South Khorasan province

Coordinates: 32°48′N 58°11′E / 32.800°N 58.183°E / 32.800; 58.183
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(Redirected from Southern Khorasan Province)
Not to be confused with North Khorasan province, Razavi Khorasan province, Greater Khorasan, or Khorasan Province.
For other places with a similar name, see Khorasan.

South Khorasan Province
Persian: استان خراسان جنوبی
Province
Location of South Khorasan province within Iran
Location of South Khorasan province within Iran
Coordinates: 32°48′N 58°11′E / 32.800°N 58.183°E / 32.800; 58.183[1]
Country Iran
RegionRegion 5
CapitalBirjand
Counties11
Government
 • Governor-generalJavad Ghenaat
 • MPs of Assembly of ExpertsEbrahim Raisi
 • Representative of the Supreme LeaderSeyyed Ali Reza Ebadi
Area
 • Total151,913 km2 (58,654 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total768,898
 • Density5.1/km2 (13/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+03:30 (IRST)
ISO 3166 codeIR-29
Main language(s)Persian
HDI (2017)0.757[3]
high · 27th
Websitesko.ir

South Khorasan province (Persian: استان خراسان جنوبی)[a] is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the eastern part of the country. Its capital is the city of Birjand.[4]

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province had a population of 600,568 in 159,255 households.[5] The following census in 2011 counted 662,534 people in 183,114 households.[6] In 2014, it was placed in Region 5.[7] At the most recent census in 2016, the population of South Khorasan province had risen to 768,898 in 223,984 households.[2]

This new province, is but the old Quhistan which was included into greater Khorasan in the Iranian administrative planning. However, historically Qohistan forms a separate entity, with a distinct culture, history, environment and ecology.

South Khorasan is one of the three provinces that were created after the division of Khorasan in 2004. While at the beginning, the newly created "South Khorasan" included only Birjand County and some new counties detached from that county (i.e. Nehbandan, Darmian and Sarbisheh), in subsequent years, all northern and western cities and territories of the old Quhistan (such as Qaen, Ferdows and Tabas) have been annexed into South Khorasan, which as of 2016 consists of 11 counties.

History[edit]

Map of Iran during Abbasid Caliphate. Toon (Ferdows), Qaen and Tabas are the cities indicated in Quhistan (Nowadays South Khorasan Province).

Greater Khorasan has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties and governments in its territory throughout history. Various tribes of the Arabs, Turks, Kurds and Turkemen brought changes to the region time and time again. ,[8] Mongols Ancient geographers of Iran divided Iran ("Iran-Shahr") into eight segments of which the most flourishing and largest was the territory of Greater Khorasan. Esfarayen, among other cities of the province, was one of the focal points for the residence of the Aryan tribes after entering Iran.

The Parthian empire was based near Merv in Khorasan for many years. At Parthians times, Esfarayen was one of the important villages of Nishapur.

During the Sassanid dynasty the province was governed by a Spahbod (Lieutenant General) called "Padgoosban" and four margraves, each commander of one of the four parts of the province.

Khorasan was divided into four parts during the Muslim conquest of Persia, each section being named after the four largest cities, Nishapur, Merv, Herat, and Balkh.

In the year 651, the army of Islamic Arabs invaded Khorasan. The territory remained in the hands of the Abbasid clan until 820, followed by the rule of the Iranian Taherid clan in the year 896 and the Samanid dynasty in 900.

Mahmud of Ghazni conquered Khorasan in 994 and in the year 1037 Toghrül, the first of the Seljuq empire rulers conquered Nishapur.

Mahmud of Ghazni retaliated against the invaders several times, and finally the Ghaznavids defeated Sultan Sanjar. But there was more to come, as in 1157 Khorasan was conquered by the Khwarazmids and because of simultaneous attacks by the Mongols, Khorasan was annexed to the territories of the Mongol Ilkhanate.

In the 14th century, a flag of independence was hoisted by the Sarbedaran movement in Sabzevar, and in 1468, Khorasan came into the hands of Tamerlane and the city of Herat was declared as the capital.

In 1507, Khorasan was occupied by Uzbek tribes. After the death of Nader Shah in 1747, parts of it were occupied by the Afghans for a short period.

In these periods, Birjand was a small part of Quhistan which almost encompasses the borders of today South Khorasan. The main cities of Quhistan were Toon (now Ferdows) and Qaen. Birjand grew in recent centuries, especially during the Qajar dynasty and found its important role in this region.

This region was a place of refuge for some movements like the Ismaili, and was the target of Arab refugees who escaped from the tyranny of the Abbasid caliphate. Zoroastrian vestiges also exist in the area.

In 1824, Herat became independent for several years when the Afghan Empire was split between the Durranis and Barakzais. The Persians sieged the city in 1837, but the British assisted the Afghans in repelling them. In 1856, the Persians launched another invasion, and briefly managed to recapture the city; it led directly to the Anglo-Persian War. In 1857 hostilities between the Persians and the British ended after the Treaty of Paris was signed, and the Persian troops withdrew from Herat.[9] Afghanistan reconquered Herat in 1863 under Dost Muhammad Khan, two weeks before his death.[10]

Khorasan was the largest province of Iran until it was divided into three provinces on September 29, 2004. The provinces approved by the parliament of Iran (on May 18, 2004) and the Council of Guardians (on May 29, 2004) were Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan.

