KHUZESTAN

Khuzestan is a small province in south west of Iran which was once a part of the great and independent government of Elam in ancient times. One of the oldest human civilizations which dates back to 8000 B.C. rose from this area. The Elamites, Achaemenids, Parthians and Sasanids also selected and built some parts of this land as their winter capitals. Due to its geographical importance, this area was always subject to great upheavals. Because of the precedence of human civilization in this area, so many ancient and splendid monuments have remained in this land.

AHVAZ

This city is counted as one of the oldest cities in Iran and was called "Oksin" in the inscriptions and Hormoz Shahr in the Sasanids period. It is built on the sediments of the Tertiary period. Karun River has left alluviums on this eroded surface from the Quaternary period and has made it a cultivated and smooth land. The height of Ahvaz city is 12m above sea level.
Karun River has divided this city into western and eastern parts. There is an airport which has daily and weekly flights to Tehran, Esfahan and other cities. Railway passes through this city and connects it to other cities.

Karoon, with its source in the Zagros Mountains. is 725 km long, navigable only between Shushtar and the point where it joins Arvand Rood. Karun has important tributaries, among them are the Dez River, with the conflux at Shushtar, and Kerkeh River coming from the north, with the conflux further downstream at Ahvaz.

Ahvaz before the construction of its first bridge

Alongside the Dez River, the remarkably well-preserved ziggurat of Chogha Zambil is the best surviving example of Elamite architecture anywhere, and it is now registered with the UNESCO. Originally it had five concentric storeys but only three remain, reaching a total height of some 25m (82ft). It's hard to believe that such an imposing landmark was lost to the world for more than 2500 years, until being accidentally spotted in 1935 during an oil company's aerial survey.

Chogha Zambil is in southern Iran, near the Iraqi border, 45km (28mi) east of Shush, and is accessible by train and bus from Tehran. Because Chogha Zambil is way off the beaten track, you should consider chartering a taxi or getting a bus to drop you off at the main highway turnoff and then hitching.

EYVAN-E-KARKHE

Overlooking the beautiful scenery of Karkheh River, Eyvan-e-Karkhe is a historical monument from the Sasanid period. It is the remainder of a large brick built palace with a large and splendid hall for the Sasanid royal traditions.

JAME' MOSQUE OF DEZFUL

This mosque is considered as one of the mosques from the beginning of the Islamic period. From architecture point of view, it is an impressive monument with its stoned columns, repaired in the 7th & 12th centuries A.H. (13th & 18th centuries A.D.). The architecture of this building has been taken from Eyvan-e-Karkhe.

RUINS OF ARDASHIR-E-BABAKAN'S ANCIENT CITY

There are monuments from the Sasanids period around Ahvaz city. Some people believe that Ardashir-e-Babakan is the founder of old Ahvaz and some attribute it to Shapur.

JAME' MOSQUE OF SHUSHTAR

This mosque was constructed in the beginning of the Islamic period.  It has a pillar, stoned columns and many inscriptions. The inscriptions show the construction date in the 3rd century A.H. (9th century A.D.). In addition to the mentioned historical and must-see places, there are so many other monuments from before and after Islam in Khuzestan province, which attract tourists.