Iran with an area of ​​1,648,195 ^km2 is situated in the southwest of Asia and in the Middle East. Its neighboring countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan in the north, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in the east and Turkey and Iraq in the west. The Caspian Sea from the north, and the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea from the south surround the country, providing rich fossil fuels and marine resources. Furthermore, the Persian Gulf region comprises one of the major oil and natural gas resources in the world.

Iran is divided into four levels in terms of country divisions: Province (Ostan), County (Shahrestan), District (Bakhsh), and Rural District (Dehestan). There are 31 provinces (as the largest national division) in Iran, each under the political administration by a governor. Also, Iran has 429 counties, each of which including several sectors (district) is run under the supervision of the governorate.

The third level refers to the district that deals with the affairs of the sectors; there are 1057 districts in the country. The rural district is the smallest sector of a county, which is made up of several close villages. There are a total number of 2,589 rural districts in the country. It should be noted that in different divisions of Iran, “city” or “village” are not mentioned as they have been considered a part of the province and rural district, respectively.

Some cities with a large area are run by the municipality. Iran currently has 1245 cities but the development of metropolitan cities has been causing the creation of new nearby cities.

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The province has a mountainous nature that surrounds parts of the Alborz, Talesh, and Qaflankuh Mountains. In the mountainous parts and lower altitude areas, the province has cold and semi-humid climates, respectively.

The archaeological excavations carried out in the area show that the history of the province dates back to prehistoric times. For example, the findings in Galjik Cave approve a human settlement with a history of 16 to 30 thousand before the birth of Christ. The ancient human-made objects including open-air fire temples belonging to the Parthian (247 B.C.- 224 A.D.) and Sassanid (224-651 A.D.) Empires indicate that the valley of Qizil Üzan and Zanjan-rud Rivers were popular in ancient times.

Following the attack of Hulagu Khan to Ismaili Castles and the collapse of the Abbasid caliphate (750-1258) in Baghdad, Iran including Soltaniyeh (Zanjan province), Maragheh, and Tabriz cities became the center of the Ilkhanate government (1256-1335). However, Zanjan was first destroyed upon the invasion of Mongol but Oljaitu is known as Muhammad Khodabandeh, the most famous king of the Ilkhanate dynasty, built the historical city of Soltaniyeh near Zanjan.

Zanjan province benefits from a diversity of attractions encompassing natural and cultural/historical resources.

The Soltaniyeh Dome, which has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the most salient historical work in the province.

Chalabioghlou Mausoleum, Dashkasan Temple, numerous caves with historic engravings, Katale Khor Cave, Mah-Neshan colorful Mountains, Zanjan’s historical bazaar, bridges, castles, and caravanserais are among the tourist attractions of this province. Also, Zanjan’s handicrafts include handmade steel knives, filigree, traditional shoe, and metalworking, among which the most famous ones are steel knives.

The eatable souvenirs of the province include almond, walnut, and grape. Its native cuisines are Suti Aush (rice pudding), sour Aush, Yaaq Shurba (a kind of soup) Qara Shurba (boiled meat and bread), Irdak (a mixture of flour and milk), and different types of meals made of meat. Finally, Shahab Al-Din Sohrevardi (philosopher) and Hossein Monzavi (contemporary poet) can be considered the province’s prominent figures.

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The mountains of central Alborz including known summits such as Damavand surround the north of Tehran. Because of altitude differences, Tehran has a considerable diversity of climates such that the higher the altitude, the higher the rainfall and the lower the temperature, and vice versa.

Tehran province is one of the oldest areas of Iran’s central plateau with human settlement dating back to the pre-Islamic period, the time of the Median Empire (678-549 B.C.). One of the most important historical cities of the region is Ray city placed near Tehran city in the current Tehran province. At the time, Tehran was in fact a large village located between Ray and the foothills of Alborz Mountain.

By the commencement of the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736), Tehran came to the attention of the Shiite Safavid rulers because of neighboring Imāmzādeh Hamzah tomb – the ancestor of Safavid kings – and the holy shrine of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani. The Safavid kings would accommodate in Tehran when going to visit the Shrine of their ancestors in Ray. The expansion of traveling to Ray convinced Shah Tahmasp Safavid to build watchtowers and fortification for Tehran.

