Aligoodarz

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Aligoodarz (Luri: Aligudarz, formerly Ale Goodarz) is a city in the province of Lorestan in western Iran. Aligoodarz town ship is 503 km from Tehran and situated in a region being a mixture of plain and foothill, enjoying of a mountainous mild climate. Oshtorankooh mountain range and Aligoodarz river are situated in this township. The population was estimated to number 93,749 residents in 2006 [1].

The origins of the city are unknown. The city of Aligoodarz was once named Al-e Goodarz (meaning tribe of Goodarz, a mythic Iranian hero from the Persian national epic Shahnameh). In the past, the monastery of this city was a religious training center for Kizilbash and dervishes. In the mountains and hills around Aligoudarz antique objects like cubic rectangular brick earthenware belonging to 13 century AD have been discovered. Important natural and historical sites of Aligoudarz are as follows:

· Absefid eater fall and Aligoudarz forests,

· Sayleh castle, Tamandar and Bexnavid caves, and masisilan ancient Hill.

The city's inhabitants belong to the Bakhtiari ethnic group, and are bilingual in Persian and Luri. The overwhelming majority of the population are of the Shia Muslim confession. At one time there was once a small Jewish population that has either been assimilated into the mainstream or emigrated out of the city.

Coordinates: 33°23′N 49°42′E