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I R A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E , I N D U S T R I E S & M I N E S |
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I R A N C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E , I N D U S T R I E S & M I N E S |
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| Geography and History | |
 ChoghaZanbil Ziggurat
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Covering an area of
62,664 square kilometers Khuzistan province is located in the southeast of
Iran. The cities of the province are Abadan, Andimeshk, Ahwaz, Eazeh,
Baghmalek, bandar-Mahshahr, Behbahan, Khoramshahr, Dezfoul,
Dasht-e-Azadegan, Ramhormoz, Shadgan, Shoush, Shoushtar and
Masjed-Soleyman. The population of the province was 3,746,700 in 1994 of which 62,52% were urban dwelers and 36.51 were resided in rural areas and the remaining were non-resident. The sex ratio of the province is 104. From topographical point of view, khuzistan Province is divided into two parts of mountainous and pain. The plain region is situated in the south and west of the province where the most parts are formed from alluviums of Karoon, Jarahi and Dez rivers. The northern part of these plains is around Dezful and the southern part is composed of level and low lands have been created under the tidal activities of the sea. The climate changes from semi-arid to arid southward. Generally, in this area the winter is short and mild and the summer is long and warm. Khuzistan is under the influence of three air currents. First, the cold mountainous current that blows toward the Persian Gulf in the winter. Second, coastal hot currents that blows from the sea toward the plain areas in the summer with high humidity known as “Sharji”. Third, the worst current that blows from the south (Saudi Arabia) known as “Somoom” slways containing sands, dust and small particulate absorbing a high quantity of humidity while crossing the Persian Gulf. Khuzistan is part of old Elam land that was one of the four civilizations of the ancient world in which urbanization began in early 4th millennium BC. In 640 BC, Susa was conquered by Assyrians and was divided into two parts. The Parsees governed the northern part known as Aanzan while the Assyrians vanquished the southern part. In 538 BC Cyrus the Achaemenian attacked Babel andannexed Elam to the Achaemenian territory choosing Susa as one of the capital cities. According to Bisotoon inscription, Elam land (including Khuzistan) was one of the 23 provinces of the Achaemenian Dynasty in Dariush time. He chose Susaas one of his capital cities in 521 BC and built a magnificent stony palace in it called as Hadish. After the attack of Alexander and fall of the Achaemenian Dynasty, a government known as Seleucidian was established in Iran. In 187 BC Seleucidian government became weak, Pars and Khuzistan were united and separated from it. In the sassanide time, this region developed rapidly. The Sassanide government constructed several buildings in Ahwaz, Sushtar and northern Andimeshk. The remnants of huge bridges and dams of this era indicate is glory. Arabs attacked Iran in the Sassanide time and finally Iranians were defeated in Qadessyeh and Arabs conquered Susa, Shushtar and Jondi-shapour in the 642 AD and established a new civilization. Iranians revolted against Arab governments several times. One of the most important independence movements against Caliph was in Abbasi era by Yaghoub Layss Saffari from Sistan in mid 3th century AH who was positioned in Susa and Shushtar. Subsequently, Khuzistan was governed totally or partially by several local dynasties while some social movements emerged as well. Khuziatan has passed several ups and downs in the Saffavid, Afsharyeh, Zandyeh and Qajar times especially in early 19th century and oil exploitation in this province. Consequently it became the arena of conflicts. Hereunder the historical, natural, cultural and tourism features of the cities of the province are discussed. Abadan Enjoying short winter and long, humid and hot summers, Abadan is located 1000 kilometers far from Tehran. Abadan is a delta-shaped island and was called Khezr Island in the past. It was named Abadan in 1935 AD. It flourished rapidly in the late 19th century due to the development of oil industry. In 1909 AD a huge refinery was constructed there. Abadan was badly damaged during Iragi-imposed war. Now it is reconstructed enjoying a normal life. The city is mostly dependent upon oil industries especially the refinery.
