Shiraz

Fars Province
Dating back to antiquity, Fars province has been a significant center of the Persian culture and civilization. During some important Iranian dynasties, including the Achaemenids, Fars was the capital of the country. Considering numerous historical monuments, Fars is an exponent of the Iranian and Islamic art and history. Some of the greatest Iranian poets and philosophers are from this province. The identity of this province and the whole country is so much merged that Iran was once known as Pars( Persia ). Located in southern Iran and covering an area of 133000 square kms, Fars is bounded on the north by Yazd and Isfahan, on the west by Kohgiluyeh va Boyr Ahmad, on the south by Hormozgan and Bushehr, and on the east by Kerman.
The climate of Fars in complex, ranging from cold in the mountainous regions to warm in the southern and eastern areas. The cities of Sepidan and Nurabad are located in the mountainous regions. In the cities of Shiraz, Kazerun, Fasa and Firuzabad the weather is mild, while Lar, Khonj and Evaz have hot dry summers. The Zagros range stretches from the north-west to the south-east. In the north and north-west of the province there are lofty mountains like Barm Firuz and Azamat. The famous defile of Koli Kosh is in this mountain. The mountains near Shiraz are Sabz Pushan, Kuh-e Bamu, Kuh-e Tudaj and Kharman Kuh.
The most important river is Kor, originating in the northern mountains, passing by the city of Marvdasht and emptying into Lake Bakhtegan. This river, across which the large dam of Derudzan has been built, irrigates many areas and creates spectacular views. The dam is suitable for water sports. The other rivers of Fars most of which flows into the Persian Gulf are as follows: Qara Aqaj, Shapur, Dalaki and Fahlyan. The waterfall of Margun, in the most western part of Fars, is very high, attracting large numbers of people. There are three impressive lakes in Fars: Bakhtegan (Neyriz), Parishan (Famur), and Maharlu. Lake Maharlu located 18 Kms east of Shiraz has salt-water from which salt is obtained.
In the mountainous regions there are impressive caves, the most important of which are as follows: Tadevan cave, located 120 Km east of Shiraz on the road of Jahrom-Shiraz this cave where a lot of bats live, is one of the largest caves in Iran. Heydar Beyg, in which there is a well, is located in Beyza. Shafaq cave, located 140 Km east of Shiraz, and Kan-e-Gohar cave 36 Km away from Suryan in Abadeh are caves having eye-catchering stlactites and stlagmites.
Shapur cave, 30 Km from Kazerun, in which there is a pool is a point of intrest. A statue of Shapur I, a king of the Sassanian dynasty, with a height of 7 meters is in front of the cave. The vegetation of the province is rich in variety including goat's thorn, acanthus, milfoil, oak, almond and fig trees. The forested areas are streches of the forests of the Zagros. Wildlife, includes ibex, gazelles, mouflon, deer, wild boars, foxes and jackles. Birds found in the province are partridges, pheasants, eagles and some species of migratory birds. The national park of Bamu, in the northern Shiraz, covering an area of 40000 ha, abounds with deer . Wildlife sanctuary of Arjan, established in the west of Shiraz includes forests and many springs. A rare variety of Iranian deer lives in this area. Bahram-e-Gur, Harmad and Bakhtegan are other wildlife Santuaries.
Takht-e-Jamshid (Persepolis) is a ruined capital of Persia, 55 Kms away from Shiraz. It is world-famous and includes Achaemenid palaces. The mausoleum of the Sasanian kings is in a mountain adjacent to the complex of Takht-e-Jamshid. In the west there is the complex of Naqsh-e-Rostam, including four catacombs of the Sasanian king built in the mountain. There are also rock reliefs on the slope of the mountain. Ka'beh-e-Zardosht, an ancient fire-temple is an architectural triumph. The vastness of the palaces as well as their diversity, the huge buildings and the magnificently impressive designes and patterns carved on the stone walls, give Takht-e-Jamshid highest significance from architectural point of view. In the west of Shiraz sets the complex of Pasargad . It was the capital of Iran during the Achaemenid dynasty.
