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	Geography and History
Holly Quran Castel of PirTaj Village House of Moshir Imamzade Pir Mohammad Jame Mosque Sanandaj Nature In Uraman Nature In Uraman Recreation Complex of Abidar Sanandaj Museum	Geography and History Covering and area of 28,203 square kilometers, Kurdistan Province is located in the west of Iran in the vicinity of Iraq border. The cities of the province are Baneh, Bijar, Divandarreh, Saghez, Chorveh, Kamyaran, and Marivan. The population of the province in 1996 was 1,346,383 of which 52.42% were urban dwellers and 47.58% rural dwellers. The sex ratio of the Province is 104. Kurdistan Province is entirely a mountainous region that can be divided into two western and eastern sections from topographical points of view which are located in the east and west of Sanandaj. Being under the influence of two main warm and cold air currents, Kurdistan Province enjoys diverse climate. The westwrn part of the province has thhighest rate of annual precipitation . Entire parts of the province enjoy mild and cool wether in summer andspring. There is not any clear evidence on pre-Islamic history of Kurdistan. Kurds are Aryan tribes who migrated to the region several thousands rears ago. In the early Islamic period, 16-20AH(637-641),all Kurdish castles and fortifications as well as major cities were occupied by Arabs. In 23 AH(634 AD) when Arabs Attacked Fars, Kurdish people of this state took part in the war against Arabs for defending the city of Fasa. Finally Kurds were defeated by Arabs in the year 25 AH. There are many ups and downs in the history of Kurds. In 224 AH one of the Kurdish leaders revolted against Motasem the Caliph, but finally he was suppressed. Since then Kurds revolted against the Caliphs several time but were defeated by them. They also revolted against Daylamian government in the 4^th century AH, but they were defeated as well. Mongols destroyed Kurdish cities and then during the time of the Timurids and Turkmen, Kurdistan was the arena of conflicts between different invaders. During the reign of Shah Ismail I, the founder of Safavid dynasty, Sunnite Kurds were supported by Ottoman Caliphs against Shiite government of Safavid. With the establishment of Zandieh Dynasty, for the first time in the history of Iran, a Kurdish dynasty took the throne. In the late Zandieh period, some parts of west Azarbaijan were under the seizure of Kurdish tribes. During 19^th and 20^th centuries AD,Kurdish tribes of the region revealed their inner inclination for independence and establishment of a Kurdish government . In 1946 AD, coincident with the occupation of Iran by the Allies, Ghazi Mohammed formed the Peoples Republic of Kurdistan with the help of Russians. But after complete evacuation of Iran by Allies and sending of Iranian army forces to Azarbaijan and Kurdistan, this republic was disintegrated. Today, Kurdistan is one of the important strategic points of the country. In here, the historical, cultural, and tourism features of the province are discussed. Sanandaj Locating 501 kilometers far from Tehran, Sanandaj is the capital city of the province. This city holds a beautiful nature with pleasant weather especially in the autumn and spring. The castle of Sanedej (Sanandaj) was developed by the governor of Kurdistan in the reign of Shah Safi (1038-152-AH). In the past, instead of present Sanandaj, a city known as “Seer” existed in the same place. Karim Khan Zand destroyed the city in 1146 AH and after a period of chaos, Khosro Khan Ardalan dominated over the city. After him his son became governor and Sanandaj developed considerably in his time. Presently, Sanandaj is one of the beautiful cities of the country. The most important sites of the city worth seeing are as follows: Dense forests of the region, Negel historical village on Sanandaj – Marivan road, Salavat Abad village, Edifices of Khosro Abad, Salar Saeed (Sanandaj Museum) and Moshir which have been constructed in Qajar time. The old houses of Moshiri, Vakil, Asef Vaziri and Sadegh Vaziri,