Ahwaz Ahwaz is 874 kilometers far from Tehran enjoying a warm and humid climate. Ahwaz is one of the oldest cities of the country which is named in ancient inscriptions. Today Ahwaz is a new city constructed on the ruins of the old city. Some historians belive Ahwaz is the same city as Aguinis that is mentioned by Straboon. But in great extend it is constructed in the site of old city of Tariana. The Sassanide king Ardeshir I reconstructed Tariana and named it Hormozd Ardeshir and a dam on Karoon River close to it. The city flourished in his time considerably and became the capital of Ssuziana (Khuzistan) instead Susa. When Arabs conqered Suziana, they called the city Sough-OI-Ahwaz. Ahwaz was thriving in the time of the Omavi and Abbassi Caliphate and was the trade center for sugar and sugarcane. But in the late 3rd century AH it lost its importance.Finally in mild 9th century it was really destroyed due to destruction of the great dam close to it. After the excavation of Suez Canal in late 19th century, European colonialists paid attention to the south region of Iran so it caused some evolution in the trade activities of the city. In the reign of Nasereddin Shah, the Qajar king, Karoon River was used for development of shipping activities and a port was construccted close to it known as Naseri Port. Subsequently Ahwaz was renamed as Nasseryeh but very soon it got its old name. There is a remains of an old bazaar known as Moin Bazaar which was constructed by the governor of the province. Present Khazallieh is an old neighborhood of the city. In Bisotoon inscription, there is the name of A waja that can be ancient Ahwaz. Important natural, historical and cultural sites of the city are as follows :
Eazeh Enjoying a mild climate in summers and cold weather in winters Eazeh is 1,082 kilometers far from Tehran holding rich pastures for animal breeding activities. In the old times, this land was thriving and one of the centers of ancient civilization. According to the inscriptions that were found around Eazeh, it was very important during the glorious time of Elamite government. The center of old Azan or Anshan was in this city as well. During the time of Seleucidians many building were constructed in the city by Greeks. The old Eazeh was flourishing in the time of Sassanides as well. It was also an independent and thriving city after Islam. Important historical , cultural and natural sites of Eazeh are as followas:
Mahshahr The city of Mahshahr is 1025 kilometers far from Tehran and enjoys a humid and warm climate. The former name of the city was maashur Port and before that it was also called Mahrouyan and Machuleh. Ths city is one of the oldest ports of the Persian Gulf. This port was the laargest oil exporting port in the country before establishment of Khark facilities. Now it is the most important site for export of natural gas. The interesting to see places of the city are:
Enjoying a semi-arid and warm climate, Behbahan is located 1,105 kilometers far from Tehran with very hot summers. In the ancient times, the governmental centers of it were ghobad Farrah and Argan. The city was founded by Ghobad-Ebn-Firouz. In the Sassanide time, Arjan city, which is 12 kilometers far from Behbahan, was constructed and after destruction of the city, people migrated to Behbahan. in the 4th century AC, Arjan was thriving and thickly populated, but in the late 8th century AC it was completely destroyed and abandoned and Behbahan was erected. The important historical, cultural and natural sites of the city are :
Khoramshahr Khoramshahr is 994 kilometers far from Tehran and enjoys a hot and humid climate. It was a small village in the 12th century AH in the junction of Karoon and Arvan Rivers, but it changed to an important port in the 13th century AH. After its establishment and due to its strategic location, foreign forces have occupied Khoramshahr for several times. Ottomans in 1883, English Army in 1875 and Iraqi forces in 1980 occupied this city. Oil discovery in the late 19th century and vicinity of Khoramshahr to Abadan Refinery doubled its importance. The old name of Khoramshahr was Mohamareh (red color) due to the color of Karoon River in this region. It was badly damaged during Iraqi-imposed war and was occupied for 575 days and was completely plundered and destroyed. The important sites of the city are:
Dezfool Enjoying a relatively dry and hot climate with mild winters and hot summers, Dezfool is 721 kilometers far from Tehran. The name of the city in fact is a combination of two words “Dezh” (castle) and “pol” (bridge) that is pronounced Dezfool by local dialect. It is said that constructors of the bridge built a castle in its beginning for protection of it, so it was known by this name. Dezfool, like Shoushtar was subordinated by Jondi-Shapour for a long time. After the destruction of Jundi-Shapour, Dezfool became more thriving, but then it was badly damaged due to not paying due attention and maintenance of the existing irrigation system belonging to the Sassanide time. Dezfool was safe from the attack of Mongols but it became an Ilkhandepent city later on. They also did not resisted against Temerlane. It was visited by Nader Shah several times and Nader Shah Castel was constructed by his order for protection of the city. The important sites of the city are as follows:
Dasht-e-Azadegan Dasht-e-Azadegan is 941 kilometers far from Tehran enjoying a dry and warm climate. First it was called Bani Taraf and in 1935 AD it was named Dasht-e-Mishan and after the Islamic Revolution it was named Dasht-e-Azadegan. The residents of this region are Arab nomads. It was a part of Ahwaz till 1944. Ramhormoz Ramhormoz is 1,008 kilometers far from Tehran and enjoys a warm climate. It is an ancient city that was founded by Hormoz the Sassanide. In the past it was called Samangan. In spite of a long history, it has not developed during this long period. The historical region of Ramshir is located in this area and its ruins exists 3 kilometers from Ramhormoz. The importance of Ramshir is for its connection role with southern ports due to the existence of Ramshir Bridge that has been constructed across Jaaarahi (Maroon)River. The interesting sites of the city are as follows:
Shooshtar Shooshtar is 831 kilometers far from Tehran and enjoys a warm climate in the spring, summer and autumm and cold weather in the winter. According to the Iranian legends, Hooshang the Pishdadi has founded it Arabs conquered Shooshtar during the regin of Omar the Caliph. tamerlane conquered Sshooshtar in 820 AH and it became one of the centers for propaganda for Shiite sect. Nader Shah attacked this city for several times. In the early Qajar period Shooshtar, Dezfool and Howaizeh were annexed to Kermanshah. During the Qajar time many religious conflicts happened in this city. But Pahlavi time it became safe and now it is one the imporant cities of Khuzistan Province. The important natural, historical and cultural sites of the city are as follows.