During the Afsharid Dynasty (1736-1796), the significance of Tehran was boomed, leading   Karim Khan Zand to turn it into the center of his government for four years. It was finally chosen as the capital of Iran by Aqa Mohammad Khan, the first Qajar Dynasty’s (1796-1925) king and was entitled “Dar al-Khelafeh” meaning the capital of a country. Following the expansion of the Qajar government’s power, Tehran developed more and this has been continuing to the present. Of its natural attractions include Ski resorts of Tochal, Shemshak, and Darband Sar.

The Golestan Palace as the mansion of Qajar’s kings remained from Zand (1751-1794) and Qajar Dynasties dating back to 440 years ago and witnessing great historical events, was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Furthermore, there are more than 30 diverse museums with valuable collections in Tehran. For example, the National Museum comprising two sections of Ancient Persia and the Islamic Museum is one of the main museums of the capital. The Museum of National Treasury and the Carpet Museum are other popular museums of the city, while Azadi Tower, Tehran Bazaar, Milad Tower Cultural Complex, and Sa’dabad Museum-Palace are also among the attractions. The main attractions of Ray city also include Abd al-Azim al-Hasani shrine, Tughrul Tower, and Cheshmeh-Ali.

Among the various handicrafts of the province, it can be pointed out to vitreous enamel (Minakari), Jajim (a kind of rug), wood products, and painting on glass and leather. Of the examples of native foods are different kinds of kebab, Dizy (meat stew), Aush (a kind of soup), and Dampokhtak (rice and beans). Zakariyyā al-Rāzī (scientist), Jahān Pahlevān Takhti (wrestler), Fereydoon Moshiri (poet), and Ali Akbar Dehkhoda (linguist) are among the celebrities of Tehran province.

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Darius the Great (reign: 522-486 B.C.) has referred to the Baluchestan region in the Behistun and Persepolis Inscriptions as “Mecca”. According to the mythological history of Iran, Sistan was the birthplace of Rostam, a character in the epic masterpiece of Shahnameh written by Ferdowsi. Rostam was the ruler of Sistan that encompassed Zabulistan, Bast, Ghazni, and Kabulistan regions. The natives called this area “Zarnak”, while after the invasion of the Scythians, the name was replaced by Sakestaneh or Sajestan meaning the Land of Scythians.

Ardeshir Babakan, the founder of the Sassanid Dynasty (224-651 A.D.), conquered the Sakestaneh region, and later in the aftermath of the conquests of Muslims, Yazdegerd III (reign: 632-651) escaped to Sistan after his defeat in Kerman city. Importantly, Sistan became a part of the territory of the Samanid (819-999), Ghaznavid (977-1186), and Seljuk (1037-1194) Dynasties. When the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) came to the throne, Shah Ismail I seized Sistan.

After the death of Nader Shah (reign: 1736-1747) during the Afsharid Dynasty (1736-1796), a disagreement between Afghanistan and Iran over Sistan in 1835 led to the intervention of Britain and the establishment of a new border between the two countries.

Baluchestan was attacked several times since the advent of Islam in 651 through the Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925). For example, following the attack of Seljuk to Kerman, the Baluch people apparently migrated from Kerman to Makran district. In the Qajar period during which Baluchestan was totally inside the borders of Iran, this area came out of the authority of Khanate of Kalat (Baluchestan province in current Pakistan). In 1835, the Kalat border with Baluchestan of Iran was determined and a part of Baluchestan attached to Pakistan.

Of the historical attractions of the province include the remains of the early civilizations in Dahan-e Gholaman, Mount Khajeh, and other ancient hills distributed in the area. Furthermore, the natural attractions of the region include wetlands, deserts, Martian mountains, Taftan Summit (the only semi-active volcano in Iran), mud bubbles, Oman Sea coasts, rivers, and protected areas of Bahu Kalat as the habitat of the short muzzle crocodile (Gando). Chabahar Free Trade Zone, Hara jungles, pink lake, and Machi windmill are among other attractions of this province.

