| Mashhad | ||
| Iran's major cities: Tehran Shiraz Isfahan Mashhad Tabriz Pictures |
Mashhad (also Meshed) is a city in the extreme northeast of Iran about 80 km (50 mi) from the border with Turkmenistan. Its population is 1,759,155 (1991). Located in the center of a productive agricultural region, Mashhad is a major transportation center. It is an important market for the wool trade and is well known for carpet manufacturing. Tourism is also important to the economy, as more than 100,000 Shiite Muslim pilgrims come to Mashhad annually. They visit the tombs and shrines of Imam Reza (peace be upon him). Although an ancient settlement, Mashhad did not begin to grow until the 9th century when it became a pilgrimage center. (Its name means "place of martyrdom.") Partially destroyed in 1220 by Mongols and again during the 16th century by other Central Asian tribes, the city was much beautified by Shah Abbas I. From 1736 to 1747 under Nadir Shah it served as the capital of Persia. |