Isfahan Province (Persian: استان اصفهان, romanized: Ostāne Esfahan), also transliterated as Esfahan, Espahan, Isfahan, or Isphahan, is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The city of Isfahan is the provincial capital. It is located in the center of the country in Iran's Region 2,[4] whose secretariat is located in Isfahan.
At the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 4,499,327 in 1,223,684 households, with a literacy rate of 88.65 percent.[5] The following census in 2011 counted 4,879,312 people in 1,454,162 households.[6] At the most recent census in 2016, the population of the province had risen to 5,120,850 in 1,607,482 households.[2]
Geography
The Isfahan province covers an area of approximately 107,018 square km and is situated in the center of Iran. To its north, stand the Markazi (Central) Province and the provinces of Qom and Semnan. To its south, it is bordered by the provinces of Fars, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. Aminabad is the most southern city of Isfahan province just 2 km north of the border. To the east, it is bordered by the province of Yazd. To the west, it shares its border with the province of Lurestan and to the southwest lies the province of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari.
The province experiences a moderate and dry climate on the whole, ranging between 40.6 °C (105.08 °F) and 10.6 °C (51 °F) on a cold day in the winter season. The average annual temperature has been recorded as 16.7 °C (62 °F) and the annual rainfall on average has been reported as 116.9 mm. The city of Sepahan (Esfahan) however experiences an excellent climate, with four distinct seasons.
With an elevation of 4,040 metres, the Shahankuh is the highest peak in Isfahan Province. This mountain is located about 20 kilometres southwest of the city of Fereydunshahr in the western part of Isfahan Province.
Isfahan province has 52 rivers, mostly small and temporary, with the exception of the Zāyanderud, which totals 405 km in length a basin area of 27,100 km2.[7]
Biodiversity
Aphanius isfahanensis (Farsi: کپوردندان_اصفهان) is a species of Cyprinodontid fish endemic to the Zayandehrud river basin (see genus Aphanius). It is known only from three sites across the province.[8][9][10][11]Allium chlorotepalum is an endemic species of Isfahan province, Astragalus vernaculus is also common in the west of the province.[12][13]
History
Historians have recorded Espahan, Sepahan or Isfahan initially as a defense and military base. The security and protection of the gradually increasing castles and fortifications, thereby, would provide the protection of residents nearby, therefore leading to the growth of large settlements nearby. These historical castles were Atashgah, Sarooyieh, Tabarok, Kohan Dej, and Gard Dej. The oldest of these is Ghal'eh Sefeed and the grounds at Tamijan from prehistoric times. The historic village of Abyaneh, a nationwide attraction, also has Sassanid ruins and fire temples among other historical relics.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Isfahan province enjoyed high standards of prosperity as it became the capital of SafavidPersia. While the city of Sepahan (Esfahan) was their seat of monarchical, Kashan was their place of vacation and leisure.
1A successor to Borkhar and Meymeh County 2Split into two counties 3Separated from Faridan County 4Separated from Isfahan County 5Separated from Nain County
A majority of the population speak Persian as first language with a minority of Luri, Turkic, Georgian, Biyabanaki and Armenian speakers.[14]
During the Pahlavi era, a large group of Kurds from the Gulbaghi tribe were moved from the north of Kurdistan province to the city of Isfahan and the cities of Yazd, Kashan, and Nayin. Today, the Gulbaghi tribe are mostly assimilated elements in the population of these cities.[15][16]
Modern economy
Nine tons of saffron are produced by this province by the year.[17]
It is the biggest milk and dairy producer in Iran.[18]
High tech
The state has 18k active fiber optically connected network ports as of mid 2023.[19]
According to the Isfahan atlas[who?], well-known local dishes include Shefte [fa], Kachi, Kebab Golpayegan, Samanu Shahreza, Carrot stew [fa] Khansar , Yokhe bread (Kaak) and Semirom.[24][25]
Education
As of 2023 fifty thousand foreign aliens were studying in schools [26]
Muliani, S. (2001) The Georgians’ position in the Iranian history and civilization (Jaygah-e Gorjiha dar Tarikh va Farhang va Tammadon-e Iran) , Sepahan (Esfahan): Yekta
Rahimi, M.M. (2001) The Georgians of Iran; Fereydunshahr (Gorjiha-ye Iran; Fereydunshahr), Sepahan (Esfahan): Yekta
Sepiani, M. (1979) Georgian Iranians (Iranian-e Gorji), Sepahan (Esfahan): Arash