Meanwhile, the Lut Desert and Shahr-e Sukhteh (burnt city) have been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The province’s handicrafts include different kinds of traditional jewels, musical instruments, Lenj (a form of a traditional boat), saddlebags, mat weaving, embroidery, coin, and mirror sewing, Balochi needlecraft, wall hangings, pottery (Village of Kalporagan), and curtain.

The most common souvenirs in the province are different kinds of tropical fruits like date, mango, bananas, papaya, olive, Indian white shrimp, lobster, and various fish. Local cuisine also includes Tanoorcheh kebab, yellow curd, Pekore, Shilanj, Kahli, Halkary bread, Qalifi, Zaboli curd, and Baluchi stews.

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Most of its residents are of Fars race speaking Farsi language with a Daylami dialect that is also called Semnani. Although in the higher mountainous regions the weather is cold, in the lower altitude regions the temperature increases such that the hottest and driest section of the province refers to the Kavir desert.

Damghan is an ancient city of the province situated near the desert, where one of the oldest and earliest settlements in the Iranian plateau was established. For example, the mound of Hesar is one of the historical treasures of the country embracing archaeological founding from the Median (678-549 B.C.), Achaemenid (550-330 B.C.), Parthians (247 B.C.-224 A.D.), and Seleucid (312-63 B.C.) Empires. The Hecatompylos city (City of Hundred Gates) was one of the first capitals of the Parthian government, which its ruins were found around the present Damghan city.

There are plenty of tourist attractions in Semnan e.g., cobblestones of Shah Abbasi, serval caravanserais in the ancient Silk Road, national parks, waterfalls, caves, Bastam historical complex, the Arg (Gate) of Semnan, Soltani Mosque, Jam-e Mosque, Semnan market, Pahneh Bath Museum, Damghan Hesar Mound, Tarikhaneh Mosque, Pir Alamdar, Cheshmeh Ali, Zangule Dome, Bahar Palace, Qasr-e Bahram Caravanserai, and Abr (cloud) Jungle, and tombs of great mystics (such as Bayazid Bastami and Abu al-Hassan al-Kharaqani). Besides, a pleasant weather condition in summer is another factor attracting tourists.

The handicrafts of the province include different forms of printing on fabric, kilim, mosaic, wooden objects, and embroidered shoes. In addition to the handicrafts, the city presents a lot of eatable souvenirs including pistachio, traditional bread, melon, grape, pomegranate, sweets, walnut, and figs.

The most prevailing cuisine of the province is meat stew, vegetable rice, Tahchin (Persian baked rice cake) of raisin and yellow-split-peas, carrot and pistachio stew, and Kachi (a kind of sweet paste made of wheat powder and oil). The celebrities of this province include Manuchehri Damghani (poet) and two mystics i.e., Bayazid Bastami and Abu al-Hassan al-Kharaqani.

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Various ethnic groups with their own language including Persians, Turks, and Arabs reside in Qom. The northern slopes of the Zagros Mountains including Mount Palang Abi as the highest point cover the southern part of the province. In terms of climate, because of various altitudes, the temperature varies in different areas of the province.

The oldest historical evidence found in Qarah Tappeh in the Qom Roud area, Qom province belongs to the past sixth to the fourth millennium. Also, during and after the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 B.C.), the name of Qom has been documented several times. Particularly after the advent of Islam in 651 A.D., due to the presence of the holy shrine of Fatima Masumeh, the importance of the city was intensified. However, its historic incidents and events mostly have happened in the surrounding areas including Ray and Kashan rather than the city of Qom.

After the Mongol invasion in 1206, a feudal system was run in most parts of Iran but following the formation of the Shiite Safavid government (1501-1736), the land of Qom found a special position. For example, many monuments inside and around Qom were built. During the Constitutional Revolution, a large group of scholars and clerics from Tehran migrated to Qom in order to protest against the Muzafar al-Din Shah’s (reign: 1896-1907) hesitation in signing the Constitutional Law but finally, they returned to Tehran when the decree was signed.

