Geography of Shiraz
Shiraz, Iran, the capital of Fars province. It lies in a basin in the Zagros Mountains in southwestern Iran, about 420 miles (680 km) south of Tehran. Shiraz is a commercial, governmental, and manufacturing center. Rugs, textiles, and metalwork have long been made here. Shiraz is also a tourist city noted for fine mosques and the tombs and gardens of the poets Sadi and Hafiz. About 40 miles (64 km) to the northeast are the majestic ruins of Persepolis, a capital of ancient Persia.
Shiraz probably dates from the sixth century B.C., but rose to prominence only after the Arab conquest of Persia in the seventh century A.D. It prospered under the Safawid dynasty and reached its greatest splendor as the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty (1750–94).
Population: 965,117.