Administrative divisions[edit]

The population history and structural changes of South Khorasan province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

South Khorasan Province
Counties 2006[5] 2011[6] 2016[2]
Birjand 221,756 259,506 261,324
Boshruyeh[b] — 24,683 26,064
Darmian 51,793 55,080 53,714
Ferdows 61,346 41,626 45,523
Khusf[c] — — 27,600
Nehbandan 56,089 57,258 51,449
Qaen 137,357 152,401 116,181
Saravan 34,636 32,493 33,312
Sarbisheh 37,591 39,487 40,959
Tabas[d] — — 72,617
Zirkuh[e] — — 40,155
Total 600,568 662,534 768,898

Cities[edit]

According to the 2016 census, 448,147 people (over 58% of the population of South Khorasan province) live in the following cities:[2]

City Population
Arianshahr 3,729
Asadiyeh 5,460
Ayask 5,143,
Birjand 203,636
Boshruyeh 16,426
Deyhuk 2,959
Eresk 2,955
Esfeden 3,598
Eshqabad 3,965
Eslamiyeh 7,108
Ferdows 28,695
Gazik 2,294
Hajjiabad 6,168
Khusf 5,716
Mohammadshahr 3,590
Mud 3,477
Nehbandan 18,304
Nimbeluk 4,762
Qaen 42,323
Qohestan 2,322
Sarayan 13,795
Sarbisheh 8,715
Seh Qaleh 4,436
Shusef 3,181
Tabas 39,676
Tabas-e Masina 4,596
Zohan 1,118

Most populous cities[edit]

The following sorted table lists the most populous cities in South Khorasan province.[2]

Rank City County Population
1 Birjand Birjand 203,636
2 Qaen Qaen 42,323
3 Tabas Tabas 39,676
4 Ferdows Ferdows 28,695
5 Nehbandan Nehbandan 18,304
6 Boshruyeh Boshruyeh 16,426
7 Sarayan Sarayan 13,795
8 Sarbisheh Sarbisheh 8,715
9 Eslamiyeh Ferdows 7,108
10 Hajjiabad Zirkuh 6,168
Ferdows Religious School in Ferdows
Furg Citadel in Furg, Darmian

South Khorasan today[edit]

The major ethnic group in this region are the Persians.[15] South Khorasan is known for its famous rugs as well as its saffron, barberry which is produced in almost all parts of the province.

Historic and natural attractions[edit]

South Khorasan has many historic and natural attractions, but besides these, South Khorasan encompasses various religious buildings and places of pilgrimage as well.

The Cultural Heritage of Iran lists 1179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.

Some of the popular attractions of South Khorasan are:

Higher Education[edit]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

flag Iran portal

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Also romanized as Ostān-e Xorāsān-e Jonūbī
  2. ^ Separated from Ferdows County after the 2006 census[11]
  3. ^ Separated from Birjand County after the 2011 census[12]
  4. ^ Separated from Yazd province after the 2011 census[13]
  5. ^ Separated from Qaen County after the 2011 census[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (24 May 2024). "South Khorasan Province" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 29. Archived from the original (Excel) on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. ^ Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the divisions of Khorasan province, centered in Mashhad". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Council. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 29. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 29. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  7. ^ "همشهری آنلاین-استان‌های کشور به ۵ منطقه تقسیم شدند (Provinces were divided into 5 regions)". Hamshahri Online (in Persian). 22 June 2014 [1 Tir 1393, Jalaali]. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Kurds in Khorasan". CSKK. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  9. ^ Avery, Peter; Hambly, Gavin; Melville, Charles, eds. (1991). The Cambridge History of Iran (Vol. 7): From Nadir Shah to the Islamic Republic. Cambridge University Press. pp. 183, 394–395. ISBN 978-0521200950.
  10. ^ Ewans (2002). Afghanistan: A short History of its People and Politics. Perennial. pp. 77. ISBN 006-050508-7.
  11. ^ "Boshruyeh District was upgraded to a county". Fars News (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Cabinet of Ministers. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. ^ Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (6 May 2012). "Approval letter regarding country divisions in South Khorasan province (Birjand County)" (PDF). RRK (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Council of Ministers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  13. ^ Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (19 December 2013). "Approval letter regarding the abstraction of Tabas County from Yazd province and its annexation to South Khorasan province". Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of the Farabi Library (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Council of Ministers. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ Rahimi, Mohammad Reza (5 August 2013). "Reforms and creation of country divisions in Qaen and Zirkuh Counties in South Khorasan province". Laws and Regulations Portal of the Islamic Republic of Iran (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Board of Ministers. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Ethnologue report for Southern Pashto: Iran (1993)". SIL International. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  16. ^ "Home". birjandut.ac.ir.
  17. ^ "Home". skpnu.ac.ir.

External links[edit]

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