Bukan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bukan Persian: بوکان
City
Bukan Location in Iran
Country	Iran
Province	West Azerbaijan
County	Bukan
District	Central
Elevation	1,365 m (4,478 ft)
Population  (2016)
• Total	193,501
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Area code(s)	(+98) 44-462

Bukan (Persian: بوکان) is a city in Iran. It is located in the West Azerbaijan province. Bukan is the main city of Bukan County and its Central District.

During the time of the Qajar dynasty, Bukan became important. This was because a respected leader named Aziz Khan Mokri and his family lived there. Bukan was the center of their rule. After the Iranian Revolution in 1978, the city grew a lot. It became important in many areas like culture, sports, and business. Today, Bukan is one of the most important cities in Iran.

What's in a Name?

The name Bukan has an interesting history. Some people think it comes from the Kurdish word for "brides." However, there is no real proof for this idea. In Kurdish, the city's name is spelled "Bokan," not "Bukan." The Kurdish word for bride is "Bûk," which is different.

"Bukan" is actually how the name is spelled in Farsi. Local Kurdish people spell and say it as "Bokan." A long time ago, a writer named Rashid al-Din Hamadani wrote that the name came from a prince. The name "Bukan" was first written down during the Qajar period.

Bukan's Long History

Ancient Times

People have found old items in Bukan that are from 4100 BC to 4400 BC. This shows that Bukan was one of the first places where people settled in the Iranian Plateau. It was a very early home for humans.

Islamic Era and Growth

From the late 1300s to the 1800s, Bukan was part of the Mukriyan principality. This was a local kingdom. When this kingdom became weaker, powerful families called Dehbokri Kurds took control. They were against the Mukriyan rulers.

Even though Bukan was a small city, it was very important for culture and politics in the area. In the mid-1940s, Bukan became part of the Republic of Mahabad. This was a short-lived Kurdish state. During this time, the city got a printing press. Kurdish books and magazines were printed there.

Later, the city saw a time when local farmers stood up against the wealthy landowners. The farmers managed to make the landowners leave. But the army later stopped this movement.

Until the 1950s, Bukan was seen as a large village. But it has grown very quickly since then. Its population was about 5,300 people in 1956. By 1976, it grew to over 20,500. In 2006, it had grown to nearly 150,000 people.

The people of Bukan took part in the Iranian Revolution in 1979. They also joined the Kurdish movement for more self-rule. Kurdish groups took control of the city for a while. But the Iranian Army took it back on January 1, 1984. It was one of the last Kurdish cities in Iran to be taken back. On April 15, 1988, Bukan was bombed by the Iraqi Air Force. Sadly, 19 people died and 160 were hurt.

People and Population

Language and Culture

The people living in Bukan County are mostly Shafi'i Kurds. They speak a language called Sorani Kurdish.

How Many People Live Here?

In 2006, the city of Bukan had about 149,340 people living in 32,588 homes. By 2011, the population grew to 170,600 people in 43,269 homes. The most recent count in 2016 showed that Bukan had 193,501 people living in 56,944 homes.

Bukan's Location

Where is Bukan?

The city of Bukan is located to the east of the Siminarud river.

Local Mountains

One important mountain near Bukan is Nalishkêne. It is part of the large Zagros Mountains range.

Historical Places to See

Sardar Castle

In 1868, a famous leader named Sardar Aziz Khan Mokri built a castle. It was near a large water storage area in Bukan. Today, this castle is named after him: Sardar Aziz Khaan Castle.

The castle was built on top of a hill. The hill was about 50 by 60 meters wide and 13 meters tall. The main parts of the castle were made from bricks and wood. The castle itself was 25 by 30 meters. It had 6 platforms supported by 9 tall columns.

Over the years, the castle was used for different things. From 1946 to 1972, it was a police station, then a post office, and later a school. Sadly, the castle was completely taken down in 1982. A new building was put in its place, which is now used as a Basij (Mobilization) Station.

Sports in Bukan

Football is the most loved sport in Bukan. Since the year 2000, Bukan has been home to a professional football club called Sardar Bukan F.C.. This team plays in the Iranian League 2, which is the third level of football in Iran. In 2017, Sardar Bukan became well-known across the country because of the amazing support from the people of Bukan.

Famous People from Bukan

• Sardar Aziz Khan Mokri
• Hasan Zirak
• Misbaholdiwan Adab
• Sadegh Sharafkandi
• Abdurrahman Sharafkandi
• Ghader Abdollahzadeh

See also

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  In Spanish: Bukan para niños