Qasr-e Shirin (Persian: قصرشيرين)[a] is a city in the Central District of Qasr-e Shirin County, Kermanshah province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4] Its population in 2016 was 18,473. It is a Free-trade zone (FTZ) and is populated by Kurds.[5][6]
Qasr-e Shirin
Qesrî Şîrîn | |
---|---|
City | |
Persian: قصرشيرين Kurdish: قەسری شیرین | |
Coordinates: 34°30′57″N 45°34′38″E / 34.51583°N 45.57722°E[1] | |
Country | Iran |
Province | Kermanshah |
County | Qasr-e Shirin |
District | Central |
Established | 7th century |
Government | |
• Mayor | Abbas Karami |
Elevation | 333 m (1,093 ft) |
Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 18,473 |
• Demonym | Qasri |
Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
Postal code | 67817 |
Area code | 0835 |
Etymology
editThe city is named after Shirin, the Christian wife of the Sasanian King of Kings (shahanshah) Khosrow II (r. 590–628).[7]
History
editSassanid era
editHistorical and literary works attribute the building of the city to Khosrow Parviz of the Sassanids.[8][9]
Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988)
editQasr-e-Shirin was a small town until 1270 AH. During the World War, it served as a border town for both German and Ottoman soldiers, as well as English and Russian soldiers. Qasr-e-Shirin underwent destruction during the Iran-Iraq war but was later restored following the war's end. Currently, the city has undergone significant expansion and transformed into a captivating and expansive region.[10]
Postwar reconstruction-present
editIn 1992 the postwar reconstruction process began.[11][12]
In June 2006, archaeological excavations in Shirin's castle resulted in the discovery of the dais of the castle which had been used as the seat of the king.[13] The establishment of Qasr-e Shirin free trade-industrial zone was approved on 5 May 2021.[14]
Demographics
editYear | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1956 | 23,901 | — |
1964 | 19,904 | −2.26% |
1976 | 23,224 | +1.29% |
1986 | 0 | −100.00% |
1990 | 0 | 0.00% |
1996 | 12,726 | — |
2006[15] | 15,437 | +1.95% |
2011[16] | 17,959 | +3.07% |
2016[2] | 18,473 | +0.57% |
Language
editThe linguistic composition of the city:[17]
Population
editAt the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 15,437 in 3,893 households.[15] The following census in 2011 counted 17,959 people in 4,751 households.[16] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 18,473 people in 5,473 households.[2]
Climate
editThe city is known for its agricultural productivity due to rich soil and plentiful water from the Alwand River, which runs through the city. The weather is mild in winter but hot and dry during the summer.[18] The results of research done in 2018 on determining the vulnerability of fish farmers to climate change in Qasr-e Shirin revealed that climate change had a major impact on fish loss, shortened production cycle, and lower fish production.[19]
Dust storms in recent years have troubled people.[20]
Economy
editAgriculture
editQasr-e Shirin is especially known for its date palm trees and lemon. The agricultural organization of Qasr-e Shirin is building the biggest garden in the Middle East.[21]
Border trade
editQasr-e Shirin has for long played an important economic role in the region. A large share of the country's exports to Iraq pass through the city, with its two main border terminals Parviz border and Khosravi. In the Iranian calendar year 1393 (21 March 2014 – 20 March 2015), commodities worth $1.9 billion were exported to Iraq through the border crossings of Qasr-e Shirin.[22] There are trading companies active in doing exports to Iraq.[23][24]
Established in 1997, Parviz border crossing (Persian: گذرگاه مرزی پرویز) is located to the northwest at 5 kilometers from the city center. The source of its name is a village by the same name on the Kurdish Iraq side of the border.[25] About 50 percent of Iran's non-oil products are being exported to Iraq via Parviz border crossing, a major land route for trade. On average, 800-1,200 trucks carrying Iranian goods pass the crossing and continue on to Iraq daily.[26]
An average of 500 tankers import fuel from Iraq's Kurdistan region to Parviz border daily and return to Iraq after being discharged at Iran's southern ports.[27] According to Yavar Mohammadi, one governor of the western Iranian city of Qasr-e Shirin, Parviz border crossing plays a significant role in the prosperity of the Iranian economy in general and Kermanshah province in particular. The border crossing has been named the most active trade checkpoint out of 86 crossings between Iran and Iraq.[28] It has put thousands of Iranians to work.[29] In the year March 2021 – 2022, exports to Iraq from this terminal stood at 2.53 million tons worth $1.02 billion.[30]
Tourism
editQasr-e Shirin and Khosravi
editQasr-e Shirin and Khosravi have many modern hotels and restaurants, with five three-star hotels and other two-star hotels, serving both pilgrims to Iraq's holy Shia shrines and tourists and businessmen visiting the city.[31] Because of the Khosravi border closure from June 2013 to September 2019 to caravan pilgrims (upon whom the hospitality industry is heavily dependent), and again during the coronavirus pandemic, the industry experienced a recession.[32][33]
