Ahvaz

Ahwāz
اهواز
City

Clockwise from top: White Bridge, Twilight view of White Bridge over Karoon River, Ahvaz Bridge over Karun River at night, Pol Sefid, Pol Hashtom, Jundishapur Medical Center and Masjid Ali Mahziar

Seal
Nickname(s): The City of Bridges
Ahwāz
Coordinates: 31°19′13″N 48°40′09″E / 31.32028°N 48.66917°E / 31.32028; 48.66917Coordinates: 31°19′13″N 48°40′09″E / 31.32028°N 48.66917°E / 31.32028; 48.66917
Country Iran
Province Khuzestan
County Ahvaz
Bakhsh Central
Government
 • Mayor Seyed Khalaf Musavi
 • Deputy Mayor Alireza Hallaj
Area
 • City 528 km2 (204 sq mi)
Elevation 17 m (52 ft)
Population (2011 census)
 • City 1,112,021
 • Density 2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
 • Metro 1,136,989
Demonym(s) Ahvazi
Time zone IRST (UTC+3:30)
 • Summer (DST) IRDT (UTC+4:30)
Postal code 61xxx
Area code(s) (+98) 61
Website www.ahvaz.ir

Ahvaz[1] or Ahwaz (Persian: اهواز Ahwāz‎‎) is a city in the southwest of Iran, and the capital of Khuzestan province. At the 2011 census, its population was 1,112,021 and its built-up (or metro) area with Sheybany was home to 1,136,989 inhabitants. Iran's only navigable river, Karun passes by the middle of the city.[2] It has a long history dating back to the Achaemenid period. In the ancient times, it had been one of the main centers of the Academy of Gondishapur.

It is home to several universities, institutions, prominent companies and sport clubs. In Iran, it is known for its ethnic diversity. It is home to Persians, Lurs, Arabs, Jews, Iranian Armenians and Mandaeans, hence different languages are spoken in it although the lingua franca remains Persian.

Etymology

The word Ahvaz is a Persianized form, which in turn is derived from a Persian word. The Dehkhoda Dictionary specifically defines the "Suq-al-Ahvaz" as "Market of the Khuzis", where "Suq" is the elamite word for market, and "Ahvaz" is a broken plural (اسم جمع) of the form "af'āl" (افعال) of the word "Huz", which itself comes from the Persian Huz, from Achaemenid inscriptions where the term first appears. Thus, "Ahvaz" in Persian means "the Huz-i people", which refers to the Arabic original inhabitants of Khūzestān.

The name of the region appears in medieval Syriac sources as ܒܝܬ ܗܘܙܝܐ Beṯ Huzáyé, literally meaning "land of the Huzis".[3]

The term "Huz", meanwhile, is the Old Persian rendition of Suz (Susa-Susiana), the native Elamite name of the region. See Origin of the name Khuzestan and Elam#Etymology for more details.

History

Ancient history

Ahvaz is the analog of "Avaz" and "Avaja" which appear in Darius's epigraph. This word appears in Naqsh-Rostam inscription as "Khaja" or "Khooja" too.

First named Ōhrmazd-Ardašēr (Persian: هرمزداردشیر Hormizdartazir)[4] it was built near the beginning of the Sassanid dynasty on what historians believe to have been the site of the old city of Taryana, a notable city under the Persian Achaemenid dynasty, or the city of Aginis referred to in Greek sources [5] where Nearchus and his fleet entered the Pafitigris.. It was founded either by Ardashir I in 230 (cf. Encyclopædia Iranica, al-Muqaddasi, et al.) or (according to the Middle Persian Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr) by his grandson Hormizd I; the town's name either combined Ardashir's name with the Zoroastrian name for God, Ōhrmazd or Hormizd's name with that of his grandfather. It became the seat of the province, and was also referred to as Hūmšēr. During the Sassanid era, an irrigation system and several dams were constructed, and the city prospered. Examples of Sassanid-era dams are Band-e Bala-rud, Band-e Mizan, Band-e Borj Ayar and Band-e Khak. The city replaced Susa, the ancient capital of Susiana, as the capital of what was then called Khuzestān.