The ruling dynasty of Persia, the Achaemenids, settled in Fars. From then on Fars has been a major center of Iranian culture and civilization. Farsi is the language which is predominantly spoken. The religion of the majority of the people is Islam. Religious traditions are of greatest significance in the eyes of the people. The religious minorities are Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians. One of the biggest Iranian tribes, the Qashqayee, live in Fars. The International Airport of Shiraz, connecting Shiraz with many cities in Iran and abroad, plays an important role in transportation of both passengers and goods. Agriculture is of great importance in Fars. The major products include cereals (wheat and barley), citrus fruits, dates, sugar beets and cotton. The Fars industries are of high significance, and include: the petrochemical industry, an oil refinery, a type of factory for producing tyres, electronics industry, and a sugar mill.
The handicrafts of Fars are rich in diversity, the most significant of which are as follow: silver smithing, marquetry and skill-embroidery in Shiraz ; giveh (light cotton summer shoes) making in Abadeh ; and ceramics in Estahban ; carpet, jajim (fine carpet made of wool or cotton), and gelim (carpet made of goats`hair) weaving in Firuzabad. Other industries like cloth-weaving and glass blowing are scattered throught the province. Carpets woven by tribes, rose water made in Firuzabad, sweets produced in Fasa, and lime juice and plants essences extracted in Shiraz are of the highest quality. Fars province consists of 15 cities. And Shiraz is the provincial capital.
Shiraz
Situated in a plain surrounded by two mountain-ranges, Shiraz is 895 kms south of Tehran. It enjoys a mild climate and its magnificently impressive gardens have been famous from distant past.
Being the home town of two of the greatest Persian poets, this city has been the tourist's focus of attention. Chardin, the French traveler, and Flandin are among others who have visited Shiraz.
Being the capital of Iran in different periods it includes numerous monuments, some of which are as follows:
Arg (Citadal)
Located in the central area of the city, this citadel was the seat of government and the residence of Karim Khan Zand (1750-79), first of Zand dynasty, and for a while it was used as a prison. This magnificent building which is a triumph of architecture, has impressive plasterwork, wooden windows and tilework. It is encircled by four great towers.
Jame Mosque
This stone and brick building is among the earliest mosques built in Iran. It has four iwans and a square building with beautiful tilework in the middle of the yard. It includes a sanctuary with many columns and a pulpit made of stone.
Vakil Bazaar
Dating back to the Zand dynasty, this bazaar is of significance from an architectural point of view. In the southern side of the bazaar there is a carvansara called Saray-e Moshir. Today it is a centre for selling handicrafts.
Quran Gate
To the north of the city there is a beautiful gate going back to the Deylamites. There were two exquisite Qurans kept in a room over the gate that are presently displayed in Pars Museum.
Pars Museum
It is a building with an impressive pavillion used for formal meetings during the reign of Karim Khan. Being near the citadel of Karim Khan, this building has been used as a museum since 1937. Articles belonging to different periods are displayed in this museum.
Shrines
The most important shirine in Shiraz is the mausoleum of Seyyed Mir Ahmad ( Shah-e Cheragh meaning the king of light), the brother of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of the Shi'ites, dating back to the 10th century. It attracts a large number of pilgrims to Shiraz every year. The other shrines are the following mausoleums: Seyyed Mir Mohammad, Ala'addin Hoseyn, Shah Mir Ali Hamzeh and Seyyed Tajaddin-e Gharib.
Gardens
Shiraz has had a world fame for its gardens. Eram ( Bagh-e Eram ) is of the highest importance.Its Sassanid architecture and mirror-encrusted stalactite are unique. The impressive cypress trees, one of which dates back to 300 years ago, creates an eye-catching scene. The other gardens are Naranjestan (that is both a garden and a museume), Bagh-e Afif Abad(that is also a military museume ), and Bagh-e Delgosha.
Mausoleums
The Mausoleums of three of the greatest Iranian poets, _ Hafez, Sa'di and Khaju _ are of the greatest importance, attracting many people. Each Mausoleums is architecturally unique.