Iran and Iraq reached an agreement to resume the regular dispatching of caravan pilgrims starting 21 November 2022 from Khosravi border crossing. Religious tourists from northern, northwestern and central Iranian provinces are to be dispatched to Iraq after spending one night at Qasr-e Shirin and Khosravi hotels.[34][35] Hotels in the area include:
- Kasra hotel
- Arg hotel
- Jowan hotel
- Marmar hotel
- Sahand hotel[36]
- Siavash hotel[37]
- Samen hotel in Khosravi[38]
- Imam Reza hotel in Khosravi[39]
- Abi Abdallah hotel in Khosravi[40]
Number | Name | Stars |
---|---|---|
1 | Kasra | 3 |
2 | Arg | 3 |
3 | Jowan | 3 |
4 | Marmar | 2 |
5 | Sahand | 2 |
6 | Siavash | 1 |
7 | Samen | 3 |
8 | Imam Reza | 3 |
9 | Abi Abdallah | 2 |
Valiasr hotel has been changed into a pharmacy.[41]
Parviz border crossing
editParviz border's passenger hall was inaugurated on 3 February 2015.[42] Of all the common border crossings between Iran and Iraq, crossing the border using a private car is possible only through Parviz border crossing.[43]
Culture
editQasr-e Shirin anthropology museum was opened in August 2008. Because of a lack of staff its operation was later limited to the thirteen days of holiday during Newruz of every new year. It is one of the largest in Kermanshah province.[44]
Infrastructure
editTransport
editRoads
editThe main access road is the Kermanshah-Khosravi highway through the ring road.[45][46] The other one is a two-lane road to Gilan-e Gharb. The resurfacing of 9 kilometers of this road with a 120 billion rial budget began in October 2022.[47] It is an alternative route to Eslamabad-e Gharb and Kermanshah using the Ghalajeh tunnel.[48] It also gives access to Ilam province after the small remaining part of miandar road in the Gilan-e Gharb-Eyvan route was paved in 2015 and made the distance to Ilam province around 40 Kms shorter through this road.[49][50]
Rail
editThe city is near a railway route under construction called Rahahane Gharb (Iran west railway) planned to connect Iran to Iraqi railway system and ultimately to the Syrian Mediterranean port city of Latakia. Its construction is due to be completed by 1405 Iranian year through Kermanshah–Khosravi line.[51][52][53] Qasr-e Shirin FTZ is considered the connecting point of Kermanshah railway to Baghdad railway.[54]
Air
editThere is no airport serving the city. However after the approval of its free trade zone there have been calls for the urgency of the construction of a small scale airport in order for the FTZ to prosper.[55][56] It would be the second airport in Kermanshah province.[57]Kermanshah Airport which is the regional hub is the nearest airport.[58][59]
Health systems
editHazrate Abolfazl Abbas is the hospital that serves the town and people from Iraq.[60] It has 96 beds.[61] Built in 1998 during the postwar reconstruction process, because of the lack of medical specialists it functioned at the level of a round the clock clinic until early January 2006 when some specialists joined and a few specialty wards were activated.[62]
There is also a sanitation center and a 24-hour drugstore. Due to the city's two border crossings with Iraq and its proximity to several Iraqi cities it attracts and has the potential to attract Iraqi medical tourists. According to Sa’dollah Masudian, the Iranian consul general in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah Governorate in June 2018, each day 1500 visas are issued for Iraqi travelers to Iran at Iran's consulate in Sulaymaniyah, one third of which is dedicated for medical tourism.[63]
International border crossings
editThere are two international border crossings. Parviz border crossing which is 5 kilometers away from the city center and borders the Kurdish region of Iraq and the much older Khosravi border crossing which is 18 kilometers away from the city on the way to Khanaqin and Baghdad in Iraq.[64]
Education
editHigher education
editThe higher education center of Qasr-e Shirin which was an affiliate of Razi University was a public university in Qasr-e Shirin that was shut down in the first half of the 2000s.[65] Its buildings have been given to the following semi public and private universities:
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (16 July 2023). "Qasr-e Shirin, Qasr-e Shirin County" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 05. Archived from the original (Excel) on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Qasr-e Shirin can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3079964" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of Bakhtran province, centered in the city of Bakhtran". Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of Farabi Mobile Library (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Board. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Language distribution: Kermanshah Province". Iran Atlas. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Iran launches new free trade zone on border with Iraq".