The city had two sections; the nobles of the city lived in one part while the other was inhabited by merchants.[6] When the Arabs invaded the area in 640, the part of the city home to the nobility was demolished but the Hūj-ī-stānwāčār "Market of Khūz State", the merchant area, remained intact. The city was therefore renamed Sūq al-Ahwāz, "Market of the Khuz", a semi-literal translation of the Persian name of this quarter - Ahwāz being the Arabic broken plural of Hûz, taken from the ancient Persian term for the native Elamite peoples, Hūja (remaining in medieval khūzīg "of the Khuzh" and modern Khuzestān "Khuz State", as noted by Dehkhoda dictionary.

Medieval history

During the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, Ahvaz flourished as a center for the cultivation of sugarcane and as the home of many well-known scholars. It is discussed by such respected medieval historians and geographers as ibn Hawqal, Tabari, Istakhri, al-Muqaddasi, Ya'qubi, Masudi, and Mostowfi Qazvini. Nearby stood the Academy of Gundishapur, where the modern-day teaching hospital is said to have been first established.

Ahvaz was devastated in the Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries and subsequently declined into a village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century. During this time Ahvaz was primarily inhabited by the original Khuzhis (Persians) and a small number of Sabians. Although most Arab migrants fled the city, a few stayed. Some minor cultivation continued, while all evidence of sugarcane plantations is still going on in Haft Teppe area in north of Ahvaz, although ruins of sugarcane mills from the medieval era remained in existence.[7] Several ruins of water mills also still remain in Shoush and Shoushtar.

Modern history

Sahel Cinema.

The seat of the province has, for the most of its history, been in the northern reaches of the land, first at Susa (Shush) and then at Shushtar. During a short spell in the Sasanian era, the capital of the province was moved to its geographical center, where the river town of Hormuz-Ardashir (modern Ahvaz). However, later in the Sasanian time and throughout the Islamic era, the provincial seat returned and stayed at Shushtar, until the late Qajar period. With the increase in the international sea commerce arriving on the shores of Khuzestan, Ahvaz became a more suitable location for the provincial capital. The River Karun is navigable all the way to Ahvaz (above which, the Karun flows through rapids). The town was thus refurbished by the order of the Qajar king, Naser al-Din Shah and renamed after him, Nâseri. Shushtar quickly declined, while Ahvaz/Nâseri prospered to the present day.

In the 19th century, "Ahvaz was no more than a small borough inhabited mainly by Sabeans (1,500 to 2,000 inhabitants according to Ainsworth in 1835; 700 according to Curzon in 1890)."[8]

In the 1880s, under Qajar rule, the Karun River was dredged and re-opened to commerce. A newly built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The city again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of the Suez Canal further stimulated trade. A port city was built near the old village of Ahvaz, and named Bandar-e-Naseri in honor of Nassereddin Shah Qajar.

Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century, and the city once again grew and prospered as a result of this new found wealth. From 1897-1925, the city of Ahvaz was in the hands of heshmatoddoleh Ghajar, whom acted as governor and Sarhang Reza Gholi Khane Arghoon as commander of Ghajari's army based in Khuzestan. Khaz'al Khan/Sheikh Khaz'al was appointed by Mozaffareddin shah in Khorramshahr, Sardar Asad Bakhtiari as the most powerful leader of Khuzestan's Bakhtiaries. He had power and authority over most regions of Khuzestan, such as Dezful, Shushtar, Izeh, even Ahvaz and Amir mojahede bakhtiari in Ramhormoz and Behbahan. At this time, the newly founded Ahvaz was named Nâseri in honour to its founder Nassereddin Shah Qajar. Afterwards, during the Pahlavi period, it resumed its old name, Ahvaz. The government of the Khūzestān Province was transferred there from Shûshtar in 1926. The trans-Iranian railroad reached Ahvaz in 1929 and by the World War II, Ahvaz had become the principal built-up area of interior of Khūzestān. Professional segregation remained well marked between various groups in that period still feebly integrated: Persians, sub-groupings of Persians and Arabs. Natives of the Isfahan region held an important place in retail trade, owners of cafes and hotels and as craftsmen.[9]

Iraq attempted to annex Khūzestān and Ahvaz in 1980, resulting in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988). Ahvaz was close to the front lines and suffered badly during the war.

