Ahvaz

Ahvaz (Persian: اهواز; [ʔæhˈvɒːz] ) is a city in the Central District of Ahvaz County, Khuzestan province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. Positioned near the border with Iraq, along the banks of the Karun River, Ahvaz serves as a key industrial and transportation hub, with a diverse population and a history shaped by its proximity to Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Ahvaz is home to over 1.3 million people within its metropolitan area. Census results suggest a steady increase in population. It is home to Persians, Arabs and other groups such as Qashqai and Kurds. Languages spoken in the area include Persian, Khuzestāni Arabic, Southern Kurdish, Neo-Mandaic, and dialects such as Bakhtiari, Dezfuli and Shushtari. The Karun, the largest river in Iran by volume, flows through the center of the city. It is one of two navigable rivers in Iran, alongside the Arvand Rud. Ahvaz has earned the reputation of being the City of Bridges due to its numerous big bridges built on the Karun to facilitate better communication between the east and west parts of the city, although since the beginning of the 20th century, this city has always been known as the Oil Capital of Iran, along with other cities of Khuzestan province. This city has a long history, dating back to the Achaemenid period. In ancient times, the city was one of the main centers of the Academy of Gondishapur.