Khorasan (Persian: استان خراسان) (also transcribed as Khurasan and Khorassan, anciently called Traxiane during Hellenistic and Parthian times) currently names a region located in north eastern Iran, but historically referred to a much larger area east and north-east of the Persian Empire. Mashhad is the centre and capital of the province.
Khorasan is famous world wide for its saffron and zereshk which are produced in the southern cities of the province. Production is more than 170 tons per year. Khorasan is also known for its famous rugs as well as for the Ferdousi and Imamreza shrines/tombs.
Geography
The older Persian province of Khorasan included parts which are today in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Some of the main historical cities of Persia are located in the older Khorasan: Nishapur and Tus (now in Iran), Merv and Sanjan (now in Turkmenistan), Samarkand and Bukhara (both now in Uzbekistan), Herat and Balkh (now in Afghanistan), Khujand and Panjakent (now in Tajikistan). In its long history, Khorasan knew many conquerors and empires: Greeks, Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Safavids, Pashtuns (ethnic Afghans) and others.
Demographics
The major ethnic groups in this region are Persians with Turkish and Turkmen minorities. Most of the people in the region speak closely related modern day dialects of Persian.However Khorasan, as a result of its troubled history, is peopled by a great variety of ethnic groups: Turcomans in the northwest; and Quchan; Timuris and Jamshidis in the east, some of whom are still nomadic and are believed to be of mixed Iranic and Turkic origin; and in the southeast, Baloch people. The highlands in the south are home to a settled population of old Iranian stock. There is also a sizeable Afghan community in the province due to the influx of refugees from Afghanistan in recent years. Here and there are found Berberis of Mongol origin (called Hazaras in Afghanistan), Khorasani Arabs, Gypsies, and a few Jews in the towns. The largest cluster of settlements and cultivation stretches around the city of Meshed northwestward, containing the important towns of Quchan, Shirvan, and Bojnurd. The languages spoken in Khorasan are Persian and Turkic languages.
Economy
A) Agriculture :
Khorasan Due to the large size, diversity of climate and soil type has a variety of different aspects of food and agricultural are important.
Livestock production in the province also has an important role in the country.
Livestock in the province of both traditional and new methods (industrial) is performed. Industrial Livestock are more in the large cities, including a large Astan Quds Razavi farm complex can be pointed out that is the largest industrial centers of animal husbandry in Mashhad in Iran. In recent years, fish production of 419 tons in 1817, has been exploited.
Red Gold :
Saffron is one of the most valuable agricultural products has increased its annual net income and the need for water is low. In the southern province is economic product that cost effective addition to the ease of transportation, low volume, high economic value and does not require heavy machinery and agricultural and expensive to operate for 7 to 10 consecutive years after Once planted, the country’s currency can significantly absorb. Produce about 172 tons of saffron with 5 / 75 percent of production in the country has the first place.
B) Mining :
Khorasan due to its geological structure has a lot of mines, which can be linked with industries, have an important role in the development of the province.
Fern Gas resources is one of the richest sources of gas resources of Iran and Sangan iron ore mines in the Middle East is one of the largest mine.
Currently there are 450 active mines in the province that it can be divided into two main groups :
1. Metal mines :
Iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromites
2. Non-Mining :
– Industrial minerals: kaolin, talc, silica, calcite, industrial soil, feldspar, gypsum, and fluorite
– Organic reserves (fossil fuel), gas and coal
-construction Stones: marble, granite, limestone
– Semi-precious gemstones and gold, turquoise, Grona
Geographic distribution of Figure 10 shows the most important mines in Khorasan.
C) Industry :
Khorasan due to historical background, the diversity of agricultural products, mining and rich human resources specialist, has a favorable environment for industrial development. Currently there are 5,500 industrial units in the province. That
Can be divided into two major groups :
Manufactured Industry:
According to the priority sectors of agriculture, more industrial activity is based on the food industry.
Although the major industry in this province has been limited, but in recent years, major industries such as automotive and steel complex in the city of Nishapur, Khorasan in north-western New Binalood Mashhad have been constructed, which have important role in the development of industry.
Different Types of industrial activities in Khorasan are:
1 . Food : sugar, dairy products and meat, and canned fruit, raisins and pistachio processing and…
2 . The textile : industry, including spinning and weaving, and clothing made of leather, synthetic fibers, and carpets and…
3 . Industries producing construction materials : Stones, cement, ceramic tile, porcelain and…
4. Electricity and electronics industries : base building, wire, cable, lamp making and…
5 . Chemical industry, medicine and health : pharmaceutical, rubber, soap and Detergents, paint…
6 . Metal industry : pipes and profiles, casting, piece of furniture, appliances and…
7 . Cellulose industries : wood products, paper and carton manufacturing and …
8 . Other industries : automotive, construction, agricultural tools, bikes, Gas and…
Geographic distribution shows the most important industries of Khorasan Razavi province.
Handicraft :
Handicrafts is rooted in the culture of each country to travel in the year 1720 AD, Pollack Mashhad, Iran’s trade center with neighboring countries, especially in the field of handicrafts.
The most important handicrafts of the province are: types of carpet weaving, silk lining, turquoise, masonry, sheepskin doses, Purple weaving, and mosaic work and…
Silk lining : silk lining of the Archivist of the most important activities that have an important role in employment Torbat city. Cocoons purchased from Gilan and Mazandaran is transferred to the Archivist of the city and almost all homes using the silk lining is converted into silk yarn.
Attractions
This province envelopes many historical and natural attractions, such as mineral water springs, small lakes, recreational areas, caves and protected regions, and various hiking areas.
Besides these, Khorasan encompasses numerous religious buildings and places of pilgrimage, including the shrine of Imam Reza, Goharshad mosque and many other mausoleums and Imamzadehs which attract visitors to this province.
The Cultural Heritage of Iran lists 1179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.
Some of the popular attractions of Razavi Khorasan are:
• Tus, where Ferdowsi, Persian languages most important poet is buried.
• Nishapur, where Farid al-Din Attar, Omar Khayyám, and Kamal-ol-molk are buried.
• Goharshad mosque and the vast shrine-complex of Imam Reza that forms the heart of Mashhad
• Khaneh Khorshid
• Shandiz and Torghabeh (famous for their riverside restaurants)
• Tomb of Nadir Shah Afshar in central Mashhad
• Akhangan (Akhanjan) tower, north of Tus
• Haruniyeh dome in Tus, where the famous mystic Imam Mohammad Ghazali is buried.
• Tus citadel
• Bazangan lake, in Sarakhs district
• Kooh Sangi, a notable hill in Mashhad
• Akhlamad
• Band-e-Golestan (Golestan dam)
• Jaghargh
• Zoshk, a country village west of Mashhad
• Kang, a scenic stepped village
• Noghondar
• Kardeh Dam
• Vakilabad and Mellat parks in Mashhad
• Zari, Hendelabad, Mozdooran, Moghan and Kardeh caves.
• Robat Sharaf (a relatively grand caravanserai ruin in Sarakhs district)
• Tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, Khajeh Morad, Ravi (famous Iranian Gnostics) and mausoleum of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi.
• Yahya and Khajeh Rabi mausoleum at the northern edge of Mashhad city*Sabz (green) dome in a roundabout in Mashhad.