Iraq had pressed its claims to Khūzestān. Iraq had hoped to exacerbate ethnic tensions and win over popular support for the invaders. Most accounts say that the Iranian Arab inhabitants resisted the Iraqis rather than welcome them as liberators. However, some Iranian Arabs claim that as a minority they face discrimination from the central government; they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic distinction and more provincial autonomy. See Politics of Khūzestān.

In 1989, the Foolad Ahvaz steel facility was built close to the town. This company is best known for its company-sponsored football club, Foolad F.C., which was the chart-topper for Iran's Premier Football League in 2005.

In 2005 the city witnessed a series of bomb explosions. Many government sources relate these events to developments in Iraq, accusing foreign governments of organising and funding Arab separatist groups. The Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz claimed credit for several of the bombings, including a series of four bombs on 12 June 2005, that killed 8 people.[10]

Location and roads

Ahvaz located 100 km north-east of Abadan and is accessible via following routes in addition of a single runway airport:

Ahvaz, being the largest city in the province, consists of two distinctive districts: the newer part of Ahvaz which is the administrative and industrial center, which is built on the right bank of the Karun river while residential areas are found in the old section of the city, on the left bank.

Climate

Ahvaz has a desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with long, very hot summers and mild, short winters. Ahvaz is consistently one of the hottest cities on the planet during the summer, with summer temperatures regularly at least 45 degrees Celsius, sometimes exceeding 50 degrees Celsius[11] with many sandstorms and duststorms common during the summer period. However, in winters, the minimum temperature can fall to around +5 degrees Celsius. Winters in Ahvaz have no snow. The average annual rainfall is around 230 mm.Recently on June 29 the temperature reached 54 degrees Celsius which is the world's highest june temperature , also the dew point peaked 23 degrees Celsius which is unusually humid unlike the usual dry heat.

Climate data for Ahvaz (1951–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.0
(82.4)		 31.5
(88.7)		 37.6
(99.7)		 43.0
(109.4)		 48.6
(119.5)		 54.0
(129.2)		 54.0
(129.2)		 51.6
(124.9)		 48.4
(119.1)		 45.0
(113)		 36.0
(96.8)		 29.0
(84.2)		 54.0
(129.2)
Average high °C (°F) 17.5
(63.5)		 20.5
(68.9)		 25.5
(77.9)		 32.2
(90)		 39.3
(102.7)		 44.6
(112.3)		 46.3
(115.3)		 45.9
(114.6)		 42.5
(108.5)		 36.0
(96.8)		 26.5
(79.7)		 19.4
(66.9)		 33.0
(91.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1)		 14.7
(58.5)		 19.0
(66.2)		 24.9
(76.8)		 31.1
(88)		 35.2
(95.4)		 37.3
(99.1)		 36.7
(98.1)		 33.0
(91.4)		 27.3
(81.1)		 19.8
(67.6)		 14.0
(57.2)		 25.4
(77.7)
Average low °C (°F) 7.2
(45)		 8.8
(47.8)		 12.5
(54.5)		 17.6
(63.7)		 23.0
(73.4)		 25.9
(78.6)		 28.2
(82.8)		 27.4
(81.3)		 23.4
(74.1)		 18.8
(65.8)		 13.0
(55.4)		 8.6
(47.5)		 17.9
(64.2)
Record low °C (°F) −7.0
(19.4)		 −5.0
(23)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 6.0
(42.8)		 13.0
(55.4)		 15.0
(59)		 19.0
(66.2)		 18.0
(64.4)		 13.0
(55.4)		 8.0
(46.4)		 0.0
(32)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 −7.0
(19.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 48.2
(1.898)		 26.9
(1.059)		 26.4
(1.039)		 16.1
(0.634)		 4.4
(0.173)		 0.4
(0.016)		 0.1
(0.004)		 0.0
(0)		 0.2
(0.008)		 6.4
(0.252)		 31.4
(1.236)		 48.7
(1.917)		 209.2
(8.236)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.9 3.6 3.6 2.8 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.9 4.5 24.2
Average relative humidity (%) 71 61 51 41 28 22 24 28 29 38 53 69 43
Mean monthly sunshine hours 174.7 193.2 214.1 233.8 284.4 326.2 336.1 331.2 301.8 263.5 209.5 176.4 3,044.9
Source: Iran Meteorological Organization (records),[12] (temperatures),[13]

