Gonabad

For the administrative division, see Gonabad County. For the village in Mashhad County, see Gonabad.

Not to be confused with Gonbad-e Kavus.

Gonabad (Persian: گناباد, also Romanized as Gonābād; also known as Gūnābād; formerly Janābaz)^[3] is a city in the Central District of Gonabad County, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.^[4]

Gonabad Persian: گناباد
City
Qanats of Gonabad
Gonabad
Coordinates: 34°21′27″N 58°40′42″E / 34.35750°N 58.67833°E / 34.35750; 58.67833^[1]
Country	Iran
Province	Razavi Khorasan
County	Gonabad
District	Central
Population  (2016)^[2]
• Total	40,773
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Gonabad at GEOnet Names Server

At the 2006 census, its population was 34,563 in 9,789 households.^[5] The following census in 2011 counted 36,367 people in 10,389 households.^[6] The latest census in 2016 showed a population of 40,773 people in 12,037 households.^[2]

The city is mostly well known because of the Gonabadi Dervishes and for its qanats, also known as kariz. It is one of the most important producers of saffron in Iran. Other agricultural products include: Grape, Pistachio and pomegranate. The shrine the Ni'matullāhī Gonabadi dervish order is located in Beydokht, a village in the Gonabad county.^[7]

History

 

Kūh-Zibad

The famous ancient war of Davazdah Rokh had happened between Iran and Turan (Central Asia) in this city on the Zibad Castle.

The construction of this city is attributed to the Achaemenid kings and during the Seljuk Empire and Khwarazmian dynasty periods (fifth to seventh centuries AH) it was Shahrabadi.^[8]

Geography and weather conditions

The city of Gonabad is located in the south of Khorasan Razavi province on the Brakuh plateau. The city is located on a flat plateau and is 24 km away from the Barakuh mountain range. The highest peak of Barakuh is called Tirmehi Mountain or Zibad Mountain. The city of Gonabad is located in an arid and semi-desert climate on the edge of the desert. This city has been facing a serious drought crisis in recent years. The city of Gonabad is located on the plain and plateau of Siah Kooh or Ghahestan mountain range. Ghahestan mountain range in Gonabad region is more known as Brakuh, Siah Kooh and Zibad mountain.

Historical sites, ancient artifacts and tourism

Forud Castle

Main article: Forud Castle

Forud Castle is a historical castle located in Gonabad County in Razavi Khorasan Province, The longevity of this fortress dates back to the Parthian Empire.

Zibad Castle

 

Darb Soufeh.zibad a sassanid castle

Main article: Zibad Castle

Zibad Castle is one of the four historical monuments of Zibad, Iran. In 2001, the castle was registered as a national property in Iran, which is related to the history of pre-Islamic Iran, and is located in Gonabad city, Kakhk district, in the residential area of Zibad. It has been registered as national heritage. In addition to the castle of Zibad, there are also the royal castle of Zibad nationally registered under the name of Shahab Castle in 2002.

Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

Main article: Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

The Jameh Mosque of Gonabad is related to Khwarazmian dynasty and is located in Gonabad.^[9][10]

Qanats of Gonabad

Main article: Qanats of Ghasabeh

The Qanats of Ghasabeh, also called Kariz Kai Khosrow, is one of the world's oldest and largest networks of qanats (underground aqueducts). Built between 700 and 500 BCE by the Achaemenid Empire in what is now Gonabad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, the complex contains 427 water wells with a total length of 33,113 metres (20.575 mi).^[11] The site was first added to UNESCO's list of tentative World Heritage Sites in 2007, then officially inscribed in 2016, collectively with several other qanats, as "The Persian Qanat".^[12]

Education and culture

Higher Education

Gonabad can be considered the most student city in Khorasan Razavi province. According to unofficial statistics, about 30% of the city's population (equivalent to about 12,000 people) are indigenous and non-indigenous students. The most important higher education centers in Gonabad:

• Gonabad University of Medical Sciences^[13]

• Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch^[14][15]

• University of Gonabad^[16]

Gallery

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  Qanats of Gonabad
•  
  Qanats of Gonabad
•  
  Qanats of Gonabad
•  
  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Anthropological Museum
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  Forud Castle
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  Forud Castle
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  Zibad Castle
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  Zibad Castle
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  Jameh Mosque of Gonabad
•  
  Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

•  Iran portal

References

1. OpenStreetMap contributors (29 April 2023). "Gonabad, Gonabad County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
2. . AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 09. Archived from the original (Excel) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
3. Gonabad can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3064774" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
4. Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). . Islamic Parliament Research Center (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Board. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
5. . AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 09. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
6. . Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 09. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
7. Esfandiari, Golnaz (12 October 2006) "Iran: Local Authorities Try To Evict Sufi Leader" Radio Free Europe
8. ""گناباد" نگین گردشگری خراسان رضوی؛ از قنات تاریخی تا روستا‌های بوم‌گردی+فیلم". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
9. "Jameh Mosque – Gonabad". travital.com. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
10. "Jameh Mosque, Gonabad". en.tripyar.com. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
11. Qanats of Gonabad-World Heritage
12. The Persian Qanat
13. "Gonabad University of Medical Sciences | Ranking & Review". www.4icu.org. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
14. "Islamic Azad University, Gonabad in Iran". www.alluniversity.info. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
15. "Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Ranking". Top Universities List - Highest Ranking Universities 2021. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
16. "University of Gonabad | Ranking & Review". www.4icu.org. Retrieved 10 May 2022.