Geography
Shiraz (شیراز in Persian) is a city in southwest Iran with 1,050,000 inhabitants (1996 census). Its elevation is 1486 metres above sea level amidst the Zagros Mountains, and it is the capital of Fars Province.
It used to be the capital of Persia (former name of Iran) during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1794, when the Qajar dynasty moved the capital to Tehran.
The economical base for Shiraz is commerce of its provincial products, where grapes, citrus fruits, cotton and rice are produced. In Shiraz itself, industries such as, cement, sugar, fertilizer, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.
Shiraz has a moderate climate, with mild summers and winters.
Landmarks in Shiraz include the tombs of the celebrated classical Persian poets Hafez, Saadi, and Khaju e Kermani; the 9th century Atigh Jame' Mosque, the 14th century Shah Cheragh shrine, the 19th century Nasir-ol-Molk mosque, Arg (citadel) of Karim Khan,
Vakil Bazaar, Quran Gate, Naranjestan e Ghavam House, Zinat-ol-Molook House, Afifabad Garden, Eram Garden, and the great ruins of Persepolis, 60 km northeast of the city.
Shiraz is famous for its carpet production and flowers as well. It is also believed that the name of the Shiraz grape originates from here as well.
History of Shiraz
Eram Garden. This 18th century garden contains a fine example of Qajari traditional architecture. Today the building is the property of Shiraz University, and a popular tourist attraction. Fars province is home to the mighty ancient Persian empire circa 700 BC. The ruins of Persepolis, about 2,500 years old, are found about 60 km in northeast direction, as a witness to the ancient glory of the Achaemenid empire. Persepolis, Firouzabad, and Pasargad are nearby ancient cynosures of this ancient civilization.
Shiraz itself however began to grow in the 7th century when the power of the former regional capital Istakhr was broken by the Arabs. The major events after the Arab conquest are:
- 1387: Shiraz is occupied for a short period by Timur.
- 1393: Timur occupies Shiraz for the second time.
- 1630: A flood destroys large parts of the town.
- 1668: Another flood hits Shiraz.
- 1724: Shiraz is sacked by Afghan invaders.
- 1750: Shiraz becomes capital of the Zand dynasty. Many of the famous buildings are restored or rebuilt from this period.
- 1794: End of the Zand dynasty, and Shiraz's status as capital.
- 1824: An earthquake destroys parts of the town.
- 1853: A new heavy earthquake hits Shiraz, but many important buildings are spared.
- 1945: Shiraz University opens.
During the Pahlavi era, The Shah spent large sums of money on Shiraz to make the city into "The paris of Iran". After all, this was the capital of Fars, where The Shah celebrated his 2500th anniversary of the Persian empire. Many projects were drawn up for this purpose, and by the late 70s, Shiraz had already become the bride of Iranian cities.
After the revolution, Shiraz fell out of favor by the ruling establishment in Tehran. To the new republic, Shiraz was a sign of ("taaghoot") decadence from the former Pahlavi regime. Incompetent authorities were assigned to city and mayor positions that led to a chaotic urban sprawl, and Shiraz University, once destined to become a world class institution, was neglected and ignored almost entirely. Today, after 30 years, the never finished skeletal structure of buildings started in the Shahs era still stand, with the steel I-beams rusting away, similar to the columns of Persepolis and Pasargadae. Instead, cities like Isfahan, the symbol of a successful Islamic culture, have become the image Iranian authorities wish to present Iran as.
Universities of Shiraz
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences is a well established medical school of Iran that even admits foreign students. There are two major universities in Shiraz; Shiraz University (former Pahlavi University), and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (http://www.sums.ac.ir/). Pahlavi University had very close ties to the University of Pennsylvania during the 1960s and 70s.
Notable people
- Sibawayh, one of the founders of Arabic grammar, died here.
- Saadi, writer, poet, born and died here.
- Hafez, poet, born and died here.
- Zahra Kazemi, photographer, born here.
- Ladan and Laleh Bijani, twins, born here.
- Shah Shoja', buried here.
- Khaju e Kermani, buried here.
- Mulla Sadra was born here
External links
|
