Khorasan Province facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Khorasan Province
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Location of Khorasan within Iran (pre-2004)
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| Country |  Iran |
| Dissolved | September 2004 |
| Time zone | UTC+03:30 (IRST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+04:30 (IRST) |
| Main language | Persian |
Khorasan was a large province in northeastern Iran. The name Khorasan comes from the Persian language. It means "where the sun arrives from." This name was first used for the eastern part of Persia during the Sasanian Empire. People have used this name since the late Middle Ages.
Historically, Khorasan was a much bigger area. It covered the eastern and northeastern parts of the ancient Persian Empire. The modern borders of the Iranian province were set in the late 1800s.
Contents
Modern Khorasan Provinces
In 2004, the large Khorasan province was divided. It became three separate provinces. This made it easier to manage the region.
The three new provinces are:
- North Khorasan, with its capital city Bojnourd
- South Khorasan, with its capital city Birjand
- Razavi Khorasan, with its capital city Mashhad
Natural Disasters
Khorasan has experienced several strong earthquakes. In August 1968 and September 1978, major earthquakes happened in the region. Another significant earthquake, known as the 1997 Qayen earthquake, occurred on May 10, 1997. These events caused a lot of damage and affected many people.
Local Products and Culture
Khorasan is known around the world for some special products. It is famous for its saffron, a valuable spice. It also produces zereshk, which is a type of barberry fruit. These are grown in the southern cities of the region.
The area is also well-known for its beautiful rugs. These rugs often have unique designs.
Khorasan is the birthplace of Ferdowsi. He was a very famous Iranian poet. Ferdowsi wrote the Shahnameh, also called the Book of Kings. This epic poem is a national treasure for Persian people and the Iranian world.
Imam Reza Shrine
The Imam Reza shrine is located in the city of Mashhad, Iran. It is a very large complex. Inside, you will find the tomb of Imam Reza. He was the eighth Imam for Twelver Shiites, a branch of Islam.
This complex is the biggest mosque in the world by its size. It includes many important buildings. There is the Goharshad Mosque, a museum, and a large library. It also has four religious schools, a cemetery, and a university. There is even a dining hall for visitors and huge prayer areas.
The shrine is a major tourist spot in Iran. About 12 million people visit it every year. These visitors come from Iran and other countries.
See also
In Spanish: Jorasán para niños