The Holy Shrine of Fatima Masumeh is the second most important religious shrine in Iran, making Qom the main pilgrimage center following Mashhad city because of the shrine of Imam Reza. This, along with other religious places such as tombs, shrines, caravanserais, and mosques, especially Jamkaran Mosque, has turned the city mainly into a religious destination for domestic ad inbound pilgrims.

The primary local handicrafts of Qom include silk carpets, wood carving, tiles, ceramics, Mohr (a clay-made object on which Shiite Muslims prostrate when praying), prayer mat, and Aba (cloak), precious stones, and stone carving.

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous souvenirs and exports of Qom is Sohan (a kind of sweet), while other local souvenirs are walnuts, dried apricots, hazelnuts, pomegranates, and figs. Also, of the native foods, we mention Kalle Joosh (a special type of soup), Qunabid (meat stew), Aush (a kind of stew with different beans), Halim, traditional bread, sesame extract, sesame Halva.

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History of Qazvin dates back to the middle of the 7th B.C. century, referred to as the Median Empire’s (678-549 B.C.). The archaeological evidence obtained from the Saqz Abad hill in the Buin Zahra region, Qazvin province, shows that this area was the habitat of humans in the fourth and fifth millennia B.C. Some historical sources attribute the construction of Qazvin city to Shapur I of the Sassanid Empire (224-651 A.D.) as a strategic action to prevent the attacks of Daylamites (inhabitants of the northern regions of Iran).

Hassan Sabah, the leader of the Ismaili sect of Iran (also known as Assassins), chose the land of Alamut as their base in 1090, which was believed to be an impassable and inaccessible place and key for the gate of Gilan province in the north of the country. For two centuries, the Ismaili used the Alamut Castle as their center of governance but eventually, the castle was defeated and surrendered to the Mongol Hulagu Khan (reign: 1256-1265). During the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736), due to the special position of this region, once again the prosperity returned to Qazvin.

The province’s breathtaking nature and sceneries attract the attention of tourists. The Ovan Lake, the ancient area of ​​Alamut, Ismaili fortresses, and many monuments around the city of Qazvin from various periods make the attractions of the province. These monuments include the Gates of Tehran, Imamzade (shrine) Hossein, Caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh, Jame Mosque (Atiq), Aminiha Hosseiniyeh, Pavilion Mansion (Chehel Sotoun), Qajar Bath, Tomb of Hamdallah Mustawfi, and some historical water reservoirs. The local handicrafts of the province are handmade carpet, socks, fabric, cloths of the dervish, copper-mad dishes, tents, and traditional broidery.

The most common eatable souvenirs in the province include grapes (especially Takestan grapes) and various traditional sweets. The province also benefits from a diversity of cuisines such as Gheyme Nesa (rice with lamb stew), Shirin Polow (sweet rice), Siah Cheshm Polow (beans and rice), Bademjan Polow (eggplant and rice), and Kabab (Kabob). Among the prominent figures of the province are Ḥamdallāh Mustawfī (historian), Ubayd-i Zakani (poet and satirist), and Mir Emad Hassani (calligrapher).

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In Mazandaran, including 22 counties and Sari city as its center, common languages are Tabari (a Mazandarani dialect) and Farsi. The Alborz mountain ranges comprising Mount Damavand as the highest peak of the Iranian Plateau with the height of 5,671 meters, cover the southern margin of Mazandaran.

The Alborz Mountain is of particular interest to domestic and foreign climbers. Geographically, it keeps the Mazandaran’s climate temperate and humid as it avoids like a dam the entry of humidity of the Caspian Sea to the central parts of the country. This has also created vast jungles, rivers, and wetlands across the province.

Historically, two very old and powerful tribes lived on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea: Tapours and Amardi, from which the names of Tabarestan and Amol city are driven. During the Parthian Dynasty (247 B.C.- 224 A.D.) and by the order of the king Phraates I, Amardi tribe moved to Khar (current Varamin city) from the Mazandaran area and Tapours tribe took control of the area that belonged to them originally.

