Khorasan
Khorasan (or Khorassan) (خراسان in Persian) is one of the provinces of Iran, located in the northeastern part of Iran. Its name means "where the sun comes from (arrives from)". Mashhad is the capital. Some other cities are Birjand, Bojnourd, Esfaraien, Gonabad, Kaashmar, Nishapur, Sabzevaar, Sarakhs, Tabas, Tus.
The ancient Persian province Khorasan included parts which are today in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Four of the main historical cities of Persia are located in Khorasan: Nishapur, Merv (in today's Turkmenistan), and Herat and Balkh (both in today's Afghanistan). In its long history, Khorasan knew many conquerors and empires: Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Seldjuk Turks, Safavid Turks, etc.
Khorasan is also known for its famous rugs as well as its saffron which is produced in southern cities of the province.
It is currently the largest province, and is to be split up into 3 provinces in 2004, providing the Council of Guardians approves. The provinces approved by the parliament are:
- North Khorasan, capital: Bojnourd, counties: Shirvan, Jajorm, Maneh and Salmaghan, Esfarayen, Marouj
- South Khorasan, capital: Birjand, counties: Nahbandan, Sarbishe, Sarayan part of Ferdows
- Razavi Khorasan, capital: Mashhad, counties: Ghouchan, Dargaz, Chenaran, Sarakhs, Fariman, Torbat-e Jam, Taibad, Ferdows (minus the Sarayan part), Ghayen, Khaf and Rashtkhar, Kashmar, Bardaskan, Neishabur, Sabzevar, Gonabad