Khuzestan

Spring Sanctuary

Khuzestan province enjoys very pleasant climatic conditions during the Iranian New Year holidays (starting (March 21).
Known as Iran’s spring sanctuary, the province is visited by a large number of vacationers every year.
Travelers to Khuzestan province visit ancient relics, former warfronts and natural sites like lagoons and rivers as well as sacred places like the tomb of Prophet Daniel (PBUH), and mausoleums of Ali ibn Mahzyar in Ahvaz and Sabz Qaba in Dezful, IranReview reported.

Historical Attractions
From among the historical attractions of Khuzestan province, one can point to Shoush city, which was once the capital city of Elamite Empire.
Choghazanbil Ziggurat in its vicinity is one of the biggest historical relics in the Middle East. It is made of adobe and located on top of a hill.
The ziggurat was the place of worship of Inshoushinak, the Elamite God supporting Shoush. The city was once demolished by Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal, until Achaemenid kings established their winter palaces there and the city became prosperous once again.
The mausoleum of Prophet Daniel (PBUH) is also located in Shoush and attracts many tourists every year. Prophet Daniel (PBUH) was taken to Mesopotamia and then to Shoush about seven centuries before Prophet Jesus (PBUH) along with Jews by Babylonian kings. He was a Jewish prophet and met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Shoush also houses the ruins of Acropolis Hills, Apadana Hill and Shaver Palace.
Other historical relics of Khuzestan province include buildings such as Kolah Farangi, mills, lagoons, Salasel Castle, Grand Mosque, Shapouri Bridge in Shoushtar, a Sassanid bridge, which is considered by some scholars to be the world’s oldest, the mausoleum of Yaqoub Leis in Dezful, stone lions in Izeh, the ancient city of Arjan, Kheirabad fire temple and bridge, and Mahtab Castle Caravansary in Behbahan.

Oil Anniversary
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of oil discovery in Iran, tourists visit the first oil well, the first power plant in Middle East, the first housing development in Iran as well as the first and earliest oil production facilities in Masjed Soleiman.
The natural beauties of Khuzestan province are unique. Shadegan lagoon, which is considered the biggest in Iran, and Hawr Marshes in Dasht-e Azadegan are other scenic places of Khuzestan.

Spectacular Dams
Khuzestan is home to spectacular dams and the biggest rivers of Iran such as Dez, Maroun, Zohreh and Shaver.
Karoun III Dam, with a capacity of about 3 billion cubic meters, is capable of annually producing four billion kilowatt hours of electricity. It is a memorable sightseeing spot.
The biggest arch bridge of Iran is also built over the lake of Karoun III Dam. Dez Dam is 203 meters high and built over Dez River. It stores about 4.3 billion cubic meters of water in a lake spread over 63 square kilometers.
Shahid Abbaspour Dam is located northeast of Masjed Soleiman. It was built in 1976 and can hold 9.2 billion cubic meters of water to irrigate about 41,000 hectares of farmlands. Karkheh Dam is known as the biggest earthen dam in the Middle East. It is built over Karkheh River.

Villages
Another tourism site in Khuzestan province, which attracts a large number of tourists every year is Mal-e Aqa Village, which is 32 km from Baghmalek city. The village has still retained its traditional characteristics.
Mal-e Aqa Village is located on the slopes of Zagros Mountains near a river. Each year, tens of thousands of people from various parts of the province spend their spring and summer holidays there.
Those who wish to visit the village will pass by Tal Castle and after going about four kilometers through hills, mountains and chestnut forests, they enter a new world. A short way ahead, Tombi Village has an ancient antiquity.
Abadan is another city of Khuzestan province, which attracts the biggest number of tourists compared to other cities. In addition to former war zones, the city contains an old market called Tah Lenji, which is a tourism resort for many Iranians during the New Year holidays.
Other scenic places of Abadan include the first and biggest refinery in the Middle East. Many Iranian men who are in their 60s have very good memories of the city.

More Historical Sites Eye UNESCO’s List

Iranica Desk

Historical sites located around Persepolis, including Naqsh-e Rostam, Ka’ba-ye Zartosht and Naqsh-e Rajab, are expected to be registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, said the deputy head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO).
Masoud Alavian Sadr noted that Iran has a large number of cultural heritages for registration on the list while a special share has been determined for each country in this respect.
“Efforts are underway to use Iran’s share for registering other cultural heritages of the country,” he said.
The official said studies and research were launched at historical sites four years ago, adding that with respect to the extensiveness of historical areas, the studies are expected to continue for the next two years.
Naqsh-e Rostam is believed by archeologists to have been a cemetery of Persepolis, where Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid royalty were laid to rest. Located 4 kilometers northwest of Persepolis in Iran’s Fars province, the site contains funerary works belonging to the Elamite (second millennium BC), Achaemenid (550-330 BC) and Sassanid (226-651 CE) eras.
Ka’ba-ye Zartosht is a 5th-century BC Achaemenid tower-like construction at Naqsh-e Rostam. This enigmatic structure is one of many extant examples of Achaemenid architecture.
Naqsh-e Rajab is an archeological site east of Istakhr and about 12 km north of Persepolis. Together with Naqsh-e Rostam, which lies less than a kilometer away, the site is part of the Marvdasht Cultural Complex.