Pollution

In 2011, the World Health Organization ranked Ahvaz as the world's most air-polluted city.[18]

Transportation

Ahvaz Metro Logo

Sport

Traditionally, Khuzestan province has been a major soccer hub in Iran. The city has two existing sport complexes: Takhti Stadium and the newly constructed Ghadir Stadium. There are several other smaller complexes for martial arts, swimming pools and gymnasiums. Also, a new privately owned stadium is currently under construction by Foolad F.C. in Ahvaz.

Football

Football is a major part of the city's culture. The abundant enthusiasm has made Ahvaz home to three Iranian major Football clubs: Foolad, Esteghlal Khuzestan are currently playing in the Persian Gulf Pro League, and Esteghlal Ahvaz is playing in Azadegan League.

Foolad have won the league on two occasions, the 2013–2014 season and the 2004–2005 season. Esteghlal Ahvaz finished runners–up in the league in the 2006–2007 season. In 2016, Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league for the first time.

A number of other teams such as Foolad B the second team of Foolad and Karun Khuzestan play in the 2nd Division.

Futsal

Ahvaz has also two teams in the Iranian Futsal Super League, which are Sherkat Melli Haffari Iran FSC and Gaz Khozestan FSC.

Colleges and universities

Ahvaz is also known for its universities as well as its role in commerce and industry. Ahvaz institutes of higher learning include:

Notable people

Panoramic view of Ahvaz at night
Panoramic view of Ahvaz at night
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ahvaz.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ahvāz; Encyclopædia Britannica
  2. ↑ http://www.citypopulation.de/php/iran-khuzestan.php
  3. ↑ Bar Bahlul, Hasan. "Bar Bahlul Dictionary". Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  4. ↑ Dodgeon M. H. and Lieu S. N. C., The Roman Eastern Frontier and The Persian Wars; A Documentary History, London (1991), p.35; ISBN 0-415-10317-7
  5. ↑ "Ahvaz". toiran.com. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
  6. ↑ cf. Encyclopædia Iranica
  7. ↑ X. de Planhol, Encyclopædia Iranica
  8. ↑ Encyclopædia Iranica, p.690, see entry: Ahvaz
  9. ↑ Ibid, p.690
  10. ↑ Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz MIPT Terror Knowledge Base
  11. ↑ "Where is the world's hottest city?". the Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  12. ↑
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "Monthly Total Precipitation in Ahwaz by Month 1951–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Average relative humidity in Ahwaz by Month 1951–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  16. ↑ "No. Of days with precipitation equal to or greater than 1 mm in Ahwaz by Month 1951–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Monthly total sunshine hours in Ahwaz by Month 1951–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  18. ↑ Walsh, Bryan (27 September 2011). "The 10 Most Air-Polluted Cities in the World". Time. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  19. ↑ Ahwaz Urban & Suburban Railway Organization (in Persian)
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ahvaz.
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