Later, the area fell to the hands of the Sasanian rulers (224-651) and in some periods after the advent of Islam, non-local conquerors from different dynasties took control of Mazandaran or some parts of it. These dynasties include Tahirid (821-873), Saffarid (861-1003), Samanid (819-999), Ziyarid (930-1090), Ghaznavid (977-1186), Seljuk (1037-1194), Khwarazmian (1077-1231), Mongols (1206-1368), Sarbadar (1337-1381), and Timurid (1370-1507). During the Safavid era (1501-1736), Shah Ismail I sent a troop to Mazandaran but the definitive capture of the area happened by Shah Abbas I. Upon his order, the royal palace and complex of Safi Abad were built in present Behshahr city. At the time of its construction, the palace was called Ashraf.

The coastal cities such as Chalus, Ramsar, Nour, Nowshahr, Babolsar, and Mahmud Abad, jungle areas around Ramsar, Nour and Damavand Mount and summit, Badab Soort Spring, Alimestan Jungle, Babol Palace, Veresk Bridge, Fereydunkenar Wetland, and Nima Youshij House (poet) are the main attractions of the province.

Also, the historical garden of Abbas Abad near Behshahr has been registered as the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Among the local handicrafts of Mazandaran province, we can mention woodcarving, Moaragh (a kind of woodwork), mosaic, Bamboo, and mat weaving, Kilim, Jajim, tablecloth, the bedcover, scarf, socks, knife, and plate. A variety of jam and syrup especially orange blossom jam, raspberries, sour cherries, oranges, and pickles are among the common souvenirs of Mazandaran. Native foods often include a mixture of rice, fish, and vegetables.

Finally, Nima Youshij (poet- father of Iran’s modern poetry) and Manouchehr Sotoudeh (contemporary geographer and scholar) are among the famous figures of Mazandaran province.

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The history of Markazi dates back to several millenniums B.C. The Greeks considered the area a part of the Median Empire (678-549 B.C.), while Islamic geographers called it Jabal (Jebal) or Persian Iraq. In the early centuries following the flourishment of Islam, indigenous people of this area preserved their religion and remained as the followers of Zoroastrian.During the Seljuk Empire (1037-1194), the region was known as a Persian Iraq where more progress was witnessed later during the Safavid Empire (1501-1736).

The attention of the Qajar Empire’s (1796-1925) kings to clerical and religious figures led to an expansion of mosques, Maktab (school buildings), and theology schools in the area. This resulted in an introduction of the influential figures including Mirza Muhammad Taghi Khan Amir Kabir (a Qajar minister) and Mirza Ghaem Magham Farahani (a Qajar minister) coming from the Persian Iraq region to reform the country’s politics.

One of the important attractions of the province is Mahallat – the city of flowers –which is domestically famous as the Netherlands and the greenhouse of Iran with a long history in producing and exporting diverse flowers. Hydrotherapy Complex of Mahallat, Arak Market, Four-Season Bathhouse, Tomb of Pir-e Morad (mystic), the Meighan Wetland, the historical village of Hezaveh, Jameh Mosque of Saveh, and Vafs Village are among the other major attractions of the province.

Importantly, Ebrahim Abad Qanat of Arak (from the Iranian Qanat collection) has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most prevailing handicrafts of the province are carpet-weaving, Gabbeh, calligraphy, pottery, copper-making, and Kilim of Saveh. The local eatable souvenirs include pomegranate and honeydew of Saveh (a city in the province), melons, cotton, pomegranate sauce, grape syrup, and local soaps.

Also, some of the local cuisines of the region include bread, Damlameh, Abgoosht-e-Doroghin, Aush (a kind of soup), pomegranate stew, and rhubarb Abgoosht (meat stew). Of the most famous figures of Markazi province, we can mention Mirza Muhammad Taqi Khan Farahani (Amir Kabir), Ghaem Magham Farahani, Fakhr Al-Din Iraqi (Sufi and mysticism master), Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani (literary scholar and historian), and Abolqasem Sahab (human science scholar and researcher).