Foreign Tourist Arrival in Ardebil Up

Iranica Desk

Some 557,000 foreign tourists arrived in Iran via Bileh Savar Customs Department in Ardebil province in the current Iranian year (started March 20).
Announcing the above, Behrouz Nedaei, director general of the province’s cultural heritage, handicraft and tourism department, said the figure shows an increase of 50 percent compared with the corresponding figure of last year.
The number of foreign visitors is expected to hit 1 million by the yearend.
The official said the inauguration of Ardebil-Sarcham Road, registration of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili’s Tomb on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, favorable climatic conditions of the province and the presence of warm mineral springs have helped increase the number of foreign tourists.
Nedaei said Ardebil province has 220 hotels, hotel apartments and accommodation centers.

The Song of Jungle

By Nima Yushij

I wonder what tumult is racking the silence of this jungle
That breeds a hundred songs of joy and sorrow in the heart;
I wonder what magic lies within the depth of jungles
That helps the jungle witch to ensnare man.

When the autumn morning sun rises,
The jungle gets so brightly lit
That it occurs to you
That each golden leaf is a candle flame
Burning in the jungle’s heart.

Which knight must bring the happy tidings of victory?
For whom the jungle is adorned with lights?
When the incense-spreading gale scatters
A thousand gold coins over the jungle,
I wonder what the silent butterfly thinks
And by what melody the jungle lovebird
Sings the luring song of dropping leaves?

I like the jungle,
Because like the souls of us folks
It is full of mysterious and colorful lights and shadows.

I like the jungle,
Because a lively jungle is beautiful
And even at death it refreshes the world.
May the mirth breading jungle live long!

Iranian Recipe

Beet-Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients
Beets, 2 medium
Pomegranate, 1 cup
Garlic, 1 clove
Mayonnaise, 4 tablespoons
Salt, a pinch
Black pepper powder to taste

Direction
Trim and peel 2 beets and place it in a pot, add water and cook for an hour over low heat (or until fully cooked). Grind one cup of walnut. Deseed a medium pomegranate.
Grate the cooked beets in a big bowl. Mash a garlic clove into a bowl.
Add the ground walnuts, pomegranate seeds, mayonnaise, salt and pepper to the pot and mix well.

Health Benefits of Beet, Pomegranate
Beet is very low in calories (contains only 45 kcal/100 g), and contains only a tiny amount of fat. Its nutritional benefits come particularly from fiber, vitamins, minerals and unique plant-derived antioxidants.
The root is a rich source of phytochemical compound glycine betaine. Betaine has the property of lowering homocysteine levels in the blood.
Homocysteine, one of highly toxic metabolite, promotes platelet clot as well as atherosclerotic-plaque formation, which otherwise can be harmful to blood vessels. High levels of homocystiene in the blood result in the development of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular diseases.
Raw beets are an excellent source of folates. However, extensive cooking may significantly deplete its level in food.
Folates are necessary for DNA synthesis in the cells. When given during pre-conception period, folates can prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
It contains significant amounts of vitamin C, one of the powerful natural antioxidants, which helps body scavenge free radicals--one of the reasons for cancer development.
Beet leaves are an excellent source of carotenoids, flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin A, and contain these compounds several times more than that of in the roots. Vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin, and is essential for vision.
Consumption of natural vegetables rich in flavonoids helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
The root is also a rich source of niacin (vit.B-3), pantothenic acid (vit.B-5), pyridoxine (vit.B-6) and carotenoids, and minerals such as iron, manganese and magnesium.
In addition, the root has very good levels of potassium; 100 grams of fresh root contain 325 mg of potassium or 7 percent of daily requirements.
Pomegranates also have numerous health benefits, one of them being a rich source of antioxidants. They help repair damaged cells and take care of the wear and tear of the body.
Given below are few other health benefits of consuming the fruit in any form, be it seeds, extract or juice.
•One of the essential benefits of pomegranate seeds is that this fruit is a powerhouse of various nutrients like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins C, B complex and K, folic acid, iron, protein, etc. It is also a rich source of dietary fibers, zinc, magnesium and carbohydrates.
• A major benefit is that it strengthens the immune system and protects the body from numerous infections and diseases.
• A positive effect of drinking this fruit juice is that it reduces the symptoms of diarrhea and eases the pain caused due to this condition. But the juice must be consumed only in limit as it may lead to constipation.
• Another well-known health benefit of pomegranate juice is that it keeps a check on blood pressure. It ensures the smooth functioning of the heart and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It also prevents the formation of blood clots and hardening of arteries. Regular intake will keep heart attacks and strokes at bay.

Dossiers for Global Registration

Dossiers of Mount Damavand, Lut Desert and Qeshm Island will be prepared in the near future and sent for global registration, said Directorate for Protection and Restoration of Spiritual and Natural Heritage.