- ^ Wiesehöfer 2006.
- ^ "بناهای تاریخی قصرشیرین".
- ^ Chwalkowski, Farrin (14 December 2016). Symbols in Arts, Religion and Culture: The Soul of Nature. Cambridge Scholars. ISBN 9781443857284.
- ^ www.sirang.com, Sirang Rasaneh. "Qasr-e Shirin city, Kermanshah - ITTO". itto.org | Iran Tourism & Touring. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "نسخه چاپی تامين اعتبار و اختصاص مبلغ 34405 ميليون ريال جهت انجام پروژههاي بازسازي به دستگاههاي مجري پروژههاي بازسازي استان باختران". qavanin.ir. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Kovacs, Fereshteh (January 2020). "Learning From Past; Assessment of the Post-War Reconstruction of Qasr-e-Shirin in Iran". International Journal of Architectural Engineering & Urban Planning. 30 (2). doi:10.22068/ijaup.30.2.136. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "CHN | News". Chnpress.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "New Free Trade Zones: A Conditional Opportunity". En.eghtesadonline.com.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 05. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 05. Archived from the original (Excel) on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Language distribution: Kermanshah Province". Iran Atlas. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "Qasr-e Shirin Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for Kermanshah Iran". Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Zarafshani, Kiumars; Amirian, Shahnaz (21 April 2018). "Determining Vulnerability of fish farmers towards Climate Change a case of Qasr e-shirin Township". Journal of Rural Development Strategies. 5 (1): 33–50.
- ^ "دید افقی ناشی از گرد و خاک در قصرشیرین به ۷۰ متر کاهش یافت". Irna.ir. 9 April 2022.
- ^ "بزرگترین باغ خاورمیانه در قصرشیرین احداث میشود". خبرگزاری ایانا. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Qasr-e Shirin Exports to Iraq". Financialtribune.com. 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Dysfunction at the Border Jeopardizes Growth of Iran-Iraq Trade". Bourseandbazaar.com.
- ^ "بارفروش شرکت بازرگانی پادین تجارت قصرشیرین". Mivenik.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "مرز رسمی پرویزخان". Krccima.ir.
- ^ "50% of Non-Oil Exports to Iraq Via Parvizkhan". Financialtribune.com. 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Iran bans fuel transit via Parviz Khan Border". En.trend.az. 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Iran to increase trade volume with Kurdistan Regional Government". Taghribnews.com. 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Iran re-opens border crossings with Iraqi Kurdistan region". Reuters. 2 January 2018.
- ^ "Q1-3 Exports from Parvizkhan Border Surpass $640 Million". 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Good hotels in border areas". Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "هتلهای قصرشیرین همچنان خاک میخورند". Isna.ir. 12 February 2017.
- ^ "هتلداران از باز نشدن مرز خسروی متضرر شدند". Isna.ir. 6 November 2017.
- ^ "اعزام زائران عتبات از مرز خسروی از سرگرفته شد".
