Razavi Khorasan province

Razavi Khorasan is in northeastern Iran.

The big city of Mashhad is there. It is a very busy place.

Many people live in this land. Most people follow the Shia faith. They visit the special shrine in Mashhad.

This place has many old sites. You can see beautiful mosques and tombs. Some are very old and famous.

There are also lakes and caves. You can go hiking in the hills. It is a place to explore.

Many different groups of people live here. They all make the land special. It is a grand place to see.

Razavi Khorasan is a province in northeastern Iran.

Its capital is the city of Mashhad. Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran.

This province was made in 2004. It was once part of a much larger area called Khorasan.

Many people live here. In 2016, there were over 6 million people. Most people follow Shia Islam. They often visit the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

Other people follow Sunni Islam, or are Christian, or Zoroastrian.

The land has many old and special places. You can find beautiful mosques and tombs.

There is the tomb of the poet Ferdowsi.

You can also see the tomb of Omar Khayyam.

Some sites, like Atashgah Castle, are very old.

Nature lovers can explore caves, lakes, and hills. It is a place full of history.

Razavi Khorasan is a large province in northeastern Iran.

It is part of a much bigger history. Long ago, the area was known as Greater Khorasan. This land was once one of the largest and most successful parts of ancient Iran. Today, the province is one of 31 provinces in the country. Its capital is the city of Mashhad. Mashhad is a very important place because it is the second-most-populous city in Iran.

The province has a very long and busy history. Many different groups of people have lived here over the years. These include Arabs, Turks, Kurds, and Turkmens. Different empires and dynasties have ruled this land many times. For example, the Parthian Empire was based near Merv for many years. Later, the Sassanid dynasty used leaders called Spahbods to govern the area. In 2004, the huge Khorasan Province was finally divided into three smaller provinces. Razavi Khorasan was one of those three new areas.

Many people call this province home. In 2016, the census showed that over 6.4 million people lived here. Most of these people follow Shia Islam. They often travel to Mashhad to visit the shrine of Imam Reza.

The name "Razavi" comes from this connection to the eighth Imam. Other people in the province follow Sunni Islam, or are Christians, or Zoroastrians. There are also small groups of Jewish people living in the region. Many different ethnic groups, like Persians and Kurds, live together here.

You can find many amazing things to see in Razavi Khorasan. The land has many old buildings and special sites. There are beautiful mosques, like the Goharshad mosque.

You can also visit the famous tomb of the poet Ferdowsi.

Another famous spot is the tomb of Omar Khayyam.

Some places, like Atashgah Castle, are very old and interesting to explore.

Nature lovers can also find caves, lakes, and mineral water springs.

This province is a place where history and modern life meet. It is famous for many smart and talented people. Great thinkers like the scientist Jabir ibn Hayyan lived here. Famous poets like Ferdowsi and Attar also left their mark on this land. Even today, the province is a major center for learning. There are many colleges and universities in cities like Mashhad and Sabzevar. Whether you like history, science, or nature, there is much to discover.

Razavi Khorasan is a province located in northeastern Iran.

It is one of 31 provinces that make up the country. The capital city is Mashhad, which is the second-most-populous city in Iran.

The name "Razavi" comes from its connection to Ali al-Rida. He was the eighth Imam of Twelver Shia Islam. He died in the town of Tus in 818. His burial site is now located in Mashhad. This religious connection makes the province a very important center for many people.

The history of this region is tied to the ancient territory of Greater Khorasan. In ancient times, geographers divided Iran into eight segments. Greater Khorasan was the largest and most flourishing of these segments. Many different groups have shaped the region over many centuries. These include various tribes of Arabs, Turks, Kurds, and Turkmens. The Parthian Empire was based near Merv in Khorasan for a long time. During the Sassanid dynasty, the province used a specific governing system. A leader called a Spahbod, or Lieutenant General, governed the area. Four margraves also commanded four different parts of the province.

Administrative changes have divided the land many times throughout history. During the Muslim conquest of Persia, Khorasan was split into four parts. These sections were named after the major cities of Nishapur, Merv, Herat, and Balkh. The Rashidun Caliphate conquered the area in 651. Later, the Abbasid Caliphate ruled until 820. The Iranian Tahirid dynasty followed, ruling until 873. The Samanid dynasty also held power starting in 900. For a long time, Khorasan remained the largest province in Iran. On 29 September 2004, the government divided it into three separate provinces. These were Khorasan-e Razavi, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan.

The population of Razavi Khorasan has grown steadily over recent years. In 2006, the census recorded 5,515,980 people living in 1,426,187 households. By 2011, the population rose to 5,994,402 people. The 2016 census showed the population reached 6,434,501 people in 1,938,703 households. Most residents are Persians. There are also large communities of Khorasani Kurds, Turks, Turkmens, and Baloch. Religion is also a major part of life here. Most people are followers of Shia Islam. However, a significant Sunni population lives in cities like Torbat-e-Jam and Taybad. Other faiths are also present, including 7,159 Christians and 961 Zoroastrians.

Urban life is concentrated in several major cities. Mashhad is by far the largest, with a 2016 population of 2,987,323.

Other large urban areas include Nishapur, which has 264,375 people.

Sabzevar is the third-most populous with 243,700 residents.

Torbat-e Heydarieh is another major city with 140,019 people.

In total, over 72% of the province's population lives in these major cities. This concentration of people supports many large institutions, including many universities.

The province is famous for its many archaeological and historical sites. The Kohandezh hills show remains from excavations in Nishapur. These excavations took place between 1935 and 1940. Another important site is Shadiyakh, which was a palace in old Nishapur. It was the home of the notable Farid al-Din Attar. Visitors also go to see the Tomb of Ferdowsi.

The Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam is another famous landmark. Other sites include the Atashgah Castle.

There are also many beautiful mosques, such as the Jameh Mosque of Kashmar.

Razavi Khorasan has produced many famous scholars, poets, and scientists. The poet Ferdowsi wrote the Shahnameh here. Omar Khayyam was a famous mathematician and astronomer. The scientist Jabir ibn Hayyan worked in the field of alchemy and chemistry. The province is also a center for modern education. Many universities are located in cities like Mashhad and Sabzevar. These include Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Hakim-e Sabzevari University. This mix of ancient history and modern learning makes the province a vital part of Iran.