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Before the advent of Islam in Iran in 651 A.D., Kohgiluyeh was one of the five districts of Fars. When Alexander Macedonian invaded Iran in 330 B.C., a battle happened between him and Ario Barzan, the commander of the Iranian army but Alexander succeeded in conquering the Persepolis. Later, Zem Zemijan, one of the five big tribes of Fars, fell under the control of a man called Jiloyeh.  It seems that since the third century A.H., a part of the current Kohgiluyeh in Jiloyeh Mountain was the residence of Zem Zemijan.

Shah Abbas I of Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) offered the governance of Kohgiluyeh to one of his commanders-in-chief by the name of Allah Verdi Khan who had a Georgian origin. At the end of this dynasty and following the Afghans invasion of Iran, Kohgiluyeh tribes fought with them. In the following years, even during the reign of Zand (1751-1794) and Qajar (1796-1925) Dynasties, Kohgiluyeh did not experience complete peace.

Kohgiluyeh & Boyer Ahmad province has a high potential in terms of tourism due to its unique natural attractions and desirable climatic conditions, especially in spring and summer. The rich resources of water, wetlands, lakes, waterfalls, caves, and straits make the province heaven of nature lovers. Of other attractions of the province include migratory nomadic tribes, indigenous celebrations, and ceremonies, natural and ancient historical sites such as Yasuj waterfall, Tall Khosrow, Tange Ganjei, Cheshme Belghais garden, Kuh Gol Lake, Fire temple of Kheir Abad, Lishtar dome and Kheyri Mohammad Khan’s historical bridge.

Handicrafts by the tribes and nomads of the province have a long history, being inspired by the history, culture, and nature of the region. For example, carpets, Gabe-Bafi, Jajim-Bafi, special kind of Kilim (Mashteh), basket weaving, Siah-Chador (traditional tent), Tubreh, Khorjin (saddlebag), Ja-Qurani (book stand for Quran), local and tablecloths are the most prominent handicrafts of the province.

Local souvenirs also include medicinal herbs, local oil, local butter and curd, Qarehqurut (black curd), Dena honey, sesame, and apple. When it comes to local dishes, we can mention Sholeshiri, Kalle Joshak (Kalak Suz), Tilit-e-Piaz (onion dish), Aush Kar, Dampokhtak, Shole Mashki, and Berko Bread.

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Its neighbors are Khorasan Razavi, Semnan, Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. The major ethnic groups in this region are the Persians who speak Farsi with their local dialect. It is one of the arid areas of the country with hot summer and cold winter but a small part of it enjoys mild temperature. Lut Desert as one of the warmest deserts of the world covers a large area of the province, influencing significantly the temperature of the province.

Qahestan or Quhistan was a region in grand Khorasan stretching from the south of Nishabur to Sistan and at present, South Khorasan includes a great part of it. It is believed that the history of Qahestan villages dates back to pre-Islamic historical eras. During the early conquests of the Muslims, Hephthalites (440-710 A.D.) ruled Qahestan but the Arab Muslims conquered it when Umar (reign: 634-644) became the Caliph.

Years later, a big uprising under the leadership of a person named Qarin happened but the Arab commanders quelled it. Qahestan later became a part of grand Khorasan with Nishabur as its center and Muslim governors ruled it until the invasion of Mongol to Persia in 1219. By the arrival of Mongols, Qahestan was destroyed and never returned to its previous glory. During the next centuries, the region was in total chaos but finally, the independent local rulers were suppressed by the Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925) and the region became once again a part of Iran.

Unique nature, ancient, cultural, and religious sites can be found all over the province. The impressive landscape of Lut Desert, waterfalls, spas, saffron, and barberry farms have made South Khorasan an excellent place for tourists and nature lovers. The historical attractions of the province include Tabas Citadel, Mostofi House, Mansion of Boshruyeh Windcatcher, Nehbandan Watermill, Jameh Mosque of Qaen, and Madreseh Elmiyeh Oliya.

Particularly, Lut Desert, Akbariyeh Garden Complex, and Qanat Baladeh Ferdows have been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

In terms of handicrafts, the most prevailing ones include embroidery, Jajim weaving, Giveh making, felt making, basket weaving, and pottery. The main eatable souvenirs of the province are also saffron, barberry, jujube, pomegranate, black dried curd, and Persian olive.