- ^ "اعزام هفتگی ۲ تا ۳ کاروان زوار عتبات عالیات از طریق مرز خسروی/ زائران شمالی و شمال غربی کشور از کرمانشاه عازم کربلا میشوند - دانا". 36484375.khabarban.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "هتل سهند + شماره تلفن، آدرس، نظرات، تصاویر و... | بهترینو - فروردین 1402".
- ^ Siavash hotel fartaknews.com
- ^ "هتل ثامن الحجج در مرز خسروی افتتاح شد". fa. 3 March 1390. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Imam Reza hotel raheeno.com
- ^ a b Abi Abdallah hotel kermanshah.mcth.ir
- ^ "هتلهای قصرشیرین به نگاه ویژه دولت نیاز دارند". 28 December 2021.
- ^ "افتتاح سالن مسافری پایانه مرزی پرویزخان در استان کرمانشاه دروازهی دیگر از تمدن جمهوری اسلامی ایران". تین نیوز. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "مذاکره ایران و عراق برای ارزانسازی سفر زمینی". 19 December 2022.
- ^ "موزه مردمشناسی قصرشیرین در روز جهانی موزه قفل شد".
- ^ "اجرای فاز اول طرح راهداری محوری در بزرگراه کربلا". Portalhamlonaghl.ir. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ ها, اخبار استان (30 June 1398). "کمربندی قصرشیرین تا قبل از اربعین به بهره برداری میرسد". Ostanha.tabnak.ir. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "عملیات روکش آسفالت جاده گیلانغرب به قصرشیرین با 12 میلیارد تومان در دست اقدام است - استان ها". 11 October 2022.
- ^ "اعمال محدودیتهای جادهای در کرمانشاه همزمان با سالروز عملیات بازی دراز". Ilna.news. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "میاندار گیلان غرب".
- ^ "ایمن سازی نقاط پر حادثه مياندار گيلانغرب در کرمانشاه". 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Iran opens the rail link to Iraqi border". Railwaypro.com. 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Kermanshah connected to national railway network". Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
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- ^ منطقه آزاد قصرشیرین نقطه اتصال راه آهن کرمانشاه به بغداد dolat.ir
- ^ "احداث فرودگاه در قصرشیرین برای رونق منطقه آزاد ضروری است | پایگاه خبری تحلیلی طلوع کرمانشاه".
- ^ "قصرشیرین نیازمند فرودگاه کوچک مقیاس جهت تسریع در امر صادرات و واردات".
- ^ "احداث فرودگاه کوچک مقیاس برای قصرشیرین ضروری است". 13 December 2022.
- ^ "❤️ تکست ناب". tnub.ir. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "سرنوشت منطقه آزاد قصرشیرین به کجا رسید؟".
- ^ "Border hospital readiness in handling border related crisis in Kermanshah Province, Iran, 2007". Journal of Health Administration. 10 (28): 41.
- ^ کرمانشاه, دانشگاه علوم پزشکی. "روزانه 400 بیمار به بیمارستان قصرشیرین مراجعه می کنند". Kums.ac.ir. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "چند خبر کوتاه از قصرشیرین - ایرنا". Irna.ir.
- ^ "Qasr-e Shirin holds untapped potential for medical tourism". Tehrantimes.com. 23 June 2018.
- ^ "Exports from Qasr-e Shirin to Iraq Earn $89 Million". 18 November 2022.
- ^ "رييس دانشگاه رازي كرمانشاه: مركز آموزش عالي قصر شيرين فعال است". 8 April 2003.
- ^ "زیرپورتال زیرپورتال قصرشیرین -کرمانشاه". qasr.ksh.pnu.ac.ir. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Islamic Azad university of Qasr-e Shirin ghasrshirin.iau.ir
- ^ "دانشگاه آزاد قصرشیرین می تواند به عنوان یک واحد بین المللی مطرح شود". 19 January 2010.
- ^ تفاهمنامه همکاری بین دانشگاه رازی و منطقه آزاد razi.ac.ir
Sources
edit- Wiesehöfer, Josef (2006). "Qaṣr-e Šīrīn". In Salazar, Christine F.; Landfester, Manfred; Gentry, Francis G. (eds.). Brill's New Pauly. Brill Online.