hiraz (Listeni/ʃiːˈrɑːz/; Persian: شیراز‎‎, Šīrāz, Persian pronunciation: [ʃiːˈrɒːz], About this sound pronunciation (help·info)) is the sixth most populous city of Iran[2] and the capital of Fars Province (Old Persian as Pârsâ). At the 2011 census, the population of the city was 1,460,665 and its built-up area with "Shahr-e Jadid-e Sadra" (Sadra New Town) was home to 1,500,644 inhabitants.[3] Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the "Roodkhaneye Khoshk" (The Dry River) seasonal river. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia.

The earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC.[4] In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters, due to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian scholars and artists. It was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1800. Two famous poets of Iran, Hafez and Saadi, are from Shiraz, whose tombs are on the north side of the current city boundaries.

Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, wine and flowers.[5] It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens, due to the many gardens and fruit trees that can be seen in the city, for example Eram Garden. Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. The crafts of Shiraz consist of inlaid mosaic work of triangular design; silver-ware; pile carpet-weaving and weaving of kilim, called gilim and jajim in the villages and among the tribes.[6] In Shiraz industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.[7] Shirāz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iran's electronic industries: 53% of Iran's electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz.[8] Shiraz is home to Iran's first solar power plant.[9] Recently the city's first wind turbine has been installed above Babakoohi mountain near the city.

Contents  [hide] 
1	Etymology
2	History
2.1	Pre-Islamic
2.2	Islamic period
2.3	Modern times
3	Geography
4	Gardens and Clean Shiraz
4.1	Climate
5	Economy
5.1	Shopping
6	Demography
7	Culture
8	Main sights
9	Main sights near to Shiraz
10	Regional Foods to try in Shiraz
11	Neighborhoods of Shiraz
12	Sports
12.1	Balloon Festival
13	Higher education
14	Transportation
14.1	Airports
14.2	Metro
14.3	Bus
14.4	Rail
14.5	Roads
15	Famous people
15.1	Rulers and political figures
15.2	Religious figures, philosophers and theologians
15.3	Academics and scientists
15.4	Poets and writers
15.5	Other artists
15.6	Others
16	Twin towns – sister cities
17	Panoramic view
18	See also
19	References
20	External links