Khorasan province

Khorasan is a historic region located in northeastern Iran. Its name is Persian and means "where the sun arrives from." This name refers to the land of the rising sun. Historically, the term Khorasan described a much larger territory. This area included the eastern and northeastern parts of the Persian Empire. Today, the lands once part of Greater Khorasan are spread across several modern nations. These include Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The history of this region spans many ancient empires. The name Khorasan was first given to the eastern province of Persia during the Sasanian period. During the Hellenistic and Parthian times, the area was also known as Traxiane. In the Late Middle Ages, the name served a specific purpose. It helped people distinguish this region from the neighboring area called Transoxiana. This distinction was especially common during the post-Mongol Chagatai and Timurid times. The modern boundaries for the Iranian province were eventually formalized in the late nineteenth century.

Khorasan was once home to many famous historical cities. These urban centers were located across the wide expanse of the old province. In modern Iran, the cities of Nishapur and Tus were major locations. In Turkmenistan, the cities of Merv and Sanjan held importance. The region also included Samarkand and Bukhara, which are now in Uzbekistan. In Afghanistan, the cities of Herat and Balkh were part of this territory. Finally, Khujand and Panjakent are located in modern-day Tajikistan.

Natural disasters have significantly impacted the lives of people in this region. The land has experienced several major earthquakes. In August 1968, a large earthquake killed 12,000 people. A second major earthquake occurred in September 1978 and resulted in 25,000 deaths. Another serious event was the Qayen earthquake on 10 May 1997. This earthquake killed 1,567 people and injured 2,300 others. It also caused 50,000 people to become homeless. These events highlight the geological challenges faced by the local population.

In September 2004, the large Iranian province of Khorasan was divided into three new administrative provinces. The first is North Khorasan, which has its center in Bojnourd. This province includes counties such as Shirvan, Esfarayen, Garmeh, Jajarm, Maneh, and Samalgan. The second is South Khorasan, with its center in Birjand. Its counties include Ferdows, Qaen, Nehbandan, Sarayan, Sarbisheh, and Darmian. The third is Razavi Khorasan, which is centered in the city of Mashhad. This province contains many counties, such as Sabzevar, Neyshabour, and Quchan. Some parts of the original province were also moved to Sistan and Baluchestan or Yazd.

The population of Khorasan is diverse and includes many different ethnic groups. The largest group is Persians, accompanied by Khorasani Kurds. Other significant groups include Khorasani Turkic people and Turkmens. Smaller minority groups live in the region as well. These include the Baloch, Jews, Timuri Aimaqs, Hazaras, and Roma. Most people in the region natively speak modern dialects of Persian. While most residents are Shia Muslims, there is also a significant Sunni Muslim minority.

Geography and settlement patterns are closely tied to the local environment. A large cluster of settlements and farming areas exists northwest of Mashhad. This area contains important towns like Quchan, Shirvan, and Bojnourd. The city of Mashhad is a major urban center and serves as the capital of Razavi Khorasan. The region's history and its many different cultures make it a significant part of the Middle East. The transition from one large province to three smaller ones changed how the area is managed today.