Razavi Khorasan Province استان خراسان رضوی |
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Province | |
Razavi Khorasan counties |
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Location of Razavi Khorasan Province in Iran |
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Coordinates: 36°17′53″N 59°36′21″E / 36.2980°N 59.6057°ECoordinates: 36°17′53″N 59°36′21″E / 36.2980°N 59.6057°E | |
Country | Iran |
Region | Region 5 |
Capital | Mashhad |
Counties | 28 |
Area | |
• Total | 118,884 km2 (45,901 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 5,994,402 |
• Density | 50/km2 (130/sq mi) |
Time zone | IRST (UTC+03:30) |
• Summer (DST) | IRST (UTC+04:30) |
Main language(s) | Persian |
Razavi Khorasan Province (Persian: استان خراسان رضوی, Ostān-e Khorāsān-e Rażavī) is a province located in northeastern Iran. Mashhad is the center and capital of the province. Other cities and counties are Quchan, Dargaz, Chenaran, Sarakhs, Fariman, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Torbat-e Jam, Taybad, Khaf, Roshtkhar, Kashmar, Bardaskan, Nishapur, Sabzevar, Gonabad, Kalat, Khalilabad and Mahvelat. Razavi Khorasan is one of the three provinces that were created after the division of Khorasan Province in 2004. In 2014 it was placed in Region 5 with Mashhad as the location of the region's secretariat.
The Greater Khorasan has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties and governments in its territory throughout history. Various tribes of the Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Turkemen and Mongols brought changes to the region time and time again.
Ancient geographers of Iran divided Iran ("Ēranshahr") into eight segments of which the most flourishing and largest was the territory of Greater Khorasan. Esfarayen, among other cities of the province, was one of the focal points for residence of the Aryan tribes after entering Iran.