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Yazd or Yezd (In Persian: یزد), is the capital of Yazd province, one of the most ancient and historic cities in Iran and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan, at 31.92° North, 54.37° East. In 2005 it had an estimated population of 433,836 people.In 2006 it had an estimated population of 505,037. [http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1152404802&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-106&srt=npan&col=aohdq&geo=-1929. Because of generations of adaptations to its desert surroundings, Yazd is an architecturally unique city. It is also known in Iran for the high quality handicrafts, especially silk weaving, and its sweets shops.
Geography and Climate
Yazd is situated at an oasis where the Dasht-e Kavir desert and the Dasht-e Lut desert meet (the city is sometimes called "the bride of the Kavir" because of its location), in a valley between Shir Kuh, the tallest mountain in the region at 4075 m. above sea level, and Kharaneq. The city itself is located at 1203 m. above sea-level, and covers 16,000 sq. km.
The climate is generally very dry, with cold winters and hot summers. The temperature tends to fluctaute dramatically, even between night and day, but especially summer to winter. Temperatures of 40°C in the summer and -20°C in the winter have been recorded.
History
The city has a 3000 year long history, dating back to the time of the Median empire, when it was known as Ysatis (or Issatis). The present city name, however, may have been derived from Yazdegerd I, a Sassanid ruler. The city was definitely a Zoroastrian centre during Sassanid times. After the Islamic conquest of Persia, many Zoroastrians fled to Yazd from neighbouring provinces. The city remained Zoroastrian even after the conquest by paying a levy, and only gradually did Islam come to be the dominant religion in the city.
Because of its remote desert location and the difficulty of approach, Yazd had remained largely immune to large battles and the destruction and ravages of war. For instance, it was a haven for those fleeing from destruction in other parts of Persia during the invasion of Genghis Khan. It was visited by Marco Polo in 1272 who remarked on the city's fine silk weaving industry. It briefly served as the capital of the Muzaffarid Dynasty in the 14th century, and was sieged unsuccessfully in 1350–1351 by the Injuids under Shaikh Abu Ishaq. The Friday (or Congregation) Mosque, arguably the city's greatest architectural landmark, as well as other important buildings date to this period. During the Qajar dynasty (18th Century AD) it was ruled by the Bakhtiari Khans.
Architecture and Heritage
Yazd is of foremost importance as a centre of Persian architecture. Because of its climate, it has one of the largest networks of qanats in the world, and Yazdi qanat makers are considered the most skilled in Iran. To deal with the extremely hot summers, many old buildings in Yazd have magnificent windcatchers, and large underground areas. The city is also home to prime examples of yakhchals, the latter of which were used to store ice retrieved from glaciers the nearby mountains. Yazd is also one of the largest cities built almost entirely out of adobe.
Yazd's heritage as a centre of Zoroastrianism is also important. There is a Tower of Silence on the outskirts, and the city itself has a Fire Temple, which holds a fire that has been kept alight continuously since 470 AD. Presently, zoroastrians make up a significant minority of the population, around 20 - 40,000 or 5 to 10%.
Yazd today
Always known for the quality of its silk and carpets, Yazd today is one of Iran's industrial centers for textiles. There is also a considerable ceramics and construction materials industry and unique confectionery and jewelry industries. A significant portion of the population is also employed in other industries including agriculture, dairy, metal works and machine manufacturing. There are a number of companies involved in the growing information technology industry, mainly manufacturing primary materials such as cables and connectors. Currently Yazd is the home of the largest manufacturer of fibre optics in Iran.
Yazd's confectioneries have a tremendous following throughout Iran, which has been a source of tourism for the city. Workshops (experts or khalifehs) keep their recipes a guarded secret and there are many that have remained a private family business for many generations. Baghlava, ghotab and pashmak are the most popular sweets made in the city.
Famous people from Yazd
- Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran was born in Yazd.
- Mohammad Reza Aref, Vice President of Iran from 2001 to 2005.
- Moshe Katsav, President of Israel was born in Yazd.
- Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi, poet and politician.
- Saeed Mortazavi, General Prosecutor of Tehran.
- Mohammad Ali Sadouqi, minister in Mohammad Khatami's cabinet.
- Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh, Iranian dissident murdered in 1998.
Higher education in Yazd
The University of Yazd was established in 1988. It has a college of Architecture specializing in traditional Persian Art and Architecture. Yazd and its nearby towns contain the following institutes of higher education:
Sister cities
Jászberény, Hungary
External links
- Yazd on stanford.edu
- Yazd.com
- YazdTourism.com
- Yazd Research & Clinical Center for Infertility
- Yazd University
- The Largest private sector steel plant in Iran
- Cultural Heritage Organization Bureau of Yazd Province
"Yazd"