast which increased the power of Britain there.

Hormozgan weather is mild in fall and winter, providing the best opportunity to attract tourists to the region from different parts of the country. A part of the exquisite attractions of the province includes beautiful beaches, free-trade zones, Qeshm Portuguese Castle, Greek Ship, traditional water reservoirs in the Kish Island, Naaz islands, Mangrove forests, the Stars Valley at Qeshm Island, and dolphins of Hengam Island. It should be noted that UNESCO World Geoparks Network registered Qeshm Geopark in April 2016.

The prevailing handicrafts of the province are basket and mat weaving, Golabatoon-Doozi (a form of embroidery), Chadorshab-Doozi, Badeleh-Doozi (a form of embroidery), Khos-Doozi (a form of embroidery), rope making, Shak-Bafi (a form of embroidery), Ur-Bafi (a form of embroidery), Garegor-Bafi (a form of the fishing net), Burqa-Sazi (a form of face cover), Lachak-Sazi (a form of head cover), backrest cover, Zar-Doozi (embroidery with gold), and Kaman-Doozi (a form of embroidery).

The most common eatable souvenirs of the province include a variety of dates, marine handicrafts, fish and shrimp, sea shellfish, and aquarium fish. Most of Hormozgan’s native foods are made of a mixture of fish and various aquatic species such as shrimp and lobster, along with dates, rice, and spices. Of the most famous local foods, we mention to Cutlet of fish, Qaliye-Mahi (fish stew), Hawari Mahi (rice and fish), Katogh Shur of Onion, Havari Margieh, Hawri-Chekomig (rice and shrimp), Ancas (Squid), Disho Rice, Meloc (Long shell), Kufteh-Mahi of Moumeq, and Cingo dish.

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This province with Hamedan city as its center contains nine counties, where Farsi is the dominant language but because of the existence of different ethnic groups, other languages such as Turkish are also usual. The Zagros Mountain ranges cover Hamedan province with Mount Alvand at the highest altitude. In terms of climate, the province is cold in winter and mild in summer.

The land of Hamedan has long been the place of ancient civilizations. According to the remains of prehistoric monuments, Hamedan used to be on the way of caravans between the East and Mesopotamia, leading to its flourishment as a connecting center. Following the arrival of the Muslim Arabs in Iran, they also attacked Nahavand and defeated the locals while their commander was killed in this battle.

The conquest of Nahavand opened a way for Muslims to capture the Sassanid realm, introducing this conquest as Fath-al-Fotouh which literary means the Victory of Victories. Arab geographers entitled the land of Hamedan “Jebal”, suggesting it as the firmest city of the region which included a part of the Median Empire’s (678-549 B.C.) land as well.

During the 10th century, Hamedan turned into a large city by the Arabs after its capture and this significance was kept during the Ilkhanate dynasty (1256-1335) as well. This area was also of interest by the following dynasties including Jalairid (1335-1435), Timurid (1370-1507), Aq Qoyunlu (1378-1501), Safavid (1501-1736), and Ottoman since they all occupied the city of Hamedan as a part of their territory.

This made frequent wars, for example, Nadir Shah (reign: 1736-1747) pulled out Ahmed Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Baghdad, from the area in a battle. Some years later, at the beginning of the Qajar Era (1796-1925), Agha Mohammad Khan captured Hamedan and destroyed the citadel of the city. During the First World War, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian, and the British alternately invaded the land of Hamedan and its cities.

Hamedan province is of particular importance because of its rich natural and historical resources. The tombs of some known Persian poets including Baba Tahir, Aref Qazvini, and Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna), inscription and Waterfall of Ganjnameh, Ali Sadr Cave (Iran’s only water cave), Lalejin pottery workshops, Alavian dome, and the tomb of Esther and Mordechai are among a few numbers of the province’s attractions.

The city of Laljin was registered by UNESCO as Iran’s capital of pottery in 2016.

The most prevailing handicrafts of the province are pottery and ceramics, carpet weaving, Give-Doozi (a kind of traditional shoes), woodcarving, Moj-Bafi, Fur clothing Tanning, leather-made artifacts, and Ajideh Doozi. The eatable souvenirs of the province include honey, almond Gaz, animal oil, walnut, grape syrup, walnut halva, pickled cucumber, and dried mulberry.

Some of the local cuisines of the province include different kinds of Aush (a type of soup), Ghormeh (stew) and Cabbage Abgoosht, beans and greengage stew. Of Hamedan’s most notable figures we can mention to Rashīd al-Dīn Faḍlullāh (Ilkhanid historian and minister), Ayn-al-Qużāt Hamedānī (Mystic, Philosopher, and poet) and Mir Sayyid Ali Hamedani (Sufi and Poet).

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The Alborz Mountains cover a large part of the south and southwest of the province, while Turkmen Plains (Turkmen Sahra) surrounds its north with Kūh-e Gāv Koshān as the highest point. The climate of Golestan varies widely in different seasons such that the southern and western parts have mountainous, frigid, and semi-arid climates, while the northern areas are temperate and humid.

Before the advent of Islam, Golestan province was one of the oldest, largest and most developed lands in the northwest of Iran. In the middle of the second millennium B.C., this area was the main center of the Aryan civilization, known as Hirkani (Hyrcanian) during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 B.C.).

There are many historical monuments in these areas including the remains of Alexander’s wall (dam) with an approximate length of 155 km referring to the Sassanid Empire (224-651 A.D.).This dam was built to prevent the invasion of the northern tribes. After the Muslim conquest of Persia in 651 A.D., the Samanid (819-999), Buyid (934-1062), and Ziyarid (930-1090) dynasties ruled over the area. The tomb of Qabus ibn Wushmagir, one of the Ziyarid Sultans still exists near the ruins of the ancient city of Jorjan. This area was widely known as Gorgan until the seventh century but it was later called Esterabad during the seventh to fourteenth centuries.

Golestan province contains various natural and historical attractions, tempting many foreign and domestic tourists to visit it. The main attractions of the province include Caspian Sea shores, Gulf of Gorgan, Miankaleh peninsula, Khalid Nabi shrine, historical cemetery, Ziart waterfall, Kaboud-Val waterfall, Nahkarkhoran forest, Emadieh school of Gorgan, historical bridge of Aqqala, Miran castle, Seyyed Gelich Ishan Mosque and school, Naftiljeh mud volcano, and the Gonbad-e Qabus Tower.

Gonbad-e-Qabus tower has been registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In terms of handicrafts, silk weaving, Plaas Bafi (kind of floor mat), Jajim, carpets and rugs of Turkmen, Khorjin, Kilim, and needlecraft could be found in Golestan. However, the province’s souvenirs mostly include caviar, fish, citrus, kiwi, honey, silk, carpet, rug, Turkmen backrest, and Jajim. Furthermore, native dishes include Chakdormeh (Traditional Turkmen rice), Manty, Tomato Aush, mung bean Aush, Aush-e-Heli, Aush-e-Kei, Aush-e- Siyah Sholeh, Kumeh Lakey Borek (Borek of mushroom), Pusigh, Chafati, Akmak, and Potato Borek. When it comes to prominent celebrities, we can mention to Fakhruddin As’ad Gurgani (Poet), Mir Damad (Philosopher), Mir Fendereski (Philosopher), and Magtymguly Pyragy (also known as Ferdowsi of Turkmen Sahra, a poet, and spiritual leader).

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