Dezful

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Dezful دزفول
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 Valerian was defeated in Battle of Edessa, remains of his captured army were used to finish the bridge. It's believed that the bridge was made over the ruins of a much older bridge, built during the Elamite dynasties^{[citation needed]}.

Dezful Jame' Mosque

It is also believed that a fortress protected the strategic bridge across the Dez river, whence the name, although no trace of this castle remains. Interestingly, 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.

The people of Dezful (Dezfulis) speak Dezfuli, a Persian dialect distinct to the city. The People of Dezful are generally known as Dezfuli, Dezfulian or in some cases, Dezfoolian.

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 a market for the agricultural products of 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.

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