Introduction

Fars is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. It is in the south of the country. Its center is Shiraz, and has an area of 122,400 sq. km. In 1996, this province had a population of 3.8 million people, out of which 42% resided in rural areas and the rest were urban settlers.

Nominally, Fars is the original homeland of the Persian people. The native name of the Persian language is Fārsi or Pārsi. Persia and Persian both derive from the Hellenized form Persis of the root word Pārs. Fārs is the Arabicised version of Pars. The Old Persian word was Pārsā.

Geography

The Zagros Mountains stretch from the northwest to the southeast, dividing the province into two distinct geographical regions. The first is located on north-northwest, while the second is located on the south-southeast of the province, and both are mountainous highlands. According to the latest divisions, the province contains the following townships: Estahban , Abadeh, Eqleed , Bovanat , Jahrum , Darab , Sepeedan , Shiraz, Fasa , Firouzabad, Kazeroon , Lar, Lamerd , Marvdasht , Mamasani and Nayreez .

There are three distinct climatic regions in the Fars Province. First, the mountainous area of the north and northwest with moderate cold winters and mild summers. Secondly, the central regions, with relatively rainy mild winters, and hot dry summers. The third region located in the south and southeast, has moderate winters with very hot summers. The average temperature of Shiraz is 16.8° C, ranging between 4.7° and 29.2° C.

History and culture

Before Islam, two main Iranian leaders named Cyrus The Great and Ardeshir Babakan rose from here and creating the vast dynasties of the Achaemenids and Sassanids respectively. Alexander later established many cities in the province as well.

Fars then passed hand to hand through numerous dynasties, leaving behind numerous historical and ancient monuments; each of which has its own values as a world heritage, reflecting the history of the province, Iran, and western Asia. The ruins of Bishapur, Persepolis, and Firouzabad are all reminders of this.

Thus due to the geographical characteristics of Fars and its proximity to the Persian Gulf, Fars has long been a residing area for different natives and tribes from other parts of the world such as the Turks, Semites, and Aryans who were under the influence of Iranian culture. However, the original tribes of Fars including Qashqaie, Mamasani, Khamseh and Kohkiluyeh have kept their native and unique cultures and lifestyles which constitute part of the cultural heritage of Iran attracting many tourists.

Fars today

Shiraz Airport is the only international airport of the province. The cities of Lar and Lamard also have airports linking them with Shiraz and Tehran. Shiraz is along the main route from Tehran to southern Iran.

Agriculture is of great importance in Fars. The major products include cereal (wheat and barley), citrus fruits, dates, sugar beets and cotton.

Fars has major petrochemical facilities, along with an oil refinery, a factory for producing tires, a large electronics industry, and a sugar mill.

Tourism is also a large industry in the province. Many come to see the superb handicrafts such as the silver smiting, marquette and skill-embroidery of Shiraz; the Giveh weaving of Abadeh; the ceramics in Estahban ; and the rug, jajim (fine carpet made of wool or cotton), and Gelim (carpet made of goats' hair) of Firouzabad. The tribal woven rugs, the rose water made in Firouzabad, the sweets produced in Fasa , and the lime juice and plant essence extracted in Shiraz are of the highest quality.

Shiraz is also where a famous Persian ice cream named faloodeh is made as well.

Fars province conatisn the following universities:

• 1. Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
  2. Shiraz University
  3. Shiraz University of Technology
  4. Islamic Azad University of Abadeh
  5. Islamic Azad University of Arsanjan
  6. Islamic Azad University of Estahban
  7. Islamic Azad University of Eghlid
  8. Islamic Azad University of Jahrom
  9. Islamic Azad University of Sepidan
  10. Islamic Azad University of Shiraz
  11. Islamic Azad University of Fasa
  12. Islamic Azad University of Firouzabad
  13. Islamic Azad University of Kazerun
  14. Islamic Azad University of Larestan
  15. Islamic Azad University of Marvdasht
  16. Fasa University of Medical Sciences

External links

• Official website of Fars Governorship
• Cultural Heritage Foundation of Fars Province
• Official website of Persepolis