Dezful

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Dezful دزفول
Nickname(s): دسبیل', 'دژپل
Dezful
Coordinates: 32°23′N 48°23′E / 32.383°N 48.383°E / 32.383; 48.383
Country	Iran
Province	Khuzestan
Elevation	1,312 m (4,304 ft)
Population (2005)
- Total	257,000
Time zone	IRST (UTC+3:30)
Area code(s)	0641

Dezful (pronounced [ˈdɛzfuːl], Persian: دزفول) is a city in the Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran.

The most famous ancient structure of the city is a bridge that dates back to 300 BCE^[1] In 2006, the city had 235,819 inhabitants.^[2][3]

History

Rudband Shrine in the bank of Dez River

The name "Dezful" has been derived from the two words "Dezj" (fortress)+ "Pol" (bridge), that in combination can stand for 'the bridge to the fortress' or 'fortified bridge'^[4]. The original name of the city was 'Dezjpol' but after the Arabs invaded the area, because they had no 'zj' and 'p' in their vocals, the City was called Dezful, with the 'z' having an 's' sound^[4]The bridge was built during Shapur I. When the Roman Emperor was defeated, remains of his captured army were used to finish the bridge. According to the information from municipality the bridge was made over the ruins of a much older [bridge], built during the Elamite dynasties^{[citation needed]}.

Dezful Jame' Mosque

The bridge protected the city from military interventions, whence the name. The old part of the city adjacent to the bridge is known the "Qaleh" (castle). In the middle of the river, close to the bridge you can see remains of several water mills built ca. 300 BC. Most of them were actually used up to the beginning of the 20th century. The last one was in use up to 1985.

Academy of Gundishapur - the intellectual center of the Sassanid empire and the oldest university and teaching hospital in the late antique was founded near Dezful. Books in Greek, Roman, Indian and Chinese were translated in the academy. The main subjects were medicine, astronomy, astrology, philosophy, physic and chemistry. The academy attracted many scholars from east and west.

The people of Dezful (Dezfulis) speak Dezfuli, the oldest Persian dialect - a dialect distinct to the city and the oldest known language that is still in use. The People of Dezful are generally known as Dezfuli.

Geography

Dezfūl sits on the main north-south highway from Tehrān to Ahvāz, the provincial capital of Khūzestān. The main rail line from Tehrān to the Persian Gulf is 15 km (9 mi) from Dezfūl, on the opposite side of the Dez River.

The city lies close to the foothills of the Zagros Mountains.

Economy

Dezfūl is the primary commercial center for northern Khūzestān and one of the the main producers of agricultural products in Iran. Dezful is also a market for the agricultural products of the Lorestān province. The city also contains a large cotton textile mill and many small- and medium-scale industries. The Dez Dam, 203 m (666 ft) high, completed in 1963, is 32 km (20 mi) upstream from Dezfūl; the dam provides water and electricity for the city, as well as irrigation for nearby sugarcane farms.

Agriculture

Agriculture around Dezful was modernized in the mid-1960s by an Iranian-American joint venture company. The diversity of production is the highest in the Middle East, according to much research and analysis. Flowers and citrus fruits from Dezful are highly estimated in the country. Yoghurt and cream from local buffalos are very popular. Various vegetables like cucumber, onion, tomato, potato, cauliflower, squash, carrot, eggplant etc are produced. Mulberry, blackberry, plum, damson, apple, pomegranate, melon and water melon are cultivated in Dezful. Wheat, corn, sugar cane and cotton are planted in large scales. They are even producing small amount of local rice sort. The production of meat is cattle, sheep, chicken and fish that are mechanized as well.

Military

Dezful Vahdati Air Force Base is a 4th IRIAF Air force Base and it is Operational for F-5 A, E, F and B which was bombarded by Iraqi forces during the early stages of the Iran–Iraq War. There is an annual air show for the remembrance of War Heroes at the beginning of the Iranian New Year (March 21-April 4).

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007)

1. ^ سايت اداره ميراث فرهنگي ، صنايع دستي و گردشگري شهرستان دزفول
2. ^ Census85 - (Statistical Center of Iran (in Persian))
3. ^ Population and Housing Census
4. ^ ^{a b} دزفول شناسی - شهر دزفول - آشنايی با دزفول - dezful

External links

• Dezful News Network
• Deznava Dezful NGO
• dezfulcity.org , Dezful Magazine
• myDez.com, Dezful Unofficial Website
• Dezful city
• Dezfullogy NGO

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