	Palangan Castle belonging to 6^th century AH, Several historical bridges belonging to the Safavid time. Historical hills, Old public bathes. Old bazaars of Sanandaj and Asef belonging to the Safavid time. Several Mosques and Imamzadehs. Saghez Enjoying a moderate climate in the summer and spring, Saghez is 706 kilometers far from Tehran. This city, Known as Isirta, was the first capital of Medes. Assyrians attacked the Medes and destroyed the city. The old Saghes was in a plain southeastern of present city. Saghez is located in the skirts of mountain with a river close to it and it is one of the most beautiful cities of the province. The most important monuments of the city are as follows: Saghez plain, Saghez forests with recreational facilities. Several castles and bridges withsome vestiges belonging to 900 BC Tapeh Zivyeh. Hagi Saleh public bath. Old bazaars. Old caravansaries. Old mosques. Locating in a dense forest area, Baneh is 728 kilometers far from Tehran. In pre-Islam time, a Zoroastrian clan known as Gheghou governed the region that was overthrown by Arabs. Till the mid 13^th century AH the city was called Behroozheh and now the northeastern graveyard of the city is called old Baneh. Dislocation of the city was due to the outbreak of diseases, conflagration and tribal conflicts. Presently, the city is located on the heights with wonderful landscape. The important sites of the city are as follows: Baneh Plain. Shouvi Cave. The luxuriant forests of Baneh region. Several castles. The old dam of Shou, a Sassanide and Parthian monument The histirical city of Armardeh. Soleyman Beik place of pilgrimage. Marivan Marivan is a cold area with 150 years of antiquity . The Qajar governor, Farhad Mirza, constructed a castle in the city before Constitutional Revolution. This border city was neighbored with the Ottoman Government. Due to some chaos and conflicts caused by the tribes, the infrastructures of the region were destroyed. At present Marivan is a thriving and beautiful city. The tourist attractions of the city are as follows: Zarivar Lake. Several springs. Marivan forests. The historical village of Uramanat with pleasant landscape. Darki historical village. Eamam Castle. Historical bridges. Archeological hills. Some inscriptions with cuneiform script belonging to 2^nd millennium BC. Several mosques. Urami Bazaar. Kamyaran Located 65 kilometers far from Sanandaj , Kamyaran is one of the cities of Kurdistan Province enjoying pleasant climate. The attractions of the city are as follows: Govaz mineral springs with therapeutic virtue, Kamyaran and Amir Abad plains. Hazrat Akkasheh place of pilgrimage. Divandareh Divandareh is one of the cities of the province that located 95 kilometers far from Sanandaj enjoying mild climate. Keftoo Cave located in a castle with the same name is among the most important historical monuments of the province belonging to the Parthian period 3rd century BC. Protected Regions Climatic diversity, enough water resources and dense vegetation have created suitable habitats for several species of flora and fauna. Various species of endemic and migrant wildlife live there. This province is one of the most important wildlife habitats. The most important endemic and migrant birds of the province are: partridge, dull – yellow, partridge, bustard, pigeon, heron, goose, crane, duck, eagle and starling. Migratory birds come to their habitats in the province for wintering, nesting and breeding. Other important wildlife of the province are leopard, bear, wild sheep, wild goat, bore, jackal, fox, wolf etc. Tourism Facilities There are suitable connection roads, communication services, hospitals, and health centers in most cities of the province and they are easily accessible. Most of the cities hold suitable and diverse accommodation facilities. The people of this province are well acquainted with tourism. All necessary information is mentioned in related part of this book. The souvenirs of the province are : wickerwork, wool hand – woven cloth, coarse, rug, felt carpet, local shoes, and other handicrafts. NECESSARY TELEPHONE NUMBERS Governmental Offices Tourism Office, Sanandaj: 36435 Tourism Office, Saghez: 2266 Tourism Office, Bijar: 4443 Tourism Office, Ghorveh: 2260 Tourism Office, Marivan: 21155 Tourism Office, Baneh: 3500 Airport, Sanandaj: 23435 Police, Sanandaj: 36145 HOTELS : Hedayat Hotel, Sanandaj: 24117 Jabbar Hotel , Sanandaj: 36584 Abidar Hotel, Sanandaj: 41645 Sanandaj Guest House: 63675 Sanandaj Guest House: 63675-6 Marivan Guest House: 5724 Hotel Ghasr, Saghez: 23692 Azadi Hotel, Saghez: 24015

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