The local foods are Abodardar Aash, Omaj Aush, Balgour Polo, Fenugreek Eshkeneh (a kind of Persian soup), Plum Abgoosht, and Saveri. Among the most notable figures of the province, we can mention to Bozarjomher Qaeini (poet), Badi’ozzamān Foruzānfar) contemporary literary critique, linguist, and culture expert).

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Although various Iranian folks originating from different parts of the country are living in this province, the common language is Farsi. Geographically, the province is almost entirely surrounded by mountains including Mount Binalud as the highest point. The province enjoys a dry and semi-arid climate but in the mountainous areas, winters and summers are cold and mild, respectively though, in low-altitude regions, summer is hot and dry.

The Grand Khorasan used to cover south of the Amu Darya and large parts of the current Central Asia countries. During the Sassanid Dynasty (224-651 A.D.), Khorasan was ruled by the army chief Spahbed. After the advent of Islam, this land contained four main cities including Nishabur, Marv, Herat, and Balkh, each of which was the center of Grand Khorasan in different eras.

Al-Ma’mun, the Abbasid Caliph, appointed Tahir ibn Ḥusayn as the governor of Khorasan but in less than a year, Tahir announced independence from Caliph and transferred the capital of Grand Khorasan from Marv to Nishabur, ending the absolute dependency of Iran on the Arab Caliphs. During the Samanid Dynasty (819-999), Khorasan and Mā warāʼ al-Nahr (Transoxiana) were among the brightest regions in the history of Iran because of the flourishment of science, literature, and Persian language.

When the Turks of Ghaznavid Dynasty (977-1186) came to the throne and took ruling of the area, one of the most important incidents of the region’s history namely the division of the Grand Khorasan’s land happened. As a result, a great section of the province with the centrality of Ghazni (Afghanistan) remained under the rule of Ghaznavid, while the rest of it was governed by the Seljuk Dynasty (1037-1194).

In the aftermath of the Mongol invasion in 1219, Tamerlane (reign: 1370-1405) from Samarkand attacked Khorasan for four times. Later, Grand Khorasan became a part of the Safavid Dynasty’s (1501-1736) territory and finally, Nader Shah (reign: 1736-1747) chose Mashhad as capital during the Afsharid Dynasty (1736-1796). After his death, Khorasan came under the control of Afghan commanders but Agha Muhammad Khan Qajar (reign: 1796-1797) took its full control without war and bloodshed and this was kept by his successors during the Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925).

The biggest and most glorious mausoleum of Iran is the holy shrine of the Shiite eighth Imam, Imam Reza (peace be upon Him) located in Mashhad city. Millions of both local and foreign pilgrims and tourists travel to Mashhad every year to visit His shrine.

In addition to the magnificent complex of Astan Quds Razavi (including the Imam Reza holy shrine, Goharshad Mosque, Golden Arch, Allahverdi Khan Portico, Shah Mosque and Bathhouse, and Anthropology Museum), some other tourist attractions of Razavi Khorasan include Ancient Windmills of Nashtifan, Robat-e Sharaf Caravanserai, Tombs of Ferdousi, Nadir Shah Afshar, Farid al-Din Attar, Omar Khayyam, and Kamal-ol-Molk.

Gonabad Qanat is also a historical attraction inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Some handicrafts of the province include carving on stone, pottery, turquoise stone, silk weaving, and Barak Bafi. The souvenirs of the province are saffron, barberry, pomegranate, spices, perfumes, different types of Nabat (a kind of candy), prayer rug, rings, jewels, and carpet. Shashlik, Shol-e, Eshkaneh, Dizzi Sangi and Balghur Aash are among the local foods. Finally, some of the notable figures of Mashhad are Ferdowsi Tosi (epic poet), Farid al-Din Attar (mystic and poet), Omar Khayyam (poet), Kamal-ol-Molk (painter), Jaber-e bin Hayyan (alchemist, mathematician), Mohammad-Taqi Bahar (poet), Dr. Ali Shariati (sociologist), and Mohammad Reza Shajarian (classic music singer).

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