Masjed Soleyman Masjed Soleyman is 1,030 kilometers far from Tehran. This city holds a lot of historical monuments. There is the ruin of an important fire-temple close to present Masjed soleyman belonging to the Parthian and Saaanide times. Attractions of the city are as follows:
Shadgan Enjoying a warm arid climate, Shdgan is a southern city of Khuzistan Province 971 kilometers faar from Tehran. The old name of Shadgan was Saragh has been one of the states of Khuzistan with a river with same name. Today the city is thriving and its famous product is weaving of aba (aba is men’s loose sleeveless cloak open in front). Soush (Susa) Shoush is located in the north of Ahwas 1,010 kilometer far fromTehran enjoying warm climate. It is one of oldest centers of civilization in the world. According to the archeological excavations a lot of monuments and vestiges have been discovered of which the antiquity dates back to the pre-history period. The first tribe that caused thriving of the region was Elamites. During their time, Shoush was chosen as capital. After the domination of the Achaemenian dynasty, Shoush was a thriving city till the early domination of Moslems. The famous castle of Shoush was constructed in 1898 AD on the northern part of Acropol Hill. The old name of Shoush has been Sus or Susiana Plain. The natural, historical and cultural monuments of the city are :
Baghmalek Baghmalek is located in the east of Ahwaz 1,024 kilometers far from Tehran.. The attractions of the city are as follows :
Andimeshk Andimeshk is located in the north of Khuzistan Province on the southern slopes of Zagross Mountain 726 kilometers far from Tehran.Andimeshk has been constructed close to the ruins of the old city of Loor which was a flourishing city and has been pointed out by many famous geographers. Andimeshk was paid due attention in the Qajar period and a castle was constructed there. The important sites of the city are as follows :
Wildlife and Protected Regions Existence of Hoor-al-Azeem, vast wetlands, reed beds, the coasts of the Persian Gulf in the south and snow-clad high mountains in the north and east of Khuzistan Province totally have created different habitats in the region rich of different species of wildlife. Dense thickets of Karkheh are the habitat of Iranian Follow Deer one of the rare and unique species of the world. The most important wildlife species in the protected areas of province are: diverse migratory African or Indian birds, wild goat, wild sheep, brown bear, gazelle, wolf, fox, partridge, dull-yellow partridge, eagle, crab, lobster, snake, seaturtle, dolphin, and different endemic and migrant birds like flamingo, pelican and… Tourism Facilities In spite of 8 years of war in the province and server damages the province was reconstructed very fast and now all cities of the province are flourished with road, air and sea transportation facilities as well as communication and health systems. The souvenirs of the province are handicrafts like earthenware, cloth, carpet, basket, mat and coarse carpet, bamboo products, coarse blanket, engravings and …
Necessary Telephone Numbers Governmental Office Tourism Directorate: 3327334-5 Governor General’s Office: 367301 Amaken (Police of Public Places): 335076-8 Police: 360974 Traffic Police, Ahwaz: 33334 Airport, Ahwaz: 4444041 Airport, Abadan: 32095-7 Hotels Fajr Hotel, Ahwaz: 220091-5 Ahwaz Hotel: 225505 Azadi Hotel, Abadan: 24303 Caravansary Hotel, Abadan: 30065-8 Enghelab Hotel, Bandar Imam: 205070-80 Hospitals & Health Centers Apadana Hospital, Ahwaz: 330701 Aria Hospital, Ahwaz: 222076 Travel Agencies Asseman: 446061 Caspian Air: 362300 Kish Air: 336858 Mahan Air: 222222 |
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