| Khorasan | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Iran |
|---|---|
Khorasan is a region ofIran.
To know
In addition to the unmissable holy city of Mashhad, here you will find ancient buildings and artifacts from various empires that have ruled the region throughout history.
Whether you're doing a west-to-east land tour, or you're following in the footsteps of Marco Polo along the Silk Road, Khorasan can be an excellent gateway toCentral Asia. In addition to transport links with theWestern Afghanistan and the Turkmenistan, the region has the consulates of Central Asian countries conveniently based in Mashhad, the traditional yurts of the nomadic Turkmen that dot the countryside (especially in its northern reaches) will make you feel like you are at the gates of something other than the Persian heart.
Geographical notes
Khorasan is a region in northeastern Iran bordering the Turkmenistan and theAfghanistan. It was a single province until 2004, when it was divided into three provinces: Northern Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan and Southern Khorasan.
Background
In Middle Persian, Khorasan literally meant "where the sun rises", a fitting name since this region at the northeastern tip of Iran is where the sun is first seen in the country every day.
The old Iranian province of Khorasan formed roughly the western half of the historic Greater Khorasan region, an area that included parts of Iran (obviously), Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan is Uzbekistan. Some of the major historical cities of Persia are found in ancient Khorasan: Nishapur is You s; Merve Sanjan (now in Turkmenistan); Samarkand is Bukhara (both now in Uzbekistan); Herat is Balkh (now in Afghanistan); is Khujand is Panjakent (now in Tajikistan). The name was also used in the late Middle Ages - especially in the post-Mongolian era - to distinguish the region from its neighbor Transoxiana. The modern Iranian borders of the Khorasan province were defined and formalized in the late 19th century.
In August 1968 and September 1978, the region was the scene of two major earthquakes which killed 12,000 and 25,000 people. A third major earthquake, the 1997 Qayen earthquake, took place on May 10, 1997 and left 1,567 dead, 2,300 injured and 50,000 homeless.
Culture and traditions
A wide range of ethnic groups live in the region (Turkmen, Afghans / Pashtuns, Baluchs and Arabs depending on where you are). From a historical point of view, Khorasan has always been culturally closer to theCentral Asia; many art geniuses have worked on it. The region is famous for its carpets, saffron and barberry are grown here, which can be bought as a souvenir.
Territories and tourist destinations
Khorasan: full screen map.Urban centers
How to get
By plane
Birjand International Airport.
How to get around
What see
Despite the considerable area of the territory, several settlements are of interest. The main one is the second largest city in the country, Mashhad, a holy city and place of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims, where the monumental mausoleum of Imam Reza is located.
TO Nishapur there is the mausoleum of Omar Khayyam, in the city of Tus and the mausoleum of the poet Ferdowsi.
- The mausoleums of Diri-Baba and Ag Gunbaz
- The rock dwellings of Maraza
- The Shamakhi Astrophysical Observitory
- Akbarieh Gardens in South Khorasan Province, one of nine Persian World Heritage Gardens.
- Tomb of Khayyam in Neyshabouri
- Attar's tomb in Neyshabouri
- Tomb of Kamal Al-Molk - Neishabour
- Domes of Shahmir (Zoroastrian temple) - Neishabour
- Neishabour National Garden
- The historic city of Shadiakh, Neishabour
What to do
At the table
Ashkeneh rhubarb, milk bulgur, sour bulgur, kaljoush, tomato bulgur, soup, Halim Neyshabouri, etc. They are some of Neyshabur's traditional and local foods
Drinks
You can try rhubarb and rhubarb syrup in Neishabour.
